Tourists who arrive, on Saturday, at Sarmizegetusa Regia are invited to get to know the latest discoveries from the Dacian capital, in a tour guided by archaeologists and students who participated in the archaeological site.
Sarmizegetusa Regia. Photo: Sarmizegetusa Regia Administration.
Sarmizegetusa Regia, also called the “Stonhenge of Romania”, due to the monuments that remind of the famous historical complex in England, will be able to be discovered with the help of researchers, on Saturday, at the Open Day organized at the archaeological site.
“Saturday, August 24, 2024, between 10.00-18.00, you are invited to the Grădiștea de Munte-Sarmizegetusa Regia archaeological site, at the Open House Day. On this occasion, the ancient monuments will be presented to the visitors, as well as the results of this year’s archaeological research, in guided tours. During the event, access to the citadel will be free”informed the Sarmizegetusa Regia Administration.
Sarmizegetusa Regia. Photo: Sarmizegetusa Regia Administration
The archaeological research of the Dacian fortresses in the Orăştiei Mountains starts from the premise of the inestimable scientific and cultural value of these sites, registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List, informed the General Directorate of Monuments Administration and Tourist Promotion Hunedoara (DGAMPT)
“The purpose of the activity is to promote the Grădiștea de Munte – Sarmizegetusa Regia archaeological site, as well as to present the results of this year’s archaeological research, through guided tours. The archaeological excavations continued on the 9th terrace, part of the sanctuary of the Dacian capital, where new structures were discovered that reveal a monumental architecture, specific to the site”informed DGAMPT Hunedoara.
According to the organizers of the event, the Day of the Open Doors marks the completion of 100 years of systematic archaeological research in the Grădiștea de Munte – Sarmizegetusa Regia archaeological site.
The archaeological research in the 2024 campaign was financed by the Hunedoara County Council and the Ministry of Culture.
Sarmizegetusa Regia, the mysterious capital of the Dacians
Located at the foot of Vârful Godeanu (1,656 meters), considered “the holy mountain of the Dacians” and about 40 kilometers from the municipality of Orăștie. Sarmizegetusa Regia was considered by historians to be the capital of the Dacian Kingdom, before it was conquered and devastated by the Romans at the beginning of the second century.
Sarmizegetusa Regia. Photo: Sarmizegetusa Regia Administration
Due to its mysterious edifices, it has often been compared to the Neolithic Stonehenge in England, considered a monument dedicated to solar deities, where religious ceremonies and celestial observations may have taken place
In Antiquity, the citadel spread over more than a hundred terraces arranged by people. The most important were in the sacred precinct, which included the most important edifices of the Dacian capital.
The strong walls that protected the large terraces of Sarmizegetusa Regia (IX, X, XI) were meant to prevent them from sliding. Other smaller walls, built in the murus Dacicus technique, protected the sacred precinct of the Dacian capital from the hill and sides.
Tourists find here the ruins of temples and several ancient edifices, water catchment installations, but also the walls and gates of a strong fortress and the ancient stone road that descended into the sacred precincts of Sarmizegetusa Regia.
How to get to Sarmizegetusa Regia
An 18-kilometer road, modernized a decade ago, goes up from the village of Costești in Hunedoara, on Valea Grădisti, to the parking lot located about one kilometer from the ancient gates of Sarmizegetusa Regia.
From the parking lot, tourists can continue their way to the site on foot, following the path paved with cubic stone.
The village of Costești in Hunedoara is located about 20 kilometers from Orăștie, on county road 705A and about 20 kilometers from the city of Călan, on county road 668A Călan – Boșorod, connected over the hills by the local road Chitid – Ludeștii de jos – Costești.
Another local road, also asphalted, towards the village of Costești, descends from the village of Târsa in the commune of Boșorod.
