In the villages of the municipality of Orăştioara de Sus, the Căluşerul hunedorean is characteristic; it is practised only at Christmas. The municipality’s annual events calendar includes “Istorie, Natură, Cultură”, the Frăția Lupilor historical festival and the Maratonul Dacilor sporting event. The events take place annually in July and August. Specific dates may change; check the calendar if you would like to plan your trip around them.
Traditions and when to visit
“Măsuratul oilor” is also part of local customs: the traditional festival is attended by tourists. The Christmas practice of the Căluşerul hunedorean and the summer events offer different seasonal reference points. So when planning your travel dates, you can first decide which of these traditions matters most to you.
Dacian heritage and archaeological sites
The Dacian fortresses in the Orăștie Mountains are recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They combine military and religious construction techniques and concepts, and feature extensive, well-preserved remains in an impressive natural setting.
For almost a century and a half, Sarmizegetusa Regia was the religious, political and military centre of the Dacian world. The Dacian fortress of Blidaru was intended to protect Sarmizegetusa Regia from the north. Its construction dates back to the mid-1st century BC; the original military enclosure was trapezoidal and covered approximately 2,500 m². Its defensive purpose, construction date and layout offer different insights into the site.
The Dacian settlement of Fețele Albe extended across dozens of artificially created terraces on the southern slope of a ridge on Muncel. In the central area there is a group of terraces supported by limestone block walls, as well as monumental cult buildings.
Vârful lui Hulpe was part of the defensive system created around the kingdom’s capital in the 1st century BC. The municipality is also home to the Roman fort Castrul de la Bucium – Piatra Grădiştii, dating from the 2nd and 3rd centuries. Near Grădiștea de Munte, an oak-wood cross commemorates native Christian missionaries from Dacia.
Hiking trails and getting around
The Costeşti–Valea Grădiştei–Dealul Grădiştei–Cetatea Sarmizegetusa Regia–Muncel–Vf. Godeanu mountain trail runs through the municipality and takes 10 to 11 hours. The Grădiștea de Munte–Platoul Vârtoapelor–Snowdrop Forest trail is 4.8 km long, takes about three hours and is considered easy. The different time estimates help you choose an appropriate time budget; the easy rating applies to the 4.8-kilometre trail.
The DJ 705A runs from Orăştie along the Grădişte River through the municipality to the great fortress of Sarmizegetusa Regia. Cascada din Valea Rea can be reached from the DJ 705A between Costeşti and Grădiștea de Munte via the connecting road to Schitul Sfinților Români. It lies about 2 km before the skete.
For the broader travel overview: Orastioara de Sus.
