Nera Gorges

In western Romania there is one of the least known mountainous regions in the Romanian Carpathians. Banat Mountains are keepers of exceptional natural wealth.

One of the major axis of the Romanian Banat mountain tourism is the Nera River valley. Over a length of 18 km Nera pierce Anina Mountains and forms the boundary between them and Locvei Mountains. The area was explored since Roman times when soldiers have built an access road at the west end of the gorges. This road was dotted with several tunnels designed to bind ore exploitation of the access road to the Danube valley.

Rafting

With a mild climate and influential sub-Mediterranean sensitive area Nera host rare species of birds and plants in Romania. During spring the intrepid forests are likely to cross the wild lilac. In summer hiking you should be careful where you step. In rocky areas sunbathing whose horned viper snakebite can be fatal.

From Sopotu Nou tourist path follows the river through meadows and locals gardens. Soon the rocky areas are surrounding the watercourse. Using fragile bridges to cross water whirling overhead. Not long after you arrive at Devil's Lake. It is the largest karst lake in Romania with a depth of over 9 meters. Here is a good resting place for those who cross both keys down and for those who choose that way by rafting boats. Further tourist route becomes increasingly challenging. Besides escalating water crossings by limestone slopes is a challenge. With cables installed in areas hardest journey to succeed in an area called Damian Canton. This officially ends Nera Gorges but not the beauties of the National Park. Nera receives on the right side as tributary river Beiul stream. Continuing its valley enchanting forest road through the woods to a magnificent forest. Forest road continued up the river and after about an hour's hike to reach Ochiul Beiului Lake. This is a lake fed by the river kerst origin Bei through impressive fall in the rainy season the water with breathtaking beauty - the famous Beusnitei Watrefall.

Ochiul Beiului

Sasca Montana town is the terminus of keys and place for an overnight in the area. The village is in ruins of old mining the 18th  and 19th centuries when it was in economic expansion. Old houses, some uninhabited for many years have a charm and make you think of old Westerns.

To reach Spopotul Nou must follow National Road 58B connecting Cerna Valley to Oravita and continue on a local road to Stancilova. Following this local road over the mountain you can reach to Sasca Montana. In the village Carbunari the Roman road built about 2000 years ago is still used. For Sasca Montana north access is on Route 57 descending from Oravita to Danube Valley to Moldova Veche.

Sopotul Nou

Even if the offer is not so varied, you can find nice accommodation in the boarding houses with a charm and where the locals are always happy guests.

You will not regret the choice you made if you plan to explore Banat Mountains.

Map

The Roman galleries

Sibiu - Transylvania's Capital

Today we propose an urban destination in beautiful Romania.

At the foot of the Fagaras Mountains is a wonderful area crossed by the river Olt. Not far from where the river changes direction south, the river Cibin was born around 1200 current city of Sibiu. One of the legends about the foundation of the town said that a German shepherd named Herman asked the group leader of the settlers to give him to a patch of ground covered only by the skin of an ox. Head and agreed and shepherd cut the ox skin into strips so narrow and managed to surround a large area. The remaining colonists seeing sharp minded Herman's decided to stay with in this place he got.

SIBIU

Today Sibiu is a city that breathes a modern European. The old buildings were refurbished and pedestrian streets were paved inaccurate. The new look of the historic center was due to the fact that in 2007 Sibiu was designated together with Luxembourg as Cultural Capital of Europe.

During middle ages Sibiu was part of the seven cities of Transylvania, called Siebenburghen (seven cities). Being located near the Olt Valley, near the border with Wallachia and always threatened by Turkish invasions, Sibiu easily grew as one of the best fortified cities of Eastern Europe. The maximum fortifications in the 18th century makes Sibiu be the second fortified city of the Austrian- Hungarian Empire, after Vienna.

WIEN

Brick defense walls gave Herman's city a new name: the Red Town. With the advancement of technology the old military fortifications lose slightly in functionality and are demolished. Today is preserved in very good shape the walls of the third belt of fortifications along with several defensive towers.

The most important sights of the city are: Large Square, Small Square, Tower Hall, Brukenhal Museum, Evangelical Cathedral, Orthodox Cathedral, ASTRA Museum of Traditional Folk Civilization, Stairs Passage and Liars Bridge. The latter is the first iron bridge built in Romania and derives its name from a series of legends. The most famous is of the young soldiers that lied their girlfriends that they marry them after completing military service.

Here are some of the events in the history of Sibiu:
* 1292 - the first hospital in Romania is open;
* 1380 - is the first school in Romania;
* 1494 - the first pharmacy in Romania is established;
* 1551 - comes first experiment with rockets realized of Conrad Hass;
* 1788 - the first theater in Romania is established;
* 1871 - The first museum is established in Romania (Brukenthal National Museum )
* 1928 - are set up first zoo in Romania.

ASTRA MUSEUM

Former city inhabited by Germans is presented today as a true pearl of Transylvania; from the lifestyle of the inhabitants to the bustle of tourists come from all over the world to admire a real museum town, Sibiu gain the name of the capital of the cultural tourism in Romanian.

We invite you to spend a week-end in the heart of Transylvania, in a city that makes you think of the Western Europe. Come to Sibiu, come to Europe!

OLD TOWN