Orăştie Between Fortress and Landscape

The fortress of Orăștie was built around the year 1300. Originally, it was a rectangular stone complex with towers, a water-filled moat and a drawbridge. The rectangular layout is just as much a part of the historic complex as the individual defensive elements. The early construction period and the surviving description of the complex give the town centre a clear medieval focus.

Within the medieval fortress of Orăştie, the Reformed Church stands next to the Lutheran Church. The Reformed Church dates from the 14th century, was rebuilt in the 16th century and has a tower dating from 1752. Its present appearance therefore reflects several construction phases. Anyone wishing to visit churches and monasteries should check the current opening hours before visiting, as access to such buildings may be subject to specific times.

Foundations of buildings, a round church and graves have been uncovered within the area of the medieval fortress. These archaeological traces extend the fortress complex beyond the surviving churches. The Franciscan Monastery of Orăștie still exists today and was already in operation at that time. However, extensive renovations in the 18th century mean that the medieval origins of the monastery complex are no longer apparent.

The DN 7 runs through Orăștie along the Bucharest–Râmnicu-Vâlcea–Sibiu–Sebeș–Orăştie–Deva–Arad–Nădlac route. In this sequence, Orăştie lies between Sebeș and Deva; the route then continues via Arad to Nădlac. For travel on a long-distance route, current traffic and timetable information should be checked before departure. The route should be considered as a long-distance transport connection, while the historic buildings represent a separate sightseeing focus.

There are orchards and vineyards on the outskirts of Orăștie. Deciduous forests with oaks, hornbeams and cornelian cherries are also located on the edge of the town. The landscape combines agriculturally shaped areas with woodland sections in which several tree species are mentioned. Orchards, vineyards and deciduous forests thus stand alongside one another as distinct landscape elements on the outskirts.

Dealul Uroiului is a hill in the surroundings of Orăştie. In the wider regional area are Dealul Pleşilor and Dealul Pleşeioara, both mountains, as well as Dealul Gridului, a hill. The immediate surroundings therefore contain a single hill, while the wider regional area comprises two mountains and another hill. Consequently, the geographical names differ both in terms of landform and spatial reference.

In the wider regional surroundings of Orăştie lies Dacia, an ancient site. Hunyad Castle, a castle, is also located in this wider regional area. Both destinations complement the historic buildings within Orăştie with additional sites possessing their own distinct historical character. Their different types broaden the historical theme beyond the fortress, churches and monastery.

Further destinations include Petrila, Sălaşu De Sus, Lupeni, Câmpu Lui Neag, Zeicani, Roșcani, Geoagiu Băi and Peșteana.

For the higher-level travel overview: Eisenmarkt.