Chitila offers a glimpse into different chapters of the town’s history: archaeological finds range from prehistory to the Middle Ages. The church, memorials, and the history of the railway station and fort provide further points of interest. There is also Parcul Dendrologic. During your stay, you can choose between archaeological themes, public commemoration, and the park.
Archaeology from Prehistory to the Middle Ages
Situl arheologic Chitila-Cărămidărie has brought numerous historical remains to light. They date from prehistory, the Bronze Age, the Dacian period, the period of the Roman conquest, and the Middle Ages. The history of the site therefore spans several eras rather than just one historical period.
Investigations at Situl arheologic Chitila-Cărămidărie covered both the area of the former brickworks and the area where Parcul Dendrologic is now located. These two areas of investigation can be identified without equating them with the boundaries of the archaeological site.
Several settlement phases are also attested at Chitila Fermă. A Bronze Age settlement belonging to the Tei culture has been documented there. In addition, three residential and workshop buildings from this culture have been identified. Iron ore was smelted there, and iron, bronze, silver, and copper were also worked. A Carpo-Dacian settlement at Chitila Fermă is dated to the 2nd to 5th centuries AD. Thus, alongside the broad chronological sequence at Situl Chitila-Cărămidărie, there is specific evidence of settlements and metalworking.
Church, Commemoration, and Building History
Biserica Sfântul Prooroc Ioan Botezătorul was endowed and built by Ion and Florea Olteanu between 1912 and 1913. The building adds the town’s more recent history to its archaeological themes.
A stone memorial cross stands in the same green space as the Cruce memorială Chitila Ilfov memorial site. It is about 15 metres from the obelisk. The plaques on the Obelisc în memoria Eroilor căzuți în primul război mondial Chitila list 28 heroes who fell in the First World War and also commemorate heroes from Chitila who fell in 1944.
The history of transport is also part of the town’s story: Gara Chitila was the first station on the old royal railway line connecting Bucharest with Târgoviște. Fortul Kitila was built by King Carol I as the first fort in the defensive ring around Bucharest and was inaugurated by him personally. The railway station and fort thus represent two different aspects of regional history.
Parcul Dendrologic and Nature Themes
Parcul Dendrologic din Chitila (Arboretum) is located at Strada Păcii 69 and is open from 08:00 to 22:00. A description of the park highlights leisurely walks and picnics, and mentions numerous ornamental tree and shrub species that can be seen there.
The valley of the Mangul stream is also among the nature-related themes mentioned: a municipal description from 2021 includes it in the list of protected natural areas. If you plan to visit the arboretum, you can use the stated opening hours as a guide and check them against your planned visit time in advance.
The points of interest differ considerably: Situl Chitila-Cărămidărie focuses on a long sequence of archaeological eras; at Chitila Fermă, evidence includes Bronze Age settlement remains and metalworking. The park offers a different focus, with walks, picnics, and ornamental plants. You can choose how to explore Chitila based on the aspect that interests you most.
Discover more destinations: Buftea, Balotești, Bragadiru, Afumați, Rudeni, Corbeanca, Chiajna, Dascălu.
For the broader travel overview: Ilfov.
