Ighiu: Discover Churches, an Earthwork Fort and Nature

The Orthodox Church of Sfânta Parascheva in Ighiu was built in 1724. The earthwork fort of Ighiu was a small Roman fortification. Its purpose was to guard the entrance to the gold-bearing region of the province of Dacia.

Culture and History

The ensemble of the Reformed Church of Ighiu comprises the Reformed Church of Ighiu, the ruins of the fortified enclosure, and the former Protestant vicarage of the Reformed congregation. The Reformed Church of Ighiu was built between 1781 and 1783. Stylistically, it is classified as Late Baroque and Rococo.

The church is surrounded by the remains of a fortification dating from the 15th century. Some Gothic elements have been preserved in these remains. At the Reformed Church of Ighiu, the entrance bastion and the Gothic gate of the fortification are integrated into a two-storey building. This building was erected in 1712.

The dates point to different historical layers of the ensemble: the two-storey building was constructed in 1712, the surrounding fortification dates from the 15th century, and the present-day church was built between 1781 and 1783.

The Reformed Church of Ighiu has a historic organ. Johan Han the Younger made it in 1796. The grave of the pre-Enlightenment scholar Péter Bod is located in the cemetery of the Reformed Church of Ighiu. He was a former Reformed pastor, historian, and Transylvanian writer.

The earthwork fort of Ighiu was located on the summit of the 492-metre-high Măgulici Hill. From there, it occupied a commanding position with good visibility in all directions. Recent archaeological research at the earthwork fort of Ighiu uncovered a coin from the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius.

The archaeological information links Măgulici's location on the 492-metre-high summit with the fort's Roman past and the coin find from the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius.

Further places for planning your trip: Pianu De Jos, Răchita, Bucium, Blaj, Ponor, Albac, Pleși and Mătișești.

Trails and Nature

Gemina Victrix is a themed tourist trail. It recreates the march of Legio XIII Gemina towards the Ampoi Valley and the construction of the Roman fort of Măgulici. On site, the themed trail is marked with the TA trail symbol, a blue triangle.

Near Ighiu, Piatra Poienii lies within the administrative territory of Ighiu municipality, close to the village of Ighiel. There are more than 19 equipped sport-climbing routes. The Iezerul Ighiel nature reserve is located in Ighiu municipality and is a destination for hiking and nature observation.

The two natural attractions differ in their described focus: Piatra Poienii is associated with more than 19 equipped sport-climbing routes, while Iezerul Ighiel is a nature reserve intended for hiking and nature observation.

Culinary Experiences

The 2026 edition of “Aventuri Culinare” was a traditional gastronomic competition in Ighiu municipality, Alba County. More than 10 teams from Romania and neighbouring regions prepared traditional recipes in a cauldron and over an open fire outdoors.

Thus, the event describes both the regional participation of teams from Romania and neighbouring regions and the traditional preparation in a cauldron and over an open fire.

To the overarching travel overview: Alba.