Monuments to visit Maramures

In the small town of Carei, 36 km southwest of Satu Mare, this superb Baroque castle is well worth a visit. Built in 1792 by the powerful Károlyi family on the site of a ^15th-century fortress, it was transformed again in 1894 to take on its current eclectic, medieval castle form: several towers were added and the facades decorated with Romantic and Neo-Gothic elements. The interiors, furnished with period furniture, recreate the atmosphere of a late ^19th-century aristocratic residence.

It's one of the oldest buildings in the city. The Butchers' Bastion (Bastionul Măcelarilor), which faces the market, was one of the seven defensive towers of the city wall that protected the city. It's the only one that has survived the centuries. It is circular in shape and was erected in the 16th century by the guild of butchers, at the time the most powerful in the city. It is 13 m high and its stone walls are 1.50 m thick at the base and 1 m thick at the top. The first level was used to store ammunition, the second has slots.

It's the symbol of the city. With a height of 50 m, the Stephen's Tower (turnul Ștefan), in Gothic style, is the former bell tower of a church destroyed in the 19th century after serious damage. Its construction dates back to the 15th century, ordered by Prince Iancu of Hunedoara to mark the victory of Ialomița over the Ottomans. It was completed during the reign of his son Matthias Corvin in 1468. Its impressive stairs will take you to the top, where you will enjoy a beautiful view of the city and the surrounding hills.