Archeological research shows that the old fortification was violently destroyed around the middle of the 13th century, presumably in connection with the Mongol invasion of 1241.

Located halfway between Brașov and Sibiu and close to Wallachia, the Făgăraș Citadel provided a defensive position against possible incursions into south-eastern Transylvania.

[3] 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.

It was ideally suited for this purpose: the surrounding moat, high walls two to three meters thick, barred windows and geometric shape allowing sentinels to guard the interior and exterior all combined to make escape practically impossible.

The exterior fortifications were used by the Securitate secret police as an operational base in their struggle against the anti-communist resistance fighters in the Făgăraș Mountains.

Peasants also passed through: opponents of collectivization would spend a few weeks or months before being freed, while those who aided Ion Gavrilă Ogoranu’s partisans were locked up for longer periods.

[9] In late 1959, the Stalin Region council requested to take over the citadel, citing its historical status and the need to maintain it properly.