Dorna Arini: Nature, History and Holiday Apartments

The Bistrița River crosses the municipality of Dorna-Arini from west to east. In 1775, the Bistrița became a border. The northern part of the municipality lay within the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The southern part belonged to Moldavia and comprised 75 percent of the municipality’s area. This situation lasted for 143 years, until after the First World War. On Dealul Vultur south of the Bistrița River and on Dealul Bărnărel north of the Bistrița, hundreds of metres of trenches dug by soldiers by hand bear witness to the wartime period.

Nature

Cheile Zugrenilor is a four-kilometre-long gorge carved by the Bistrița River through crystalline schist and crystalline limestone. The very steep slopes reach heights of 200 to 300 metres. Notable rock formations include Colțul Acrii, Piatra lui Osman, Grindul Pușcatei and Stânca Coifului. The gorge can be crossed via the paved DN 17B road.

The Pietrosul Broștenilor–Cheile Zugrenilor nature reserve is a protected area of national interest. It is assigned to Dorna-Arini in Suceava County and lies on the administrative boundary between the municipalities of Dorna-Arini and Crucea.

The Pietrosul Bistriței peak lies in the vicinity of Dorna-Arini. Mount Pietrosul is also located in the surrounding area. Mount Giumalău lies in the same vicinity of Dorna-Arini. The Oușoru peak is likewise located near Dorna-Arini.

The cycling route “Dorna-Arini – culmea Munţilor Bistriţei – Panaci” runs along the ridge of the Bistrița Mountains through clearings and pastureland. Along the way, it offers views of the Giumalău Massif to the northwest and the Călimani Mountains to the southwest.

In the landscapes described, the Bistrița connects several levels: it crosses the municipality, marked the historic border and carved Cheile Zugrenilor into the rock. North and south of the river lie the two terrain features with their trenches, while the route along the mountain ridge passes through clearings and pastureland.

History

The historic border along the Bistrița ran within the municipality: the northern part of the municipality belonged to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, while the southern part belonged to Moldavia. The trenches on Dealul Vultur and Dealul Bărnărel are hundreds of metres long and were dug by soldiers by hand.

Culture

The Acoperământul Maicii Domnului Monastery is located in Gheorghițeni, in the municipality of Dorna-Arini in Suceava County. The Acoperământul Maicii Domnului Monastery in Dorna-Arini has a 60-metre-high wooden bell tower.

The ethnographic collection “Pădurea, leagăn de civilizație a răzeșilor Dornei” is a permanent exhibition on the upper floor of the “Savin Alexievici” Cultural Centre. It is located in the village of Cozănești, in the centre of the municipal seat. In the wider regional area around Dorna-Arini lies the Schitul Rarău Monastery. The Biserica Ortodoxă Breaza church is also located in the wider regional area.

The cultural sites are likewise distributed in different locations: the monastery is associated with Gheorghițeni and Dorna-Arini, while the permanent exhibition is associated with Cozănești and the centre of the municipal seat. Schitul Rarău and Breaza are assigned to the wider regional area around Dorna-Arini.

For the overarching travel overview: Comuna Dorna - Arini.