Podu Dâmboviței – Dâmbovicioara Gorge and historic sites

On the way from Podu Dâmboviţei to Dâmbovicioara, the first rock walls at the entrance to Dâmbovicioara Gorge appear after about a quarter of an hour on foot.

Nature

Dâmbovicioara Gorge consists of two sections: Cheia Mare and the shorter Cheia Mică a Dâmbovicioarei. The names of the two sections belong to the same gorge and differ in length.

The surrounding area is also characterized by several peaks. Gruiul Ratei is a peak in the vicinity of Podu Dâmboviţei. Piscu Muierii is a peak in the vicinity of Podu Dâmboviţei. Plaiul Mare is a peak in the vicinity of Podu Dâmboviţei. Pleasa is a peak in the vicinity of Podu Dâmboviţei. Each of the four peak names refers to a distinct landscape feature in the immediate surroundings of the village.

Paths and routes

Piatra Craiului National Park maintains an easy mountain biking route from Dâmbovicioara via Podu Dâmboviţei and Sătic to Cabana Garofiţa Pietrei Craiului. Another cycling route begins in Podu Dâmboviţei. Hiking trail PA connects Podu Dâmboviţei with the village of Fundăţica and follows the Valea Cheii.

The route descriptions differ in their stated starting and ending points as well as in the respective routes. The national park's mountain biking route connects Dâmbovicioara, Podu Dâmboviţei, Sătic, and Cabana Garofiţa Pietrei Craiului. The other cycling route is identified by its starting point in Podu Dâmboviţei, while hiking trail PA mentions Fundăţica and Valea Cheii as two additional local and landscape references.

From Podu Dâmboviţei to Peștera Dâmbovicioara, turn onto DJ730 immediately after the bridge over the Râul Dâmbovița, follow it for 4 km, and then continue on DC22 for another 1 km. The sequence first includes the bridge as a landmark, followed by DJ730 and then DC22. The route details therefore record both the order of the roads and the two distances separately.

History and culture

Oratia Fortress (Oratea) on Dealul Sasului near Podu Dâmboviţei is a medieval fortress from the 14th century and lies approximately 1.5 km north of the village. In Podu Dâmboviţei itself, the historic Podul lui Brâncoveanu bridge dates from 1711. The historic Sf. Împăraţi Church in Podu Dâmboviţei dates from 1940.

The cultural attractions in the wider regional surroundings of Podu Dâmboviţei form a separate spatial reference alongside the monuments in the village and at Dealul Sasului. Castelul Bran is a castle in the wider regional surroundings of Podu Dâmboviţei. Mânăstire Predeal is a monastery in the wider regional surroundings of Podu Dâmboviţei. Biserica Poiana Mărului is a church in the wider regional surroundings of Podu Dâmboviţei. Biserica Paltin is a church in the wider regional surroundings of Podu Dâmboviţei.

More location pages: Ștefănești, Valea Mare-Bratia, Pietroșani, Bughea de Jos, Dobrotu, Sălătrucu, Bradu, Valea Uleiului

For the higher-level travel overview: ArgeÅŸ.