The Dacian Ruins outside of Hateg

These witnesses of the oldest Romanian history are remnants of a sophisticated and powerful defense system built by the Dacian people in the time of the kings Burebista and Decebalus. We can see that this defense ring was a series of fortresses and fortified cities around the capital of the Dacian kingdom, Sarmizegetusa Regia, situated high up in the mountains, close to the present-day cities of Deva and Hunedoara. The fortresses were Sarmizegetusa, Costesti, Blidaru and Piatra Rosie. These were the last points of resistance of the Dacians, during the conquering campaign of the Roman emperor Traianus (105 AD). The story goes that the Dacians fought fiercely, but they were finally defeated by treason.

Today, you can rediscover these great fortresses, by taking a 2-day backpack hike to their ruins. We are left with very scarce documents and data from those times, so you can let your imagination take over. After all, it is said that part of the treasure of the Dacian king is still hidden somewhere in these mountains. Guided by a treasure-hunter's thrill or just by the beauty of the places, you will soon come across the ruins of the capital city, Sarmizegetusa. Here, the spirit of this mysterious old civilization comes alive in the remnants of the old temple. Nobody knows for sure who this temple was dedicated to, but we suppose it was a Sun deity.
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