The Throne Hall Of Făgăraș Citadel
I still owe you a post about the Făgăraș Citadel, which I visited last month. There was a post about the building and the walls here and another about the prison tower. Worth checking them out if you have missed them.
Today I'd like to show you the most interesting part of the castle, which is the throne hall.
The citadel is a well known tourist attraction in Romania and an important historical piece on the map.
Do you see those round towers? In one of them there's the bedroom I'm going to show you, but first let's start with the throne hall.
Stepping into this room makes you feel like you are in the 19th century, waiting to meet a king or some high ranking person. This is the waiting room and access here wasn't easy back in the day and it is not easy today either.
You have to wear those shoe protection plastic things, that doctors are wearing (I wish I knew how these are called, but I don't. Maybe @blind-spot can help me out 😏). No shoe cover, no entry, it's that simple. So how do my Adidas shoes look wrapped in those surgeon shoes? Ok, jokes aside, this is necessary as there's carpet on the floor, that would not be able to handle thousands or dirty shoes each day. These are for free, you don't have to pay for them.
This is the antechamber, where most likely everyone had to wait till their time to be invited in, came. The furniture is a unique one. It's not original, it's a replica, but a good one.
It's not every day that I get to visit places like this, so imagine my excitement. There was a bit of a pressure, to take decent photos though. These window spaces are always my favorite and I'm sure I'm not the only one.
In 1526, Ștefan Mailat consolidated the citadel, doubling the thickness of the walls. In 1541, the Ottomans attacked the fortress and captured Mailat, who died in captivity at Yedikule Fortress in Istanbul. Gáspár Bekes, owner of the citadel between 1567 and 1573, constructed the moat around the fortress, the excavated earth being used to strengthen the inner part of the walls. During the time of Stephen VIII Báthory (voivode of Transylvania from 1571 to 1586) and Balthasar Báthory (lord of the fortress from 1588 to 1594), the first bastion was constructed in the south-eastern corner of the outer defensive ring. In 1599, Michael the Brave occupied Făgăraș Citadel and sheltered there his family and the royal treasure. In the 17th century, Prince Gabriel Bethlen gave it priority over Alba Iulia in modernizing the fortifications, while Michael I Apafi transformed it, due to its strengthened position, into a princely residence. It functioned as a garrison from 1689, preserving its military function after the union of Transylvania with Romania. source
Just a snippet of the citadel's history, but you can read the whole story here.
So we're talking about a citadel that was consolidated in the 16th century. Look at the walls, how thick they are. These windows were always a place for nobles to read and maybe pray. When I saw this, I though It would be nice to sit there and read, or work on my laptop (yeah, 21th century mind :)). This was the only place where there was plenty of light during the day. Stained glass could not be missing from the windows back in those days. I love stained glass by the way.
Imagine yourself sitting on those wooden chair for hours, under the candles as there was no electricity then, feeling the cramps in your stomach and worrying about what's going to happen when you're called in.
And this is the throne hall ladies and gents. This is where many decisions had been made, many faiths had been determined over the centuries.
What made this room special for me, apart from the historical importance and the beautiful furniture, was the coffered ceiling.
A coffer (or coffering) in architecture is a series of sunken panels in the shape of a square, rectangle, or octagon in a ceiling, soffit or vault. A series of these sunken panels was often used as decoration for a ceiling or a vault, also called caissons ("boxes"), or lacunaria ("spaces, openings"), so that a coffered ceiling can be called a lacunar ceiling: the strength of the structure is in the framework of the coffers. source
The throne hall is impressive, to say the least. I would have loved to sit there for at least 10 minutes and try to imagine the things that had happened here, but you're not allowed to sit on those chairs for the obvious reasons.
While most of the visitors are usually amazed by what this room has to offer to the eye (I was too, to a certain point), I couldn't ignore the fact that those who were responsible for the interior decoration could not see what I could not ignore :) Seriously! How many times I was thinking those who set up a museum or an exhibition, should see how these photos look, there's no symmetry between anything, lines don't align and so on. That set of chairs should have been placed 40cm to the right, to look nice. Then the setup would have been perfect.
Here I preferred to enjoy what I was looking at and the historical importance of it. Looking at the throne, I'm not sure, but I suppose the thrones were similar to this, made of wood, no cushioned seat or back. Must have hurt to sit there even for an hour, but the act itself meant power, so whoever was in power, had to endure it. From artistic point of view, that throne is an absolute beauty.
A small arsenal guards had to carry. Not all of it though, but it looks good as they have arranged it.
This was another room, next to the throne hall, most likely used as a decision making room, or who knows.
While none of this is original, the furniture is a replica, they did a great job. However, it would have been nice to see what these room looked like in different periods of times, starting from the 16th century.
I liked many of the furniture, but I think this one was the winner for me. The carved part can be lifted and inside usually they kept the ink and paper, along with letters. Most likely this was used as a desk. There should be a pull-out table top. I am drawn to carved wooden furniture and find these dark ones nice, but I'd never want such thing in my house as long term could be depressing :)
Not related to the topic of the post, but you should have seen Victor Hugo's rented apartment in Paris. It is so dark, it depresses you the minute you step in. Dark walls, dark curtains and back then there was no electricity and the petrol lamp or the candle could not illuminate the room properly.
This was not the first throne hall I saw, but definitely the most impressive one. I hope you liked it too. I'm sorry for the quality of the photos, but you can't just rearrange the furniture as you like, so you do what you can under the given circumstances.
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These are beautiful pictures
This place looks amazing, and it's a smart move to have visitors where those covers.
If I had silly money I would 100% have a room kitted out like this, with the suits of armour and weaponry.
Also, I've shot in locations before where we weren't allowed to move any furniture, it's understandable, but annoying. Nevertheless, you still got some great shots.
You're right, the shoe cover is a must.
As about your room, it's a good idea, but expensive too. Not to mention you need a big one as with all these things, it would look crowded. Believe it or not, while writing the post, was thinking it would probably be good for a mancave and here you are, confirming I was right 😀
Moving the furniture 🤦♀️ don't even mention it. It was so frustrating, I can't even begin to tell you. But it was out of the question as there was a guard watching us and there were cameras everywhere. Really annoying and I don't understand how can they not see how it looks.
Hahaha I'm glad I came to prove that your thought was certainly the case. It wouldn't be cheap, but having a throne in the centre of a room and all that other stuff would be a talking point if nothing else.
Although, in saying that, I would most likely finish setting up the room, only to be made a jester of some sort.
I wouldn't say so. One can have their own dreams and make them true, why can't you have a room like that? It would be your hiding place anyway, your man cave 😃
That's very true! It would be such an interesting man cave too.
I remember seeing, I think it was Russel Crow, he was putting some of us his stuff up for auction and he had an entire set of Roman legionary armour. It would be amazing to have some ancient pieces like that. Obviously they'd come with a major price tag, but still.
Maybe not ancient pieces as those are not really for sale and even if they are, the price is close to the moon, but you can have some replicas. Many well off and wealthy people have such a man cave, set up as they like. Maybe one day you can have yours too and I can have my creative studio 😀🤞
Yeah too right, a creative studio would be awesome, and I'm sure you'll have it before you realise.
I watched a video before and someone was walking through a space they had for writing, and it was minimally decorated with small bits and pieces that inspired them, and they said it really helped there work.
You're right, having a space dedicated to your activity helps a lot, no matter how minimalist it is. I for example, need to have peace and quiet to work and for that, I need my space. No worries, we're going to have our own one day.
I love the coffered ceiling! Come to think if it, I have seldom paid attention to ceilings. Maybe I should keep an eye out for those next time I visit castles. Truly remarkable, a hall not bigger than most restaurants yet so many lives have been touched through it. Did you feel something different there? Like the energy of authority?
Those plastic shoe covers are called ...wait for it....SHOE COVERS! Wow, what a surprise 😮 🫢 😆
But more colloquially "booties". But you can clearly imagine why this name is colloquial and not the gold standard haha
You should definitely pay attention to ceilings as quite many of the castles have this type of ceiling, if not beautifully painted ceilings. The ceiling is always an important part of any room in a castle and back in those days they always wanted to have the nicest. Italian castles have gorgeous painted ceiling.
Did I feel any different? I wanted to, as I mentioned in my post, but for that, I should have sit down for 10 minutes and teleport myself back in time. Shame but I did not feel any different, unless you count the impression the room design made on me. I liked the furniture.
But then again, I admire medieval times and what comes with it, what's been left to us, but hate what those times meant in terms of human rights and freedom.
So shoe cover, huh? 😂 You are funny, you know that?
I'm trying to think if I have ever noticed an outstanding ceiling. You're right, most castles wanted the best. And many also have paintings otherwise, that depict a lot about their time nay it be political or from an art point of view.
I do recall most using really heavy beams. But I can't recall any specific designs used.
Yes, shoe covers. Another fun fact: they are interchangeable with head covers (for non OT use) when either a head cover or shoe cover is in shortage 😆
Lol, you're teaching me tricks now 🤣 it may come in handy if sh*t hits the fan and we have to wear these in the hospital. Once 1 paid 1.5€ for a pair of booties and 2€ for a mask. Madness!!!
Heavy beams, yes, those were also used, but in case of rustic style castles. The fine ones, especially thosr with fancy ball rooms have painted ceilings. Like Schönnbrun in Vienna. Lovely one, you need to visit it one day 😉, it's a must! Versailles as well. The mirror ba room is stunning.
This particular furniture looks unique despite its age.
It may not be so old as these are not the original pieces. But it looked unique.
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Amazing photos.
The waiting room and the other room looks similar, the waiting room looks like a royal castle where the king and his kinsman sit to discuss things that matters, the chairs looks beautiful even though they old.
Thank you!
Yes, that's the idea here and that's what it was used for.
I loved seeing those huge ceiling lamps, what a place!...
As always, a great report, very well structured and with high quality photos!
Thanks for sharing @erikah friend!
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Those lamps are a beauty and are valuable as well. These are not for sale obviously, but those who want such lamps in their restaurant or home, pay a huge price.
Jesus, thank you for the nice words, always a gentleman! Have a nice day my friend 🙂
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Hi @erikah, what a great post! I love this kind of museums, it's like traveling back in time. Greetings!
Hello @vero10h! It is traveling back in time as you get to experience, or have a taste of what life was back then. Have a nice day :)
Looks wonderful
Thank you. Indeed it is wonderful.
Those are some great shots of the throne hall and im glad its nicely preserved. My personal favorite would be the window art, looks more beautiful with natural light passing through.
Thank you @beerbod. It was a nice experience I will never forget and you're right, the window art is one of my favorite too. I'm hoping to shoot more, especially in churches.
Sounds great. Ill look forward to those pictures of yours for sure.
Say luxury without saying luxury 😃 😀
Wow I love this!
Wow a beautiful and historic feel on the inside. I took notice to that coffered ceiling as well. It's really cool and I like the look of it. I wonder if the King or Queen didnt have some cushion material on thier thrones. It would have been uncomfortable taking a seat for awhile. I get now why you had to wear shoe covers that is a good trade off to get up and close to many things. Having things roped off or glass cased can be a challenge to take good pictures. Thanks for sharing this place is really cool 😎
Many don't look up and miss the beauty of the ceiling. These castles usually have a nice ceiling, especially the ball rooms or the important ones.
Who knows, maybe they have pillows to sit on. In any case, even 30 minutes on that throne or those chairs seems like severe punishment to me 😂
In the Schönbrunn palace in Vienna, there were ropes all over, only the narrow path was for visitors. It's frustrating, but I can understand them too as there are so many people acting in a barbaric way, you have no idea. Imagine those things are 100 - 200 years old. Once broken, it's not the same anymore. Obviously the number of visitors is much higher there. I did not mind wearing these shoe covers, although it was hot. All for a good cause and I could go near everything and take some photos, even if some of them is crap, due to the furniture arrangements.
Many things can be missed by not looking in all directions. It's always important to give yourself ample time when visiting places like this.
I can understand why things are not allowed to be touched. Your absolutely correct once broken it's historic value is lost. I will say seeing something really great in a glass case is a bummer especially near too much light. I'd rather have it roped off. Than again the pieces need to be protected.
The citadel is so beautiful and I can't help but imagine myself there back in the day....most likely as a lowly scullery maid or seamstress lol. I would not, however, like to be there as one waiting to be called in to find what fate awaited me. The furniture is lovely to look at and quite substantial, so much so that it makes modern funiture seem cheap and not long-lasting. You're right though, that heavy and dark furniture would be overbearing and depressing in today's modern homes. Unless you lived in a castle that is lol.
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Thats a pretty cool hall ! We call those over-shoes in the UK.
And I kid you not, we have a rug with an identical pattern to those carpets - we got it from either IKEA or B&Q ! I wonder if the castle people went shopping there too !!
I mentioned in my post, that the furniture is a replica. Obviously the carpet is not original either.
Oh, memories! Been waiting for this post! We had to use the same shoe protection when I visited the fortress but there was also the mask against COVID that became part of our mandatory 'outfit', lol.
Oh yes, the 😷. Today I saw people wearing it on the street again.
I'm curious to see what part of the castle was restricted. I posted about the prison tower as well.
I think the prison tower was it, but I'm not 100% sure as I have vague memories. I always have troubles remembering all the names of the rooms a place has after visiting it 🤣
This house is quite a spectacle. Its structure starting with the roof, the floor. It's a dream. Greetings.