Balc

Balc was not a castle but a historical figure, specifically the third Voivode of Moldavia from the House of Dragoș, who ruled briefly around 1359 or 1364. Born the son of Sas, the second Voivode, Balc inherited a claim to the throne during a turbulent period in Romanian history. His reign is noted for its brevity and the immediate challenge posed by Bogdan I, a former Voivode of Maramureș. Upon crossing the Carpathian Mountains, Bogdan rallied local forces opposed to Hungarian monarchy influence, directly contesting Balc's authority before the latter could consolidate his power base in the region east of the mountains.

The conflict between the two leaders resulted in a decisive defeat for Balc, who fought valiantly but suffered severe wounds and lost several family members and retainers in the struggle. Following this loss, he fled Moldavia and sought refuge in the Kingdom of Hungary. In recognition of his loyalty and his devoted behavior during the conflict, King Louis I of Hungary issued a diploma in 1365 granting Balc and his brothers the domain of Cuhea and other possessions in Maramureș. These lands had previously belonged to Bogdan but were confiscated by the crown to compensate Balc for the loss of his ancestral state.

Balc's historical significance extends beyond his short rule, as he successfully reintegrated into the Hungarian nobility after his exile. He eventually rose to become the head of Szatmár, Ugocsa, and Máramaros counties within the Kingdom of Hungary and was invested with the prestigious title of Count of the Székelys. Although some Romanian chronicles omit his name from the sequence of rulers, modern historians acknowledge his legitimate claim and his role in the dynastic struggles that shaped early Moldavia. He likely died around 1399, leaving a legacy defined by royal lineage, military conflict, and subsequent high-ranking service to the Hungarian crown.