About Almașu Fortress
Almașu Fortress (Almásvár or Dezsővár in Hungarian) stood on a wooded hill ~1.5 km from the village of Almașu, above the valley of the Almaș river. According to Hungarian sources, it was built after the Tatar invasion of 1241–1242, on the site of a Benedictine monastery, on the orders of the palatine Pál. In 1278 the estate passed to the Borsa kindred, and in the following centuries the fortress was held by noble families such as the Bebeks, the Corvins and the Balassas. Documents mention it in 1370, when King Louis the Great gave it to the Bebek family.
It went through many sieges. In 1545–1546 it was held for a time by the ruler of Moldavia, Petru Rareș, and in 1602 General Basta captured it, killed the garrison and set it on fire. The Csáky family rebuilt it in 1627, but in 1658 Tatar troops burned it again, and it was never rebuilt. In the early 19th century its stone was used for buildings in the village below.
The ruins are a listed historic monument (LMI code SJ-II-a-A-05009). All that survives of the fortress is a square tower about 20 m high, partly still standing; the lines of the enclosure walls can only be guessed at among the trees.
What you can see
The old tower dominates the crest of the hill and can be seen from far away, above the forest. Close up you can see the remains of the stone walls, the gaps of the windows and, on the wall that still stands, the marks of the beams and the chimney of a fireplace. Around the tower, the defensive ditch and the plateau of the enclosure are covered in vegetation.
Good to know
The fortress is an open-air ruin with no known tourist facilities: no information was found about consolidation or restoration work in recent years, or about an official schedule. The area around the tower is heavily overgrown with forest and bushes, and the path from the ditch to the ruin is partly choked with vegetation. The tower has partly collapsed, so it is not entered and the walls are not climbed. Every August the commune organises the "Fortress Days" (Zilele Cetății), with an excursion to the ruin.
Information verified on 13 October 2026.
- The square tower of about 20 m, the last surviving element of the medieval fortress.
- The marks of the beams and the chimney of the fireplace, visible on the wall that is still standing.
- The climb from the village through the forest to the hilltop crest, with the ruin appearing among the trees.
- Zilele Cetății, the excursion to the ruin organised every August by the commune of Almașu.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: the ruin is in the commune of Almașu in Sălaj County, ~1.5 km east of the village. A road climbs from the village towards the hill, but the forest has gradually covered the area around the ruin, so the last stretch is done on foot; sources give 20–30 minutes' walk from the village. Check the route to Almașu on a map.
Public transport: no verified connection to Almașu was found; the last stretch is on foot in any case.
- Where to park
There is no developed car park at the ruin; cars are left in the village, from where you continue on foot.
- Rules
The ruin is not set up for visitors: do not climb on the walls or enter the tower, which has partly collapsed. Wear terrain footwear and long trousers because of the bushes, and note that the path can be slippery after rain. Respect the forest: no fires and no litter.
- Facilities
No facilities at the ruin · not accessible with a wheelchair or pushchair
Frequently asked questions about Almașu Fortress
- How long does a visit to Almașu Fortress take?
- A visit to Almașu Fortress takes about ½ – 1 hours (estimate, including the walk up).
- Can you visit Almașu Fortress with kids?
- No, Almașu Fortress is not recommended for visits with children (path overgrown with vegetation).
- Where can I park at Almașu Fortress?
- There is free parking at Almașu Fortress (in the village, then on foot). There is no developed car park at the ruin; cars are left in the village, from where you continue on foot.
- How do I get to Almașu Fortress?
- Almașu Fortress is located at Fortress hill, ~1.5 km east of Almașu village, Almașu, Sălaj County. By car: the ruin is in the commune of Almașu in Sălaj County, ~1.5 km east of the village. A road climbs from the village towards the hill, but the forest has gradually covered the area around the ruin, so the last stretch is done on foot; sources give 20–30 minutes' walk from the village. Check the route to Almașu on a map. Public transport: no verified connection to Almașu was found; the last stretch is on foot in any case.
- When is the best time to visit Almașu Fortress?
- The best season for Almașu Fortress: April – October (easier to climb when not muddy).
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