Discover Țelna: Wine, History and Archaeology

Crama Țelna offers tours of the vineyard and cellar, as well as wine tastings. Its vineyards cover 43 hectares and produce four white grape varieties: Muscat Ottonel, Fetească Regală, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.

The information about Crama connects winegrowing with a specific location. The four aforementioned white grape varieties grow across the 43 hectares; the cellar lies 20 to 25 metres beneath the hill and has a clearly described layout, with a U-shaped design, a length of around 150 metres and a width of approximately six metres.

Wine and Culture

The cellar of Crama Țelna was built in 1784 at a depth of 20 to 25 metres beneath the hill overlooking the villa. It is U-shaped and approximately 150 metres long. Its width is around six metres.

The Teleki Estate comprises the main manor house, outbuildings and an old wine cellar dating from 1784. The manor house dates from the first half of the 18th century and was built by Count Teleki László.

The Teleki Estate was built in the Transylvanian medieval style. Numerous elements of late Viennese Baroque and decorations themed around winegrowing form part of its design.

Archaeology

The Coțofeni settlement of Țelna – Piatra Tăiată is an Early Bronze Age settlement. It is dated to the period from 3500 to 2500 BC. Its chronological classification therefore covers a clearly defined section of the Early Bronze Age, while the name Țelna – Piatra Tăiată clearly identifies the site.

The archaeological settlement lies on a rocky ridge between the Valea Ighielului and Valea Mică a Țelnei, also known as Pârâul Gugu. The ridge is bordered by steep slopes on three sides. Its location between the two valleys and its delimitation by steep slopes are characteristic geographical details of this archaeological site.

The “Rupturi” archaeological site near Țelna is a Bronze Age settlement. It lies approximately 500 metres northeast of the northern edge of the village, on the left bank of the Valea Țelnei stream and above the road. At “Rupturi”, archaeologists identified a settlement layer of the Coțofeni culture, a Wietenberg layer above it, as well as Dacian and Roman pottery.

Route and Remembrance

The Drumul Vinului wine route passes through Țelna and connects winegrowing traditions with historical, natural and religious attractions. Its course places winegrowing in a broader context alongside the other mentioned forms of landscape, history and religious remembrance.

Every year on Ascension Day, the Day of Heroes, a memorial service is held at the monument in Țelna. Among other things, the white wine typical of the local vineyards and festive offerings prepared by local women are blessed.

The Heroes’ Monument in Țelna honours the sacrifice of the soldiers from the village in the great conflicts of the 20th century.

Other destinations include Poiana Aiudului, Ohaba, Ponor, Ocna Mureș, Șugag, Sebeş, Jidvei and Bucium.

For the overarching travel overview: Alba.