The monument was designed by the architect Octavian Mihălțan and the sculptor Iosif Fekete.
The base of the obelisk contains an underground space that symbolizes the prison cell where the three leaders were held before their execution.
It was constructed using Vratza limestone and granite from the nearby Trascău Mountains.
The execution of Horea, Cloșca, and Crișan took place on February 28, 1785, on the site now occupied by the monument.
The obelisk replaced a monument originally erected in 1923 that was eventually removed to make way for this more permanent structure.
The Horea, Closca and Crisan Obelisk is a monumental stone structure dedicated to the leaders of the 1784 Transylvanian Peasant Revolt. Located within the Alba Iulia Citadel, it marks the site where the three revolutionary leaders were executed by the Austrian authorities. The 22.5-meter-high obelisk features a design incorporating the three faces of the leaders and a cell-like prison chamber at its base. It serves as a symbol of Romanian national identity and resistance against serfdom. The monument was inaugurated in 1937, replacing a previous wooden cross that had stood at the site for decades. It stands in close proximity to the historic gates of the Vauban-style fortress. The site remains a focal point for commemorations regarding Romanian independence and historical struggles.
From the ground level facing the front of the obelisk to capture the height of the pillar against the citadel walls.
Combine your visit with a tour of the wider Alba Carolina Citadel complex.
Visit during the late afternoon to see the sunlight hit the relief carvings on the obelisk face.
Look for the small commemorative plaque at the base which details the historical significance of the peasant uprising.
Do not treat the area as a climbing structure, as it is a place of historical remembrance.
