Hunedoara

Hotel Venus Deva

Cazare de lux, grădină liniștită cu mese pe terasă, cadă cu hidromasaj, plus mic dejun gratuit.

Hotel Deva City Plaza

Restaurant Emma Deva

Restaurant La Cetate Deva

Casa Alba Deva

Lacul Bucura

Lake Bucura is the largest glacial lake in Romania, set at over 2000 metres altitude in the heart of the Retezat massif in Hunedoara county, one of the wildest and most beautiful corners of the Southern Carpathians. Formed after the retreat of former glaciers, the lake spreads within a broad cirque surrounded by lofty peaks and alpine meadows scattered with boulders, offering scenery of grand beauty. The clear water reflects the surrounding crests, and the area is considered one of the most spectacular in the entire Carpathian chain. The lake lies within the Retezat national park, an internationally recognised biosphere reserve that shelters numerous glacial lakes, chamois, marmots and a rich flora, including endemic species. The Bucura area is a central point for hiking and a popular camping spot for those exploring the massif, with many trails setting off here towards the surrounding peaks. Access demands effort and good fitness, but the alpine scenery fully rewards the long climb.

Prislop - Mănăstirea Prislop

Prislop Monastery, hidden in a wooded glade in the Hațeg Land of Hunedoara county, is one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in Transylvania. Founded in the 14th century and linked to the monk Nicodemus of Tismana, the settlement has a rich history, renewed over the centuries and connected to leading figures of Romanian Orthodoxy. Its contemporary fame owes much to Father Arsenie Boca, a renowned confessor whose grave in the monastery cemetery draws tens of thousands of the faithful each year. The natural setting, with forest, a spring and deep silence, reinforces the atmosphere of contemplation. Visitors find a modest church, monastic cells and a landscape that invites reflection. As an active place of worship, modest dress and respect for services are advised; check the liturgical and visiting schedule.

Biserica Densuș

The church of Densuș in Hunedoara County is regarded as one of the oldest stone churches in Romania still in use, and its unusual appearance has fascinated visitors for centuries. Probably built in the thirteenth century on the site of older structures, it was raised largely from Roman stones brought from the nearby fortress of Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa. In its walls one can recognise slabs with Latin inscriptions, shaped blocks, and reused column fragments, a true collage of ancient material. The very narrow interior shelters fresco fragments from the fifteenth century, painted by local masters. The massive silhouette, with a central tower resting on heavy pillars and a stone roof, gives it an archaic, almost unreal character. Visitors should look closely at the walls to find the Roman traces and respect the cramped space of a church that is still in liturgical use.

Peștera Bolii

Bolii Cave is a spectacular cave located in Hunedoara county, near the town of Petrosani and the Hunedoara area, in a striking natural setting. The cave is crossed by a stream which over time has carved out ample galleries, forming a natural tunnel with impressive entrances and high limestone vaults. Visitors can walk through the cave along an arranged path, admiring the play of light at the open ends of the gallery, where the water flows gently among the rocks. The surrounding setting, with cliffs and vegetation, adds to the charm of the place. Bolii Cave sometimes hosts cultural events thanks to its remarkable acoustics and its special atmosphere. Being relatively easy to reach and located close to the main road, the cave makes a pleasant stop for those exploring the Jiu Valley and its surroundings, offering a cool excursion into the underground world of the Carpathians.

Parcul Natural Grădiștea Muncelului-Cioclovina

Gradistea Muncelului-Cioclovina Natural Park, located in the Sureanu Mountains of Hunedoara County, is a highly valuable protected area that combines a spectacular karst landscape with an exceptional historical heritage. Here lie the Dacian fortresses of the Orastie Mountains, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list, among them Sarmizegetusa Regia, the capital and religious centre of the Dacian kingdom, with its circular sanctuaries and impressive terraces hidden in the forest. The park also includes caves, gorges and a rich limestone relief, such as the Cioclovina area, known for paleontological and archaeological discoveries. The dense beech forests shelter a diverse fauna and create an atmosphere of mystery that suits the sacred places of the Dacians. Practical note: visiting the Dacian fortresses requires hiking footwear and time, as the sites are scattered; forest roads can be difficult, so check accessibility in advance.

Sarmizegetusa Regia

Sarmizegetusa Regia was the political, military and religious capital of the Dacian kingdom, set high in the Orastie Mountains in the Hunedoara area. Listed as UNESCO World Heritage together with the other Dacian fortresses, the settlement comprised a strongly defended stronghold, a civilian quarter and a remarkable sacred zone with circular and rectangular sanctuaries of stone and wood, including the famous andesite sun. This was the seat of King Decebalus before the Roman conquest of the year 106, following the wars waged by Emperor Trajan. Visitors can walk the ancient paved lanes, see the foundations of the sanctuaries and the walls built in the distinctive Dacian technique. The natural setting, with dense forests and deep silence, gives the place a special atmosphere. Access is by mountain road and then a footpath, and comfortable footwear is needed. It is a key site for the ancient history of Romania.

Muzeul Castelul Corvinilor

Corvin Castle in Hunedoara is the most impressive Gothic monument in Transylvania and one of the largest medieval fortresses in Eastern Europe. Built in the 15th century by John Hunyadi on the site of an older stronghold, the castle blends military architecture with residential elegance: massive towers, a wooden bridge over a river, buttresses, a knights' hall with Gothic vaults and the gilded balcony wrapped in legend. Its crenellated silhouette, with turrets and colourful roofs, looks lifted from a medieval tale and has served as a backdrop for many films. The interior today houses a museum with restored halls, weapons, exhibitions and a well that legend says was dug by prisoners. It is the unmissable monument of the region; check the visiting schedule, which varies by season.

Cheile Grădiștei (Sarmizegetusa Regia)

The Grădiștea Gorge guards the road climbing to Sarmizegetusa Regia, the political and religious capital of Dacia, hidden deep in the Orăștie Mountains. The narrow, wild, forested defile, with rock walls above the water, prepares the visitor for the special atmosphere of the Dacian site at the end of the road. High up, above 1,000 metres, spread the ruins of the fortifications, the sacred area with its famous circular stone-and-wood sanctuaries and the civilian settlement, testimony to an advanced civilisation that resisted Rome. The ensemble of Dacian fortresses is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The drive through the gorge is itself an experience, through untouched mountain scenery, while the final approach is on foot along a forest path. It is a destination for those seeking history and nature alike. Check the state of the forest road, which can be difficult, and set out early to allow time for the climb and the visit.

Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa

Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa is the capital of Roman Dacia, a city founded by Emperor Trajan after the conquest of Dacia in the early 2nd century, some distance from the Dacian capital he had captured. The vast archaeological site in the Hațeg country preserves the traces of a prosperous Roman city: the forum, the amphitheatre where fights and spectacles were held, temples, baths and dwellings, testimony to urban life nearly two thousand years ago. A site museum holds pieces uncovered during excavations, from statues and inscriptions to everyday objects. Unlike the Dacian capital in the mountains, access here is easy, and the ruins spread over flat, pleasant ground. It is an essential place for understanding the Roman period of Romanian history and combines well with nearby Densuș and Deva citadel. Check the site museum hours, which may be shorter in winter, and allow time to walk the whole area.