Transylvanian Castle Database Renewed

The largest online database dedicated to Transylvanian castles—kastelyerdelyben.ro—is undergoing a comprehensive structural and content update.

Launched in 2012 by the PONT Group, the website has gathered information on more than 300 Transylvanian castles and manor houses over the years, in varying levels of detail and with the involvement of specialists.

In 2024, the operation of the site was taken over by the Transylvanian Historical Families Research Center (ETKK) through a partnership agreement. As its first step, the scientific institution—operating as a foundation—implemented a complete structural and IT renewal of the platform. Among the main improvements are an interactive county map and newly added counters, designed to help users better navigate and quantify the listed buildings. At the same time, art historians commissioned by the ETKK are updating, revising, expanding, and writing the missing descriptions of the buildings. Relevant literature and source materials are being attached to each entry—whether the building still stands, is in severe decay, or has already disappeared—and the site also introduces the families and significant historical figures associated with them.

The descriptions of the castles and manor houses follow a unified set of criteria and are continuously updated. Alongside the written presentations, both historical and contemporary photographs are included, offering visual context to help users understand the history and transformation of these buildings. The aim of the website is to maintain an up-to-date and expanding database that not only highlights partially or fully restored structures but also draws attention to those that are abandoned, heavily deteriorated, or on the brink of complete destruction.

The ultimate goal is to build a continuously growing resource that enriches both professionals and interested laypeople alike.

The database is available here: https://castleintransylvania.ro/