Mesentea – Routes, Culture and Regional Cuisine

The Drumul Gălzii, part of the Drumul Calcarului, runs through Mesentea. The “Galda de Jos–Benic–Cheile Gălzii–Cheile Întregalde” route is 23 kilometres long and fully paved. It is accessed from Galda de Jos and follows the Valea Gălzii towards Benic. Along the route, the road follows the right bank of the Valea Gălzii to the village of Mesentea.

Routes and Landscape

The route sequence connects Galda de Jos, Benic, Cheile Gălzii and Cheile Întregalde in a clearly defined order. Mesentea is not separate from the route: the Drumul Gălzii runs through the village, while the road follows the right bank of the Valea Gălzii to reach it. The length of 23 kilometres and the fully paved surface describe the route just as much as its course along the river.

Cheile Gălzii lies in the vicinity of Mesentea, within the administrative territory of the municipality of Galda de Jos. The gorge is a mixed-type nature reserve of national interest. It lies along the lower course of the Valea Gălzii in the eastern part of the Munții Trascăului. The protected area is situated at elevations ranging from 350 to 700 metres. From Galda de Jos, Cheile Gălzii can be reached via the DJ 107K towards Benic and Galda de Sus.

The eight routes of the Drumul Calcarului can be explored on foot, by bicycle and by horse-drawn carriage. The Drumul Gălzii is part of this route network and runs through Mesentea. The route network therefore includes different means of travel that are expressly intended in connection with the named routes.

More places to explore independently: Bucium, Sălciua de Jos, Ighiu, Câlnic, Jidvei, Kudsir, Pianu De Sus and Câmpeni.

Culture

The Cuvioasa Paraschiva Church in Mesentea was built in the second half of the 18th century. It replaced an older wooden church. An older wooden church already existed in Mesentea in 1674.

The history of the village therefore includes both the older wooden church from 1674 and the later church building from the second half of the 18th century. Both details form part of Mesentea’s history and mark different construction periods at the same location.

In connection with the village of Mesentea and his collaboration with Atelierul Bynest, Hani Sasu combines stained glass with wood and metal. The glasswork is incorporated into furniture such as tables, chairs and other functional pieces.

Culinary Traditions

The local gastronomic venue “La Mesentea” offers a culinary experience featuring traditional recipes, local culinary traditions and ingredients from the surrounding area. The products on offer include a pork or veal cauldron dish with polenta, devilled eggs and Pupuri.

The further selection includes oven-roasted dishes, chicken soup with noodles and a traditional organic platter. The dishes therefore range from a cauldron dish with polenta, devilled eggs and Pupuri to oven roasts, chicken soup with noodles and the traditional organic platter.

Parking is available at “La Mesentea”, and reservations are possible. Telephone reservations are recommended for “La Mesentea”.

To the main travel overview: Alba.