Peştera: Peștera Bolii and the Șureanu Mountains

Peștera Bolii is located north of Petroșani, six kilometres from the city, on the road connecting the Jiului Valley with Țara Hațegului. This is where the Retezat Mountains and the Sebeș Mountains meet.

Nature

Dealul and Peştera Bolii form a national mixed-type nature reserve of IUCN Category IV within Parcul Natural Grădiştea Muncelului-Cioclovina. The protected area is located in the Șureanu Mountains near the DN 66 between Deva and Petroșani and covers 10.0 ha.

Peștera Bolii has large cave chambers and ornamental lighting. As a natural through cave, it can be traversed along its entire length and is therefore one of the few caves of this kind in Romania. The cave is thus described as a continuous natural space: its large chambers form part of a passage that can be traversed in full. The ornamental lighting complements this spatial feature as a visible detail of the cave description.

In the surroundings of Peștera lies Cheile Băniței, a narrow gorge 250 to 300 metres long between high white limestone walls. The gorge was formed by the collapse of the roof of a former cave.

The mountain Dealul Taia lies in the surroundings of Peștera. The peak Negru is also located in this area. The mountain Piatra Barului is likewise in the vicinity of Peștera, as is the peak Ogrinu. At the exit of Peștera Bolii, the stream is called Galbina.

Culture

Concerts were already being held in the largest chamber of Peștera Bolii during the interwar period. The cave was inhabited during the Eneolithic period. The two references connect different periods in the history of the site: settlement dates back to the Eneolithic period, while the concerts took place during the interwar period.

Near Peștera Bolii, the archaeological settlement site Aşezarea Coţofeni de la Petroşani is recorded.

The ancient site of Dacia is located in the wider regional surroundings of Peștera.

Also located in the wider regional surroundings of Peștera is Cetatea Bănița, on the western edge of the Valea Jiului Basin. It lies in the highest part of Dealul Bolii and between three hills. To the south, it blocked access to Sarmizegusa Regia. Near Cetatea Bănița, a route through the Carpathians led to Pasul Vâlcan and Merișor.

The wider regional surroundings also include the monument Crucea Eroilor de pe Muntele Straja.

Getting there

Peștera Bolii can be reached by train via the Halta Peștera Bolii stop. The stop is located a few hundred metres below the cave. Access is also possible via the DN 66 or the E 79. For orientation at the destination, the description names both the rail connection and the two road designations; it also specifies the location of the stop below the cave.

Other places

Other places in the same destination area are Petroșani, Sarmizegusa, Râu Bărbat, Teliucu Inferior, Petrila, Brad, Câmpu Lui Neag and Hateg.

To the higher-level travel overview: Eisenmarkt.

Further destinations

Further places under the same destination:

Sarmizegusa.

Further destinations

Further destinations

Further destinations

Sarmizegetusa.