Tomești: Bega, Caves and Traditions

Tomești is one of the settlements arranged from south to north along the course of the Bega. The locality lies in the piedmont zone along the county road DJ 684. The upper Bega passes through the commune of Tomești across heavily forested terrain. This terrain is characterised by limestone and dolomite formations.

Nature

Peștera cu apă is located on the left slope of the Pustânii Valley in the village of Românești, within the commune of Tomești. The cave contains a succession of spacious vaulted chambers and narrower sections. Lateral flowstone curtains, stalactites and stalagmites can be found in these cave chambers. Peștera cu apă is 370 m long and arranged horizontally on three levels. Its entrance is 9.5 m wide and 2 m high.

Culture and History

A wooden church dating from the 17th century stands in the village of Românești. It was built from thick oak beams joined together without nails. The church of Mănăstirea Românești was founded in 1912. It was completed in 1929 and consecrated in 1931.

An old wooden church in Tomești was built around 1750. The building was dismantled in 1952 and rebuilt in wood at the same location in 1957. The reconstructed building has a galvanised sheet-metal roof, a rubble-stone foundation and a single tower. The Dube-Colind tradition is maintained in the villages of Românești, Tomești and Baloșești. Mănăstirea Românești celebrates its patronal feast on 20 July and on the Friday of Bright Week.

Tomești has wooden watermills on the Bega. Traditional dress is still worn at folklore performances in the Tomești region. The tradition of symphonic concerts in Peștera Românești began in 1984. The initiative came from Speotimiș founder, physician Constantin Lupu.

The former glassworks near Tomești is a monument of industrial architecture. The Tomești glassworks is considered the oldest glass factory in the present-day territory of Romania.

Hiking

The mountain route Luncani–Pârâul Mare–Padeș is easy in its first section. In the second section, it becomes considerably steeper. Its elevation gain is 1,070 m. Another hiking route leads from Valea lui Liman via Luncani and Valea Topla to Cabana Căpriorul in the commune of Nădrag. It follows forest roads and woodland paths.

Românești can be reached from the DN 68A near Coșava. The route along the paved county road DJ 684 is 4 km long.

Other Places

Discover more places under Ghiroda, Recaș, Timişoara, Sacalaz, Făget, Sânnicolau Mare, Sânandrei and Bogda.

Events

The Serbările muntelui in Valea lui Liman take place every year from May to September. They are held on the third Sunday of each month. Nedeea românilor de pretutindeni takes place every August in Valea lui Liman as a festival of traditional singing and dancing.

To the main travel overview: Timis.