A fairytale castle for some, a Gothic masterpiece for others and even a haunted-looking place with great backgrounds for Hollywood films, Corvin Castle is simply the most impressive castle in Transylvania. While many chase the ghost of fictional characters at Bran Castle, we recommend instead you add Corvin Castle to your list of the best places to see in Romania. The construction and expansion of the castle took place in several phases starting with 1440 when Ioan of Hunedoara considerably enlarged the existing 14th-century fortress. The castle was the witness not only of his accomplishments, but also of his ambitions, becoming until the death of its owner, one of the finest in Europe of the time. In the first stage, the old fortification was surrounded with two strong curtain walls and rectangular and circular towers were added, most of them — the Old and the New Gate Towers, Capistrano Tower and the Painted Tower — standing until today. A second stage began after Ioan of Hunedoara became the regent of Hungary, the castle becoming the reflection of the great political role obtained. The Knights’ Hall and the Council’s Hall are the masterpieces of the time, both of them being unique in Transylvania. After his death, it’s his son, Matia Corvin, the greatest king of Hungary, who continued the expansion of the castle. He added the loggia Matia that still conserves the only secular painting from Transylvania’s 15th century. Prince Gabriel Bethlen brought many changes to the architecture of the castle in the 17th century, including building new towers fit for artillery fights. However, Corvin Castle was gradually abandoned afterwards. Ample restorations started only two centuries later, but the process was long and challenging, often destroying more than repairing. It’s the work carried on in the 20th century that brought back to light the original architecture of the medieval construction.