The Minister of Regional Development , the Agency for Regional Development and the local council Rupea met on May 15 to sign the 7,5 million euro financing contract for the rehabilitation and the expansion of the touring infrastructure of Rupea town. According to mayor Flavius Dumitrescu, ?the project is extraordinary important; the rehabilitation of the old towers and the access roads, the investment will massively attract tourists. Within three years, the inestimable patrimony of the Fortress Rupea will be re-included in the touring circuit?.
As Minister Vasile Blaga stated, this is the first big investment of structural funds of the year in Romania. ?For Rupea local administration, this is the first opportunity to use structural funds for the development of the town?.
The Town behind the Fortress
Located on a basalt massif, Rupea Citadel pertains of the national cultural heritage. By the cultural, historical, natural and tourism rehabilitation of Fortress Rupea, local authorities aim to increase the touring attractiveness of the area, but also to develop the region by creating new jobs and improving citizens? living standards. The rehabilitation works will be extended on an area of 14 hectares and will include landscape works in an area of 500 square meters.
The Fortress is not the only attraction point of Rupea. There are also protected natural areas, such as the Secular Oaks of Fiser and the Lilac Reserve around the Fortress.
Ileana Gafton Dragos
