Culă

A culă (plural: cule; from Turkish kule "tower, turret") is a type of semi-fortified dwelling historically found in the Oltenia region of Romania, with notable examples also in Muntenia (in the counties of Argeș and Teleorman). Constructed primarily between the 17th and 19th centuries, these structures served as residences for the boyar aristocracy, offering protection against invasions and local uprisings. Architecturally, cule are characterized by their tower-like appearance, typically featuring multiple levels, thick walls, and defensive elements such as narrow windows or loopholes for archers. The design reflects a blend of domestic comfort and military functionality, embodying the capacity of traditional Romanian architecture to assimilate foreign influences while remaining distinctively local. Similar tower houses are prevalent throughout the Balkans, including in Serbia and Albania.[1]

List of Cule

Argeș County

Name Photograph Location Construction Source
Cula Racovița Racovița, Mioveni 1797 [2]
Cula Drugănescu Retevoiești, Pietroșani 1822
Cula Sultănica Șuici 18th century
Ruined culă, Vlădești Vlădești 17th century
Ruins of Ioniță Brătianu's culă Șuici 1847

Dolj County

Name Photograph Location Construction Source
Cula Poenaru Almăj 1764[a] [3]
Cula Izvoranu-Geblescu Brabova 18th century
Cula Cernăteștilor Cernătești, Dolj 18th century

Gorj County

Name Photograph Location Construction Source
Cula Cornoiu Bumbești-Jiu 18th century [4]
Cula Crăsnaru Groșerea, Aninoasa 18th century
Cula I.C. Davani Larga, Samarinești 19th century
Cula Eftimie Nicolaescu Runcurel, Mătăsari 19th century
Cula Cioabă-Chintescu Șiacu, Slivilești 1762[b]

Mehedinți County

Name Photograph Location Construction Source
Cula Cuțui Broșteni 1815 [5]
Cula Tudor Vladimirescu Cerneți, Șimian 1800
Cula Nistor Cerneți, Șimian 1812
Ruins of cula Lazu Lazu, Malovăț 1850

Olt County

Name Photograph Location Construction Source
Cula Galița Câmpu Mare, Dobroteasa 1790-1800 [6]
Cula Călețeanu Piatra-Olt 19th century

Teleorman County

Name Photograph Location Construction Source
Costea's culă Frăsinet 18th century[c] [7]

Vâlcea County

Name Photograph Location Construction Source
Cula Bujoreanu Bujoreni 18th century [8]
Cula Duca Măldărești 1827
Cula Greceanu Măldărești 18th century[d]

References

  1. ^ Mitrache, Anca. The Cula House – A Specific Case Study. Published April 5, 2012.
  2. ^ https://www.cultura.ro/sites/default/files/inline-files/LMI-AG.pdf
  3. ^ https://www.cultura.ro/sites/default/files/inline-files/LMI-DJ.pdf
  4. ^ "Wayback Machine" (PDF). www.cultura.ro. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2022-03-20. Retrieved 2025-03-29.
  5. ^ https://www.cultura.ro/sites/default/files/inline-files/LMI-MH.pdf
  6. ^ https://www.cultura.ro/sites/default/files/inline-files/LMI-OT.pdf
  7. ^ "Wayback Machine" (PDF). www.cultura.ro. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-06-25. Retrieved 2025-03-29.
  8. ^ https://www.cultura.ro/sites/default/files/inline-files/LMI-VL.pdf
  1. ^ First built in 1764; later modified in 1896.
  2. ^ First built in 1762; later modified between 1818 and 1825.
  3. ^ First built in the 18th century; later modified between the 19th and 20th centuries.
  4. ^ Oldest part from 1517, but mainly built in the 18th century.
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