Săvârșin Castle (Romanian: Castelul Săvârșin, pronunciation: [səvɨrˈʃin]) is a large country house situated in Săvârșin Park, a 6.5-hectare (16-acre) private estate that was owned by King Michael I of the Romanians (1921–2017) in Săvârșin, Arad County, Romania.
| Săvârșin Castle Castelul Săvârșin | |
|---|---|
 Front right view of the Castle. | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | Neoclassical |
| Town or city | Royal Domain of Săvârșin, Săvârșin, Arad County |
| Country | Romania |
| Current tenants | Official Romanian Countryside Residence of the Romanian Royal Family |
| Construction started | See list
|
| Completed | See list
|
| Inaugurated | 27 October 2015[1] |
| Demolished | 1781 |
| Client | See list
|
| Owner | Romanian Royal Family |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | Restoration: Serban Sturdza Eugen Pănescu Augustin Ioan David Baxter |
It is the Romanian Royal Family’s official country residence where the statutes defining the role and powers of the royal family are signed.[2] King Michael I and Queen Anne spent their annual Christmas holidays here following the castle's restitution to royal ownership, a tradition continued by Margareta, Custodian of the Romanian Crown.[3] Since 2021 the castle grounds and King Michael's collection of WW2 Jeeps have been open to the public during the summer.[4]
History
editFormerly known as Forray Castle, Săvârșin was owned by various Hungarian noble families for three centuries during the territory owned by the Kingdom of Hungary[5][6] until the Union of Transylvania with Romania. In mid-18th century, at the center of the estate on which the current royal castle lies, there was a building raised in western baroque style (dating from 1680), that belonged to the Edelspacher de Gyorok noble family. After having been set on fire in November 1784 by the peasants in the uprise led by Horia, Closca and Crisan, and needed being restored from the foundations, the castle had various owners, till 1858 when it became the possession of Leopold Count Nádasdy de Nádasd et Fogarasföld, the one who re-built it in its present form in 1860.[7]
In 1941, following an exchange of properties, the castle became the property of the Mocioni-Starcea family, who prepared the castle for so-called "crown weekends". In 1943, the castle became the property of King Michael I, who was the king of Romania at that time and bought the castle from the Crown property as a gift for his mother Queen Helen.
Nationalization and later usage
editThe castle was nationalized by the communist authorities after King Michael's abdication in 1947. Consequently, it was used as a hospital for internal diseases, a tuberculosis sanatorium and nervous disorders sanatorium until 1967, when Romanian leader Nicolae Ceaușescu decided to turn it into a guest house for visiting heads of state.[8]
Return to ownership
editIn 2000 the High Court of Cassation and Justice declared that the entire property and land was to be restored to King Michael I.[9][10] On certain occasions, the royal estate is open to the public and the building can be seen from a closer distance.[11] Traditionally, the royal family spends the winter holidays at Savârșin, on which occasion many groups come to sing carols for the former sovereign and the royal family. The carol singers come from the nearby villages, but also from other communities in Arad county as well as from the neighbouring counties of Alba, Hunedoara, and Timiș. On Christmas Day, the family members take part in the religious service at the Orthodox church in the village.[12][13]
Public opening
editOn 10 May (Monarchy Day) 2021 Margareta, Custodian of the Romanian Crown, formally opened the grounds and Royal Automobile Museum to the public.[14] The park and gardens,[15] King Michael's collection of World War II Jeeps,[16] his recreated car workshop[17] and the royal courtyard[18] are now open to the public during the summer months.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Ceremonia de la Castelul Regal Săvârșin, în imagini | Familia Regală a României / Royal Family of Romania".
- ^ "Queen Marie of Romania / The New Fundamental Rules of the Romanian Dynasty". Archived from the original on 20 March 2008. Retrieved 20 March 2008.
- ^ "Dubașii, alături de locuitorii comunei, alături de Familia Regală în Ajun de Crăciun | Familia Regală a României / Royal Family of Romania". www.romaniaregala.ro. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
- ^ "The Website of Savarsin Royal Estate". Retrieved 19 August 2021.
- ^ "Castelul Regal Savarsin". 25 November 2010.
- ^ "Savarsin Castle". July 2013.
- ^ "DESTINATION: ROMANIA/Savarsin Castle in Arad - Royal House only genuinely private Romanian".
- ^ "DESTINATION: ROMANIA/Savarsin Castle in Arad - Royal House only genuinely private Romanian".
- ^ "Savarsin Castle in Arad has new look after 8 years of restoration works | The Romania Journal". www.romaniajournal.ro. Archived from the original on 3 November 2015.
- ^ "Restaurarea Castelului Săvârşin, executată după jurnalul Reginei Elena, a costat peste 1 milion de euro - FOTO".
- ^ "Castelul Regal de la Săvârșin". www.familiaregala.ro. Archived from the original on 6 May 2015.
- ^ "Familia Regală a României va petrece Crăciunul la Săvârşin".
- ^ "Craciunul la Savarsin". www.familiaregala.ro. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015.
- ^ "10 Mai, la Castelul Regal Săvârșin". Retrieved 19 August 2021.
- ^ "The Royal Park". Retrieved 19 August 2021.
- ^ "Royal Automobile Museum". Retrieved 19 August 2021.
- ^ "King Michael's Car Workshop Inaugurated". Retrieved 19 August 2021.
- ^ "The Royal Courtyard". Retrieved 19 August 2021.