• The Danube Gorge: A Scenic Road Trip Through Romania

    The Danube Gorge: A Scenic Road Trip Through Romania

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    The Danube Gorge, known as Clisura Dunării in Romanian, is a breathtaking region located in the southwestern part of Romania, within the Banat region. This road trip follows the Danube River, which serves as a natural border between Romania and Serbia. Along the way, you will discover stunning landscapes, historic landmarks, and charming villages.

    The road from Orșova to the village of Coronini stretches for approximately 95 kilometers, offering one of the most breathtaking drives in Romania. Nearly the entire route runs parallel to the Danube River, providing stunning views of the water and towering cliffs.

    This scenic road, officially known as DN57, winds through some of the most picturesque landscapes in the Danube Gorge (Clisura Dunării).

    Starting the Journey in Orșova

    Our journey begins in the port city of Orșova, a picturesque town on the banks of the Danube. Before hitting the road, we took some time to explore Dragalina Park, a peaceful spot offering panoramic views of the city, the port, and the train station. This is a fantastic place for travelers who enjoy photography or simply want to relax while admiring the scenery. We spent nearly an hour here, walking through the park and capturing beautiful moments.

    The port city of Orșova with the Danube in the foreground.
    Panoramic view of Orșova.
    The Dragalina park in Orșova with a cruise ship which takes the tourists to the Iron Gates.
    Dragalina Park with a cruise ship waiting for tourists for a ride to the Iron Gates.
    The Danube near the city of Orșova.
    The mighty Danube near Orsova.

    Must-See Landmarks: Decebalus Rex and Mraconia Monastery

    A short drive from Orșova brings us to two remarkable landmarks:

    Decebalus Rex Sculpture – This is the tallest rock sculpture in Europe, standing at an impressive 55 meters. It represents Decebalus, the last king of Dacia, who fought against the Roman Empire. This iconic monument is an unmissable sight and a great spot for photos.

    Mraconia Monastery – Nestled right on the banks of the Danube, this peaceful monastery offers a stunning view of the river. The combination of the monastery’s beauty and the surrounding natural landscape makes it a perfect stop for history and culture enthusiasts.

    The rock sculpture of Decebalus Rex in the Iron Gates.
    Decebalus Rex in the Iron Gates.
    The Mraconia Monastery and the Danube river.
    The Mraconia Monastery and the Danube river.

    The Kazan Gorge and Dubova Gulf

    Continuing our trip, we arrive at the Kazan Gorge, the narrowest section of the Danube in this region. This gorge is divided into two sections: Small Kazan and Great Kazan. The river flows between towering cliffs, creating one of the most spectacular sights along the route.

    Right next to the village of Dubova, we find the Dubova Gulf, which sits between the Small and Great Kazan. This is an excellent place to stop and take in the breathtaking scenery of steep cliffs and crystal-clear waters.

    Gulf in Dubova
    Dubova Gulf with the mountains in the background.

    The Danube Widens: Scenic Villages Along the Route

    After passing through the Kazan Gorge, the Danube becomes much wider, creating a stunning contrast to the narrow cliffs earlier in the trip. The road continues alongside the river, passing through several charming Romanian villages. This stretch of the journey is more relaxed, with plenty of opportunities to stop, take photos, and admire the peaceful river landscape.

    The Danube river after the Kazan gorge
    The Danube between Romania and Serbia.
    Small village on the Serbian side.
    Village in Serbia next to the Danube.

    A Short Stop After Svinița

    One of the best viewpoints is just past Svinița, a small Romanian village. Here, you can see the towering mountains and dramatic cliffs that rise from the riverbanks on both the Romanian and Serbian sides. It’s a perfect place to take a break and enjoy the view.

    Large mountains next to the Danube near the Romanian village of Svinița,

    Approaching the Final Destination

    As we near the end of our journey, a few more fascinating sights come into view:

    Romanian Wind Farm – Close to Moldova Nouă, we noticed a large wind farm on top of a mountain. These towering wind turbines contrast beautifully with the natural landscape.

    Golubac Fortress (Serbia) – Although located across the river in Serbia, this impressive medieval fortress can be seen from the Romanian side. Built right on the banks of the Danube, Golubac Fortress is a striking historical landmark that adds to the magic of the journey.

    From the village of Coronini, you can spot the beautiful Golubac Fortress. You can check out this post if you wish to visit this place: Experience the Beauty of the Danube and Coronini.

    A wind farm next to the Danube river on the Romanian side.
    Large wind farm.
    Empty road in the Iron Gates
    The road next to the Danube.
    The Danube river near Golubac fortress.
    The Danube near Coronini.

    Our road trip officially ends at Moldova Nouă, where we stop following the Danube and head towards the city of Oravița. However, for those who wish to continue along the river, the road extends to Baziaș, the last Romanian settlement before reaching the Serbian border.

    Final Thoughts

    This road trip along the Danube Gorge is a perfect mix of natural beauty, history, and culture. Whether you’re a photography enthusiast, a history lover, or simply someone who enjoys scenic drives, this route offers unforgettable experiences. Be sure to bring your camera, take your time exploring, and soak in the breathtaking landscapes of Clisura Dunării!

  • Sarmizegetusa Regia, The Dacian Capital Center

    Sarmizegetusa Regia, The Dacian Capital Center

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    Sarmizegetusa Regia was the capital center of the Dacians during the Roman Empire and it can be found in the Orastie Mountains at an altitude of approximately 1200 meters. From the small Transylvanian city of Orastie, you will have to drive about one hour until you reach the small parking lot located in a small valley close to the former Dacian capital. Despite that there is a paved road up to the ruins, you are not allowed to drive up there with your car.

    After you pay for a ticket, you can follow the main path which leads directly to the old sanctuaries.

    About Sarmizegetusa Regia

    Sarmizegetusa Regia was the capital of the Dacian Kingdom, which flourished from the 1st century BC to the 1st century AD. The Dacians were an ancient people who inhabited the territory that is now Romania. It’s important to mention that it was a major political, military, and religious center for the Dacians. The site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

    The old defense wall

    Not very far from the east gate, the first thing that you will find is some large old stone blocks that were built using the Murus Dacicus (Latin for Dacian Wall) construction method. These old walls used to protect the Dacian capital.

    Fortification walls in Sarmizegetusa Regia.
    The old fortification wall located near the east gate.

    Paved road

    If you continue your walk on the main path towards the old sanctuaries, the next interesting thing that will see is the remains of an old paved road built by the Dacians who once lived here.

    Paved road.
    Paved road built by the Dacians.

    The sanctuaries area

    As you make your way down from the fortifications, an enchanting sight unfolds to your right amidst the trees – the limestone sanctuary and the renowned centerpiece of Sarmizegetusa Regia, the great circular sanctuary. This lower section holds sacred significance, housing distinct religious structures that contribute to its spiritual aura.

    The limestone sanctuary.
    The limestone sanctuary.
    The limestone sanctuary as seen from the main path.
    The limestone sanctuary as seen from above.
    Large tree between the sanctuaries.
    Large tree between the sanctuaries.
    The solar disk with the great sanctuary in the background near the forest.
    The solar disk and right behind the great circular sanctuary.
    The great sanctuary in Sarmizegetusa Regia.
    The great circular sanctuary and other smaller sanctuaries in the foreground.
    Close-up photo of the the great circular sanctuary.
    The great circular sanctuary
    The Orastie Mountains during early winter.
    The Orastie Mountains with the forest covered by frost.

    The scenery next to the parking lot

    Since I visited this place in early winter, the alpine scenery was amazing, as you can see from the photos below, a large part of the forest was frozen.

    The beautiful early winter landscape with frost on the trees next to the parking lot.
    The early winter landscape with frost on the trees next to the parking lot.
    Yellow pine forest.
    Yellow pine forest near the parking lot.

    The Orastie Mountains

    After we drove back to Orastie and since the sun started slowly to set, I decided to capture a landscape photo of the beautiful Orastie Mountains.

    The Orastie Mountains near the village of Costesti.
    The Orastie Mountains next to the village of Costesti.
  • The Transylvanian commune of Apold

    The Transylvanian commune of Apold

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    The Transylvanian commune of Apold is located in Mureș county, Romania. By car, you can actually reach it in almost 20 minutes of driving from the city of Sighișoara. The first thing that you should visit is the Fortified Saxon church. You will find this church almost in the center of the commune right next to the commune’s hall.

    Another historical monument in Apold, besides the fortified church, is St. George’s church with its long covered stairway. This smaller church is actually a couple of streets away from the old Fortified Saxon church.

    The Fortified Saxon church's towers.
    The fortified wall which surrounds the Saxon church in Apold.
    A part of the commune of Apold with the Fortified Saxon church in the middle.
    St. George's Church with its long covered stairway.

    Is there something else to explore in the area?

    Not far from the commune of Apold, you will find the village of Daia. Over there you will have the chance to discover another interesting old Saxon church. This one is truly unique compared to the rest of the fortified churches in the historical region of Transylvanian because the church’s tower was not built inside the fortification walls surrounding the church.

    Also I have to mention the medieval citadel of Sighisoara which is only about 15 km away from Apold.