Gura Văii – Discover Culture, the Danube and Nature

South of Gura Văii, on Ostrovul Banului, lies the archaeological site of Gura Văii–Ostrovul Banului, approximately 1 km downstream from the Porțile de Fier I Dam. The multi-layered site preserves settlement levels dating from the Mesolithic to the Middle Ages. Settlement traces from the Neolithic, the Early Iron Age, as well as the Dacian, Roman, Romano-Byzantine and pre-feudal periods have also been identified on Ostrovul Banului. The archaeological evidence thus encompasses a long sequence of different periods in one location.

Culture and Technology

The Porțile de Fier I Hydroelectric Power Plant Museum opened in 1976, four years after the Porțile de Fier I hydropower and navigation system was inaugurated on 16 May 1972. The exhibition combines historical and ethnographic objects from the Iron Gates area with exhibits on the construction of the hydropower plant on the Danube. Regional history and the plant’s technological development can therefore be experienced side by side during the same museum visit.

The museum visit ends in the turbine hall. There, six Kaplan turbines can be viewed as part of the exhibition on the hydropower plant. The exhibition thus leads from historical and ethnographic objects to the technical installations of the hydropower plant on the Danube.

Getting There

Gura Văii is connected in an east–west direction via National Road DN6. From Gura Văii, the road crosses the Porțile de Fier Dam towards Belgrade. National Road DN6 is also named as the starting point in the directions to the excursion destination Crucea Sfântului Cuvios Petru.

Nature

The Gura Văii–Vârciorova nature reserve is located near Gura Văii, on the left bank of the Danube and in the Getic Plateau as well as the Almăj and Locvei Mountains. The area is a floristic and forestry reserve and covers 305 hectares. It protects forests with a diverse plant composition and numerous rare species. The landscape thus combines the Danube riverside location with the named upland and mountain areas, as well as an explicitly floristic and forestry protection mandate.

Hiking

The excursion destination “Crucea Sfântului Cuvios Petru” is located on Dealul Crucii near Gura Văii. It cannot be reached directly by car. The quickest access begins at a point on National Road DN6 and includes a fairly steep ascent lasting approximately 30 to 45 minutes. The approximate duration and the described incline are therefore among the key features of this access route.

The route from Gura Văii to Porțile de Fier I is marked with blue trail markers. The route includes exposed sections where the hands may be used. These trail features are part of the described connection between Gura Văii and Porțile de Fier I.

Other Local Pages

Other local pages: Şimian, Dubova, Baia de Aramă, Floreşti, Orșova, Godeanu, Eșelnița, Corcova.

To the higher-level travel overview: Mehedinti.