Ancient Fortresses in Romanian Mountains

Itinerary

Day 1: Highest Road in Romania and Roman Fortress

Stop At: Transalpina, Parang Mountains Romania
Transalpina is the highest road in Romania and also the oldest one as it was built by the Romans in 2nd century AD during their campaign of conquering Sarmisegetusa Regia, the capital of ancient Dacia. Winding its way through valleys and plateaus up to 7,038 feet/2145 meters – a height not reached by any other mountain passage in Romania – the TransAlpina road offers breathtaking views together with lots of driving excitement.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa, DN68, Sarmizegetusa 337415, Romania
Ulpia Traiana Augusta Dacica Sarmizegetusa was the capital and the largest city of Roman Dacia, later named Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa after the former Dacian capital, located some 40 km away. Built on the ground of a camp of the Fifth Macedonian Legion, the city was settled by veterans of the Dacian wars. From the very beginning it received the title of colonia and the status of ius Italicum. With an area of 30 hectares (74 acres; 0.12 sq mi), a population between 20,000 and 25,000, and strong fortifications, Ulpia Traiana was the political, administrative and religious centre of Roman Dacia in the 2nd and 3rd centuries.

The city was destroyed by the Goths. Today Ulpia Traiana remains in ruins, with a partly preserved forum, an amphitheatre, and remnants of several temples.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Densuș Church, Densuș 337205, Romania
One of the oldest church in Romania and Eastern Europe, Saint Nicholas’ Church is located in the village of Densus, in the heart of Hunedoara County and dates back to the early Middle Ages. A very interesting and controversial fact about the church is its interior. The walls are decorated with mural paintings representing Jesus dressed in traditional Romanian clothes. Also, on the columns, there are mysterious inscriptions in Latin and Dacian, that are said to carry pagan messages. Moreover, contrary to most Orthodox churches, in which the altar is placed to the East, here the altar is placed to the South.
Duration: 30 minutes

Meals included:
• Dinner
Accommodation included: In Costesti at 3* pension or guesthouse.

Day 2: The capital of ancient Dacia

Stop At: Blidaru Fortress, Hunedoara County, Romania
Situated on the small hill of Blidaru hill (705m elevation) offering an excellent view both to Valea Muresului and Gradistea Muncelului (the Ancient Sarmizegetusa Regia) the fortress, which was purely for military purposes, is the most imposing work of this area. It was never conquered by the Romans in the Roman - Dacian wars.

Due to its positioning and altitude, the only way to access it is by an 1 hour hike (decided at the spot according to tourists' wishes).

Blidaru is the best preserved out of all the Dacian fortresses.
Duration: 3 minutes

Stop At: Sarmizegetusa Regia, Orastioara de Sus, Romania
Sarmizegetusa Regia was the capital of the ancient Dacia and it is positioned on a mountain at around 1000 m altitude, but easy to access by car. The part that it is accessible for visitors includes the military fortification partially and the sacred area of the former city, which presents similarities with Machu Picchu.

The fortress is the location of very important archaeological discoveries, such as gold jewelry and the highest amount of iron that was discovered outside the Roman Empire.

Also, it is known for its high spiritual energy drawn from rituals that were performed there and from the mountain itself. You will feel all that energy there on the spot.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Dacian Fortress Costesti, Orăștioara de Sus, Romania
The ancient fortress was built in the Ist century BC, during Burebista`s Rule and it`s located near the village of Costești, where we will be accommodated.

We will visit the fortress after dinner to see from there the most beautiful sunset in the area.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Accommodation in 3* guesthouse.

Day 3: Piatra Rosie Fortress and Cioclovina Cave

Stop At: Dacian Fortresses, Orăștioara de Sus, Romania
“Piatra Rosie” is the name of the reddish limestone rock height where the Dacian fortress is placed. (821m above sea level). As all Dacian fortresses, also here the mountain was first leveled and terraced in order to assure a safe and advanced building. On one side of Piatra Rosie, we will reach a rock from where you will have the most astonishing panorama of the trip.

In the same day we will visit the Cioclovina Cave. It has a monumental entrance, 20 m high and very wide. The cave is impressive due to the beautiful corrosion shapes, such as: pressure tubes, having a diameter of up to 5 m, ceiling and wall potholes. A Hallstatt treasure was also discovered here, consisting in over 600 metal accessories and several thousand amber, ceramic and colored glass beads.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Accommodation in Costesti at 3* guesthouse

Day 4: Half Day at Thermal Baths

Stop At: Termele Romane (Roman Baths), Geoagiu Bai Romania
The thermal Roman baths are located in the town of Geogiu Băi, on a circular promontory rising 350 m high and known as „Dâmbul Romanilor” [The Romans’ Hillock]. The healing properties of the thermal waters from Geoagiu-Bai have been known since antiquity.

We will get the chance to visit the old baths and understand how Romans were using them in antiquity, but also to have a few relaxing hours in a pool with thermal healing water, a modern one, not a Roman one.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.