The Bánffy Castle from Bontida
The Bánffy Castle from Bontida, Cluj County, was built by the Bánffy family, who got the domain from the king Sigismund of Luxemburg in 1387. The castle was built in the renascent style. The construction of the castle probably started in 1437, when the baron had the permission of King Albert to build it. The works were finalized in 1453, but the first documentary attesting of the castle dates from the 17th century. During the 2nd World War the German troops attacked, plundered and fired the whole assemble, causing significant damages to the castle. During communism the castle suffered serious degradation, its bricks were used by the villagers as construction material and in the 60’s it was used to deposit construction materials.
The Restoration of the Castle started in 1999, under the patronage of prince Charles of Wales and in 2007 the princess Margareta of Romania assumed the role of Spiritual Patron of the Rehabilitation Specialization of the Patrimony built at Bontida.