The small island in the lake, an old oak avenue and the comparatively rare plants of Grădina Ascunsă offer different perspectives on the Săvârșin Royal Estate. Seasonal opening times are important when planning your visit: from 1 May to 1 October, the estate is open to the public every week on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The park can be visited with a guide. Plan your travel dates accordingly and check visiting hours before you set off.
Lake, Birch Bridge and Ancient Oaks
The lakeside landscape brings together features from different periods. In 1943, a tiny island was added to the lake; at the same time, the eastern shore was adapted for a small landing stage. The island in the middle of the lake is connected to the shore by a birch bridge. This bridge was renewed in 2001. The island’s creation and the later renewal of its link to the shore therefore represent two distinct points in the development of the estate.
Another historical trace is Aleea Stejarilor Bătrâni. The avenue dates from 1816, but only six to eight of its original oaks remain. Its particular significance therefore lies not only in the age of the avenue, but also in the contrast between its original tree population and the trees that remain today. Those interested in landscape history will find a different focus here than at the lake: the avenue is defined by its surviving old oaks, while the island and bridge tell of later changes to the estate.
Garden and Buildings from Different Periods
Grădina Ascunsă is one of the visitor attractions at the Royal Estate. Its trees and shrubs include albizia, Judas trees, Japanese maples, Royal Red maples and Visteria floribunda. There are also several magnolias from America and Asia, as well as hydrangeas, hostas and phlox. Some of these plants are comparatively rare in Romania. The garden thus offers a botanical complement to the oak avenue: the avenue focuses on the trees that have been passed down through the years, while the garden showcases a variety of different trees, shrubs and plants.
The buildings also date from different periods. The first building on the grounds of Săvârșin Royal Castle was erected between 1650 and 1680. Together with the old stable, the Micul Pavilion is one of the oldest buildings on the estate. It is dated either to the second half of the 18th century, during the time of Baron Andras Forray senior, or to 1806–1815, when it may have been built together with the second version of the castle. These two possible dates should remain distinct rather than being combined into a single, definite construction year.
Memorial House and Automotive History
In Săvârșin, Casa Memorială și Colecția de Artă Eugenia și Eugen Popa combines the painter Eugen Popa’s childhood home with an art collection supplemented by ethnographic objects. In spring 2008, the house and collection became public property through a donation by Eugenia Hagiu Popa and were granted the status of a memorial house and art collection. The house opened to the public in 2008 and is listed on the Traseul Valea Mureșului tourist route.
The estate’s automotive-related sites offer another perspective on its history. Muzeul Regal al Automobilului is housed in the restored royal garage building in Satul Regal. Atelierul Auto al Regelui Mihai I was opened to the public and is located in the original section of the building dating from the 1940s; its original tools and spare parts have been preserved. If you would like to visit the workshop, check in advance whether a visit is possible.
When choosing your travel dates, the main consideration is whether a seasonal visit to the Royal Estate is your priority: in that case, the Friday-to-Sunday opening days between May and early October provide a practical planning framework. The garden, buildings, memorial house and automotive history each offer a distinct way to explore Săvârșin.
Discover more destinations: Vinga, Vladimirescu, Ineu, Old Pecica, Buteni, Fântânele, Arad, Curtici.
Back to the main travel overview: Arad.
