Oratea Fortress, Echoes from the 13th Century, 100-Word Story #Im4Ro

When wind howls around Oratea Fortress (Cetatea Oraţia) echoes from the 13th century swirl around fir trees and tumbled down walls.

Located near the charming Rucăr Bran Corridor, Oratea Fortress echoes back in history to the 13th century, year 1212, when the Teutonic Knights arrived, as invited by King Andrew III of Hungary, to settle in Burzenland, Țara Bârsei, and below and protect this eastern land against Cumans’ attacks.

Stone upon stone still stands where Oratea Fortress once rose tall, and the wind still echoes of past battles, and of laughter, and whispers of love.

For what is wind, but the amassed power of words long ago uttered?

Oratea Fortress, Echoes of the 13th Century, 100-word Story

They’d arrived. And settled. New souls on old land. Forced smiles, calling one another a little too loud, laughing too much. Living with intent, their purposeful reputation preceding them.

Rising a chapel (a place to lie down for their last sleep), ahead of the fortress they ought to build. And protect. Stashing memories in the sacred foundation.

Till their time would come, days are filled with battles, laced with life. On this new land, rich in new shades. new sounds. new hopes.

Besides protecting it, ought they mingle with the locals? Besides fighting off ruffians, ought they live a little?

Copyright © Patricia Furstenberg. All Rights Reserved.

The unique beauty of each 100-word story is in the way the words are strung together, each one a gem, and in the spaces left between the words, and between sentences. So much can be told with little words. It is a challenge for the writer, and a thrill for the reader (I hope), as each time the tale is read a new detail springs to mind.

Copyright © Patricia Furstenberg. All Rights Reserved.

Oratea Fortress, known as Cetatea Oraţia or Neamț Citadel, but also Dâmboviţa Fortres or… Castelul Piatra Craiului, Konigstein

Konigstein? Brings back memories.

Cetatea Oraţia / Oratea/ Konigstein was, sadly, important in Vlad the Impaler’s life. The events of 1462 are well-known, when Vlad Tepes, the ruler of Wallachia, faced Mehmed II, the Conqueror of Constantinople. Abandoned by the nobles who chose to support his brother Radu the Handsome, a pretender to the throne of Wallachia protected by Mehmed, Vlad the Impaler was forced to retreat to Transylvania, where he awaited assistance from Matthias Corvinus, the King of Hungary.

It was the middle of autumn 1462 the two leaders met in Brasov and devised a strategy for an expedition with the primary goal of restoring Vlad to the throne of Wallachia. On November 26, however, news spread in all directions, confusing many contemporaries: the Romanian ruler was arrested and accused of treason by the king’s order, with even fabricated reports to substantiate the allegations. Thus began Vlad the Impaler’s long period of captivity, a chapter in his life that many found incomprehensible.”

How was Vlad the Impaler arrested in 1462?

They were heading home. To Dracula’s home, Wallachia, taking the old Rucăr-Bran road.
Dracula believed he was safe and close to home when he ventured into Wallachia, nearing the castle of Kungstain.
Vlad Dracula was apprehended there by a knight in the service of the king known by the name and dark reputation of Jan Jiskra.
Jiskra was the first to attack him, kidnapping Dracula…
In the region of Wallachia.
In his own country.
Captured after being drawn into the trap.
Each crimson leaf that fell seemed to carry a piece of Dracula’s captured soul.