Begging for Benefit from Braşov’s Bran fortress
In our recent chit-chat, I made mention of the pathetic posturing of preposterous people pandering for political profit, specifically calling you out to bear witness to just how powerful that abhorrent crock doth vigorously stink.
Tied up in the revolting revelations was the passing inclusion of Bran Castle, in the context of Romanians being ripped-off. My grasp of the situation was questioned by A, a reader who encouraged me to bolster the explanation of my opinions with additional information.
Indeed, I deemed it a good idea. Perhaps a continuation of our open dialogue will lead to a better understanding of plausible perspectives. From there we’re welcome to disagree, as I freely acknowledge I am not decades-long studied in first-hand materials of Romanian history.
So, here forthwith, is my summary of facts — which I have sought to verify and do believe, to the best of my knowledge, to be as correct and true as can be ascertained — surrounding the fortress at Bran as relates the bad taste of ungracious and greedy people seeking to extort large sums of money from the poor of Romania.
1377
The Saxon people of Braşov seek to defend against Ottomon expansion by building the fortress at Bran, located in the Transylania province of the Kingdom of Hungary which is ruled by Louis I, of French and Polish ethnicity.
1382 c.
Construction is complete and the fortress is claimed property of the Kingdom of Hungary.
1402 c.
Mircea cel Batran, King of Wallachia, is given possession of Bran fortress.
1419 or 1426
After the death of Mircea cel Batran, the Kingdom of Hungary re-assumes ownership and grants possession to the Prince of Transylvania.
1498
Vladislaus II, King of Hungary, grants possession to the people of Braşov for 10 years in exchange for money.
1508
Vladislous II grants possession to the people of Braşov for 25 years with a form of foreclosure rights.
1513
Vladislous II, again, grants possession to the people of Braşov for 25 years but also removes it from the possession of the Prince of Transylvania which effectively makes it property of the city of Braşov.
1514
Bran serfs riot against heavy tax burdens of Braşov.
1541
After the Ottoman Empire conquers the Kingdom of Hungary, Transylvania is elevated to the status of an independent vassal state yet Braşov remains owner of the Bran fortress.
1613
Gabor Bathory, Voivode of Transylvania, claims ownership. Braşov has to pay.
1625
Gabriel Bethlen, Voivode of Transylvania, claims ownership. Braşov has to pay.
1651
Gheorghe Rackoczi, Voivode of Transylvania, claims ownership. Braşov has to pay.
1691
Austrian Habsburgs take control of the Principality of Transylvania. Braşov’s ownership is honored.
1785
Bran residents again riot over Braşov taxes.
1848
Revolution breaks out in Transylvania and residents of Bran apparently take control of the fortress temporarily. The Saxon populations begin to find themselves very much uncomfortably caught between Magyar nationalism, Romanian nationalism, and forthcoming pan-Germanism.
1867
Austro-Hungary is formed. Braşov’s ownership is honored.
1877
Austrian army occupies Bran fortress.
1888
Possession is restored to Braşov.
1897
A writer from Clontarf named Abraham publishes a masterpiece.
1916
After securing assurances that the Allies will formally recognize Transylvania as a territory of Romania, the Romanian government belatedly enters WWI by attacking Austrian forces in Transylvania with some initial success. But, then, a German-led army from Bulgaria clobbers Romania, who suffers a casualty rate at least five times greater than its’ combined enemies. Bucureşti is captured and the government and “royal” family flee to Iaşi.
1917
Like a wounded and cornered badger, the Romanian army aggressively defends its remaining territory.
1918
In April, under intense pressure to demonstrate loyalty to Astro-Hungary, the weak Saxon politicians of Braşov offered to give the Bran fortress to the King of Hungary. In May, Romania is forced to negotiate a surrender treaty. In November, the Allies defeat Bulgaria which allows Romania to re-enter the war on the last day. Romanian government declares unification with Transylvania in December.
1919
In March, frustration by territorial losses leads to Hungary becoming a soviet republic. In June, Hungary invades Transylvania to reclaim it. In July, Romania crushes the Hungarian army and occupies Budapest.
1920
The Treaty of Trianon recognizes Transylvania as part of Romania. The Saxons once again find themselves under intense pressure to appease their rulers with demonstrations of loyalty. Emissaries of Ferdinand von Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen make it very clear to Braşov politicians that his English wife, Marie Alexandra Victoria, would very much like to have the fortress given to her. Romanian military officers “suggest” the city of Braşov give the Bran fortress to Marie who has become smitten by the charms of the property. And so it comes to pass, the “royal” family suddenly assumes exclusive ownership in a rather hasty ceremony by the city of Braşov under the pretext of “the people” supposedly “honoring” Queen Marie for her so-called “contributions” to the union of Romania.
1938
Marie, who rejected Christianity and believed in the Bahai faith, dies and wills the property to “Princess” Illeana, who is understood to not be the offspring of King Ferdinand just like most of the children that Marie had after sleeping with different men other than her husband.
1948
Romanian People’s Republic claims Bran.
1970
Illeana becomes a nun named Mother Alexandra, presumably renouncing all earthly possessions such as tenuous claims to property.
1989
Romania retains claim on Bran.
1991
Illeana dies.
2005
In advance of EU ascension, Romania passes a new law clearing the way for restitution claims on Bran to be filed by one Dominic Habsburg, a 70 year old architect living in New York.
2006
In advance of EU ascension, restitution to Mr. Habsburg is approved surprisingly quickly.
2007
Romanian people have national treasures hijacked by specious claims of high falutin ambulance chasers for ill-deserving outsiders demanding a princely ransom believed totaling around 75,000,000 dollars and most everyone just shrugs it off. At least two people on a blog delve into insane amounts of minutae regarding Braşov’s more than 600 year old history with the Bran fortress, including at least 500 years of history wherein the fortress has been abused by proclaimed royals for the purpose of extracting money, and the awkward case of the son of an Austrian who divorced a nun born from an illicit affair by a woman forced to marry at 17 to the nephew of a guy imported to replace an actual Romanian leader named Alexandru Ioan Cuza.
February 26th, 2007 at 6:44 am
Fantastic photos.
February 26th, 2007 at 1:12 pm
Thanks, Mist. It’s a tough place to photograph well. I feel as though I’ve failed miserably and look forward to “try, try, again.”
February 26th, 2007 at 6:06 pm
indeed it’s a tough place to take a picture….about twice the price of admission tough…..Now as an American ,I’m quite familiar with add-ons and extra hidden costs…but to almost double the cost of entrance just to snap a few photos was just bizarre….needless to say…in typical American fashion..we(meaning I and my Romanian companions) tucked our cameras into our coats and proceeded through the “secutrity” gates(two men on stools next to a wooden fence), as pre-occupied as they were with the young ladies working in the mock villiage…they did notice my sister inlaw ..not even two steps through the gate, take out her camera….”oh sorry” stuffed it back into her coat and we went on….someday when you emerge from the dino era I’ll show you some of our pirated pics in a photo share…too bad for the merchants peddling Dracula trinkets…their businesses could be phased out in the next swap of the property…
February 26th, 2007 at 9:48 pm
I agree it’s silly that some venues charge twice the price for photographs because I think that’s a little outlandish. On the other hand, some religious places won’t let you take any photos at all, which I found out after being chastised in a Bulgarian church (and, the kicker is, they did not allow photos because they expect you to purchase THEIR photos/calendars/postcards).
I, for one, would be happy to see the Dracula nonsense die out. T-shirts and trinkets related to fangs and blood are ridiculous to me. But, then, I’m just one person who’d rather see the fortress be appreciated for what it is and not for what it isn’t.
February 28th, 2007 at 1:30 am
[...] Romerican writes about the really complex history of Brasov’s Bran Fortress. Veronica Khokhlova [...]
March 12th, 2007 at 1:22 am
The history of Bran is pretty well captured in your chronology. However, I find your take on the Hohenzollern familly a little bit disturbing. Although I don’t support giving anything back to anybody (finders keepers :P), the Hohenzollerns proved as Romanian as a royal should. This familly has a tradition of service and duty more akin to the British Hannovers than to exaggerated and risky French style absolutism.
Modern Romania was built on Carol Ist’s links to Germany, his ability to bring in German industrialists, railways and Krupp field artillery. It was also built on his sense of duty and willingness to treat Romania as his new kingdom, rather than an annex of his uncle’s German Reich. Ferdinand was the product of the same kind of upbringing. That’s why he fought a war against Germany (athough he was born German) and suffered most of the rigours of trench warfare during those two years of WW1. These were people who were bred to be kings first and German/Romanian/whatever second. Carol would have turned Pakistani if he was offered the throne in Islamabad and he would have raised his kids Muslims just as Carol II was raised Orthodox in real history.
Bottom line, although Bran should have never been returned on such a tenuous claim, Romania owes a lot to the Hohenzollerns and they should always be treated as Royals rather than “royals”. On the other hand, Cuza did break the deal he made with the boyars when he was appointed voievode of Wallachia and Moldavia, and it was the Romanian Boyars, polyticians and officers who toppled him. Karl Hohenzollern Sigmaringen had nothing to do with this. He wasn’t even the first choice as replacement. The romanian delagation went to him after others turned them down and even he was only considered after his father had rejected the offer first. A throne was an offer he couldn’t refuse but in the long run he lived up to the job. Anyway, in terms of aristocratic credentials, the Hohenzollerns are every bit as noble as any royal house in Europe and their bloodline is older than that of many ruling families. They are the younger branch of the family of the Electors of Brandenburg, and later kings of Prussia and Kaisers of Germany.
June 3rd, 2010 at 9:55 pm
jo duma :P
February 7th, 2011 at 2:39 am
I find this place simply fascinating, I do hope to visit someday. Appreciate it first hand.