Orșova between the Danube, Culture, and Historic Routes

Orșova lies on the banks of the Danube and at the Porțile de Fier Reservoir. Orșova’s local water network includes the Danube and the Cerna. Orșova is also a port on the Danube. Its location by the water gives the town a clear geographical setting.

Sfânta Ana Monastery was built between 1936 and 1939 on Dealul Moșului as a foundation of the publicist Pamfil Șeicaru and consecrated on December 2, 1990. Sfânta Ana Monastery is located above Orșova and offers views over part of the Porțile de Fier Reservoir.

The Catholic church in the center of Orșova is a modernist building designed by the architect Hans Fackelmann and constructed between 1966 and 1972. The Seracova Viaduct on the northern outskirts of Orșova was built by the Ottomans in 1739–1740 and is the last remnant of the former Cerna Canal. The Sfântul Nicolae Church was rebuilt in Orșova-Sud in 1969–1970; the new building follows the plans of the old church, which was classified as a historic monument.

The Orșova branch of the Iron Gates Region Museum has three exhibition areas covering natural sciences, history and archaeology, and ethnography. The natural history exhibition at the Orșova branch presents part of the Danube Gorge with its characteristic fauna and flora. Anyone interested in the Danube Gorge will find a natural history presentation there alongside the sections on history, archaeology, and ethnography.

Orșova is located on the Bucharest–Timișoara railway line. Orșova also has a bus station with connections to Moldova Nouă, Băile Herculane, and Drobeta–Turnu Severin, as well as to other county and long-distance routes. By road, Orșova is located on national road DN 65, designated as European route E6; the Orșova–Moldova Nouă road (DN 57) branches off from Orșova. The railway line, bus station, national road, and branch road all play a concrete role in orienting travelers when choosing Orșova as a base.

The visitor center of Porțile de Fier Nature Park is located in Orșova’s civic center. Water sports can be practiced in Orșova.

The Drumul Eroilor was a 1,500-meter-long, paved access route from the center of old Orșova through the hills. Seven wayside crosses carved from solid oak, with benches for resting, lined the route of the Drumul Eroilor. The paved surface and the stated length provide concrete reference points when incorporating this historic route into a day’s plans. The themed route “Pe urmele lui Hercules” runs through the Danube Gorge, Orșova, and Eșelnița. The historic access route and the themed route therefore have different forms and temporal references.

Further destinations: Gura Văii, Corcova, Şimian, Godeanu, Baia de Aramă, Floreşti, Eșelnița and Dubova.

For the higher-level travel overview: Mehedinti.