The Károlyi Castle from Carei
The Károlyi castle from Carei, Satu Mare county, was built by Károlyi László, first being only a rich house that arouse the stand of the Satmar committee nobles, needing the intervention of Matei Corvin to solve the conflict. In 1592, after many attacks from the Turkeys Károlyi Mihály decides to fortify the edifice built in 1482. Therefore the old building was surrounded by strong walls, with bastions, having an exterior ditch, with one suspended bridge, also being defended by a numerous and well armed garrison.
As a result of the reconstruction (1661-1666) it had an important role in defending the Western frontier of Transylvania. Between 1703 and 1711 it had a great importance in the wars against the Curuts leaded by the principle Francisc Rákóczi the 2nd against the Habsburgs. The citadel was attacked by Rákóczi, but after a few days Károlyi Sándor becomes an ally for the principle and the ruler of the army.
The citadel was attacked in 1705 by the Habsburgs and was partially destroyed, but was renovated in the same year.
At the end of the 18th century, it loses it’s military role, so that Károlyi József decides to destroy the walls and fill the ditches. It only remains the foundation and some of the walls of the edifice and starts the construction of a quadrate castle, with a single floor. The workings were finished in 1794, the result being a castle built in the barock style, having 20 rooms on the deck floor and 21 on the first floor, Around the castle there was arranged a park with rare plants and there was built a stable for 24 horses.
The castle suffered significant damages as a result of the earthquake from 1834. The restauration was only made between 1894 and 1896, moment when to the existing construction there were brought many modifications: there was built another level in the façade and another 3 small towers and 4 big towers. The restauration was made in the neo-gothic style, being built by the architect Meining Arthur.
Nowadays in the castle there is a historical museum and the natural science and a library containing over 80000 volumes.
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