The visitor offering of Hunedoara County combines protected mountain and natural areas with a UNESCO Global Geopark, medieval castle and fortress heritage, and the ancient Dacian capitals of Sarmizegetusa Regia and Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa.
Renting a holiday apartment in Hunedoara is one possible accommodation option for your stay.
Culture and History
Castelul Corvinilor is considered the most significant monument of 15th-century military architecture in Eastern Europe. Its expansion between 1440 and 1446 created a new perimeter wall flanked by seven predominantly round defensive towers. Since 1 January 2021, the entire Castelul Corvinilor complex has been open to visitors.
The Dacian Fortresses of the Orăștie Mountains comprise six defensive sites built in the 1st century BC and the 1st century AD under Dacian rule. They feature extensive, well-preserved remains in a spectacular natural setting. The Dacian Fortresses were inscribed by UNESCO under criteria (ii), (iii) and (iv); they combine military architecture techniques and are outstanding examples of fortified sites from the European Late Iron Age.
Magna Curia, also known as Bethlen Castle, is a category A monument on Romania’s list of historic monuments (HD-II-m-A-03225).
The Dacian defensive system around Sarmizegetusa Regia extended over approximately 150 km² and was intended to protect the centre of power of the Dacian kingdom. Archaeological investigations at Sarmizegetusa Regia identified defensive towers in the retaining walls of the terraces in the sacred area, including a striking pentagonal tower on the outer wall of Terrace XI.
Nature and Landscape
Cetatea Deva stands on a volcanic cone at an altitude of 378 metres and overlooks the Mureș Valley. It can be reached via signposted footpaths or by funicular. Local buses in Deva serve stops near the entrance to Cetatea Deva, including routes 2, 6 and 7.
The UNESCO Global Geopark Țara Hațegului is home to extremely rare fossils of dwarf dinosaurs representing more than ten dinosaur species.
The “Dinosaur Valley” trail in the UNESCO Global Geopark Țara Hațegului leads from the House of Dwarf Dinosaurs to the “La Scoaba” geosite, where the geopark’s first dinosaur fossils were discovered. The “Volcano Road” trail in the UNESCO Global Geopark Țara Hațegului begins in the centre of the village of Densuș and leads to the volcanic hills and the House of Volcanoes; well-preserved pillow lava outcrops can be seen along the way.
Active Experiences
Two of the twelve cycling routes established in Țara Hațegului pass through Retezat National Park.
Retezat National Park has established climbing routes at Pereții Bucurii and Colții Pelegii; they have varying levels of difficulty and may only be used with appropriate equipment.
The summer activities offered by Straja Resort include hikes in Retezatul Mic, rafting on the Jiu, paintball and off-road tours.
Orientation
Most of the information on the themed trail is available bilingually in Romanian and English.
Deva, Lupeni, Hateg, Brad, Sarmizegetusa, Râu De Mori, Geoagiu Băi, Peştera, Orăştie, Vața De Jos, Teliucu Inferior, Petroșani, Cib, Câmpu Lui Neag, Gurasada, Topliţa, Simeria, Şoimuş, Hărău, Sălaşu De Sus, Mălăești, Vălișoara, Roșcani, Ilia, Bosorod, Comuna Teliucu Inferior, Comuna Certeju De Sus, Geoagiu, Petrila, Râu Bărbat, Peșteana, Uricani, Comuna Hărău, Comuna Densuș, Santamaria - Orlea, Orastioara de Sus, Hunedoara, Peștișu Mare, Hățăgel, Zeicani, Kalan.
