On our way back from Straja, Romania (couple of weeks ago), we decided to stop along the way to visit some historical sites: Corvinilor Castle, Deva Citadel and Soimos Citadel. We didn’t walk up to the last one because it rained cats and dogs. But I did visit that Citadel back in 2011 (and also in 2001).

Soimos and Deva can be easily tackled by train from Arad. But to have a lot of freedom, a car is definitely a better idea.

>>read more about Day Trips from Arad, Romania

Soimos Citadel

By train you need to get off at Radna stop. You’ll see Radna Monastery across the street. And by all means do visit it. It’s beautiful and you can walk on the hill behind it, too. Then follow the road for another 7 km and you’ll see Soimos Citadel on top of a hill right by the European road.

Update Jun 2016: there’s a regional train departing Arad at 7:48 am and the one way ticket is 5.50 ron / US$1.37. Just don’t wear any white. Ahem.

There are two trails to the top but the one going to the left is a better choice as it’s not very steep. The view from above is stunning but there isn’t much left of the citadel. The citadel was built by the end of XIIIth century but was left in 1788. Then it was partially demolished.

Deva Citadel

Now you can go back to Radna train station and catch a train to Deva. The 3:26 p.m. one can be a good choice and the ticket is 33.40 RON / US$9.80 for 1 adult. The travel time is 1h 45 min.

Needless to say, traveling by car is less stressful and you can stay more in one place; plus the Corvinilor Castle in Hunedoara closes by 5 p.m. (details here).

Back to Deva though. Once in the train station you can ask how to get to the citadel. I haven’t seen many sings along the way but then again we traveled by car.

The citadel also dates from the XIIIth century but in 1848 the ammunition chamber blew up, hence the partial destruction of the place. However, it’s in much better shape than Soimos Citadel. Plus the view from above is superb.

Tip: when walking up to the citadel, after the stairs, take the trail which leads to the right. It’s more scenic, passes through a tunnel which goes under the Citadel Hill and also passes through two citadel gates.

Corvinilor Castle

I was told that there are mini-buses from Deva to Hunedoara but I haven’t found much info online and haven’t tried myself. So, from personal experience, this is best visited when you are on a road trip.

I’ve been wanting to come here for a long time and I finally had the chance. The castle dates from the XVth centuries. Previously there was a citadel here but Iancu of Hunedoara turned it into a castle. Chambers were added to the castle and buildings were built around it and in the XIXth century they started to restore it and add elements to “make the castle more beautiful”.

It’s worth a visit , there is quite enough info to get to know the place. If you like torture devices you’ll be pleased to visit the torture chamber. I also loved the Chevaliers Room!

Bonus: Siria Citadel

This citadel can be visited as a day trip from Arad, together with the Ioan Slavici museum in Siria. There was a train going to Siria from Arad (somehow I couldn’t find it when I wrote the article) but there’s also a bus (we took this one in 2011).

The walk from the back of the museum – the bus stops right in front of the museum – to the citadel is quite long but it’s not very steep. There isn’t much left of it , but the views are lovely. Just like Deva and Soimos, Siria Citadel dates from the XIIIth century and stands at 496 m.

There is another citadel rather close by – in Dezna – which dates from the very same century. This however was in very bad shape when I visited (2002).

All photos by Cristina P. and may not be used without permission.