Jósika Castle
Encyclopedia
Jósika Castle ['yɔ:şikɔ] is an imposing castle
, located on the left bank of the Someş River
, in the current commune of Surduc
, Sălaj County
. Construction of this edifice lasted almost two centuries, between 1641 - 1810, the castle belonged to the Csáky family, and between 1810 - 1853, the castle belonged to Miklós Jósika, baron
of Branyicska. Members of this family have contributed decisively at the rise and final appearance of the Jósika Castle. This historical monument is registered in the list of Ministry of Culture and National Patrimony.
In 1641, István Csáky
becomes the rightful owner of the mansion, over time, the castle belonging to wealthy families, as Csáky, Báthory or Jósika.
In terms of historical perspective, Jósika Castle represents a veritable historic landmark, because here was hosted Francis II Rákóczi
, Prince of Transylvania, before the military events of Jibou
(November 11, 1705) against the Austrian imperial troops, led by Ludwig von Herbeville. For several years, the Hungarian novelist Miklós Jósika lived in this castle, and in 1836 he wrote, in the main salon, one of the most popular historical novel
s in the Hungarian literature
, "Abafi". The Jósika family descends from wealthy boyars from current locality of Brănişca
, located in northern Hunedoara County
. Among the most influential representatives of this family, is István Jósika, that reached the significant dignity of chancellor, during the reign of Sigismund Báthory
, Prince of Transylvania, in late 17th century. Perhaps this family, Romanian as origin, came to be assimilated, as well as families Kendeffy, Majláth or Hunyadi, through the adoption of Roman Catholic religion. This family owned and contributed decisively at final appearance of the mansion. Once with the establishment of communism in Romania (March 6, 1945), the Jósika Castle was transformed into a tractors repair station. Nowadays, authorities' attitude began to change, the applications for restitution of the old noble domains brought the castles and mansions from all over Transylvania
in attention of the general public. In 2005 began the process of rehabilitation of the manor.
, is a remarkable church, built in Baroque style. In the main salon of the mansion, are visible paintings on the walls adorned with upholsteries
and impressive pictures. Hand-carved furniture, chandeliers, and specific decoration of the castle rooms supplement the tourist dowry of this edifice.
Castle
A castle is a type of fortified structure built in Europe and the Middle East during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars debate the scope of the word castle, but usually consider it to be the private fortified residence of a lord or noble...
, located on the left bank of the Someş River
Someş River
The river Someş flows through Romania and Hungary.It rises from two headstreams, the Someşul Mare, in the Rodna Mountains in Bistriţa-Năsăud County and the Someşul Mic in the Apuseni Mountains of Cluj County...
, in the current commune of Surduc
Surduc
Surduc is a commune located in Sălaj County, Romania. It is composed of seven villages: Brâglez , Cristolţel , Solona , Surduc, Teştioara , Tihău and Turbuţa ....
, Sălaj County
Salaj County
Sălaj is a county of Romania, in the historical regions of Crișana and Transylvania, with the capital city at Zalău.-Geography:Sălaj county has a total area of ....
. Construction of this edifice lasted almost two centuries, between 1641 - 1810, the castle belonged to the Csáky family, and between 1810 - 1853, the castle belonged to Miklós Jósika, baron
Baron
Baron is a title of nobility. The word baron comes from Old French baron, itself from Old High German and Latin baro meaning " man, warrior"; it merged with cognate Old English beorn meaning "nobleman"...
of Branyicska. Members of this family have contributed decisively at the rise and final appearance of the Jósika Castle. This historical monument is registered in the list of Ministry of Culture and National Patrimony.
In 1641, István Csáky
István Csáky
Count István Csáky de Körösszeg et Adorján was a Hungarian politician, who served as Minister of Foreign Affairs between 1938 and 1941.-Political career:...
becomes the rightful owner of the mansion, over time, the castle belonging to wealthy families, as Csáky, Báthory or Jósika.
In terms of historical perspective, Jósika Castle represents a veritable historic landmark, because here was hosted Francis II Rákóczi
Francis II Rákóczi
Francis II Rákóczi Hungarian aristocrat, he was the leader of the Hungarian uprising against the Habsburgs in 1703-11 as the prince of the Estates Confederated for Liberty of the Kingdom of Hungary. He was also Prince of Transylvania, an Imperial Prince, and a member of the Order of the Golden...
, Prince of Transylvania, before the military events of Jibou
Jibou
Jibou is a town in Sălaj County, Transylvania, Romania. In 2004 it had a population of 11,658.Jibou is 20 km by road northwest of Zalău, close to the Someş River. Its major attractions are the old Wesselényi house, Botanical Gardens and spa baths...
(November 11, 1705) against the Austrian imperial troops, led by Ludwig von Herbeville. For several years, the Hungarian novelist Miklós Jósika lived in this castle, and in 1836 he wrote, in the main salon, one of the most popular historical novel
Historical novel
According to Encyclopædia Britannica, a historical novel is-Development:An early example of historical prose fiction is Luó Guànzhōng's 14th century Romance of the Three Kingdoms, which covers one of the most important periods of Chinese history and left a lasting impact on Chinese culture.The...
s in the Hungarian literature
Hungarian literature
Hungarian literature is literature written in the Hungarian language, predominantly by Hungarians.There is a limited amount of Old Hungarian literature dating to between the late 12th and the early 16th centuries...
, "Abafi". The Jósika family descends from wealthy boyars from current locality of Brănişca
Branisca
Brănişca is a commune in Hunedoara County, Romania. It is composed of nine villages: Bărăştii Iliei, Boz, Brănişca, Căbeşti, Furcşoara, Gialacuta, Rovina, Târnava and Târnăviţa.-References:...
, located in northern Hunedoara County
Hunedoara County
Hunedoara is a county of Romania, in Transylvania, with its capital city at Deva.-Demographics:In 2002, it had a population of 485,712 and the population density was 69/km².*Romanians - 92%*Hungarians - 5%*Romas - 2%*Germans under 1%....
. Among the most influential representatives of this family, is István Jósika, that reached the significant dignity of chancellor, during the reign of Sigismund Báthory
Sigismund Báthory
Sigismund Báthory was Prince of Transylvania.-Biography:Hailing from the Báthory family's Somlyó branch, he was the son of Christopher Báthory, Voivod of Transylvania, and nephew of Stephen Báthory, King of Poland...
, Prince of Transylvania, in late 17th century. Perhaps this family, Romanian as origin, came to be assimilated, as well as families Kendeffy, Majláth or Hunyadi, through the adoption of Roman Catholic religion. This family owned and contributed decisively at final appearance of the mansion. Once with the establishment of communism in Romania (March 6, 1945), the Jósika Castle was transformed into a tractors repair station. Nowadays, authorities' attitude began to change, the applications for restitution of the old noble domains brought the castles and mansions from all over Transylvania
Transylvania
Transylvania is a historical region in the central part of Romania. Bounded on the east and south by the Carpathian mountain range, historical Transylvania extended in the west to the Apuseni Mountains; however, the term sometimes encompasses not only Transylvania proper, but also the historical...
in attention of the general public. In 2005 began the process of rehabilitation of the manor.
Description
In the Jósika Castle yard were found fountains and a statue of Maria Theresa, Empress consort of the Holy Roman Empire. On the main alleyAlley
An alley or alleyway is a narrow lane found in urban areas, often for pedestrians only, which usually runs between or behind buildings. In older cities and towns in Europe, alleys are often what is left of a medieval street network, or a right of way or ancient footpath in an urban setting...
, is a remarkable church, built in Baroque style. In the main salon of the mansion, are visible paintings on the walls adorned with upholsteries
Upholstery
Upholstery is the work of providing furniture, especially seats, with padding, springs, webbing, and fabric or leather covers. The word upholstery comes from the Middle English word upholder, which referred to a tradesman who held up his goods. The term is equally applicable to domestic,...
and impressive pictures. Hand-carved furniture, chandeliers, and specific decoration of the castle rooms supplement the tourist dowry of this edifice.