# Ardud Fortress [Romania](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/attractions) › [Maramureș](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/region/maramures) › [Satu Mare County](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/county/satu-mare) › [Ardud](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/city/ardud) > The medieval Drágfi fortress and former Károlyi residence on a hill at the edge of Ardud, with a white battlemented tower and brick ruins around the courtyard. **At a glance:** Fortresses and fortifications in Ardud, Satu Mare County. The visit takes 45 min. Information verified on 10 November 2026. ## Key facts - **Opening hours:** Call the Ardud House of Culture, which manages the fortress, before visiting. - **Visit duration:** 45 min — courtyard and walls - **With kids:** Yes — take care on steps - **Address:** Strada Cetății, Ardud, Satu Mare County - **Coordinates:** 47.65393, 22.888 - **Phone:** +40 261 767 130 - **Website:** https://casadeculturaardud.com/index.php/2023/10/05/cetatea-din-oras/ - **Wikipedia:** https://ro.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruinele_cet%C4%83%C8%9Bii_K%C3%A1rolyi_din_Ardud - **Wikidata:** https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q18547579 - **Categories:** [Fortresses and fortifications](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/fortresses-and-fortifications) ## About Ardud Fortress Ardud Fortress stands on a rise above the Homorod stream, on the northern edge of the town. In 1456 the Drágfi family was granted the right to build a fortification here. The stone fortress dates from the late fifteenth century, in the time of Bartolomeu Drágfi. Archaeologists traced its rectangular plan, with towers at the corners and a gate on the south side. The fortress lost its military role after the sieges of the sixteenth century. In the eighteenth century, Count Sándor Károlyi built a noble residence here, reusing sections of the old masonry and cellars. Today's white tower, crowned with battlements, retains the Gothic Revival appearance it acquired in the late nineteenth century. Modern conservation work on the south side stabilised the towers and the remains of the old gate. ### What you can see Two phases of building are visible from the courtyard: the round, white-plastered tower and the fragments of stone and brick wall around it. The wooden footbridge passes the ruins of the former gate. Up close, you can see where brickwork was added to the older masonry during conservation. From the foot of the hill, the tower's silhouette shows how clearly the fortress could be seen from the valley. ## Don't miss - The round white tower with its Gothic Revival battlements. - The remains of the south gate beside the wooden footbridge. - The junction between the old stonework and the brick repairs. ## Good to know before you go ### Getting there **By car:** from Satu Mare, follow the E81 towards Ardud. It is about 19 km, roughly 20 minutes by car. The fortress is on Strada Cetății as you enter Ardud from Satu Mare. **Public transport:** buses run from Satu Mare towards Ardud. Check the departure and where to get off with the operator before travelling. ### Rules Keep to the areas laid out for visitors and supervise children near the walls and on the tower steps. ## Details - **Construction period:** 15th–18th centuries - **Founder:** Bartolomeu Drágfi - **State of preservation:** partly restored ## Frequently asked questions about Ardud Fortress **How long does a visit to Ardud Fortress take?** A visit to Ardud Fortress takes about 45 min (courtyard and walls). **Can you visit Ardud Fortress with kids?** Yes, Ardud Fortress is suitable for children (take care on steps). **How do I get to Ardud Fortress?** Ardud Fortress is located at Strada Cetății, Ardud, Satu Mare County. More under “Getting there”. ## Nearby attractions - [Ascension Cathedral (Roman Catholic Cathedral)](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/ascension-cathedral) — Churches · Satu Mare, SM · Free · 30 min · 20 km The Cathedral of the Ascension, rebuilt in neoclassical style between 1830 and 1837: a portico of six Corinthian columns and two towers dominate Piața Libertății, and inside lies the tomb of a martyr bishop. - [Dacia Hotel](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/dacia-hotel) — Monuments and historic sites · Satu Mare, SM · Free · 15 min · 20 km The former Pannonia Hotel, built in 1901–1902 in Liberty Square to plans by Zoltán Bálint and Lajos Jámbor, is one of the finest Secession buildings in Satu Mare. It can only be seen from outside: it is under restoration. - [Firemen's Tower](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/firemen-s-tower-satu-mare) — Fortresses and fortifications · Satu Mare, SM · 10 lei · 30 min · 20 km A red-brick fire tower, 47 m tall, built in 1904 on the initiative of Bishop Gyula Meszlényi; the balcony at the top looks out over the whole centre of Satu Mare. - [Károlyi Castle](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/karolyi-castle) — Castles and palaces · Carei, SM · 40 lei · 1 – 1½ hours · 41 km Eclectic castle with towers and a moat, rebuilt in 1894–1896 by the Károlyi family in the middle of a three-century-old dendrological park; inside, period interiors, wax figures and African trophies. - [Báthory Fortress](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/bathory-fortress) — Fortresses and fortifications · Șimleu Silvaniei, SJ · 20 min · 62 km The ruins of the Báthory family’s fortified residence in central Șimleu Silvaniei, with round bastions and a Renaissance portal. Restoration is under way. - [Béldy Castle in Jibou](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/beldy-castle-in-jibou) — Castles and palaces · Jibou, SJ · 30 min · 63 km A neo-Renaissance manor from 1903, hidden in an oak forest near Jibou; owned by Sălaj County Council, temporarily closed and not set up for visitors, so it can only be seen from outside. --- Full page: https://peplaiuri.ro/en/ardud-fortress Other languages: Română: https://peplaiuri.ro/cetatea-ardud.md · Deutsch: https://peplaiuri.ro/de/burg-ardud.md · Italiano: https://peplaiuri.ro/it/fortezza-di-ardud.md · Français: https://peplaiuri.ro/fr/forteresse-d-ardud.md · Español: https://peplaiuri.ro/es/fortaleza-de-ardud.md · Magyar: https://peplaiuri.ro/hu/erdodi-var.md Last updated: 10 November 2026 Source: Pe Plaiuri (https://peplaiuri.ro/en) — Guide to tourist attractions in Romania