Bánffy Castle, Bonțida
  • Contact information

    Contact Person: Transylvania Trust Foundation
    Address: Bonțida nr. 152-154., Cluj County, Romania
    Phone: +40 264439858
  • Opening Times

    The castle can be visited on a permanent basis, guided tours in several languages are available upon request. Open Monday to Sunday from 10:00 to 20:00 (April-October), and from 10:00 to dusk during the winter season (November to March). Admission fee: 8 RON.
  • Short history of the building

    Formerly known as the Transylvanian Versailles, the Bánffy Castle from Bonțida was gradually built from the 16th century and received its final form at the middle of the 19th century. Its most significant construction periods were the Renaissance and Baroque times. In the autumn of 1944, the retreating German troops robbed the building and burned down the castle - its furniture, library and famous portrait gallery were destroyed. The richness of its interior is attested by contemporary photographs. Nationalization, inadequate utilization and lack of preservation led to a rapid deterioration of the building. Since 2007, the estate is administered by the Transylvania Trust Foundation, under which the ensemble of buildings are restored.
  • Access

    The Bánffy Castle from Bonțida is located at aproximately 30 km from Cluj-Napoca tothe north-west. By car, the castle can be reached via the road E576 leading to Dej, the locality of Bonţida following after the locality of Răscruci. Here, by leaving the E576 road, visitors can reach the center of the village, from where, turning right, they soon find themselves in front of the castle's gate. There are regular bus and train routes between Cluj-Napoca and Bonţida. The train station and bus stop is located along the E576 road, from where the visitors can walk to the castle, the road by car being the same (about 3 km).
  • How do I get here?
  • Services

    An Art Café functions in the Kitchen Building of the castle, open from April to October, daily (except for Monday) from 10 am to 6 pm and from November to March, on weekends, also from 10 am to 6 pm. For years, various events were organized in the castle garden and in some of the castle's buildings (stables, chapel, Miklós Building: conference room and accommodation, Kitchen Building: accommodation, dining room, kitchen). Among the castle's own events we can mention the two-days long Bonțida Castle Days and the professional summer camps - the restoration of historical monuments. Among the most important hosted events we can mention the following: the Transylvania International Film Festival (TIFF) and the Electric Castle Music Festival. In addition, the castle or a part of it can be rented for weddings, baptisms, balls, picnics, meetings, conferences, workshops, creative camps, etc. The Kitchen Building (attic) as well as the Miklós Building (tower) contain guest rooms with several beds. Both are foreseen with a bathroom. In addition, the space from the upper floor of the Miklós Building contains two suites, each with its own private bathroom. On demand, in the Kitchen Building visitors can use the kitchen and the dining room, and in the Miklós Building, the conference rooms. Accommodation capacity: approximately 40 people.
  • Other things to visit

    There are plenty of attractions in the area, highlighting the most important ones, we mention the following: at Răscruci, the Bánffy Castle and the Museum of Kallós Foundation, the historical center, the museum and the Armenian-Catholic Church and Reed Reserve from Sic, the historical center of Dej and the Korniss Castle in Mănăstirea. Of course, also worth visiting is the city of Cluj-Napoca, located at just 30 km away from Bonțida.
  • More information