Kornis Castle in Mănăstirea
About Kornis Castle in Mănăstirea
Kornis Castle stands on the edge of the village of Mănăstirea (Szentbenedek in Hungarian), in Mica commune, a few kilometres from Dej. Its story begins in 1573, when Prince Stephen Báthory granted the estate to the prefect Kristóf Keresztúri, who built the "old castle" here, completed around 1593. In the early 17th century the estate passed by marriage to the Kornis family, who added over the centuries a curtain wall with corner towers, a bastion and a fortified gate.
The gate tower, rebuilt in 1720 after the Kuruc uprising, is still standing, with the Kornis coat of arms on its stone frame. Beside it, on two plinths, stood two stone unicorns, the family emblem, which gave the place its name of the "Castle of the Unicorns"; after an attempted theft in 2016 the statues were moved to safety. In the 19th century a neoclassical wing was added, modernised between 1906 and 1916.
After nationalisation the castle was looted, its library of more than 9,000 volumes was burned, and a restoration begun in 1975 stopped in 1977. The Kornis family recovered it in 2006, and since 2018 an association has been trying to save the ruins.
What you can see
The gate tower is the best-preserved part: it has a window with a pediment and a pointed roof, and on the façade facing the courtyard a relief reproduces the icon of the Virgin from Nicula, brought here by Governor Zsigmond Kornis in 1699. On either side stretch the walls of the enclosure, with narrow windows, and in front of the gate you can see the plinths where the unicorns stood. In the courtyard rise the tall ruins of the old castle, and further on the neoclassical wing, with its colonnade and triangular pediment, is the most intact of the buildings.
Good to know
The castle is private property and an advanced ruin, not set up for visitors: it is seen from the outside, and going into the buildings is dangerous and not advised.
Information verified on 27 October 2026.
- The gate tower rebuilt in 1720, with the Kornis coat of arms and a window with a pediment.
- The stone plinths of the two unicorns, the Kornis family emblem, at the gate.
- The tall ruins of the old castle, begun in 1573.
- The neoclassical wing with a colonnade and a triangular pediment.
- The relief of the Nicula icon on the gate's courtyard façade.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: from Dej it is ~6 km (~10 minutes), on the DJ161D and then the DJ172F, which leads into the village of Mănăstirea. From Gherla it is ~16 km (~20 minutes), and from Cluj-Napoca ~58 km (~1 hour 5 minutes), on the DN1C towards Dej and then the DJ161D and DJ172F.
Public transport: the simplest way is the train to Dej, then a taxi, ~6 km.
- Where to park
There is no car park; cars are left on the roadside, near the entrance to the complex.
- Rules
The land is private and the walls and roofs are unstable: do not go into the buildings, do not climb on the walls and do not leave children unattended. Do not leave litter in the grounds.
- Facilities
no toilets, shop or café · uneven ground, with tall grass and rubble · restaurants and shops in Dej, ~6 km
Frequently asked questions about Kornis Castle in Mănăstirea
- How long does a visit to Kornis Castle in Mănăstirea take?
- A visit to Kornis Castle in Mănăstirea takes about 30 min (gate tower and ruins).
- Can you visit Kornis Castle in Mănăstirea with kids?
- No, Kornis Castle in Mănăstirea is not recommended for visits with children (unstable walls).
- Where can I park at Kornis Castle in Mănăstirea?
- There is free parking at Kornis Castle in Mănăstirea (on the roadside). There is no car park; cars are left on the roadside, near the entrance to the complex.
- How do I get to Kornis Castle in Mănăstirea?
- Kornis Castle in Mănăstirea is located at on the DJ172F, in the village of Mănăstirea, Mănăstirea, Cluj County. By car: from Dej it is ~6 km (~10 minutes), on the DJ161D and then the DJ172F, which leads into the village of Mănăstirea. From Gherla it is ~16 km (~20 minutes), and from Cluj-Napoca ~58 km (~1 hour 5 minutes), on the DN1C towards Dej and then the DJ161D and DJ172F. Public transport: the simplest way is the train to Dej, then a taxi, ~6 km.
- When is the best time to visit Kornis Castle in Mănăstirea?
- The best season for Kornis Castle in Mănăstirea: All year round (in summer vegetation covers the ruins).
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