Mălăiești Fortress
About Mălăiești Fortress
Mălăiești Fortress stands on a low hill at the edge of the village of Mălăiești, in the commune of Sălașu de Sus, where the Hațeg Country rises towards the Retezat Mountains. It was not a border fortress or a town citadel, but the fortified residence of the Romanian knezes of Sălaș, a family of minor nobles who held the surrounding villages. It was built in the 14th century and grew in several stages around a residential tower.
At first there was only the keep, a massive tower of river stone surrounded by a ring wall. Later both the tower and the wall were raised, and around 1588 the enclosure gained four polygonal towers. The fortress was destroyed during the Kuruc uprising and then abandoned, leaving the keep and the enclosure wall in ruins.
Restoration began in 2012 and cost about €1.5 million in EU funds. The keep was raised again and roofed, the enclosure wall was rebuilt, and the courtyard was paved and fitted out for performances. The work sparked debate among historians, because the new part of the tower is brick, whereas the original keep was stone.
What you can see
A paved, sloping path leads up to the gate of the enclosure. Above the wall rises the keep, stone at the bottom, brick at the top and crowned by a pyramid roof. Along the inside of the wall runs a wooden gallery with a shingle roof, with wooden stairs between the levels. From the courtyard and the gallery you look out over the wooded hills at the foot of the Retezat and the villages in the valley.
The fortress is the end point of the "People and the Forest" themed trail, which starts at the Retezat National Park visitor centre in Nucșoara. In early August the town hall holds the Mălăiești Medieval Fortress Festival here, with medieval camps, workshops and local produce.
Information verified on 2 November 2026.
- The 14th-century keep, raised again during the restoration, with a pyramid roof visible from afar.
- The wooden gallery on the enclosure wall, looking out over the wooded hills at the foot of the Retezat.
- The "People and the Forest" themed trail, which starts at the Retezat National Park visitor centre in Nucșoara and ends at the fortress.
- The Mălăiești Medieval Fortress Festival in early August, with medieval camps, workshops and local producers.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: from Hațeg, take the DN66 towards Petroșani for ~8 km, then turn right onto the DJ667A and drive through Sălașu de Jos and Sălașu de Sus to Mălăiești: ~16 km in all, ~20 minutes. Deva is ~56 km away (~1 h 10 min) and Petroșani ~49 km (~1 h). The fortress is on the hill at the edge of the village, a few hundred metres from the DJ667A.
- Fees & discounts
Adults 14 lei, children 5 lei; groups of more than 10 adults pay 10 lei per person. Photo shoots and filming for events cost 211 lei. The fee is paid at the entrance to the enclosure, to the town hall attendant.
- Rules
Do not climb on the walls or the ruins. Pets must be kept on a lead. Photo shoots and filming for events (weddings, christenings) carry a separate fee.
- Facilities
The access path slopes, and inside the enclosure there are stone steps and wooden stairs · open-air stage in the courtyard
Frequently asked questions about Mălăiești Fortress
How much is a ticket to Mălăiești Fortress?
A ticket to Mălăiești Fortress costs 14 lei (children 5 lei). More under “Fees & discounts”
How long does a visit to Mălăiești Fortress take?
A visit to Mălăiești Fortress takes about 45 min (the courtyard and the wall gallery).
Can you visit Mălăiești Fortress with kids?
Yes, Mălăiești Fortress is suitable for children (sloping path up to the gate).
How do I get to Mălăiești Fortress?
Mălăiești Fortress is located at Mălăiești village, on the hill at the edge of the village, by the DJ667A, Sălașu de Sus, Hunedoara County. More under “Getting there”
When is the best time to visit Mălăiești Fortress?
The best season for Mălăiești Fortress: April – October (festival in early August).
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