Two Sisters in Romania Save 17th-Century Transylvania Castle, Turn It into Successful Business

Dimitrina Solakova, BTA correspondent Martina Gancheva

Haller Castle in Ogra, Romania (BTA Photo/Ilko Valkov)

Bucharest,

25.06.2025 08:28

(BTA)

An ordinary family from Romania, immersed in the history, culture and traditions of the country, has saved a building with centuries of history. So begins the story of two sisters and a castle turned into a four-star hotel.

"The first time I saw the Haller Castle in Ogra was in a picture in the newspaper. I was curious, I dreamed of having a winery, my mother's parents grew grapes and had a winery. My love for wine came from them," recalls Kinga Foris.

The foundations of Haller Castle in Romania's Ogra, Transylvania, were laid in the 17th century. It once belonged to Nuremberg's most influential nobles: the Haller family, but after nationalisation in 1949, the castle entered a new phase of its existence and served as a school, kindergarten, boarding house, mill, bakery, people's council and even a mushroom farm. The building, although still impressive, began to lose its former splendour.

In 2007, the castle was returned to the heiress Ilona Haller, but the property was in an advanced state of disrepair and in 2011, she decided to sell it. Fortunately, the property fell into the good hands of sisters Kinga and Reka Foris, who decided to restore it to its former architectural and aristocratic splendour.

With great effort, bank loans, their own funds, but also those from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, the two sisters managed to restore the building of historical importance. The investment took years and cost around EUR 1 million.

The Romanian press calls the restoration of the castle a model for the preservation of national cultural heritage. The Order of Architects of Romania gave a similar assessment.

"Everything was going into the castle. There have been occasions when we have even been deprived of food. But we believed in this effort," recalls Kinga, adding, "We had to do everything the way it once was. To be authentic. From the parquet and the carpets to the paint on the walls."

She even managed to restore the portraits of the old owners and many old items hung and placed in prominent places. The coat of arms of the Haller family can also be seen throughout the castle. And on the ground floor, in a special showcase, photos, glasses and even a menu from 1948 are displayed. "The Bordeaux armchairs are original, as is the piano on the first floor," explains Kinga as she shows BTA's Martina Gancheva around.

There is a cellar and a leisure centre with a saltwater pool, which is extracted by drilling right in the castle courtyard and has beneficial effects for people who suffer from rheumatic diseases.

"My sister and I decided that I would take over more of the kitchen, while she would look after the accommodation area," says Kinga. She has already gained popularity for her goose and duck dishes.

People from Romania but also foreigners stay in the castle-turned-hotel, some of them to relax and others, to get married. "Wedding at the castle. This is the concept we are promoting. Before we invested in the castle, I was into floristry and wedding decoration. I know how to organise a fairytale wedding," says Kinga with a broad smile.

The visit to Haller Castle in Ogra was made as part of a media trip for the Attractive Romania project.

/DS/