Martinuzzi Castle
Medieval castle in Transylvania, site of multiple assassinations.
Martinuzzi Castle, also called Alvinc Castle, stands in Vințu de Jos, a locality in the Transylvania region of Romania. This medieval fortress ranks among the earliest and most significant examples of Italian Renaissance architecture in Transylvania. The ruins are listed as a national heritage site, bearing the code AB-II-m-B-00394 on Romania’s National Register of Historic Monuments.
Its history includes several violent episodes. On the night of 16–17 December 1551, George Martinuzzi was killed inside the castle by General Giovanni Battista Castaldo. Aaron the Tyrant was imprisoned there on 9 May 1595 and later poisoned. In 1601, Italian architects Simone and Fulvio Genga were accused of political plotting and assassinated in the dungeons by General Basta. Metropolitan Sava Brancović was held in the same dungeons in 1680, imprisoned by Michael I Apafi. Ottoman and Tatar attacks damaged the fortress between 1658 and 1661. In 1715, the castle came under the ownership of Transylvania’s Roman Catholic Church, serving as a summer residence for bishops. A fire broke out in 1792 while Ignác Batthyány occupied the property, and repairs followed. During Romania’s communist era, the castle decayed further, used for industrial storage, as a granary, and as a meat processing plant. Its northern sections collapsed in 1981. After the Romanian Revolution, the site was abandoned, and the ruins now face imminent collapse.
Local oral tradition claims that Castaldo killed Martinuzzi to retrieve a hidden stash of ancient coins, which the cardinal was rumored to have obtained from fishermen and concealed within the castle.
- location
- Vințu de Jos, Transylvania, Romania
- also known as
- Alvinc Castle
- architectural style
- Italian Renaissance
- heritage status
- National heritage site (AB-II-m-B-00394)
- notable resident
- George Martinuzzi
Lore & Background
Martinuzzi Castle was the site of several notable events. In the night of 16–17 December 1551, George Martinuzzi was assassinated within its walls by General Giovanni Battista Castaldo. On 9 May 1595, Aaron the Tyrant was imprisoned and later poisoned there. In 1601, Italian architects Simone and Fulvio Genga were accused of political intrigue and assassinated in the castle's dungeons by General Basta. In 1680, Metropolitan Sava Brancović was imprisoned by Michael I Apafi in the dungeons.
Between 1658 and 1661, the fortress was damaged by Ottoman and Tatar attacks. In 1715, the castle was owned by Transylvania's Roman Catholic Church, functioning as an episcopal summer residence. In 1792, while occupied by Ignác Batthyány, the property caught fire and was later repaired. During Romania's communist rule, the castle deteriorated further, used as industrial storage, a granary, and a meat processing plant. Northern parts of the structure collapsed in 1981. After the Romanian Revolution, the castle was abandoned and its ruins face imminent collapse.
Oral tradition suggests that Castaldo assassinated Martinuzzi in an attempt to recover a stash of ancient coins, which the cardinal was rumored to have acquired from local fishermen and hidden in the castle.
Reader's Guide
Martinuzzi Castle holds significance as one of the earliest and most influential examples of Italian Renaissance architecture in Transylvania. Its history is marked by a series of violent events, including the assassinations of George Martinuzzi, Aaron the Tyrant, and the Genga brothers, as well as the imprisonment of Metropolitan Sava Brancović. The castle's decline began with Ottoman and Tatar attacks in the mid-17th century, followed by a fire in 1792. Under communist rule, it was repurposed for industrial use, leading to further deterioration and a partial collapse in 1981. Abandoned after the Romanian Revolution, the ruins are now a national heritage site facing imminent collapse. The castle's legacy is preserved through its architectural importance and the dramatic historical episodes that occurred within its walls.
Did You Know?
- George Martinuzzi was assassinated in the castle on the night of 16–17 December 1551 by General Giovanni Battista Castaldo.
- Aaron the Tyrant was imprisoned on 9 May 1595 and later poisoned in the castle.
- Italian architects Simone and Fulvio Genga were assassinated in the castle's dungeons in 1601 by General Basta.
- Northern parts of the castle collapsed in 1981 during Romania's communist rule.
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