Hunedoara county is home to Corvin Castle, which is widely considered the most beautiful and well-preserved gothic fortress in the land. You cross the wooden drawbridge to enter a world of tall towers, deep moats, and grand stone halls. It looks exactly like a place where medieval knights once lived, and the legends of the castle are as dark as its dungeons. It is an essential stop on any road trip, providing a fascinating look at the military architecture of the middle ages. The inner courtyard is a masterpiece of stone arches and winding stairs that are perfect for photography.
Head high into the Orăștie Mountains to find the ancient Dacian ruins of Sarmizegetusa Regia. This was the capital of the local tribes thousands of years ago and features giant stone circles and thick walls hidden in the old forest. The site feels very spiritual and quiet, as it sits far away from any modern towns or noisy roads. It is a long drive through the woods, but the sense of peace and history you find there is well worth the effort. You can see the remnants of the ancient water systems and the sacred areas where the ancients held their ceremonies.
The Retezat peaks offer the wildest and most rugged nature for hikers who want to see the true heart of the mountains. You find deep blue lakes that were formed by glaciers and are surrounded by grey, jagged rocks and rare alpine flowers. Wild goats and eagles are common sights in the high cliffs, far above the tree line where the wind is always cold. It is a paradise for those who want to escape the city and experience nature in its most raw and powerful form. The mountain huts provide a basic but warm place to rest after a long day on the high trails.
Hunedoara (county) highlights
- Corvin Castle Cross a high wooden bridge to enter one of most stunning Gothic fortresses in world, complete with tall towers and a deep knight's hall. This "castle of legends" is where history and myth blend together, offering a cinematic atmosphere that feels like a step into a medieval epic. Stone courtyards and dark dungeons provide an authentic and powerful look at age of chivalry.
- Sarmizegetusa Regia Hike into sacred heart of Orăștie Mountains to find ancient capital of Dacian Kingdom, a site of mysterious stone circles and altars. Ruins are hidden in a deep silent forest where air feels heavy with secrets of past. It is a spiritual and historical landmark that connects you to very roots of nation's identity.
- Bison Reserve of Hațeg See majestic European bison roaming through a large forest park dedicated to survival of this ancient and powerful species. Reserve offers a quiet and respectful way to watch these giants in a natural setting of tall oaks and green clearings. It is a peaceful and educational stop that highlights region's commitment to wildlife conservation.
- Retezat National Park Navigate toward "Land of Blue Eyes," a mountain range famous for its dozens of crystal-clear glacial lakes and jagged granite peaks. This is a wild and rugged paradise for nature lovers, offering some of most spectacular alpine scenery in country. Drive to base of mountains takes you through remote valleys where water is pure and air is crisp.
- Densuș Stone Church Visit one of oldest and strangest churches in land, built using stone blocks and columns taken from ancient Roman ruins. Its unique, lumpy shape and mysterious frescoes create a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere that is unlike any other religious site. It is a hidden gem of Hațeg valley that captures incredible layers of history buried in local soil.
- Gold Museum of Brad Inspect a world-class collection of native gold specimens that have been pulled from local mountains over hundreds of years. Museum displays metal in its raw, natural forms—looking like golden leaves, hair, or branches—showing incredible geological wealth of region. It is an insightful and glittering stop that tells story of "Golden Quadrilateral."
- Simeria Arboretum Walk through largest and oldest botanical park in country, a lush and leafy forest that features rare trees from all over globe. Park sits along Mureș River and offers a series of quiet ponds and shaded paths that are perfect for a long, slow stroll. It is a place of deep green calm and scholarly beauty that provides a refined break from road.
- Cetatea Devei Take a cable car to top of a volcanic hill to explore ruins of a powerful fortress that has watched over Mureș valley for centuries. Panoramic view from walls captures wide river, city below, and distant mountain ranges on horizon. It is a rugged and vertical landmark that serves as a spectacular gateway to Transylvanian plateau.
- Banpotoc Gardens (I Giardini di Zoe) Discover a piece of Italy hidden in Hunedoara hills, a beautifully manicured garden filled with stone statues, fountains, and symmetrical hedges. This private estate is a masterpiece of landscape design, offering a sophisticated and colorful atmosphere for a relaxing walk. It is a surprising and elegant destination that feels like a Mediterranean escape in heart of country.
- Cinciș Lake Escape to a large blue reservoir surrounded by rolling green hills, where water hides ruins of several sunken villages and churches. Road hugging shore is scenic and popular for those looking for a quiet spot to fish, swim, or camp under stars. It is a peaceful and local destination that offers a classic mountain-lake experience for every traveler.
The local Four
History of Hunedoara (county)
Hunedoara is the cradle of the Dacian and Roman civilizations where the very foundations of the nation were laid. High in the Orăștie Mountains the sacred capital of Sarmizegetusa Regia remains a place of mystery with its stone solar altars and massive defensive walls built in the first century. This was the heart of the kingdom that fought the Roman Empire in two epic wars before the region was turned into a gold rich province. The local soil is so saturated with history that new archaeological finds are still discovered every year in the deep mountain forests.
The county is dominated by the Corvin Castle which is widely considered the most spectacular gothic fortress in the world built in the fifteenth century. It features massive drawbridges and knight halls where the fate of the central European defense against the Ottomans was decided. The region also holds the history of the Jiu Valley which became the industrial engine of the country through its deep coal mines in the nineteenth century. The rugged Retezat Mountains offer the first national park in the land with over eighty glacial lakes that look like the blue eyes of the peaks.
Driving through the Hațeg valley takes you to the Densuș church which was built using Roman stones and lion statues from the nearby ruins in the thirteenth century. It is one of the oldest and strangest religious sites in the land where the pagan and Christian worlds meet. You can explore the ruins of the Roman capital at Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa to see how the victors built their theaters and baths on the conquered land. Hunedoara is a powerful journey through the ages of stone and iron where the legends of kings are etched into the mountain rock.