Banat and Crișana
Come in Banat to see the the place where Eiffel Tower was born. Gustave Eiffel has chosen Resita’s steel as the best for his masterpiece.
Banat is a historical province, in southwest Romania, bordering Serbia and Hungary. During the Hungarian domination Crown, were called “Banats” all border counties, led by a ban: Ban of Severin, Ban of Belgrad, Ban of Sabăţ. The name was later limited to the current province “Banat” of Timişoara.
Crişana is an area with an architectural, religious and great folkloric richness. The landscape is by excellence mountainous, highlighted by the beauty of its landscapes, being a harmonious combination of lands and steep slopes. Widened pastures and volcanic cupolas, unique phenomena in Romania and even in Europe, are portrayed to tourists and delight the sight.
Banat is a historical province, in southwest Romania, bordering Serbia and Hungary. During the Hungarian domination Crown, were called “Banats” all border counties, led by a ban: Ban of Severin, Ban of Belgrad, Ban of Sabăţ. The name was later limited to the current province “Banat” of Timişoara.
Crişana is an area with an architectural, religious and great folkloric richness. The landscape is by excellence mountainous, highlighted by the beauty of its landscapes, being a harmonious combination of lands and steep slopes. Widened pastures and volcanic cupolas, unique phenomena in Romania and even in Europe, are portrayed to tourists and delight the sight.
Novelties on Banat and Crișana
Oraviţa Theatre is the oldest theater in Romania (1817). The Building is a copy at a smaller scale of the Viennese theater Burgtheatre.The inauguration of the building was done in the presence of the Emperor Francis I and Empress Augusta Carollina, during their visit to Oraviţa; they were also present at the show played here “Crown with musicians.”
The Perfect Round villageThe locality Charlottenburg (Charlotenburg according to some sources) or Şarlota is located in Timiş County.
Charlottenburg is unique among the villages in Romania due to its perfect circle shape with a diameter of 210 m. The village was founded in 1771 in the second wave of the German colonization. About 30 families (131 people) were brought from the eastern Trient, from Baden-Württemberg, from Hungary, from Rhineland, from Austria and Bavaria. Its name was given in honor of the Banat’s president’s wife, who was called Charlotte.
Due to its shape, the entire locality is declared a historic monument by the Ministry of Culture.
The local legend says that after World War I,although an enemy for Romanians during World War I a German brave pilot landed near Charlottenburg because he was curious to see who lived in such a unique and interesting village.
The Perfect Round villageThe locality Charlottenburg (Charlotenburg according to some sources) or Şarlota is located in Timiş County.
Charlottenburg is unique among the villages in Romania due to its perfect circle shape with a diameter of 210 m. The village was founded in 1771 in the second wave of the German colonization. About 30 families (131 people) were brought from the eastern Trient, from Baden-Württemberg, from Hungary, from Rhineland, from Austria and Bavaria. Its name was given in honor of the Banat’s president’s wife, who was called Charlotte.
Due to its shape, the entire locality is declared a historic monument by the Ministry of Culture.
The local legend says that after World War I,although an enemy for Romanians during World War I a German brave pilot landed near Charlottenburg because he was curious to see who lived in such a unique and interesting village.
Monasteries and castles
Monastery Saraca is an Orthodox monastery in Timiş County. It sits in the middle of Banat plain, in the town Şemlacu Mic, community Gătaia. The exact timing of the monastery foundation is unknown, but the first documentary attestation appeared in 1270.
Hunyadi Castle is a historical monument, being considered the oldest building in Timişoara. It was built between the years 1443 – 1447 by John Hunyadi, on the ruins of an old castle from XIV century (built during the reign of King Charles Robert of Anjou). Since 1947, the castle was awarded to the Banat Museum and houses the departments of history and natural sciences.
Banloc Castle (formerly family Castle Karátsonyi) is a historic monument in the locality Banloc, Timiş County. Built on a plan in the form of “U”, the Banloc castle is a massive building with thick walls, (approx. 1.25 m) from burnt brick, with the main façade facing south and north with two wings forming a courtyard Terrace (court of honor). Made in Renaissance style, on the south facade of the sole ornament, the castle had an attic equipped with stone coat of arms of the family Karátsonyi.
Castle Nakó, located in the center of Sânnicolau Mare, was built in the year 1864 for Count Kálmán Nako, in neoclassical style, and placed in the middle of a park with rare species of trees.
The building, surrounded by a medieval-style tower, has 99 rooms. In its days, it offered maximum prosperity, in the castle being a library with 5000 books, paintings, statues, carved furniture, and rare porcelains.
The building, surrounded by a medieval-style tower, has 99 rooms. In its days, it offered maximum prosperity, in the castle being a library with 5000 books, paintings, statues, carved furniture, and rare porcelains.
The Oradea Fortress, of which the legend says “One starry night, on the year 1092, while he was hunting by Country Crişurilor, King Ladislaus I of Hungary, reached a large clearing, surrounded on both sides by the crystal clear waters of Crişul Repede River, not far from Peta – Hewjo ,the creek that never freezes. He fell asleep fast, being tired after chasing deers. In the dream he saw two angels who asked him to build very soon, there, a monastery, with the dedication day of Virgin Mary. This place was called Vărad and around the monastery – which would become a famous pilgrimage center – built a fortress that stood for centuries in defense of Christianity.
The Fortress Şoimoş, the historical tradition will name the city on behalf of activities that would have brought him fame in the Middle Ages: raising Falcons. Şoimoş Fortress is on the right bank of the Mureş, across from Lipova and above the village with the same name, on the hill Cioaca Tăutului. It was built after the first Tartar invasions in the area and was attested documentary in the year 1278.
The Monastery of Hodoş – Bodrog, the oldest monastic settlement in our country, with uninterrupted monastic life.
The Monastery of Hodoş – Bodrog, the oldest monastic settlement in our country, with uninterrupted monastic life.
Touristic attractions
Center Spa Băile Herculane. The resort is situated at an altitude of 168 m, at about 25 km from the border with Serbia. Băile Herculane exist of almost two millennia, the basis of this resort being put in the year 102 by the Emperor Trajan. The name of the town comes from the god Hercules, son of Zeus and the beautiful Elena, recorded in the Romanian mythology as patron of thermal springs, a symbol of power and balance between physical and spiritual strength.
Băile Herculane resort offers to visitors multiple means of recreation and entertainment, restaurants, terraces, bars, swimming pools with thermal water, sauna, massage and possible hiking and excursions in the Cerna Valley resorts.
Here you can make various physic and electrotherapy treatments, massages or acupuncture. There are still today many remains: aqueducts, baths, statues, coins and votive tablets as a sign of gratitude to the gods for healing. From here you can visit the Thieves Cave (Outlaws Grotto), Steam Grotto or White Cross.
Băile Herculane resort offers to visitors multiple means of recreation and entertainment, restaurants, terraces, bars, swimming pools with thermal water, sauna, massage and possible hiking and excursions in the Cerna Valley resorts.
Here you can make various physic and electrotherapy treatments, massages or acupuncture. There are still today many remains: aqueducts, baths, statues, coins and votive tablets as a sign of gratitude to the gods for healing. From here you can visit the Thieves Cave (Outlaws Grotto), Steam Grotto or White Cross.
Cheile Nerei (Nera Gorges) are splendors stretching over a length of 25 km, consisting of a rugged terrain with steep walls and deep valleys. The landscape is breathtaking with its quiet and monumental beauty.
A special attraction and spectacular is the Devil’s Lake, where, according to the legend, the devil had thrown himself because of losing a bet with a clever old man who was grazing goats near water. The legend also says that the lake does not have bottom, but many underground tunnels. Devil’s Lake has a big brother in Florida, USA, called Devil’s Dren Springs. The American Lake looks amazingly similar to the lake from Banat.
A special attraction and spectacular is the Devil’s Lake, where, according to the legend, the devil had thrown himself because of losing a bet with a clever old man who was grazing goats near water. The legend also says that the lake does not have bottom, but many underground tunnels. Devil’s Lake has a big brother in Florida, USA, called Devil’s Dren Springs. The American Lake looks amazingly similar to the lake from Banat.
The National Park Gorges Nerei-Beușnița is a protected area of national interest, located at the south-west of the country, southern Anina Mountains.
The national park is a mountainous area with steep limestone caves (Lenuţa Cave, Cave from under Pădina Popii, Jewel Cave), gorges, waterfalls, meadows and forests. Besides the forests of beech, hornbeam, oak, we find many animal species such as the brown bear, wolf, lynx, otter river, several species of bats, rare flora, including: brie, shepherd’s-purse , anthora, wild garlic, horn Banat, hollowwort, autumn crocus, orchid etc.
Poiana Mărului (locality Zăvoi, county Caraş-Severin) has been inhabited since ancient times, which was attested by the numerous archaeological remains found here: pagan shrine, situated at 1200 meters altitude on the northern slope of Mount Mic. Once here, there are numerous opportunities for leisure activities: hiking on marked hiking trails, rafting and canoeing on the fast mountain waters, offroad and enduro on mountain trails, fishing and hunting.
The national park is a mountainous area with steep limestone caves (Lenuţa Cave, Cave from under Pădina Popii, Jewel Cave), gorges, waterfalls, meadows and forests. Besides the forests of beech, hornbeam, oak, we find many animal species such as the brown bear, wolf, lynx, otter river, several species of bats, rare flora, including: brie, shepherd’s-purse , anthora, wild garlic, horn Banat, hollowwort, autumn crocus, orchid etc.
Poiana Mărului (locality Zăvoi, county Caraş-Severin) has been inhabited since ancient times, which was attested by the numerous archaeological remains found here: pagan shrine, situated at 1200 meters altitude on the northern slope of Mount Mic. Once here, there are numerous opportunities for leisure activities: hiking on marked hiking trails, rafting and canoeing on the fast mountain waters, offroad and enduro on mountain trails, fishing and hunting.
The Diosig wine is famous for being a favorite of the royal house of Austria-Hungary. In Banat took place special events of music and more. You can enjoy an evening of jazz at Gărâna Jazz Festival. You can also have evenings with good music and artistic ascension at the Jimbo Blues Festival in Jimbolia, at the concert from Cave Romaneşti or at the festival Plai organized by the Village Museum in Timişoara.
Bears’ Cave impresses with the size and beauty of underground space and through the atmosphere of history due to the many vestiges attesting its dwelling from ancient times. The cave has an impressive opening: 27 meters high and 24 wide and inside were found many human remains, stone tools, sanctuaries, ceramic objects, traces of burning and black smoke. The ceiling and walls of the lower floors are lined entirely with long transparent crystals of calcite with golden nuance and sharp ends of trigonal prism.
Bears’ Cave impresses with the size and beauty of underground space and through the atmosphere of history due to the many vestiges attesting its dwelling from ancient times. The cave has an impressive opening: 27 meters high and 24 wide and inside were found many human remains, stone tools, sanctuaries, ceramic objects, traces of burning and black smoke. The ceiling and walls of the lower floors are lined entirely with long transparent crystals of calcite with golden nuance and sharp ends of trigonal prism.
Leşu Lake, an accumulation lake situated near locality Leşu, on the Valley of Hell. The area has developed in terms of tourism, first with personal homes, then with pensions sheltering hundreds and hundreds of tourists annually. Originally it was a holiday village for the summer season but lately it can also be reached during winter on some of the access roads.
Wonder Spring, from locality Stâna de Vale, about the water which is said to have healing effect, being one of the purest and appreciated spring waters from our country.
Near Stâna de Vale are two waterfalls. Bridal Veil which is at an altitude of 1,000 meters, with a height of 30 meters and two steps. At the top of the waterfall there is a deep marmite, with a diameter of 10 meters, which spreads the water as a veil shape. Therefore it is called the Bridal Veil Falls.
Wonder Spring, from locality Stâna de Vale, about the water which is said to have healing effect, being one of the purest and appreciated spring waters from our country.
Near Stâna de Vale are two waterfalls. Bridal Veil which is at an altitude of 1,000 meters, with a height of 30 meters and two steps. At the top of the waterfall there is a deep marmite, with a diameter of 10 meters, which spreads the water as a veil shape. Therefore it is called the Bridal Veil Falls.