The Huniade Castle (; ; ) is the oldest monument in Timișoara, Romania, built between 1443 and 1447 by John Hunyadi and Paolo Santini de Duccio over the old royal castle dating from the 14th century (built during the reign of Charles I Robert). The castle was rebuilt by the Turkish pashas in the 17th century and by Prince Eugene of Savoy in the 18th century. The structure owes its present appearance to the 1850s reconstruction campaign. It houses the History, Archeology and Natural Sciences sections of the National Museum of Banat.

History

Old castle

The construction of the current Huniade Castle began in the 14th century, after a visit by King Charles I Robert to Timișoara in 1307. He chose to settle here after the old royal residence became unsafe, due to ongoing conflicts with a faction of the Hungarian nobility that was hostile toward him. The construction was probably carried out by Italian builders on an older edifice and most likely finished in 1315, because in 1316 the king was already settled in his new castle.

The building developed around a quadrangular courtyard with cylindrical corner towers. Being located on an island, it was connected to the city of Timișoara, also fortified by the same king, through a movable bridge. It followed the Venetian model, with oak pillars driven into the ground. After almost eight years, the castle was damaged by an earthquake and, implicitly, the king had to leave it. It underwent major renovations during Count Pippo Spano. After extensive research, the original foundation was found 40 cm below the pavement of the current castle.

New castle

thumb|left|Lithography of Huniade Castle around 1730 ([[National Museum of Banat)]]

The castle later became the favored residence of the renowned Florentine condottiero Filippo Scolari, Count of Timiș during the reign of King Sigismund of Luxembourg. Scolari rebuilt and adorned the castle in the Renaissance style, employing Italian craftsmen and artists. The palisade around the castle, built of oak poles and earth, dates from this period.

Reconstruction

thumb|The Huniade Castle in 1880. At that time, the castle was an artillery barracks.

thumb|Castle Bastion of Timișoara Citadel and Huniade Castle around 1900

Due to the siege of the imperials, which led to the reconquest of Banat, the castle was damaged, so that after 1716 its renovation was required. But its function was changed, being transformed into an artillery barracks and a military warehouse (Provienthaus). However, the main facade of the castle was modified, this time being made in a romantic style. Between 1919 and 1947, the Banat Barracks (), as it was known then, was the headquarters of the 7th Pioneers' Regiment and the 6th Heavy Artillery Regiment.

Since 1947, the castle has been home to the National Museum of Banat. In front of the castle there are two lanterns reminding in several languages that Timișoara was the first city in Europe to introduce electric public lighting in 1884. The first floor, built on the height of two normal stories, contains two vaulted rooms in neo-Gothic style, one with three naves and the other with two, which are built of brick and supported by a row of massive columns. The upper part of the facade is crenellated, which gives it a fortress appearance.

The castle tower is rectangular in shape, low in height, with small windows and decorated with crenellations at the upper end so that the roof is not visible. The main entrance has been modified and is flanked by two massive pilasters that each have a collection of weapons specific to the Middle Ages at the top that contribute to the Gothic aspect of the castle. Other researches were made in 1903, with the occasion of brace works needed at that time, when the ruins of the 14th century medieval castle were discovered for the first time.

See also

  • Corvin Castle
  • List of castles in Romania

References

  • Huniade Castle in the National Archeological Repertory
  • 3D animation and virtual tour