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Arcalia Dendrological Park, Bistrița-Năsăud

Bethlen Castle in Arcalia

Where, when, how much?

Dendrological Park of Arcalia is located on the DJ172G 67, in Arcalia, in the commune of Șieu-Măgheruș, Bistrița-Năsud county. The nearest town is Bistrița, 19 km away by road, which can be reached in 30 minutes via DN17, DN15A and DJ172G. Opposite the location, around a large bend, there is a wide, paved, off-road space where you can park for free. The park is open daily from 9am-5pm and is free to visit. Bethlen Castle, which is in the park, can only be seen from the outside.

 

About Arcalia Dendrological Park

Arcalia Dendrological Park is administered by the "Babes-Bolyai" University of Cluj-Napoca, including the magnificent Bethlen Castle in the park. The Bethlen Castle complex covers 17 hectares, 3 buildings and the dendrological park. The castle and the park are historical monuments.

In the 15th century the estate belonged to the Unguraș Fortress, then it passed into the possession of the Gherla Fortress, which was owned by the noble Banffy family. In 1801, Count János Bethlen, Count János Bethlen, set up an English-style park on the Arcalia estate and kept a herd of horses. At the end of the 19th century, Béla Bethlen landscaped the estate, forming the dendrological park, where over 150 species of trees and shrubs grow.

During the Second World War, the Soviet army devastated the park and the castle, set fire to the library, stole valuables and cut down some of the spruce trees in the park.

A video about the Dendrological Park and Bethlen Castle in Arcalia can be seen here.

1. Dendrological park

Several explanatory panels present the fauna and flora of the dendrological park. Among the bird species we read about are the heron, stork, duck, duck, buzzard, hawk, pheasant, pigeon, pigeon, goosander, cuckoo, cuckoo, cuckoo, opossum, buna, skacco, woodpecker, woodlark, lark and others. Trees and shrubs in the park include fir, maple, maple, plane, palm, chestnut, birch, birch, lion's mouth, cornflower, blueberry, lavender, locust, carnation, ash, hornbeam and others. In the park you are greeted by a manicured main path decorated with roses and the image of the beautiful castle. The main path is wide and paved, from which several side paths branch off, and in the heart of the forest there are footpaths. A few benches invite you to rest and listen to the silence and birdsong.

 

roses

dendrological park map

access path to the park

frasin

side alley

2. Bethlen Castle

Bethlen Castle appears just after entering the Arcalia domain and fascinates you. The castle is built in Byzantine Moorish style. Unfortunately, the interior cannot be visited. The exterior is superb, with entrances on each side of the castle.

Bethlen Castle in Arcalia

another entrance to the castle

Bethlen Castle in the dendrological park

castle in the park

Conclusion

Arcalia Dendrological Park is part of the Bethlen Castle Complex in Arcalia and is home to over 150 species of trees and shrubs. The star of the park is Bethlen Castle which can only be admired from the outside.

All the best!

Steps:

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