Magna Curia (Bethlen Castle)
About Magna Curia (Bethlen Castle)
Magna Curia ("the Great Court"), also called Bethlen Castle, stands at the foot of the hill crowned by the medieval fortress. Its beginnings go back to a house built in the late 16th century by the captain of the fortress garrison, Ferenc Geszty, which was later home to princes and commanders of Transylvania, among them Sigismund Báthory and Stephen Bocskai.
In the early 17th century Prince Gabriel Bethlen turned the house into a residence worthy of his rank. Its present form dates from the mid-18th century, when the Governor of Transylvania, Ioan Haller, rebuilt it in the Baroque style. The palace is also linked to the story of Mária Széchy, the "Venus of Murány", who lived here after her marriage to István Bethlen.
The building is a category A historic monument and was restored between 1998 and 2006. It houses the Museum of Dacian and Roman Civilisation, whose history began in 1880 with the founding of the Historical and Archaeological Society of Hunyad County.
What you can see
On the pink façade with its white window frames, the stone balcony above the entrance rests on carved masks. In the courtyard, next to the swan fountain, is an open-air lapidarium, extended in 2012 by a new building: Bronze Age menhir statues from Baia de Criș and Țebea, blocks carved with Greek letters from the walls of the Dacian fortresses of the Orăștie Mountains, column plinths from Dacian temples, and Roman marble inscriptions and reliefs.
The ground floor holds the natural history exhibition "Past and Present in Hunedoara's Nature", with the three mounted European bison of the Slivuț reserve, ammonites and dinosaur fossils from Sânpetru, plus a room with 19th-century noble furniture. The other rooms host exhibitions of Dacian and Roman archaeology and temporary shows.
Information verified on 2 November 2026.
- The Baroque stone balcony above the entrance, resting on carved masks.
- The Bronze Age menhir statues from Baia de Criș and Țebea in the courtyard lapidarium.
- The blocks carved with Greek letters from the walls of the Dacian fortresses of the Orăștie Mountains.
- The three mounted European bison of the Slivuț reserve and the dinosaur fossils from Sânpetru.
- The view of Deva Fortress from the path in front of the palace.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: Deva lies on the A1 motorway, ~150 km from Timișoara (~2 hours), ~130 km from Sibiu (~1 hour 50 minutes) and ~80 km from Alba Iulia (~1 hour); Hunedoara is ~20 km away (~30 minutes). The palace is on Strada 1 Decembrie 1918, at the foot of Citadel Hill, next to the park at the bottom of the hill.
Public transport: Deva railway station is ~1.5 km away, about a 20-minute walk to the museum.
- Where to park
The museum has no car park of its own for visitors; park in the surrounding streets and around Piața Cetății, a few minutes' walk away. Parking in central Deva is paid.
- Fees & discounts
Adults 30 lei; pupils, students and seniors 10 lei; people with mild or moderate disabilities 10 lei; free entry for people with severe disabilities and their companion. The MCDR single ticket, valid for 7 days at all the museum's sites (including Sarmizegetusa Regia and Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa), costs 150 lei for adults, 50 lei for children and 300 lei for a family (2 adults + 2 children) or 200 lei (1 adult + 2 children). Photography fee for the exhibits 15 lei. Specialist guiding for groups of up to 30 people: 100 lei in Romanian, 150 lei in English. Tickets can also be bought online.
- Rules
Photographing the exhibits requires a fee. Professional filming and drone photography have separate rates and are arranged with the museum. Groups can request specialist guiding. Do not touch the exhibits.
- Facilities
Online tickets · group guiding in Romanian and English · open-air lapidarium in the courtyard
Frequently asked questions about Magna Curia (Bethlen Castle)
How much is a ticket to Magna Curia (Bethlen Castle)?
A ticket to Magna Curia (Bethlen Castle) costs 30 lei (pupils, seniors 10 lei). More under “Fees & discounts”
What are the opening hours of Magna Curia (Bethlen Castle)?
Opening hours at Magna Curia (Bethlen Castle): Monday closed, Tuesday–Sunday 10:00 – 18:00. More under “Opening hours”
How long does a visit to Magna Curia (Bethlen Castle) take?
A visit to Magna Curia (Bethlen Castle) takes about 1 – 1½ hours (palace, exhibitions and lapidarium).
Can you visit Magna Curia (Bethlen Castle) with kids?
Yes, Magna Curia (Bethlen Castle) is suitable for children (bison, dinosaur fossils).
Where can I park at Magna Curia (Bethlen Castle)?
There is paid parking at Magna Curia (Bethlen Castle) (in the town centre). More under “Where to park”
How do I get to Magna Curia (Bethlen Castle)?
Magna Curia (Bethlen Castle) is located at 39 Strada 1 Decembrie 1918, Deva, Hunedoara County. More under “Getting there”
When is the best time to visit Magna Curia (Bethlen Castle)?
The best season for Magna Curia (Bethlen Castle): All year round (all year; closed on Mondays).
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