Covasna can be explored through several very different stories: a public bath, an unusual transport technology and a Dacian fortress with rock-cut terraces. If you are looking for a focus for your stay, you can distinguish the history of the spa town and its railways from the archaeological landscape.
Spa history and technical discoveries
Balta Dracului opened as a public bath in 1881 and was initially used to treat rheumatism. Beside Balta, Bazarul recalls the bazaar that operated there until the mid-20th century: Bazarul is a reconstruction of this market. The bath and bazaar reveal two aspects of the town’s history—the early use of the area as a health resort and the market life next door.
The technical monument Planul Înclinat in Valea Zânelor is unique in Europe. Its operating principle used gravity to transport wood-laden wagons along an inclined route without any other energy source. The installation is 1,236 metres long; the difference in elevation between its stations is 327 metres.
Cascada de sub Șiclău is also in Valea Zânelor, near Planul Înclinat. The waterfall is about 100–150 metres upstream from Covasna’s water treatment plant. This location places the waterfall along the course of the river and distinguishes it from both the plant and the technical monument in the valley.
The local 404 railway line between Sfântu Gheorghe and Brețcu, which passes through the spa town of Covasna, is part of the area’s transport history. This is distinct from the tourist use of the CFF sections between Comandău and Valea Zânelor: they are currently used for tourism. A leisure railway pulled by a steam locomotive also runs through Valea Zânelor, offering a ride for children and adults.
Dacian fortress and cultural memory
Cetatea Zânelor is located on the 960-metre-high Muntele Cetății, between Pârâul Cetății and Pârâul Mișca. The fortress has ancient terraces cut into the rock. It is one of the largest and best-preserved Dacian fortresses outside the Orăștie Mountains. Its terraced fortification system is considered unique in the Dacian world.
A statue in Chiuruș is dedicated to Kőrösi Csoma Sándor, a 19th-century linguist and traveller associated with the first Tibetan-English dictionary. Chiuruș is also home to a replica of the imaginary Csoma House, with a memorial room and a contemporary Szekler-style interior. A travel article published on 17 August 2022 describes this site; check locally whether it is accessible before visiting.
According to a description published in 2018, the Kádár-László Art Gallery in Covasna features exhibitions of painting, graphic art and visual art. The description mentions works by local artists and established artists from Romania and abroad. The exhibition programme may change.
Visitors can sample mineral water from the springs in Valea Hankó–Horgász. Spring conditions and local guidance may change, so check the current situation on site.
Choosing a hotel and practical planning
When looking for a hotel in Covasna, you can start by choosing your preferred focus: the history of the spa town, railway technology, or the Dacian fortress and its landscape. Buses run between Covasna railway station and the centre of the spa town; check the connection before travelling. If you are planning a tourist ride through Valea Zânelor, check the operating days and timetable in advance as well.
Discover more destinations: Bățanii Mici, Baraolt, Ilieni, Întorsura Buzăului, Turia, Moacşa, Zăbala, Micfalău.
For the broader travel overview: Covasna.
