The Dacian fortress Sarmizegetusa Regia, one of the most important tourist attraction in Hunedoara county and in Romania as well, has been closed up temporarily, after the access road has been destroyed by a strong flash flood.
The road to the fortress has been affected by the flooded waters in several locations. For the tourists’ safety, the historical site has been temporarily closed until repairing works are carried out. The visits scheduled for this weekend to the Dacian fortress have been cancelled.
According to the site manager, Vladimir Brilinsky, trees, stones and debris have fallen out on the road last night, with several hundreds square meters of mud blocking the 705 A county road in the Valea Alba area. „It’s all blocked, a total collapse, total disaster,” he said.
The manager revealed that the site is affected inside as well, as the tenth terrace inside the sacred enclosure went off the rails. „It has never been so serious. We have many visits planned for the weekend, especially that DacFest even is kicking off tomorrow. It is the largest historical re-enactment holiday in Simeria and large groups of tourists are expected,” Vladimir Brilinsky stated.
Sarmizegetusa Regia is the largest settlement from pre-Roman Dacia. The fortress consisted of three areas with distinct functions: a civilian settlement placed on the hill’s slopes, a fortress located on the highest area (1000 m) and a sacred area. The entire dwelling agglomeration covered several kilometers on the southern and eastern slopes of the hill. In the beginning (1st century BC) it was a sacred place due to the presence of certain religious structures in the sacred area.
Read an exclusive feature on the fortress here.