The Bethlen Castle from Arcalia
The Bethlen Castle from Arcalia, Bistrita-Nasaud county, belongs to the Babeş-Bolyai University from Cluj-Napoca; nowadays here it is the “Regional Center of Francophone”. Arcalia is situated at about 15 km from Bistrita and the castle is situated in a park that has about 150 species, from our country and exotic species, for example the Silvery Christmas tree, the Caucasian Spruce or the Japanese locust tree. The castle was built by the Bethlen family around 1850. Its total surface is 16,5 hectares having as parts the park, having 16 hectares and 3 complexes. It has main alleys that delimitate the park, alleys and the labyrinth alley.
As a result of the instauration of the Communism in 1947 the library with manuscripts and books was burned and the castle transformed into a market and then became station of agricultural machine and then was used as a camp for the pioneers. The Babes-Balyai University has been having the poession of this castle since 1963 and transformed it into a Biological and Geological Research Center, here there is also a place were students come for their practice period in Summer.
Being the only castle built in Mauro-Byzantine style from Transylvania, it has: a conference area havin 80 square meters, that can gather 70 participants, a seminary hall having 40 square meters, a lecture hall (40 square meters) and the Francophone library, having 25 square meters. It gathers scientific symposiums, seminars, Summer classes, exhibitions, creation camps.
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