Clay Castle of Fairy Valley (Castelul de Lut Valea Zânelor)
Porumbacu de Sus, Sibiu County · Transylvania
About Clay Castle of Fairy Valley (Castelul de Lut Valea Zânelor)
At a glance: Castles and palaces in Porumbacu de Sus, Sibiu County. The visit takes 1 – 1½ hours. Information verified on 11 October 2026.
The Clay Castle of Fairy Valley stands on a meadow beside the Porumbacu river in the village of Porumbacu de Sus, at the foot of the Făgăraș Mountains. It was built by a couple from Bucharest, Răzvan and Gabriela Vasile: the foundation stone was laid on 20 March 2014 and work finished in 2017, with craftsmen from Maramureș. The walls are clay, sand and straw, with wood, river stone and lime, and the building has no straight lines: twisting towers, shingle roofs that flow over the walls, oval doors with forged ironwork.
It is not a listed historic monument but a modern building in the organic architecture style, which quickly became one of the most photographed buildings in the area. For many years it could be visited for a small ticket; in 2024 the owners took it off the tourist circuit in order to turn it into a restaurant and guesthouse.
What you can see
The ticketed visit, with entry to the courtyard and a small exhibition room, no longer exists. Today you come to the estate as a guest: for a meal, in the restaurant with its stone walls laid piece by piece and its handmade furniture, cutlery and light fittings (60 seats inside and another 60 on the terrace), or to stay in the guesthouse's ten rooms. From outside you see the silhouettes of the towers and the shingle roofs, with the forest and the Făgăraș ridges behind.
Good to know
The castle no longer receives passing visitors. The owners say many people still come expecting a tour and stay at the gate, so book a table or a room beforehand. The interior and the rooms are reserved for guests. Povestea Calendarului, the theme park in the same village, is a separate attraction.
- The clay exterior with no straight lines, twisting towers and shingle roofs.
- The restaurant with hand-laid stone walls and objects made by craftsmen.
- The meadow on the bank of the Porumbacu river, with the Făgăraș Mountains behind.
- The oval doors with forged ironwork and the wood details.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: Porumbacu de Sus is ~40 km from Sibiu (~40 minutes) and ~100 km from Brașov (~1 hour 30 minutes), on the DN1/E68 between Sibiu and Făgăraș. From Porumbacu de Jos head for Porumbacu de Sus (DJ 105J) and continue a few kilometres to the castle. The start of the Transfăgărășan is ~10 km away, and Avrig, with Brukenthal Palace, ~20 km.
Public transport: There is no direct connection to Porumbacu de Sus. Buses and trains run along the DN1 between Sibiu and Făgăraș, but the last stretch has to be done by car or taxi.
- Where to park
You park next to the estate. A 2026 guide mentions plenty of free space; confirm when you book.
- Fees & discounts
There is no sightseeing ticket. You pay for the meal or the stay. On the official website, restaurant dishes start at 55 lei (soup) and go up to 240 lei (ribeye steak), and breakfast at the guesthouse is not included in the room price and costs 150 lei per person, à la carte. Room rates are shown in the booking engine on the website. The 5 lei ticket for visiting the courtyard in earlier years is no longer in use.
- Rules
You enter only with a confirmed reservation (online, at valeazanelor.ro, or at [email protected]); walk-ins are not accepted. Smart casual dress, no shorts, hats or sandals, according to the restaurant's website. The interior and the rooms are reserved for guests.
- Facilities
restaurant (60 seats inside, 60 on the terrace) · guesthouse with 10 rooms · online booking
Frequently asked questions about Clay Castle of Fairy Valley (Castelul de Lut Valea Zânelor)
- How long does a visit to Clay Castle of Fairy Valley (Castelul de Lut Valea Zânelor) take?
- A visit to Clay Castle of Fairy Valley (Castelul de Lut Valea Zânelor) takes about 1 – 1½ hours (as long as a meal lasts).
- Where can I park at Clay Castle of Fairy Valley (Castelul de Lut Valea Zânelor)?
- There is free parking at Clay Castle of Fairy Valley (Castelul de Lut Valea Zânelor) (next to the estate). You park next to the estate. A 2026 guide mentions plenty of free space; confirm when you book.
- How do I get to Clay Castle of Fairy Valley (Castelul de Lut Valea Zânelor)?
- Clay Castle of Fairy Valley (Castelul de Lut Valea Zânelor) is located at Zona Turistică nr. 630, DJ 105J, Porumbacu de Sus, Sibiu County. By car: Porumbacu de Sus is ~40 km from Sibiu (~40 minutes) and ~100 km from Brașov (~1 hour 30 minutes), on the DN1/E68 between Sibiu and Făgăraș. From Porumbacu de Jos head for Porumbacu de Sus (DJ 105J) and continue a few kilometres to the castle. The start of the Transfăgărășan is ~10 km away, and Avrig, with Brukenthal Palace, ~20 km. Public transport: There is no direct connection to Porumbacu de Sus. Buses and trains run along the DN1 between Sibiu and Făgăraș, but the last stretch has to be done by car or taxi.
- When is the best time to visit Clay Castle of Fairy Valley (Castelul de Lut Valea Zânelor)?
- The best season for Clay Castle of Fairy Valley (Castelul de Lut Valea Zânelor): All year round (reservation required).
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