Corvin Castle in Hunedoara is one of the most stunning Gothic castles in all of Europe — a towering medieval fortress rising from a limestone rock, wrapped in legend and bristling with ornate turrets, drawbridges and dramatic battlements. Ranked among the 'top 10 fairytale destinations in Europe', this is the kind of place that stops you in your tracks the moment it comes into view.

The atmosphere here shifts beautifully with the seasons: in summer the castle's reflection shimmers in the Zlasti stream below, autumn cloaks the surrounding hills in gold and amber, and in winter the whole structure takes on an almost otherworldly, frost-bitten grandeur. Inside, you'll wander through the soaring Knights' Hall, peer into the legendary 28-metre-deep well in the inner courtyard, and explore Gothic loggias decorated with 15th-century frescoes that tell the story of the Corvinus family's mythical raven heraldry.

• By car: take road DN7 (E15) and turn off at Sântuhalm onto DJ 687 towards Hunedoara. The castle is in the south-western part of the city, about 10 minutes from the turn-off.
• From Deva (approx. 18 km): by bus or car along DN7, then DJ 687 into central Hunedoara.

• The castle is open to visitors year-round.
• Medieval festivals and events are held regularly on the castle grounds.
• The castle can be hired for commercial photo and film shoots — advance booking required.
• The onsite museum, opened in 1974, covers medieval history, archaeology, ethnology and rare books.
• Over 404,000 visitors came in 2019 alone.

Legend has it that the courtyard well was dug by three Turkish prisoners who were promised freedom upon completion — after 15 years of labour the promise was broken, and an inscription carved into the stone nearby allegedly reads: 'You may have water, but you have almost no heart.' A castle full of stories, Corvin is unmissable on any Romanian itinerary.