At Islaz, the Olt flows into the Danube. Key themes associated with the town include the memory of the 1848 Revolution, protected historic buildings, Roman archaeological sites and connections to nature in the Danube region. When planning, it is helpful to distinguish between these highlights: the town’s history can be traced through specific dates and locations, while birdwatching is seasonal and route markings may change.
Memorial Sites and Historic Buildings
The Adunarea de la Islaz marked the first major moment of the 1848 Revolution on June 9/21, 1848. On the same date, Ion Heliade Rădulescu read the Proclamation of Islaz in Islaz. A monument commemorating the Adunarea stands in the center; it is a protected historic monument and dates to 1969.
Also in the center is the Biserica Sf. Trei Ierarhi church, a protected historic monument dating to 1848. The epaulettes of Sergeant Lieutenant Florea Blejan can be seen in the church; at the entrance, a bronze wreath dedicated by Queen Elisabeth of Romania is on display. The dates 1848 and 1969 mark different points in time: the dating of the church and that of the memorial monument.
Two protected historic houses also add to the picture. Casa Toma Ghigeanu is located at 4 Strada Dunării on the edge of Islaz toward the Danube and dates to the late 19th century. Casa Dumitru Găvănescu lies in the south of Islaz and dates to the mid-19th century. The buildings can therefore be distinguished not only by their period, but also by their location: one on the edge of town facing the Danube, the other in the south.
Two named archaeological sites offer a glimpse into the Roman period. The Castrul de la Islaz-Racoviţa lies below the old cemetery in northeastern Islaz and dates to the 2nd to 3rd centuries AD. By contrast, the Castrul roman de la Islaz-Verdea lies southeast-southeast of Islaz on a terrace along the Danube. Their different locations help distinguish the two sites; the date of the 2nd to 3rd centuries applies to the site at Racoviţa.
Museum and Collection
The Gheorghe-Zărafu Museum in Islaz is an informal museum set up in three barns in an apple orchard. Its collection includes, among other things, kerosene and wick lamps, spinning wheels, distaffs, benches, clocks, lanterns and radios. Two carriages, records by Romanian artists and issues of the Femeia magazine from the 1970s are also on display.
The collection thus complements the history of the monuments and buildings with objects from different areas of life: lighting and spinning are represented alongside carriages, music recordings and magazines. If you are interested in cultural history, this collection offers a different focus from the dated memorial sites and historic buildings.
The Danube Region and Via Danubiana
In the area around Islaz, Calnovăț Island is part of the B10 – Ostrovul Mare protected natural area, a nature reserve for flora and fauna. Local access may be restricted. Colonies of pygmy cormorants, yellow herons and red ducks gather on Calnovăț and the nearby Danube islands. These birdwatching opportunities are seasonal and may vary depending on conditions. If nature is your main focus, plan your observations according to the season and check local access conditions before visiting.
For an active tour, the Via Danubiana offers another point of interest: the approximately 110-kilometer section in Teleorman County can be covered on foot or by bicycle using a GPS track, as well as signposts and markers. In October 2025, a route marker in front of the town hall and the installation of the first route markers and information boards along the route were reported for Islaz. As route infrastructure can be expanded or changed, it is a good idea to check the latest route information before planning.
These themes raise different planning considerations: historic buildings and sites can be understood through their locations and dates, nature observations depend on the season, and navigation on the Via Danubiana may change as infrastructure develops.
Discover more destinations: Alexandria, Baciu, Suhaia, Turnu Măgurele, Fântânele, Videle, Stefan-Cel-Mare, Mariţa
For the broader travel overview: Teleorman.
