DEVA


DEVA is a beautiful and modern city with a rich historical background. It was an ancient thracian stronghold named Dava, from where the name of Deva possibly originates from. The major attraction in Deva is the citadel built a top of a mountain, a natural volcanic truncated cone, dominating the surroundings. The Citadel Hill is a protected nature reserve with rare plants and also the home of the horned adder snake. The Citadel was built sometime in the 13th century on earlier roman foundations, at the time of mongol invasions. The town was first mentioned in documents in 1269. It became an important military and administrative center under the governor of Transylvania Iancu Corvin de Hunedoara (Ioannus Corvinus). Partially destroyed by the turkish armies in 1550, the town was rebuilt and the fortress extended. In 1849, just after the Central European Revolution defeat, after the polish general Bem's occupation and retreat, the fortress was blown apart by a powerful blast in the storehouse filled with explosives. Since then the silent ruins have remained an historic monument atop Citadel Hill. At the foot of Citadel Hill there is another important art monument, Magna Curia renaissance castle built in 1621, which has been housing the region's natural science and history museum since 1882. Nearby there is the Franciscan monastery built in the 17th century.


The 13th century Citadel atop The Citadel Hill
The Ruins of The Castle dominates the surrounding landscape
The Walls of The Castle
 
 
 
HOLYWOOD? NO, DEVA!
The Second Gate of The Walled Road which leads to the Castle
The Gate of The Castle
 
 
 
The Ruined Wall with The Gate of The Castle
The Ruins of The Castle
Inside The Walls of The Castle
 
 
 
The Ancient Walls of The Castle
The Mountainous Landscape of Poiana Rusca south of Deva seen through an ancient window
The City Blocks below seen through an ancient window
 
 
 
The surrounding landscape of orchard-covered hills seen from The Castle
The houses and villas in The Outskirts of The Town
The Outskirts of The Town
 
 
 
Panoramic View of Deva from The Citadel
The Neighbourhood at the base of The Citadel Hill
North-east view of The Town with The Franciscan Monastery, The Train Station and The Mures River Valley
 
 
 
The Apuseni Mountains (Western Carpathians) North of The City
The Mures River Valley and the E68 highway west of The City
The 16th century Renaissance-Baroque Style Magna Curia Castle (Bethlen Castle)
 
 
 

DEVA nowadays is the capital city of Hunedoara district. Throughout history the town appears under different names: Dava, Deva, Diemrich, Schloßburg and Deva. It became known for its School for Gymnastics and Sports which gave the world many famous dedicated gymnasts like Nadia Comaneci, the first athlete ever to obtain a score of 10, after she stunned the audience with her excellent performance at the Olympic Games held in Montreal in 1976.


The Statue of The Dacian King 'Decebalus Per Scorilo' in The Center of Deva The 17th century Franciscan Monastery of Deva The Citadel Hill seen from the city below

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