Vidra: Archaeology, River Landscape and Historical Traces

Vidra has a multifaceted history and a clear connection to its landscape.

Culture

The “Tellul Vidra” archaeological site is located in the municipality of Vidra on the left bank of the Sabar. It comprises a settlement from the 18th century, one from the 9th to 11th centuries, one from the 3rd to 4th centuries AD, as well as two Neolithic settlements, one of which is attributed to the Gumelnita culture. Several settlement phases are therefore located at the same archaeological site, while the Gumelnita attribution identifies one of the Neolithic settlements more precisely.

In the Măgura archaeological area of Vidra, visitors can still observe fragments of grooved ceramic vessels and flint or quartz remains on the surface today. The finds therefore consist both of pottery shards and of rock fragments directly associated with this area.

Another archaeological site in the municipality of Vidra is located on the Sabar near the Bucharest–Giurgiu railway line and comprises a settlement from the 17th and 18th centuries. In addition to “Tellul Vidra,” a settlement from a more recent historical period is therefore also among the archaeological sites along this river.

History

The year 1733 was carved into a beam of Vidra’s former wooden church. This historical detail is directly connected with the former church building and its wooden structural element.

When it was built, the former wooden church in the cemetery of Bragadiru was notable for the craftsmanship of the local artisans. Its connection to Bragadiru remains distinct and should not be equated with the location of Vidra’s archaeological sites.

A new church was built on the same site as the church dating from 1872. The site was therefore used again for a church building after the 1872 church.

The “Zeița de la Vidra” is currently kept at the Museum of the History and Art of the City of Bucharest in Palatul Șuțu. The museum’s current opening hours should be checked before visiting. When a specific object such as the “Zeița de la Vidra” is the reason for a museum visit, checking the current opening hours is part of the usual preparation.

Natural Environment

The municipality of Vidra lies in the Lower Danube Plain, in the subdivision known as “Câmpul Câlnăului” between the Argeș and Dâmbovița. The Câmpul Câlnăului landscape contains plains and valleys with floodplains and terraces. The landscape forms are therefore distributed across open plains, incised valleys, and the aforementioned floodplain and terrace areas.

Vidra is bordered on its southern side by the Sabar, a tributary of the Argeș. On this side, the river also forms a clearly named component of the landscape.

Agriculture

In 1998, producers from Vidra marketed tomatoes, early and autumn cabbage, hot and sweet peppers, aubergines, lettuce, parsley, lovage, dill, Gogosari peppers, cucumbers, and white pumpkins in Bucharest and throughout the country. The residents of Vidra were regarded in Bucharest and the provinces as some of the first producers of high-quality early-season produce. The range therefore extended from vegetables and lettuce to various culinary herbs and included both early and autumn produce.

Transport

The Bucharest–Giurgiu railway line crosses the southeastern part of Vidra and is located 17 km from Progresul railway station in the south of the capital. Current timetables are relevant when using the railway line. For train journeys, current timetables should be checked before departure, as departure times and connections are time-sensitive information.

For the higher-level travel overview: Comuna Vidra.