Haller Manor – The Castle from Gârbou

The History of Sălaj

The history of Sălaj is by far the most enigmatic narrative of the 17th century in Transylvania. If our first thought leads us to the desire for conquest or revenge, we are certainly not far from the local truth. However, a third element comes into play here – love, for which often, at least in ancient times, one would go as far as to kill. It’s a pity that here we are not talking about just one...

Haller Manor

Haller Manor, also known as the *Castle in Gârbou, is a mysterious construction located in Sălaj County, Zalău*. Surely, not many of us have heard of it, given the lack of promotion or simply the fact that it is relatively hard to spot (unless you notice the bell tower on a hill) without having some idea about the crumbling building.


The beautiful castle, the manor of yesteryear, or the ruins of today, however you wish to call them, has been martyrized according to the legend from the third element mentioned above – love. Passed down from father to son, the myth of the Burg of Gârbou is still present and supported by tangible elements. Thus, from the barely legible inscription on the ruins of the gate, we can discern the one who proposed its construction – none other than Ioan/Janos Haller, former governor of Transylvania.

The Grand Residential Building

As early as 1766, a grand residential building was surrounded by defensive walls, near which one could glimpse a church and a fountain – the bare minimum required by the barons of old. However, the legend of the Haller Manor explains why this dream establishment has today transformed into a true ruin.

The Legend of Haller Manor

But let’s return to the legend... heard here and there from the elders in the area, the competition fueled continuously by personal egos based on military strength, political affinities, and secret loves (namely, the love for the same woman) led to the destruction of the Manor.

The two protagonists, owner Ioan/Janos Haller and his neighbor from Jibou, Baron Wesselenyi Miklos (known as the *Bour from Jibou* due to his physical strength, malice, and characteristic stubbornness) demonstrated a lack of diplomacy at the crucial moment for the castle, martyring it through a siege.


The beautiful structure was struck directly by cannons following the decision of the Bour from Jibou, towers manned by an army of over 500 serfs, officials, and hunters. This revenge did not only hit Haller hard, which is why the construction has not been restored to this day. Over time, the slaves managed to steal everything from the building they had labored so hard to raise.

Visiting Haller Manor

If you find yourself in the area at any time of the day, make sure you don’t lose sight of the Haller Manor. With a little careful glance, you can hear the stories of yesteryear, the love carried since childhood by the *Bour from Jibou for the beautiful Nemes Zsuzsa (known as the wife of his adversary, Ioan/Janos Haller*) or her cries for help, as she wished more than once to end her life by throwing herself from the balcony.

Whatever the reason, it may be the last time the structure is still easily noticeable, as it will soon disappear.