Map of Salonta

The first attestation of the locality dates to 1214, and can be found in papal decenal payments under the name of Zalantha. In 1241 it was destroyed by the Tartars in 1598 by the Turks on their way back to Oradea. In 1606 the prince of the Transylvanian Bocskai István brought about 300 free soldiers in these lands, giving them for their valor the Fortress Culiser. But they found a fortress destroyed in 1598 by the Turks, and after 1 1/2 months of searches they found the Toldi family castle. They settled here, and founded the city Salonta. The castle was rented during 1606-1625, and in 1625 it was bought.
The castle, located in the marshland, became the headquarters of the army headquarters, surrounded by a wall and a ditch with water. The works were finished in 1636, and in the same year they defeated the Turkish army. 18 years later, in 1658, the fortress was destroyed by the prince order by not to reach the Turks. The inhabitants have left the area and no one has been there for 43 years. Repopulation began in 1695, and in the 18th century there were 200 noble families. The development of the settlement started at the end of the 19th century, when the marshes were cut, railways and industrial units were built. The fortress tower, Ciunt Tower, is the symbol of the city. In his halls opened, at the initiative of the poet's son and son-in-law, who lived in this city for 34 years, a commemorative museum.
Salonta sights