Peştera – Cave, Natural Area and Historic Sites

Peştera: Peștera Bolii is a natural through-cave that can be traversed along its entire length and is one of the few caves of this kind in Romania. Its location north of Petroșani on the road connecting the Jiului Valley with Țara Hațegului, where the Retezat Mountains and the Sebeș Mountains meet, is 6 km from Petroșani.

Nature and Location

Dealul and Peștera Bolii form a national mixed-type nature reserve in IUCN Category IV within Parcul Natural Grădiştea Muncelului-Cioclovina. The protected area is located in the Șureanu Mountains near DN 66 between Deva and Petroșani and covers 10.0 ha.

In the vicinity of Peștera lies Cheile Băniței, a narrow gorge 250 to 300 metres long between high white limestone walls. It was formed by the collapse of the roof of a former cave. The Dealul Taia mountain, the Negru peak, the Piatra Barului mountain and the Ogrinu peak are located in the surroundings of Peștera. At the exit of Peștera Bolii, the stream is called Galbina.

Cave and History

Peștera Bolii has large cave chambers and ornamental lighting. It was inhabited during the Eneolithic period. The archaeological settlement site Aşezarea Coţofeni de la Petroşani is recorded at Peştera Bolii. Concerts were already held in the largest chamber of Peștera Bolii during the interwar period.

In the wider regional surroundings of Peștera is the ancient site of Dacia. The Cetatea Bănița is also located there, on the western edge of the Valea Jiului basin, in the highest part of Dealul Bolii. Situated between three hills, it blocked access to Sarmizegetusa Regia from the south and was near a route through the Carpathians to Pasul Vâlcan and Merișor.

Getting There

Peștera Bolii can be reached by train via the Halta Peștera Bolii stop. This is located a few hundred metres below the cave; alternatively, DN 66 or E 79 lead to Peștera Bolii.

For your own trip planning, you can organise the local points of interest into three levels: the cave and cave exit, natural features in the surrounding area, and ancient and historic destinations in the wider regional surroundings. Train and road can likewise be presented as two different travel options side by side; nature and cultural topics remain clearly separate. You can also decide whether the cave interior, the landscape features or the historical heritage should be the main focus.

If you are comparing accommodation in PeÅŸtera, check the travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions on the respective offer page. A hotel is one possible framework for comparison, while you can define the desired nature and cultural topics as your own criteria.

More location pages: Câmpu Lui Neag, Ilia, Sarmizegetusa, Zeicani, Diemrich, Petrila, Topliţa, Kalan

To the overarching travel overview: Eisenmarkt.