The Danube Gorge
Danube is probably Europe's most beautiful river over its whole length, originating in the
Black Forest (Schwarzwald) Mountains in Germany and reaching the Black Sea some 2850 km eastward. The Danube Gorge (Romanian: Clisura Dunarii),
where the Danube meets the Carpathians, is spreading on 120 km from Bazias to the "Iron Gates Dam".
It is the longest gorge on the Danube and unique in Europe through its grandeur.
From Orsova, downriver the "Iron Gates Dam" , the way through the gorge can be
made either on a river cruise or on the mountain road (driving, hiking or biking). The most spectacular stretch of the
Danube Gorge, a 5 km long portion, between the beautiful villages of Eselnita and Dubova,
is called "Cazanele Mici" (English: "The Little Cauldrons"). As the river makes its way through the narrow rock walls,
the water 'bubbles' and 'boils' like in a cauldron on the fire, giving the place its name.
On the Serbian bank, near Ogradina, one can see the Tabula Traiana a Roman memorial plaque (4 m wide and 1.75 m tall) commemorating
the completion of Trajan's military road (101-104 A.D.) built prior to his campaign to conquer Dacia.
Further East, the Danube rocky bank is split by the Mraconia Valley. Cars and ships may stop here to visit the Mraconia Turistic Complex and see the tallest rock sculpture in Europe (40 m):
the relief of the Dacian king Decebalus, chiseled into the mountain.
One cannot get here without visiting the beautiful Mraconia Monastery, re-built on the bank of the Danube in 1990
after being submerged during the construction of the "Iron Gates Dam".
In Mraconia valley, the small Mraconia Gulf can be visited. Surrounded by vacation cabins, Mraconia Gulf is an attractive place for Arts Summer Camps
(drawing and painting) and for those who want to relax away from urban life.
Further downriver, the Danube broadens up rapidly, entering a 4 km stretch called
"Cazanele Mari" (English: "The Big Cauldrons"). The grandeur of the gorge can be admired only by navigating the Danube as the highway goes through the mountain.
Near Svinita, one can observe the ruins of the Tri Kule (English: "Three Towers") fort. Tri Kule was built in the 14th century to provide
defense against Turkish raids, preventing their advance into Caransebes and Lugoj. Ironically, the name derives from the Turkish word for "tower";
this type of reinforced tower is specific to the Balcans and its architecture evolved through the centuries (a 17th century 'cula' can be visited in Glogova, Gorj, 60 km from Drobeta Turnu Severin).
Since the construction of the "Iron Gates Dam", the site has been partially submerged, and only two of the three towers still stand.
During the building of the "Iron Gates" hydroelectric power plant a number of villages and notably the island of
Ada Kaleh (Turkish for "Island Fortress") have been submerged.
The village of Svinita, 80 km west from Drobeta Turnu Severin, was forced to relocate on a steep and rocky mountain side,
but it is nowadays a very modern village which takes pride in preserving its ethnic traditions.
Svinita keeps alive its Serbian origins and its enthusiasm to be in contact with other ethnic communities through the local annual festival
"Ferestre spre noi" (English: "Windows towards us" ) which brings together 15-20 ethnic communities from Romania .
The Danube Gorge creates a complex natural reservation spread on 150 hectares.
The specific flora has rare sub-Mediterranean species: the hornbeam, the mangy wood, the filbert, the Turk cherry tree, the downy birch, the wild lilac,
the rocky iris, and the tulip of Banat - unique in the world.
A river cruise is the most exciting way to experience the romantic Danube Gorge.