Sticks and stones and countless bones stand as the foundation to the city of Aiud, Alba County, a XIII century Saxon colony that included the remains of a Roman settlement called Brucla. Over its 800 years of troubled history, many of them have turned to dust, but those that still remain are historical vestiges well worth exploring thoroughly.
Aiud Citadel
Perhaps the best preserved of these vestiges are the remains of the Aiud citadel, which incorporates two Protestant churches – one Calvinist and one Evangelical – surrounded by a fortified wall complete with no less than 9 towers, 8 of which were dedicated to the various trades that contributed significantly to the thriving economic life of the town. It’s worth mentioning that the tradesmen were organized into guilds and the bravest members of the guild were also chosen as defense officers, effectively constituting the military leadership of the citadel. In that light, it comes as no surprise that the towers themselves were built up so solidly and thoroughly. The one tower that was specifically erected for defensive purposes only was the one marking the entrance into the citadel, built in the XIV century and guarded by a drawbridge. There was also a Butchers’ Tower, a Tailors’ Tower, a Cobblers’ Tower, a Furriers’ Tower, a Coopers’ Tower, a Potters’ Tower, a Rope-Makers’ Tower (currently known as the Kalendas Tower), and the Locksmiths’ and Blacksmiths’ Tower. The main buildings protected by the walls of the citadel were a Calvinist church built in the late XV century in Gothic style, the Lutheran church erected in the XIX century, and the XVI century royal palace that currently hosts the History Museum of Aiud.
Aiud’s wine heritage
Among the many exhibits of that museum there is also a stone slab that was once part of a grape press dating from the time of the Dacians, which indicates that winemaking was an important trade in the area even as early as 2000 years ago. And the tradition was continued right into the present, as witnessed by the many small or medium sized wine makers of the Aiud area, specializing mostly in white wines. There is also a viticulture school in Cimbrud – established at the beginning of the XX century – that provides both training for those with an interest in winemaking and a diverse array of grapevine varieties.
Logos Winery
2A Iuliu Maniu, Aiud, Alba | phone: +40.744.665.554
Rex Vinorum Winery
1 Avram Iancu, Aiud, Alba | phone: +40.744.789.314
Papp Péter
56 Avram Iancu, Aiud, Alba | phone: +40.751.088.643
Tamas Andras
69 Avram Iancu, Aiud, Alba | phone: +40.744.781.709
Ioan Iepure Winery
42 Salviei, Ciumbrud, Alba | phone: +40.766.949. 860
Köble Tiberiu
9 Progresului, Ciumbrud, Alba | phone: +40.724.228.524
Vass Attila
12 Arinilor, Ciumbrud, Alba | phone: +40.742.351.874
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