Petrila – Mining History, Gorges and Mountain Landscapes

Mina Petrila opened in 1859 and is considered the oldest mine in the Jiu Valley. Exploatarea Minieră Petrila is classified as a historical monument ensemble in protection category A. The former Mina Petrila now hosts art exhibitions, concerts, theatre performances and community events.

Culture and History

Casa Memorială I. D. Sîrbu is the last surviving house in the Ferdinand Colony and offers an impression of the way of life in Petrila’s mining community. The Casa Memorială “Ion D. Sîrbu” in Petrila commemorates the Romanian writer, essayist, playwright and philosopher Ion D. Sîrbu; his family settled in the Ferdinand mining colony around 1860.

Nature and Activities

The Cheile Tăii in the Tăii Valley is a nature reserve in protection category IV. The Piatra Lesului limestone formation offers opportunities for climbing. The Cheile Tăii has the climbing routes Hornul, with two pitches and a difficulty rating of 4A; Grota, with two pitches and a difficulty rating of 3B; and Piatra Rosie, Minerul and Zetu, each with four pitches and a difficulty rating of 5B.

In Petrila’s southern administrative area, a number of glacial lakes can be reached via the Jiet Valley and through the Cheile Jiețului nature reserve. From the Cabana de vânătoare Auselul hunting lodge at an altitude of 1,024 metres, a marked trail leads towards Vârful Brateș below Vârful lui Patru. In the immediate vicinity of Petrila, the Cheile Jiețului is home to Cascada Muncelul, with a drop of around 30 metres. Rafting is possible on the Jieț River in the Cheile Jiețului area.

Customs and Everyday Life

Nedeile are shepherds’ gatherings held on certain holidays, especially Easter and Pentecost, attended not only by shepherds but also by residents of the surrounding villages. Pitaraii is an old winter custom in which young men preparing for marriage walk through the village carrying decorated flags. In the fir tree custom, the spruce is used as a sacred tree and symbol of life and death in communal ceremonies, including funerals and weddings.

In the settlements belonging to Petrila—Tirici, Cimpa, Jieț and Răscoala—livestock farming and the processing of milk and meat are traditional, predominant activities.

Museums

The Muzeul Satului Momârlănesc on the Jieț in Petrila reconstructs a traditional Momârlan village with simple wooden houses that illustrate the activities and way of life of this community. The museum comprises more than 20 traditional houses and a wooden church with architecture typical of the region.

The Muzeul Satului Tradițional de la Jieț-Petrila presents three areas: the village settlement with its church, school and traditional farmsteads; the area of dwellings and hay meadows; and the alpine area with a mountain pasture, hut and pen.

More local pages: Hateg, Simeria, Geoagiu, Gurasada, Mălăești, Petroșani, Kalan, Cib

To the overarching travel overview: Eisenmarkt.