About Lázár Castle in Lăzarea
Lázár Castle in Lăzarea is one of the finest Renaissance noble residences in Transylvania. The Székely Lázár family held the village from the early 15th century, and the oldest part of the building still bears an inscription in Gothic lettering dated 1532. Its present shape is the work of István Lázár, royal judge of the Giurgeu, Ciuc and Cașin seats and a childhood playmate of Gabriel Bethlen: between 1629 and 1632 he surrounded the residence with an almost rectangular enclosure with corner bastions, and his coat of arms with the year 1632 can be seen on one of them.
The future Prince of Transylvania, whose mother was a Lázár, was brought up here as a child. In 1707 imperial troops set the castle on fire in reprisal against the Kuruc rebels, whom its owners had supported; partly rebuilt, it burned again in 1748 and once more in the 19th century, after which it was abandoned. Restoration began in 1967 and brought back the gate tower, the great palace and the Knights' Hall, which then hosted exhibitions.
After 2001 the castle was claimed by descendants of the Lázár family, and the ownership dispute kept it closed from 2014. Its current owners, the Berczely and Vormair families, set up an association that runs it and reopened it to visitors.
What you can see
You enter beneath the vault of the gate tower on the south side, next to which the enclosure wall is crowned by a Renaissance parapet with white ornamental crenellations. From the courtyard you can see the great palace with its white Renaissance gables, the tower with its wooden gallery, the four bastions and the stone walls with their gun ports. Inside the palace, the long Knights' Hall, with its beamed ceiling, carved tables and chairs, now hosts temporary photography and art exhibitions.
Good to know
The castle is only partly restored: the Ladies' House, the Baroque wing added in the 18th century, is still a ruin and conservation work is ongoing. On Sundays it can only be visited by phone appointment.
- The Renaissance parapet with white ornamental crenellations on the wall beside the gate tower.
- István Lázár's coat of arms dated 1632, on the wall of a bastion in the courtyard.
- The vaulted hall of the palace, with its inscription in Gothic lettering from 1532.
- The Knights' Hall, with its wooden ceiling, long tables and carved chairs, where the temporary exhibitions are held.
- The stone enclosure walls with their gun ports, and the ruin of the Ladies' House.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: Lăzarea lies on the DN12, ~6 km north-west of Gheorgheni, towards Ditrău and Toplița; the castle stands in the northern part of the village, at the edge of the forest, on Strada Kastély. Miercurea Ciuc is ~65 km away on the DN12 (~1 hour 10 minutes), Toplița ~30 km (~35 minutes), and Lacul Roșu ~35 km via Gheorgheni.
Public transport: Lăzarea railway station, on the Brașov – Miercurea Ciuc – Gheorgheni – Deda line, is ~800 m south of the castle, about a 10-minute walk. Local buses also run from Gheorgheni to Lăzarea and Ditrău.
- Fees & discounts
Adults 35 lei; seniors and groups of at least 25 people 30 lei; students and residents of Lăzarea 20 lei; children under 7 enter free. Professional filming or photography costs 200 lei.
- Rules
On Sundays entry is by phone appointment only. Professional filming and photo shoots are charged separately (200 lei). A castle guide explains the building's history and, on request, gives a tour of the enclosure.
- Facilities
guide on request · temporary exhibitions in the Knights' Hall
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