Tabla Buţii ist nicht die Kreuzburg des Deutschen Ordens
Tabla Butii is not the "Cruceburg" of the Teutonic Knights

Summary/Abstract: First, the geographic location and the current state of the castle are described. Tabla Butii lies on the southeastern border of Transylvania, on the way from Vama Buzaului (Bozauer Paß, Bodzavám) to the village of Slon (commune Cerasu, Prahova county). This description of the present-day situation as well as the suggestions for the dating of the castle are based on the analysis of the findings of the archaeological excavations of the years 1995-1998 and on own field studies. Then, the individual finds are being assessed and the phases of the construction of the fortification are ascertained. Furthermore, parallels and differences to other castles of the region as well as to buildings of the Teutonic Knights in general are being elaborated. The author reaches the conclusion that the castle has been built in the second half of the 14th century, at the time of Ludwig I. the Great (1342-1382). The aim of its construction was to prepare and secure the expansion of the Hungarian Kingdom into areas south of the Carpathians. The castle was used until the 17th century, in the last years with the support of Siculs from the Wood District. Neither the archaeological excavations nor the analysis of the ground plan support the thesis that the castle of Tabla Butii is the Crosscastle (“castrum Cruzeburc”) of the Teutonic Knights, mentioned in 1222. The article contains one plan.

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