Pekri–Radák Castle
About Pekri–Radák Castle
Pekri–Radák Castle (in Hungarian, the castle of Magyarózd) stands on a hill at the entrance to the village of Ozd, in the commune of Bichiș. It has a square plan, two storeys and a round tower at each corner, the pattern of the small Renaissance castles found across Transylvania. It is thought to have been built by István Radák in the early 17th century; other accounts credit Lőrinc Pekri, a Kuruc leader, and the most likely version is that Radák built it and Pekri later lived there. In 1709 imperial troops besieged and burned it, and after 1725 it was rebuilt and extended while keeping its Renaissance character.
Kata Szidónia Petrőczy (1662–1708), Pekri's wife and regarded as the first known Hungarian woman poet, lived here. The last owner to live in the castle was Countess Ilona Teleki, who had to flee in 1944. After nationalisation the building housed a kindergarten, a cultural hall and a collective-farm office, then stood abandoned from the 1960s and decayed badly. Returned to an heiress living in France, the castle and estate passed to the Bonus Pastor Foundation, which re-roofed the building between 1998 and 2001, conserved part of the wall paintings and carried out archaeological research in the cellar.
What you can see
The building is easy to appreciate from the road and from the surrounding hills: four towers with conical tiled roofs, windows with stone surrounds and a triangular pediment on the main façade. The plaster is still damaged in many places, so the castle looks like a monument being rescued rather than a restored residence. Inside, on guided visits, the rooms show traces of decorative painting from the 18th and 19th centuries, including the wall paintings of the large western hall, conserved by the foundation.
Good to know
The castle belongs to the Bonus Pastor Foundation, and in the renovated granary next to it a therapy centre for people with addictions has operated since 2005. The interior can be visited only by telephone appointment, accompanied by a member of the centre's staff. On the "România Atractivă" programme page the site is listed as "temporarily closed"; the reason is not explained in the sources consulted, so availability should be confirmed by phone before the trip.
Information verified on 13 October 2026.
- The four round corner towers with conical tiled roofs, typical of small Transylvanian Renaissance castles.
- The place where Kata Szidónia Petrőczy, the first known Hungarian woman poet, lived.
- The wall paintings of the large western hall, found under fallen plaster and conserved.
- The view over the hills of Ozd, with the castle rising above the village.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: the castle is at the entrance to the village of Ozd, in the commune of Bichiș, beside county road DJ153F, ~40 km as the crow flies from Târgu Mureș. The exact route depends on the county access roads; the last kilometres are on local roads.
Public transport: the village is not served by frequent services; operators and timetables should be checked in advance, and a car or taxi is the simple option.
- Where to park
No laid-out car park is advertised; ask where to leave the car when booking.
- Fees & discounts
The foundation does not publish a visiting fee; the terms (including a possible donation) are agreed when you book by phone.
- Rules
The castle can be entered only with an escort from the therapy centre and by appointment. The building is a fragile monument with unsafe areas: follow the guide's instructions and do not enter rooms alone. The estate is private property and a therapy centre operates in the grounds, so photographs of people there should be taken only with their consent.
- Facilities
no tourist facilities published · therapy centre in the granary · farm and outbuildings on the estate
Frequently asked questions about Pekri–Radák Castle
- How long does a visit to Pekri–Radák Castle take?
- A visit to Pekri–Radák Castle takes about 45 min (estimate, guided visit).
- How do I get to Pekri–Radák Castle?
- Pekri–Radák Castle is located at Ozd nr. 5, comuna Bichiș, Ozd, Mureș County. By car: the castle is at the entrance to the village of Ozd, in the commune of Bichiș, beside county road DJ153F, ~40 km as the crow flies from Târgu Mureș. The exact route depends on the county access roads; the last kilometres are on local roads. Public transport: the village is not served by frequent services; operators and timetables should be checked in advance, and a car or taxi is the simple option.
- When is the best time to visit Pekri–Radák Castle?
- The best season for Pekri–Radák Castle: All year round (by appointment, all year).
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