Şimian – Ada-Kaleh, Archaeology and the Danube
On Şimian Island, the Ada-Kaleh architectural complex comprises a bastion fortress and a Turkish cemetery dating from the 18th century.
Culture
The Cetatea bastionară bastion fortress on Şimian Island dates from the 18th century.
In 1968, several stone gravestones and burial chambers were relocated from Ada-Kaleh Island to Șimian Island in order to reconstruct the Turkish cemetery.
Before the construction of the Porțile de Fier reservoir, a number of objects and structural elements were also relocated from Ada-Kaleh Island to Șimian Island in 1968; the elements are still located there today.
The central avenue of the reconstructed Turkish cemetery on Şimian Island lies approximately 50 metres east of the reconstructed Ada-Kaleh gate.
The Cula Tudor Vladimirescu is located in Cerneți, in Mehedinți County, Romania.
The Cula Nistor is located on Dealul Gârdanului in Cerneți, in the commune of Șimian, Mehedinți County.
History
The island of Ostrovul Şimian was inhabited from the Neolithic period to the feudal era.
During the construction of Trajan's Bridge between 103 and 105, Şimian Island served as a natural base for diversion dams used to channel the water.
Surface investigations at the Şimian archaeological site – river kilometres 924+500–925 recovered ceramic fragments from the Starčevo-Criș culture and a polished stone axe.
An investigation conducted in May 2018 identified Roman ceramic materials at the Şimian archaeological site – river kilometres 924+500–925, on the elevated Danube terrace.
Terra sigillata pottery, bricks, roof tiles and a Roman denarius from the time of Iulia Paula were discovered at the “La observator” find spot.
Landscape
Șimian Island lies downstream from the Porțile de Fier I hydroelectric power plant between Romania and Serbia, opposite Şimian, and is visible from the DN6.
Şimian lies in a predominantly hilly landscape that also features lowlands towards the Danube and in the floodplains of the Topolnița Valley.
River cruises on the Danube can also be organised in the Şimian area.
The open-air museum on the island can only be reached by water using nautical transport.
The archaeological site at river kilometre 923 lies east of Şimian, near the Brazda lui Novac, on the left bank of the Danube between DN 56A and the river.
A restoration project for the Ada-Kaleh fortress on Şimian Island provides for visitor paths so that access can be made safely.
The island thus brings together evidence from different eras and areas: Şimian contains the reconstructed structures of Ada-Kaleh, the two Cule are located in Cerneți, and another archaeological site lies on the Danube bank east of Şimian, near the Brazda lui Novac. At the same time, the Danube shapes both the island's location and the possible nautical activities in the area.
For the overarching travel overview: Mehedinti.
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