The Princely Palace (Palatul Principilor or Palatul Voievodal)
History
The episcopal palace of Gyulafehérvár, built in the 12th century, was transformed into a princely residence by John Sigismund. Under Prince Sigismund Báthory, Gabriel Bethlen, and George I Rákóczi, it was gradually expanded: at that time, the palace complex also included three inner courtyards and the building of today’s episcopal palace. For nearly one hundred and fifty years, it played an extremely important role in the social and political life of the Principality of Transylvania. In 1658, for this very reason, the Turks plundered it and set it on fire along with the city. After partial reconstruction, in 1716 the western part was returned by the Austrians to the Catholic bishopric, while the eastern part was turned into a barracks. From 1918 onward, the Romanian army took possession of the building and left it to decay until it became municipal property in 2009.Style
The palace’s Renaissance character was defined by the Italian architect Giacomo Resti. Its western wing, now single-storied, was once two stories high. During Gabriel Bethlen’s rule, the floor of the throne hall was covered first with flower-decorated glazed tiles, and later with white alabaster slabs set between oak planks. During the renovation, 16th-century Baroque wall paintings were also discovered in the halls. The palace’s interiors were once adorned with Flemish tapestries, silk and velvet coverings, curtains, oriental carpets, and inlaid furniture, but all of these were destroyed during the Turkish–Tatar raid of 1658.Famous residents
The palace was inhabited by notable figures such as John Sigismund, his widow Queen Isabella after his death, and later a succession of Transylvanian princes.
Renovation
The restoration of the princely palace of Gyulafehérvár, which between 1542 and 1690 served as the center of Transylvania, is ongoing. Another part of the 17,500-square-meter complex is now being renovated: the B wing, built in the 19th century but incorporating earlier structures.
This current investment of nearly 37 million lei (7.3 million euros) will provide offices, restoration laboratories, and a cultural center. The European Union is contributing about 33 million lei (6.5 million euros) to the project.
The main building of the palace, which was opened to the public in February 2023, was restored under the direction of Szabolcs Guttmann, a Hungarian architect from Transylvania. The overall restoration of the complex began in 2018 and is expected to be completed in the coming years.Present day
Ma a gyulafehérvári fejedelmi palota elsősorban múzeumként működik: az „Erdélyi Fejedelmek Palotája” néven megnyitott kiállítótér a vár és az épületegyüttes történelmét mutatja be interaktív és modern technológiák segítségével, miközben a felújítások nyomán kulturális központtá alakul, ahol a jövőben restaurátor-laborok, oktatóterek és különböző közösségi programok is helyet kapnak.
