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| 1840 Râşnov Citadel (1) |
Posted on 21.08.2015, 28.11.2015
Located at the foot of Postăvarul Massif, at the northern end of the Rucăr-Bran Pass, which link Wallachia and Burzenland (Transylvania), Râşnov (German: Rosenau) is known for its medieval citadel, considered to be built between 1211 and 1225, during the rule of Teutonic Knights in Burzenland. In 1335, during a Tatar incursion that ravaged Burzenland, Râşnov Citadel and Braşovia were the only citadels remaining unconquered. Actually the citadel was conquered only once, in 1612, and only because the besiegers found the secret spring which supplied the citadel with water (therefore, between 1623 and 1642 a 146m deep well was dug in interior of the citadel, in the rocky soil).
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| 1840 Râşnov Citadel (2) |
The oldest preserved structures date from the 14th century. Until the move of the customs from Rucăr to Bran, and the building of the Bran Castle in the 14th century to protect the royal customs, Râşnov Citadel was the first fortification on the road of Bran, after the entry in Transylvania. In 1427 Emperor Sigismund of Luxemburg ceded the administration of the citadel to the local community, to which he granted the right to organize trade fairs. Locals of Râşnov have maintained and repaired the fortifications, because here take refuge in case of danger and as a result the citadel is considered a peasant fortress.
The citadel has a simple architectonic style, similar to the ordinary houses of the time and adapted to the fortification requirements. The towers and walls are covered with roof tiles for preventing the fires from besiegers. From South, West and North the citadel is protected by sharp cliffs of about 150m. The whole superior precinct is defended by exterior towers gathered in the northern flank and western corner. The citadel is composed of two courts. The exterior court is located in front of the eastern wall, edged by a fortified wall, and fitted with a square tower. The interior court represents the inhabitable area. Have been conserved the ruins of a school, a chapel and over thirty houses fated to refuge the villagers and their assets.
About the stamp
On the postcard 1840
The stamp, depicting the Romanian actress Sanda Toma (born 1934), is part of the series Golden Stars of Stage and Screen, about which I wrote here.
On the postcard 2075
The stamp is part of the series Flower's Clock II, about which I wrote here.
References
Râşnov Citadel - Wikipedia
Sender 1840: Roxana şi Mircea Ivănescu
Sent from Râşnov (Braşov / Romania), on 05.08.2015
Photo: Mioritics
Sender 2076: Victor Moldoveanu and the Romanian postcrossers who participated to the meet-up which held on Braşov on November 18, 2015
Sent from Braşov (Braşov / Romania), on 18.11.2015
Photo: George Avanu / 2013
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