In the second half of the century. In the 15th century, Miklós Báthori formed the Șimleu branch of the family, inheriting, following his mother, several domains from the Bánffi family in the counties of Crasna and Cluj. It is possible that in the second half of the century. XV the fortress in Chinari was abandoned - the last note dates from 1435 - which is why Miklós had to build a new residence. It is assumed that this is how the residential mansion was built in the center of Șimleul Silvaniei, which currently represents the predecessor of the ruined castle. The first mention of the mansion in the city dates from 1520.

In the second half of the century. XVI confirms its existence, the documents mentioning a fortified curia, called castellum. The Renaissance transformation of the fortified castle - from which the ruins that exist today come - is related to the nephew of the voivode and king of Poland, Báthori István (Ștefan Báthori), of the same name. From 1582 the young Báthori István (Ștefan Báthori) brings masons and bricklayers from Cluj-Napoca, and in 1592 he brings frames of windows, doors and fireplaces made by stonemasons from Cluj-Napoca. The year 1592, as well as the coats of arms of the Báthori and Bebek family, are still barely visible above the gate. In 1594, when Zsigmond accused his cousin of disloyalty and confiscated his property, the castle fell into the hands of the Treasury.

After the liberation of Oradea, in 1690, the military role of Șimleul gradually disappeared. The state of the fortification, which has lost its inhabitants and its function, is gradually deteriorating, the process being accelerated by the war between the Curuts and the Lobonts. At the end of the century In the 19th century, the moat of the fortress was divided into lots, and most of the outer fortress was built. Only the outer gate and part of the wall remain from the western wing of the fortress in the center of the locality. To the south, two cylindrical towers of the inner buildings and two rectangular bastions of the outer fortress remain.

Due to the aggravated degradation, the renaissance castle, built by Báthori István (Ștefan Báthori) can be seen only in the documentation of the topographic survey from 1687, respectively in the construction archives. There is even less data on the previous period of this record: excavations, limited in number, have not been shown to be successful in this regard.

Currently declared a historical monument, dating from 1532, being the residence of the noble family of Bathoresti. The medieval history of Simleul is closely related to the Bathory family, a princely family, which played important roles in Transylvanian history.

Located in the center of Șimleu Silvaniei, the ruins of the medieval fortress Bathory (16th century), are a presence of Renaissance architecture in Transylvania. The ensemble is actually a residential castle and consists of two fortified enclosures, built in two stages. You can also see two towers, a bastion, an entrance gate and some of the defensive walls. The most important member of the Bathory family, whose destiny is linked to the fortress of Șimleu Silvaniei is Stefan Bathory, prince of Transylvania and one of the most important kings of Poland, but also a historical staff to which one of the local legends is linked. Stefan Bathory was born in Șimleu Silvaniei. He was king of Poland and Hungary.

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Remains of the castle