Goldbach – between mining history and lakes

The mining landscape of Roșia Montană lies in the mineral-rich Apuseni mountain range in western Romania. At the time of its inscription, it encompassed the most significant, extensive and technically diverse known underground Roman gold-mining complex.

Culture

Wax-coated wooden tablets from Alburnus Maior provide detailed legal, socioeconomic, demographic and linguistic information about Roman mining. The Mining Museum includes a Roman gallery, a lapidarium with Roman finds, ore-processing facilities from the Middle Ages and the modern era, contemporary mining facilities, and an indoor exhibition space. The Roman Gallery in the Roșia Montană Mining Museum illustrates how the Romans extracted gold.

Strada Siciliană is associated with paving work carried out by Italian craftsmen and is lined with white houses featuring mining symbols and an urban-inspired design. The Palatul Administrativ, also known by locals as the Old Town Hall, was built in 1897 and is considered an example of traditional urban architecture in Roșia Montană. The Biserica Romano-Catolică Sf. Ladislau was built in 1860 on the site of a stone church erected in 1783 that had been destroyed during the 1848 Revolution. The Greek Catholic Church of Roșia Montană is a historic monument and shows Late Baroque influences. A route through the historic centre takes in places of worship and historic buildings.

Nature

Piatra Corbului is a protected natural area offering views of the mining landscape, artificial lakes, the surrounding peaks, and the villages of Roșia Montană and Corna. Tăul Brazi is a small artificial lake formerly used by gold panners to supply stamp mills, ore-grinding mills and mining households. Strada Siciliană connects the historic centre of Roșia Montană with the Brazi district, as well as with Tăul Mare and Tăul Brazi. Țarina Lake is an artificial reservoir originally used to power stamp mills.

Circular Trails

The Roșia Montană UNESCO Site Trail is an audio route in which QR codes at the sights lead to narrated content. Its main route is an approximately four-hour circular trail of moderate difficulty. The Traseul Vâlvei is a child-oriented route through Roșia Montană based on local stories and legends.

The Traseul Tăurilor is an easy, blue-marked circular trail that starts and ends in the historic centre of Roșia Montană and includes five lakes; it is also recommended in winter. The Traseul Naturii is a marked circular trail that likewise starts and ends in the historic centre of Roșia Montană. Different time estimates, trail lengths and difficulty levels help compare the various formats before planning.

A 1-hour-and-45-minute themed tour with Tică Darie covers the history of the halted mining project and the revival of the village through crafts. A two-hour themed tour through the historic centre of Roșia Montană includes, among other places, Strada Siciliană, the Văidoaia viewpoint and Nucleul Berg. The themed Tăurilor hike near Roșia Montană follows artificial lakes for approximately 8 km and has a moderate difficulty level; it includes panini at the viewpoint and a traditional lunch at the bistro.

Regional Cuisine

For organised groups of 10 to 55 people, a set traditional menu from the Apuseni region is offered, consisting of bean soup with smoked meat, a platter with Virșli de Ighiu, Oriental salad, pickled vegetables and apple pie; a vegetarian option is available.

To the main travel overview: Rosia Montana.