Sarmizegetusa Regia – The Heart of the Dacian Kingdom
From its construction in the middle of the first century B.C., until its conquest by the Romans after the wars from 105-106 A.D., Sarmizegetusa Regia (situated in the Gradistea Muncelului village, in the Orastie Mountains, Hunedoara county) was the heart of the Dacian kingdom, from where the kings exercised their military, economical and religious power.During the reign of Burebista, who expanded the borders of the Dacian kingdom beyond those of present Romania, a couple of fortresses were built in the Orastie Mountains and Sarmizegetusa was chosen to be the king’s residence. Some claim that the Dacians’ sacred mountain, Kogaionon, was situated nearby and that was the actual motive why this fortress became more important that the others.
After Burebista’s death in 44 B.C. (the same year Julius Caesar was assassinated), his kingdom lost in vastness, but gradually gained in strength and, in the time of Decebalus (87 – 106 B.C.), it became a real threat for the Roman Empire. Decebalus succeeded in obtaining a favorable peace with emperor Domitianus, but his successor, Trajan, was decided to put an end to the troublesome Dacian kingdom.
Two wars took place (in 101 – 102 and 105 – 106 B.C.) and the Dacians, despite their brave efforts, were defeated. Their main defense system, consisting of the fortresses from Orastie Mountains (Piatra Rosie, Costesti, Blidaru, Capalna, Banita) were conquered step by step and, finally, Sarmizegetusa itself was besieged. The defenders lasted more than a month without food or water, but they were eventually forced to surrender. King Decebalus (whose head can be seen carved in stone at Mraconia, near Orsova) tried to escape, but he was pursued by Roman cavalry who surrounded him, so he took his own life. The story of these confrontations between Dacians and Romans is depicted on Trajan’s column, in Rome (replicas of the carvings can be seen at the National History Museum in Bucharest).
Although it was not erased entirely, Sarmizegetusa Regia did not function as a relevant settlement after the Roman conquest. Trajan established a new capital (named Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa) for the new province, 40 km far from the old one, on a flat terrain. It was a typical Roman city and, today, it is an archeological site near Sarmizegetusa village (also known as Gradistea), in Hunedoara County. Sarmizegetusa Regia consisted of several terraces on the Southern slope of one of The Orastie Mountains. It comprised the dwelling area, the fortress and the sacred area, on a length of approximately 6 km.
The dwelling area certifies that the level of development the Dacian society had reached was quite high. The houses had stone foundations, were built out of wood and clay, had several rooms and, sometimes, two floors; the roofs were made of wood and the doors had iron decorations. Workshops for iron metallurgy and pottery, warehouses, a granary and a coin mint were discovered.
The way the Dacians ensured the inhabitants didn’t lack drinking water is impressive. They tapped the waters of the rivers nearby, collected them in tanks and cleaned them in settling pools. The water was delivered to the houses and workshops through wooden pipes. They also employed drainage systems, made of wood or carved directly into stone, in order to prevent floods.
The fortress was the place where the king, the high priest and the noblemen lived and it had a surface of approximately 30 000 square meters. It also served as refuge for the population, during perilous times. Its walls are called murus dacicus, because the Dacians were the only population to use this construction technique. The wall had a sandwich-like design – the laterals were made of big blocks of stone, united with wooden planks; the middle part was filled with a mixture of sand and gravel. Even though no mortar was used, they were incredibly strong and had a width of 3 m and a height of 5 m.
A paved road, named Via Sacra, connects the Eastern gate of the fortress to the sacred area. This area consists of several sanctuaries, of different sizes and shapes (rectangular and round). Some of them are made of limestone, others of andesite. The round sanctuary, consisting of a round platform with a height of 30 cm and a radius of approximately 7 m, was a place of worship, where certain ceremonials were performed. Another important sanctuary is the one that also functioned as a calendar – it consists of a shrine surrounded by two concentric pylon circles with a maximum radius of almost 30 m. The circular shapes are related to the role the sun had in the Dacian religion; that is also why, these monuments are open and have no roofs.
Decebalus Head at Mraconia – The Romanian Mount Rushmore
If your steps take you to Mraconia, about 15 km West of Orsova, be sure not to miss Decebalus’ head, considered to be the tallest sculpture in Europe. It is carved directly into stone and it represents the last king of the Dacians, the indigenous people that lived in the teritory of modern Romania before it was conquered by the Romans, and one of the forefathers of this nation.
Decebalus’ head stands 55 m tall and, inevitably, reminds of the famous Mount Rushmore from the United States of America. The eyes are 4,3 m long, the nose is 7 m long and 4 meters wide. This dimensions and its almost inaccesible position are arguments why so many people come to admire it every year. Some calculations reveal that it is only 6 m shorter that the Statue of Liberty and 8 m taller than Jesus’ statue from Rio de Janeiro.
The place of the statue was not accidentally chosen, because on the other side of the Danube, on the Serbian shore there is an ancient inscription, carved in stone, named “Tabula Traiana”, celebrating the Roman’s army march against the Dacians and emperor Trajan’s victory against king Decebalus in 105 A.D. This section of the Danube’s course, called Cazane (between Dubova and Ogradena, including, of course, Mraconia) was always considered one of the most dangerous and spectacular. Dangerous because the river’s crossing between the mountains caused the appearance of water swirls that had claimed many sailor lives, spectacular because the landscapes and the experience of fighting the waves are truly breathtaking. Mraconia itself is a testimony as the name can be translated as ”hidden place”, or ”dark waters”.
Just as the monument from the USA, Decebalus’ head dates from modern times, extremely recent actually. The initiator of this project was Iosif Constantin Dragan (1917 – 2008), a wealthy Romanian businessman, who was very much in love with the Tracian and Dacian civilizations and who wrote a couple of books about them, asserting that their role in universal history was more important than that from the official versions. His ideas are still controversial, but no one can deny that investing more that a million Euros to realize Decebalus’ head was an extraordinary gift to the Romanian people. Of course, he had to take as much the credit as it can be for this – at the base of the monument it is carved `Dragan Fecit – Dragan made it`.
He had also promised to the mayor of Cluj that he will build a identical replica of the Column of Trajan from Rome, that depicts the story of the war between Dacians and Romans. His death in 2008 left this promise unfulfilled.
The sculpture was executed between 1994 and 2004, by a team of 12 men, lead by the Romanian sculptor Florin Cotarcea. As a comparison, Mount Rushmore took 14 years (1927 – 1941) and 300 men, until it was revealed to the public. The rock where Decebalus’ head stands now is a place only accesible by boat. Dynamite was indispensable and not very sophisticated eqiupments could be used, and they were carried to the top by foot, in bags of almost 50 kg each. The climbing sculptors worked in two shifts every day, from March until October every year and had to face the incredible heat of the summer, the danger of falling into the deepest waters of the Danube and the menace of the vipers. One worker was bit by such a creature one day, but was immediately taken care of.
Decebalus’ nose was the trickiest part of the project, as one big piece of rock fell apart, and the Dacian kings’ nostrils had to be stregtened with iron armature and concrete.
Bucharest Aviation Museum – Wings of History
If you're interested in World War II weaponry and pieces of airborne metal that made history, you can visit the Aviation Museum in Bucharest, a 2500 square metres area showcasing airships, rockets, artillery pieces, radiolocation instruments and much more. The museum is divided into segments, depending on the showcased gear: History of National Aeronautics, Airships and Aviation Technique, History of Radiolocation, History of Rockets, all of them with a wide range of devices on display.
The main pieces of the museum are included in 23 collections and five document archives, plus a library with over 15.000 titles. The showcased items are available in separate rooms, thus in the Traian Vuia Room you'll find the objects and documents belonging to the inventor, while in the Henri Coanda Room you'll discover all there is to know about the pioneer of aviation.Aurel Vlaicu should also be mentioned, together with all of his engineering work, showcased in a room bearing Vlaicu's name. Inside you'll also find unique pieces, like the original sketches and component parts of the original aircraft Vlaicu No. II, model 1912. Flight simulators are also to be found inside the museum.
The Radu Manticatide Engineer Room is basically a short trip into the history of the Romanian aeronautic industry. You can visit the General Dumitru Balaur Room, as well, where the symbols used by the Romanian Airforce are displayed, plus uniforms and battle flags. The Aviation Engine Room shows the engines and propulsion systems used throughout history, while the Weaponry Hall includes each and every type of aerial weapon you can picture, of course, used by Romanian aviation in combat.
Also, one shouldn't forget to visit the Navigation Gear Room, displaying the instruments used by pilots in order to navigate and achieve perfect localization and orientation. If you want to locate the museum, all you need to know is that it's situated on the Bucharest-Ploiesti highway (DN-10), at the 16.4 kilometre, near the Otopeni Airport.
Fancy airship models? You can have a look at the Vlaicu No. II miniature aircraft, as well as Vlaicu No. III, Farman 40, Nieuport 11 BB, IAR 27, IAR 95 and IAR 99. As far as unique gear is concerned you can admire the IS-3d glider, IAR 813 airplane, IAR 822 plane and helicopters: Alouette II and IAR 3168. Romanian made aviation bombs are also on display, plus you can visit the prototype of the flight machine created by Justin Capra.
If photos are your thing, don't forget to visit the section that hosts Smaranda Braescu's 200 original photos, plus the showcasing of Henri August (aircraft maker), that includes original photos from 1909 – 1910, the section dedicated to Petre Ivanovici ("Red Devil" squadron pilot), including original photos and flight notes from 1926-1931.
There's also a section dedicated to Alexandru Marcu, one of the first Romanian pilots to fly a supersonic airplane, the MIG-21. All in all, visiting the entire museum could take up to four hours of your life, but the experience is unique, especially if you're into aircrafts and other such devices.
The Aviation Museum was founded on March 2nd 1990, through a decision of the Romanian Government, although the idea of such a place dated back from the days of great historian and politician Nicolae Iorga. Following the First World War, the National League of Aeronautics started gathering all the war gear captured by the Romanian army during the military hostilities in a single location.
After 1970, due to the initiative of General Aurel Niculescu and Gheorghe Zarnescu, the museum started taking shape, but it was branched in Medias and Boboc. After 1989, the creation of the Museum was sped up and it was founded officially on March 2nd 1990, but at first it functioned in a tent that was part of the Military Base 90 Aerial Transport.
Romanian aeronautic traditions and history are constantly being made popular through permanent showcasing in the country and internationally (France, US), the launch of books and other publications, aiding students complete their university and doctor’s degree works, as part of the graduation process of the Faculty of History.
The Museum also works closely with all local mass media, either civil or military, in order to make its events and gear popular and let the public know about this unique place. The Bucharest Aviation Museum is open from Tuesday to Friday between 09.00 and 16:00, while on Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00.
Polovragi Cave Takes You Back in Time
If you think that Romanian civilization is old, with its approximately 2 millennia of culture and traditions, wait till you have a look at the scary, deep and very impressive Polovragi Cave, that dates back from 7 million years ago. Some scientists even claim that Polovragi, also known as the Cave of Pahomie dates back from 14 million years ago. Why the Cave of Pahomie? Well, in this cave the monk Pahomie took refuge, leaving a drawing behind, portraying Death with its scythe.
A closer look at the drawing shows that Death is wearing a helmet like the ones worn by nomadic tribes that occupied this area.The Oltet Valley is filled with caves, the most interesting of them being the one at Polovragi, with its 9000 metres length and a horizontal main gallery. From it, you'll notice numerous tunnels and corridors branching out. Polovragi's gallery includes 3 main sectors, the first one lasting till the Pillar Tunnel and beginning with 2 smaller lateral tunnels.
Another old tale says that the main Dacian god Zamolxis dwelled in Polovragi and the stalactites and stalagmites are made out of his tears, as he wept when Dacia was conquered. The legend is also based on the fact that on the plateau above the cave scientists found an ancient Dacian citadel. The Polovragi cave entrance was created artificially, through the destruction of the western wall in the sixties.
A visitor of this cave will surely notice all sorts of drawings, portraying animals, people, events and even characters like Santa Claus – made, of course, by recent visitors of the cave – plus cuneiform writings and traces of Dacian torches. Back to the legends, it is said that the cave was linked with the Dacian citadel through a special gallery that allowed the warriors to run out of the enemy's sight, surprise and terrify them by popping up from behind.
Ceramic vases were found at Polovragi, plus Bronze Age tools and rock formations known as "Zamolxis' throne". A very interesting tale, reminding us of the Irish legend of Finn McCool and the Giant's Causeway, mentions that in this area huge prehistoric people dwelled and they were known as "jidovi". Legend has it that the giants stood with a foot on one mountain and the other one on a tall mountain peak and washed themselves in the water of the Oltet river. There's one spot above the cave that bears the name "Oborul Jidovilor", translated as the meeting place of the giants.Although this cave seems more linked to the thousand years old Dacian civilisation, it also tells the story of more recent outlaws, hiding their treasure in the galleries. One of these "haiducs" was also Iancu Jianu and there's even a cave in the area bearing his name. Supposedly, there's a curse associated with the Polovragi cave, stopping all treasure hunters from advancing inside it and discovering its real length. Also, while you're inside, don't forget to have a look at the Divine Hall and the Bloody Ceiling, the latter being named like this because of the blood-red walls. If you're interested in the Polovragi cave, remember that it's open for public starting 9 am till 6 pm in summer time and till 4 pm in winter. Remember that the Polovragi cave is situated in the village with the same name, one kilometer away from the Polovragi Monastery and 5 kilometers away from another impressive landmark, the Muierii Cave.
Sighisoara Medieval Festival
On the last weekend of each July, Sighisoara hosts the biggest medieval festival Romania has ever seen. The fest takes hold of the citadel and the ancient streets and the entire city wrapped in merriment and inviting aromas.
Each year the old citadel was filled with dauntless knights and with svelte ladies. Along the street, you can find craftsmen selling all kinds of souvenirs, handmade jewellry, bags and clothing. Each year, the town is choke-full. The knights duel on every single street and the beautiful ladies, their good luck charm, accompany them. The medieval music vibrates in the entire city. Cheer reigns above all.
This event has become a regular in the cultural life of this mystical town, Sighisoara. This festival comes to express that this town abounds with rich cultural traditions, and also the fact that participates to the development of Transylvania’s artistic life.
In time, an increasingly valuable segment of visitors was formed, and most certainly this festival had its great role.
The visitors are not only from our country, but from abroad too. All this helped not only the tourism, but created a really special image for this dear town of Sighisoara, that of a cultural medieval town. The organizers of this manifestation want this project to develop from year to year, and bring newer and more interesting things to the visitors.
The cost of the ticket is extremely low, somewhere around 50 cents, and the show is awesome. Thousands of people enter the citadel during the three days of the festival. It’s almost like a tradition now, to attend to the medieval festival. I sure don’t want to miss a single edition, because I’ve been there many times, and I’m completely wrapped in its charms. Not often you can take a bite of the past so authentic like you do at this festival. It’s so much more than visiting a medieval citadel. It’s the cheer of old times that the organizers try to create, and I think that they manage to get very close to the truth on each edition. Some of my greatest memories are linked to this town, and especially to these magic three days of festival.
Each time I go, I like to imagine myself a beautiful lady from the past, with Juliette Binoche’s amenity, wearing my leather roman sandals made by the greatest craftsmen I know in this area, and a beautiful dress. I like to think each woman who goes at that fest feels like a fair lady and each man feels like a mighty knight. You’ll taste better everything should you choose to enter the tale.
If you wonder about places to stay, don’t worry. Sighisoara has a lot of rooms to offer. Depends on what you prefer. You can either rent a room in a hotel, motel or a guesthouse, or you can crash at some of the locals’ houses. You’d still have to pay, of course, but at least you will get to sleep inside the citadel, in a medieval house and have a direct contact with the locals. The food is excellent, I assure you. So, meet you there oh mighty knights and fair ladies!
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