At the foot of Deva's castle hill, right next to the city park, stands the oldest surviving historic building in town — Magna Curia, also known as Bethlen Castle. It's not a mountain summit itself, but it makes a wonderful stop before or after climbing up to the fortress ruins above.

The building's baroque façade is striking, even though its roots go back to the Renaissance era. The setting is green and relaxed — a stroll through the city park, the silhouette of the citadel hill rising above, and the calm, old-world atmosphere of a Transylvanian town. In summer the courtyard and surrounding paths come alive with visitors, while in autumn and winter Magna Curia takes on a quieter, more atmospheric mood — perfect for history buffs and photographers alike.

• Deva town center — on foot, a few minutes, easy
• Deva train/bus station — about 15-20 minutes on foot, easy

• Oldest preserved historic building in Deva
• Since 1938 it has housed the Hunedoara County History Museum
• Former residence of figures such as Sigismund Báthory, Gabriel Bethlen and Gabriel Báthory
• Recent restoration works and archaeological research in the courtyard are still ongoing

Pair your visit with a walk up to the citadel hill — along the way you'll find not just great views, but also a slice of Transylvania's turbulent history.