Gilău: Roman Fort, Churches and Lacul Gilău

Culture and History

The Roman fort of Gilău is located in the dendrological park of Wass-Bánffy–Barcsay Castle. It stands on a plateau overlooking the centre of Gilău, at the confluence of the Someşul Mic and the Căpuşul stream. The remains of a Roman fortification, a historic castle park and the two bodies of water thus meet at this location directly above the town centre.

Construction of a stone church began in Gilău in 1896; it was painted in 1936. The Church of the Dormition of the Mother of God was built between 1983 and 1989. Both churches are among the historical and religious landmarks that reveal different periods of construction within the town.

The Roman watchtower Turnul de epocă romană de la Gilău - Dealul Cetăţii is located in the forest, 2.2 kilometres southwest of Gilău. It was directly connected to the auxiliary fort of Gilău and monitored both the fort and the connecting road to ancient Napoca. Alongside the fort in the town area, the watchtower thus points to a second Roman site in the forest southwest of Gilău.

Churches in the Surrounding Area

The Mânăstirea Floreşti monastery is located in the area surrounding Gilău. Also in the surrounding area are Biserica Finişel, Biserica Catolică Vlaha Catholic Church and Biserica Reformată Vlaha Reformed Church. These religious buildings extend the view beyond the two churches in the town to several religious destinations in the nearby area.

Water and Routes

Lacul Gilău is located above the confluence of Someşul Cald and Someşul Rece. Sport fishing is possible at the lake; one shore features an extensive leisure complex. The lake is therefore described by its location above two converging bodies of water and by the leisure opportunities mentioned there.

The Gilău–Roseşti–Mărişel–Uzina–Gilău route starts in Gilău. Its first section follows the DJ107N uphill to Someşu Rece and runs alongside Lacul de Acumulare Gilău. The route can be completed from March to October. Its opening section combines the start in the town with an uphill road section and the route along the reservoir; the specified period extends from spring to autumn.

Landscape in the Wider Surrounding Area

The Vârful Peana peak is located in the wider regional area surrounding Gilău. The Muntele Agrişului mountain is also situated in this wider regional area. The Dealul Lunitie hill lies in the immediate vicinity of Gilău. The Vârful Ţâcluiul peak is located in the wider regional area surrounding Gilău. The area described therefore includes both a nearby hill and several landscape features classified as being farther away within the region.

Find more destinations at: Suatu, Jucu de Mijloc, Dealu Negru, Frata, Someșu Rece, Luna De Sus, Negreni, Poieni.

To the main travel overview: Cluj-Napoca.