# Bahnea

- **Country:** Romania
- **Coordinates:** 46.326002, 24.476739
- **Location Text:** Bethlen Castle

Bahnea is a commune located in Mureș County within the Transylvania region of Romania, situated on the Transylvanian Plateau at an altitude of 300 meters. The settlement lies along the banks of the Târnava Mică River and its tributary, the Cund, approximately 16 kilometers from Târnăveni and 26 kilometers from the county seat of Târgu Mureș. Historically known by its Hungarian name Bonyha and German name Bachnen, the commune comprises seven distinct villages, including Bahnea, Bernadea, Cund, Daia, Gogan, Idiciu, and Lepindea. The area features a diverse demographic makeup, with recent census data indicating a population composed primarily of Romanians, Roma, and Hungarians, reflecting the rich multicultural heritage typical of this part of Transylvania.

While the provided text does not specify an exact construction year for a singular structure called "Bahnea Castle," it highlights the presence of the historic Bethlen Castle within the Bahnea village, captured in local imagery. This estate is historically significant due to its association with Kata Bethlen, a renowned memoirist born in the commune in 1700. The architectural landscape of the area is further defined by various religious structures, including a Reformed church in the main village and Orthodox churches dedicated to Saints Michael and Gabriel in neighboring Gogan. These buildings represent the enduring spiritual and cultural foundations of the community across centuries of changing political borders.

Today, Bahnea functions as an active administrative commune led by a local mayor and serves as a residential hub for over 3,500 inhabitants. The condition of the area reflects a blend of rural life and historical preservation, with the Bethlen Castle standing as a notable landmark alongside several functioning churches. The commune maintains its identity through its connection to prominent natives such as writer Domokos Bölöni and footballer Árpád Fazekas. Although specific details regarding the current interior use or restoration status of the castle are not explicitly detailed in the source material, the existence of the structure remains a key point of interest for the locality's historical narrative and visual identity.

![Photo of Bahnea](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/84/Bonyhai_ref_templom.jpg)

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahnea (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)