Vlad the Impaler's Fortress in Poenari (Arges County) was reopened for visits on Monday, after extensive conservation and restoration work.

The fortress, located on the administrative territory of Arefu commune, is built on a mountain peak, at the entrance to the Arges Gorges, near National Road DN 7C - Transfagarasan, with tourists accessing it via 1,480 steps arranged on the slope, through the forest. The fortification was initially built in the 14th century, being consolidated and expanded during the reign of Vlad the Impaler.

'As of today, the county's most famous tourist attraction, the one that attracts over 100,000 tourists annually, both from the country and abroad, has been reopened. From the first minutes of the opening, dozens of tourists climbed, along with officials, the 1,480 steps that lead to the fortress (...). The youngest tourist was Eveline, a girl of only 5 and a half years old, who came from Bucharest with her parents,' informs a release from the Arges County Council (CJ).

The route of steps was also climbed by a group of tourists from Switzerland, the first visitors from abroad after the reopening of the fortress.

The reopening event began with a unique artistic moment, a monologue delivered by actor Puiu Margescu from the 'Alexandru Davila' Theatre, who played Vlad the Impaler, alongside beautiful ladies dressed in feudal costumes.

The conservation and restoration works lasted three years, during which time the monument could not be visited.

The project on the 'Conservation and Consolidation of the Poenari Arges Fortress' received non-repayable financing under Priority Axis 5 - Improving the urban environment and preserving, protecting and sustainably valorizing cultural heritage. The total value of the financing contract was over 25 million lei, of which 9,647,565 lei represents the total non-repayable public value and 16,021,201.29 lei is the beneficiary's contribution.

According to the same source, the project will contribute to the development of the community and will lead to an increase in the tourist and investment attractiveness of the area, to the consolidation of cultural identity, to economic and socio-cultural revitalization.

'The Poenari Fortress was built during the period of the establishment of the feudal states of Wallachia and Moldavia (13th - 15th centuries) out of the need to defend the independence obtained, but also due to the Turkish danger. The Poenari Fortress, property of Arges County, under the administration of the Arges County Museum, is classified as a Category A Historical Monument (of national and international importance)', the press release also reads.

The Poienari Fortress can be visited daily between 10:00 and 18:00, with the last group being able to climb at 17:00. The entrance ticket price is 30 lei for adults and 20 lei for pupils, students, pensioners. Tickets can be purchased both physically, at the fortress, and online, through the tourist card - ARGES TOURIST PASS. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: George Onea; EN - writing by: Bogdan Gabaroi)