Sălaşu De Sus – Retezat Routes, Fortresses and Daffodil Meadows

Culture and History

The fortified Cândreș noble residence in Sălașu de Sus dates from the 15th to the 17th century. The complex includes a princely or noble court and a chapel with a bell tower, which is now in a ruinous condition. The rectangular enclosure measures approximately 95 × 55 metres.

Mălăiești Fortress was built by the Cândreș noble family of Sălaș around 1380. A stone curtain wall surrounds the keep; four polygonal towers were added later. The fortress was restored from 2012 onwards. The village of Peștera is also home to a traditional technology complex with a water mill, a fulling mill and a lime kiln.

Routes in the Retezat Mountains

Cabana Gențiana on the northern side of the Retezat Massif can be reached via the Ohaba de sub Piatră – Sălașu de Sus – Cârnic – Pietrele route. The “Natura lângă noi” nature trail begins near the visitor centre of Retezat National Park in Nucșoara and leads to a viewpoint from which a large part of the Hațeg Depression can be seen.

The “People and Forest” nature trail leads from the same visitor centre to Mălăiești Fortress. The route to Gura Cetății Cave begins at the Sălașu de Sus tourist information centre, runs through Paroș and continues to Peștera; from there, the cave is approximately 2 kilometres away. Four of the twelve cycling routes managed by the Asociația de Ecoturism Țara Hațegului-Retezat pass through the commune of Sălașu de Sus. The various starting points, destinations and activity types provide a clear basis for organising excursions according to your own daily schedule.

Natural Areas

The daffodil meadows lie between Sălașu de Sus and Nucșoara. They cover approximately 20 hectares, where wild daffodils have spread naturally, and form a protected botanical area in IUCN Category IV, belonging to the Țara Hațegului UNESCO Geopark.

A protected natural area extends across 0.8 hectares on a rocky slope at an altitude of 350 metres. It belongs to the Țara Hațegului Dinosaur Geopark. The rare rock plantain species Plantago holosteum is permanently present in this area.

A waterfall is located in Retezat National Park in the Nucșoara Valley at an altitude of 1,050 metres; it lies on the way to the Pietrele refuge or the lakes in the Retezat Mountains. It can be reached by car as far as Cârnic, after which the route continues on foot for approximately 20 minutes.

The Daffodil Festival in the daffodil meadows near Nucșoara takes place every year around the feast of Saints Constantine and Helena. It lasts two days and includes several cultural and sporting events.

Regional Traditions

Virșli de Sălaș is described as a traditional product specific to the commune of Sălașu de Sus; the Romanian Ministry of Agriculture has certified it as a recognised traditional product. Local products can be viewed and tasted in the commune at events and in residents’ homes.

More destinations

More destinations: Râu Bărbat, Ilia, Teliucu Inferior, Vălișoara, Brad, Sarmizegetusa, Uricani, Topliţa

To the main travel overview: Eisenmarkt.