Petrila: Mining History, Village Culture and Mountain Landscapes

History

Mina Petrila opened in 1859 and is considered the oldest mine in the Jiului Valley. Exploatarea Minieră Petrila is classified as a Category A historical monument ensemble. The former Mina Petrila hosts art exhibitions, concerts, theatrical performances and community events.

Casa Memorială I. D. Sîrbu is the last surviving house of the Ferdinand Colony and provides an impression of the way of life of Petrila’s mining community. As Casa Memorială “Ion D. Sîrbu,” it commemorates the Romanian writer, essayist, playwright and philosopher Ion D. Sîrbu; his family settled in the Ferdinand mining colony around 1860.

Culture

The Muzeul Satului Momârlănesc on the Jieț in Petrila reconstructs a traditional Momârlan village with simple wooden houses that illustrate the activities and way of life of this community. The museum comprises more than 20 traditional houses and a wooden church featuring architecture typical of the region.

The Muzeul Satului Tradițional de la Jieț-Petrila presents three sections: the village settlement with a church, school and traditional farmsteads; the area of accommodations and hay meadows; and the alpine area with a mountain pasture, shelter and livestock pen.

Traditional customs include the Nedeile, shepherds’ gatherings held on certain holidays, especially Easter and Pentecost, attended not only by shepherds but also by residents of the surrounding villages. Pitaraii is an old winter custom in which young men preparing for marriage walk through the village carrying decorated flags. In the fir-tree custom, the spruce is used as a sacred tree and a symbol of life and death in communal ceremonies, including funerals and weddings.

In the settlements belonging to Petrila—Tirici, Cimpa, Jieț and Răscoala—livestock farming and the processing of milk and meat are traditional and predominant activities.

Nature

A series of glacial lakes can be reached in Petrila’s southern administrative area via the Jiet Valley and through the Cheile Jiețului nature reserve. Cheile Tăii in the Tăii Valley is a Category IV nature reserve.

In the immediate vicinity of Petrila, Cascada Muncelul is located in Cheile Jiețului and has a drop of approximately 30 metres.

Activities

Cheile Tăii offers climbing opportunities at the Piatra Lesului limestone formation. The climbing routes in Cheile Tăii include Hornul, with two pitches and a difficulty grade of 4A; Grota, with two pitches and a difficulty grade of 3B; and Piatra Rosie, Minerul and Zetu, each with four pitches and a difficulty grade of 5B.

From the Cabana de vânătoare Auselul hunting lodge at an altitude of 1,024 metres, a marked trail leads towards Vârful Brateș below Vârful lui Patru. In the Cheile Jiețului area, rafting is possible on the Jieț River.

More destinations

More destinations: Topliţa, Vălișoara, Simeria, Gurasada, Sarmizegetusa, Ilia, Şoimuş, Hateg

To the higher-level travel overview: Eisenmarkt.