A trip to Sântămăria-Orlea can be explored through various historical and paleontological themes. The village’s history includes the Reformed Church and Kendeffy Castle; the “Turnul lui Vece” represents a historical control point in the Strei Valley. In Sânpetru, fossils and their significance for paleontology form a different focus. Themed route Valea Dinozaurilor also leads from Sântămăria-Orlea through Sânpetru and on to Ohaba-Sibișel. When planning your hotel stay, it helps to decide first whether you mainly want to explore architectural history, paleontological evidence or the themed route.

Church, Castle and Watchtower

The Reformed Church of Sântămăria-Orlea was originally an Orthodox stone church. Knyazs of the Cândea family built it in the Romanesque style at the end of the 13th century. Its construction history thus goes back considerably further than that of Kendeffy Castle. The Romanesque style and its original use as an Orthodox church give the church two distinct historical points of reference.

Kendeffy Castle was built by the Kendeffy family in 1782. It is near the village center and above the road connecting Râu de Mori and Sântămăria-Orlea. Together, the church and castle offer a view of different periods in the village’s history: a church from the late 13th century stands alongside a castle dating from 1782.

The ruins of the watchtower known as “Turnul lui Vece” offer another historical perspective. They are located on the steep, rocky ridge of Orlea Hill. Historically, the tower controlled access through the Strei Valley toward Hațeg and Banat. While the church and castle can be understood through their architecture, patrons and construction dates, the watchtower points to the control of this route through the valley.

Fossils and Paleontology in Sânpetru

The Sânpetru fossil site covers 5.0 hectares. Fossils of dinosaurs, crocodiles and turtles can be found there. The site is a protected natural area in IUCN Category IV and a paleontological nature reserve. The first dinosaur fossils that put Țara Hațegului on the world map of paleontology came from here. So Sânpetru is not just about individual groups of fossils, but also about the site’s contribution to the paleontological significance of Țara Hațegului. When planning your visit, remember to check the protected area’s current rules beforehand.

In Sânpetru, in the municipality of Sântămăria-Orlea, Casa Dinozaurilor Pitici shows visitors what happens at a paleontological excavation site. It also displays a reconstruction of Elopteryx nopcsai. The site and Casa approach the subject in different ways: fossils and the protected area are the focus there, while here the excavation work is explained and a specific reconstruction is displayed.

Exploring Valea Dinozaurilor

Valea Dinozaurilor is a themed route from Sântămăria-Orlea through Sânpetru to Ohaba-Sibișel. The route can be travelled on foot, by bicycle or by car. Its sequence through the three places mentioned offers another way to explore the area around a theme. You can choose which of the three ways to travel according to your itinerary.

When looking for a hotel in Sântămăria-Orlea, distinguishing between the themes is a practical guide: the church, castle and watchtower point to a focus on local history; the fossil site, Casa Dinozaurilor Pitici and Valea Dinozaurilor lead to the paleontological theme.

For the main travel overview: Santamaria - Orlea.