About Șoimoș Fortress
Șoimoș Fortress stands on a rock of Cioaca Tăutului hill, on the right bank of the Mureș, above Șoimoș village and opposite Lipova, where the river valley leaves the hills for the Arad Plain. It was built towards the end of the 13th century, after the Tatar invasions, probably by Paul, Ban of Severin, and appears in documents from 1278. After 1315 it became a royal fortress linked to the counts of Arad, and by the end of the 15th century its estate numbered almost a hundred villages.
From 1446 it passed to the family of John Hunyadi. In 1514 the garrison joined the rebels of George Dózsa, and in the 1540s Queen Isabella and her son, John Sigismund, lived here; at that time the fortress was strengthened in Renaissance style and given its outer bastions. The Ottomans took it in 1552, lost it in 1595 and received it again from Prince Gabriel Bethlen, holding it until March 1688. Officially abandoned in 1788, it gradually fell into ruin. It is a listed historic monument (LMI code AR-II-a-A-00618).
What you can see
The fortress has a roughly triangular plan, with two rings of walls and a defensive ditch; on the south side, where the rock is steep, there is no ditch. On the west side rise the gate tower and the old tower, several storeys high. The inner courtyard, about 35 × 22 m, is bordered to the north by the ruins of Queen Isabella's palace, with carved stone mouldings and the remains of a balcony that bears her name.
From the top you can see the Mureș valley, Lipova and Șoimoș village below the hill. About 3 km away, also by the DN7, is Maria Radna Monastery, and further north, in the same county, the ruins of Șiria Fortress.
Good to know
In February 2024 one of the fortress walls collapsed, and the area was cordoned off because of the risk to visitors. The fortress is managed by Lipova Town Hall, which is preparing a consolidation project.
Information verified on 2 November 2026.
- The gate tower and the old tower, on the west side of the fortress.
- The inner courtyard of about 35 × 22 m, with the ruins of Queen Isabella's palace.
- The carved stone mouldings and the remains of the balcony in the north wing.
- The view over the Mureș, Lipova and Șoimoș village below the hill.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: the fortress sits above the DN7 (Arad – Deva), by Șoimoș village, which belongs to Lipova. Arad is ~35 km away (~45 minutes), Timișoara ~86 km (~1 hour 20 minutes), Deva ~120 km (~2 hours). By the DN7, at the foot of the hill, there is a parking spot with an information board, where the path starts.
On foot: from the car park it is a ~20-minute climb along the path to the fortress.
- Where to park
Parking is free at the foot of the hill, by the DN7, next to Șoimoș village; from there you walk up.
- Rules
The fortress is a historic monument: do not climb the walls, take stones or light fires inside.
- Facilities
No toilets or food outlets at the fortress · information board at the car park by the DN7 · not accessible by wheelchair
Frequently asked questions about Șoimoș Fortress
How long does a visit to Șoimoș Fortress take?
A visit to Șoimoș Fortress takes about 1 – 1½ hours (including the walk up).
Can you visit Șoimoș Fortress with kids?
Yes, Șoimoș Fortress is suitable for children (uphill walk; unprotected walls).
Where can I park at Șoimoș Fortress?
There is free parking at Șoimoș Fortress (below the hill, by the DN7). More under “Where to park”
How do I get to Șoimoș Fortress?
Șoimoș Fortress is located at Cioaca Tăutului hill, above Șoimoș village; the path starts by the DN7, Lipova, Arad County. More under “Getting there”
When is the best time to visit Șoimoș Fortress?
The best season for Șoimoș Fortress: April – October (in dry weather).
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