# Brănișca

- **Country:** Romania
- **Coordinates:** 45.915278, 22.772500
- **Location Text:** Jósika Castle

Brănișca is a commune situated in Hunedoara County, within the historic region of Transylvania, Romania. Located approximately 15 kilometers northwest of the county seat, Deva, it rests on the southern slopes of the Metaliferi Mountains along the right bank of the Mureș River and its tributary, the Boz River. The administrative area comprises nine distinct villages, including Bărăștii Iliei, Boz, Furcșoara, and Târnava. The settlement is well-connected via the CFR Main Line 200 railway, which links Brașov to Timișoara and the Hungarian border, while the A1 motorway traverses the northern edge of the commune, facilitating modern transport across the region.

While the provided text does not specify a single founding year for a central castle or detail a specific architectural style for a fortified structure, the area holds significant historical value through its collection of traditional wooden churches found in villages like Târnava, Boz, and Bărăștii Iliei. These religious structures represent the vernacular architectural heritage of the region. The commune has witnessed fluctuating population trends over the last two centuries, peaking in 1910 with over 4,600 residents before gradually declining to roughly 1,554 by 2021. The presence of the Jósika family in historical records suggests a noble lineage associated with the locality's past.

Today, Brănișca functions primarily as a rural administrative unit led by a local mayor and council, serving its dispersed village communities. The current condition of the area is defined by its preservation of cultural landmarks, particularly the wooden churches which remain active or preserved sites within their respective villages. Although often categorized under localities with noble histories, the modern identity of Brănișca is rooted in its scenic mountainous location and its role as a transit point between major Transylvanian cities. The commune maintains an official online presence and continues to be an integral part of the demographic and geographic landscape of Hunedoara County.

![Photo of Brănișca](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b8/RO_HD_Tarnava_wooden_church_10.jpg)

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