Statuia lui Hercule

The Statue of Hercules is the emblematic symbol of Băile Herculane, Romania's oldest spa resort, with a history reaching back to Roman times, when the legions discovered the thermal springs of the Cerna Valley. The bronze statue, cast in the mid-nineteenth century in Vienna and given to the resort during the Austrian Empire, depicts the mythological hero Hercules leaning on his club, the skin of the Nemean lion over his shoulder, evoking the legend that the god healed his weariness here in the curative waters. Set in the historic centre of the resort, the statue watches over monumental buildings in a baroque and eclectic Austrian style, many of them witnesses to the golden age of the place, when it was frequented by European aristocracy.

The surroundings, with historic architecture, thermal springs and the natural setting of the Cerna Gorges, make the statue a central point for photography and a starting place for walks. Visitors can combine the visit with the discovery of nearby springs and historic buildings.