Casa Ratiu is a member of the European Historical Houses Association. Our original Ratiu family home is a collection of restored historic buildings in the centre of Turda, clustered around a lush courtyard beside a charming stream providing guests with a quiet, luxurious and comfortable home away from home to relax and enjoy a weekend break.
The Ratiu Guesthouse is designed as a social business to support the projects of the Ratiu Democracy Centre. We encourage active citizenship, stimulate debates, promote the local culture, and create employment opportunities in the community. We are a hub for thinkers and creatives, aiming to offer our guests a stimulating environment that encourages conviviality and collaboration.
Historic Guesthouse
Built in the early 20th century the Ratiu House in the centre of Turda was acquired in 1927 by Dr Augustin Ratiu, a future mayor of the municipality, a respected lawyer, and President of the local Bar Association. Sent to the infamous Black Sea Canal by the communist regime in 1948 he eventually returned to find his wife and daughter confined to one dark cellar in the courtyard of his now nationalized home. His eldest son Ion Ratiu a lifelong opponent of both fascism and communism himself a lawyer and journalist returned to his home here in 1990 after 50 years exile mainly in the UK and US.That same year he ran for President in Romania’s first free post-communist election. One of the architects of Romanian entry to NATO in 2007 he served his country as vice-president of the Chamber of Deputies and Member of Parliament until his death in 2000.
The Perfect Surrounding
Conveniently situated off the Town Square, Casa Ratiu is ideally placed for visiting the local cultural sites. You may want to explore the Reform Church nearby or take a five minute walk to the Historical Museum. The Roman Castrum is a 15 minute hike from our property and the newly opened Museum of Science and Illusions is only 10 minutes away.
La Papion
Cultural Cafe
In 2017 we extended the popular La Papion Cafe named after Ion Ratiu’s famous bow-tie. Smokers can now enjoy a coffee in the Alley or Courtyard and are free to explore our property where they will find a variety of hidden, relaxing seating areas on the Foisor (summer terrace) overlooking the stream. Our menu includes nibbles, à la carte and a daily traditional dish.
A Concept of Warmth and Tradition
Your Transylvanian Experience
As one of the oldest families in Transylvania we proudly showcase our prominent family members. You will find a story and unique design in every room. All rooms combine traditional rustic elements with a contemporary feel and harmonious colors. We are known for our comfortable beds, we went the extra mile to provide you with toppers, quality pillows and 100% quality cotton bedding. You can enjoy a buffet breakfast of good quality food which will give you a nutritious boost, to enjoy your day outdoors with the right amount of energy. It includes croissants, cakes, fresh bread, fruit juices, coffee, hot and cold dishes.
Executive Lounge
When you book a Double Deluxe Room you receive access to the Executive Lounge, perfect for business meetings or private office use. You will find a Desk Top, Wifi, printer and flat screen TV with international channels. On request and at additional charge we can support you with secretarial needs or translation. We also cater for business meetings in the dining room of Casa Ratiu which is available on request.
Conference
and Training Centre
If you are travelling to Turda for trainings or conferences,an excellent venue is the Ratiu Conference Center.
Our Conference Center accommodates 80 persons in a theatre style room setting. We have Meeting Rooms available as well as projector, screen, flip charts, Wifi and AC. We can provide translation for an additional cost on request. We organize wine tastings, coffee breaks and cater for lunches and dinners. We are renowned for the seasonal cooking and snacks made with fresh local produce.
All of our endeavours have been inspired through a sustainability initiative, which supports the projects and programs of Ratiu Democracy Center, an organisation that promotes democracy as a way of life.
Corporate & Private Events
Casa Ratiu events and design bear the signature of Pamela Ratiu, executive director to Romania for the London based Ratiu Family Charitable Foundation. Pamela has 30 years of experience in international management for both the public and private sector, actively supporting sustainable non-profit organisational development in Transylvania. Her expertise covers management, event concept, public relations and partnership development. Pamela is a patron of The Oxford Cultural Collective, an international cultural institute that provides opportunities for creative, convivial and collaborative learning.
OUR PROJECTS
Sustainability
The Cultural Café La Papion and Casa Rațiu are included in the sustainability ecosystem developed on the premises of the Rațiu Compound to support the activities of the Ratiu Centre for Democracy (CRD) and the Ratiu Forum. Both have an excellent reputation in the local community and region. The Ratiu compound offers a Conference Centre and Executive Lounge and caters for the needs and requests of individual clients, local companies and businesses that book our spaces for trainings, presentations, product launches or cultural events.
Since 1979 Ratiu Family Charitable Foundation (RFCF) has promoted the furthering of education, knowledge and research in Romanian culture and history, offering annual grants to Romanian students and researchers and seed funding for innovative projects, fostering Romanian culture, heritage, civil society, democracy, and environmental protection. RFCF also endowed in 1991 the Ion Ratiu Chair of Romanian Studies at Georgetown University and since 2006 the Ion Ratiu Democracy Award and Fellowship at the Woodrow Wilson Centre, both in Washington DC. The Ion Ratiu Democracy Award annually honours human rights activists from around the world to recognize their having made a significant difference in their countries.
The Ratiu Democracy Centre, based in Turda, Romania, was established in 2004 to maintain and continue the democratic legacy of Ion Ratiu, after whom the Foundations are named, a still widely respected politician who returned to Romania in 1990 after 50 years in exile to sustain the restoration of a free parliamentary democracy after 47 years of communism. In the last 16 years, the Ratiu Democracy Centre has developed and continues to operate projects with a local, regional and international impact, currently focusing on active citizenship, youth empowerment, and legal education.
The Ratiu Forum is a joint initiative of the Ratiu Foundations and the London School of Economics IDEAS think tank, currently ranked the leading university think tank in the world. The Ratiu Forum’s priority areas of interest are Romania and the Balkan region. Included in the Central and South-East Europe Programme of LSE IDEAS, the Forum focuses on strengthening co-operation in the region, supporting academic research and freedom, human rights, the rule of law and on the further development of projects that promote civic engagement.