Caras Severin County

Description:

Geographical situation

 

It is located in south-western Romania, stretching in the south up to the narrow path of the Danube, on the Yugoslavian border.

 

Neighbours

                In the east: Gorj, in the south-east: Mehedinti County, in the north-east: Hunedoara County, in the north-west: Timiit County, in the south-west: Yugoslavia.

 

Surface

                8,520 square km (respectively 3,6% of the country's territory).

 

Population

                360,000 inhabitants.

 

Towns

                Resita - capital of the county with 95,000 inhabitants, on the Btrzava river, with a long industrial tradition, we could mention some important dates: 1769-the metallurgic factories were founded, 1872 - the first steam-engine in the country was made here. Other towns: Anina, Baile Herculane, Bistra, Bocita, Caransebes, Moldova Noua, Oravita.

 

Relief

                It is varied, dominant being the mountains (The Western and Southern Carpathians, the top heights are to be founded in the Godeanu Mountains, Gugu Peak with 2,291 m, in Cerna, Mehedinti, then in the Banat Mountains with altitudes below 1,400 m, represented by the Almtj, Locvei, Semenic, Anina, Dognecea Mountains, but also the southern part of the Poiana Rusca Mountains, the two branches of the Carpathiens are separated by the Bistra and Timis - Cerna depressions). The hills (Mehadia,

Almaj) and the plains (the extreme south - eastern limit of the Banat Plain, between Resita and the Nera Gorges) occupy a small area of the county.

 

Climate

                It is temperate continental, the south presents influences of the submediterranean climate, the dry and warm south wind can be felt blowing from south-west and Cosova, violent wind from west. The medium temperature in January is -2 - -8°C and in July 12- 22°C.

 

Watercourses

                The Danube presenting a high density, but also the limit river with Bistra and Hideg, and also Pogonis, towards north, Caras and Nera, towards west, Cerne towards east.

 

Touristic attraction

Montains

The Semenic Mountains (with Piatra Goznei Peak, 1447 m), they represent the highest and biggest unit of the Banat Mountains.They are formed of smooth gentle slopes inviting you to rest and enjoy.The Semenic offers good skiing conditions (snow lasts until March). The montains are easy to climb from any direction. The Cams Mountains (with Dobrii Peak, 1,928 m), their limestone structures stretch as far as Bails Herculane.

                The Anina Mountains, with heights between 900 - 1,000 m and with many Karst gorges and depressions.

 

Caves

 

• Comarnic Cave
  
• Buhui Cave
  
• Popovat Cave
  
• The Bats' Cave
  

 

 

Gorges and narrow paths

                The Narrow Path of the Danube (Portile de Fier- Iron Gates)

                The Nera Gorges (35 km away from Oravita), they are the longest (over 9 km) and, certainly, among the most beautiful gorges in Romania. They form a complex preaerve with natural treasures characterized by wildness and pictoresque offering the

tourist a peaceful isolation and many surprises.

                The Caraf Gorges - complex preserve (floriatic, geological and apelaeobogical) with many Karat phenomena (caves, dolina). The gorges have the aspects of a canyon and occupy the second place in Romania, in terms of length (19 km).

                The Corcoaia Gorges (40 km upstream of Baile Herculane), geological preserve, on the upper course of the Cerna river, with a length of 200 m, they are very interesting due to the vertical walls (more than 150 m in height) and to their various

forms.

                Other gorges and narrow paths: The Minif Gorgaa (more than 14 km in length), The Cerna Gorges.

 

Lakes

                The Iron Gates I, man-made dam lake, along side the hydro-electric power station, forms a great power and navigation complex built in Cooperation with the former Yugoalavia (1964- 1971). The touristic area on the lake banks ia one of the most tempting destinations for Romanian and foreign tourists. The road along the lake, with dozens of bridges, viaducta (over 60 m in height) and tunnels (named the Sun Highway) offera a great view of the concrete giant.

                Other lakes: The Devil's Lake, natural Karat lake, in the Nera Gorges, at the entrance of a cave, The Buhui Lake, underground lake, formed by the obatruction of aome galleries in the Buhui cave, lezemul "arcu, glacial lake north of the "arcu Peak.

 

Preserves and monuments of nature

                ,,Domogled-The Cema Valley", an area with many preserves and monuments of nature (floriatic, fauniatic and landscape preserves). It is aituated on the both banks of the Cema River, near Baile Herculane. The Domogled is one of the richest

places in Europe in what concema the plant apeciea (aubmediterranean species, lilac, Turkiah hazel).

The Cema River cut in the Domogled limaatonea abrupt gorges of amazing beauty.

                Other preserves and monumenta of nature: Schitu, botanical preserve on the Cicbova Valley, The Big Valley, botanical preaerve, nomth-eaat of Moldova Noua, Mediterranean - Atlantic apeciea, Zervefti - wild daffodila, (near Caransebes),

Rufchia - marble quarry.

 

Spas and Touristic Health Resorts

                Baile Herculane

                Crivaia spa at 15 km away from Resita and at an altitude of 650 m, on the bank of the Valiug dam lake (boats, fishing).

                Semenic spa (40 km away from Resita and at an altitude of 1,400 m), with a lot of snow lasting over 5 months a year, with many ski and sleigh slopes, cable transport, skilift, babyski.

                Trei Ape (at 37 km away from Refute, at an altiude of 850 m) near the Trei Ape dam lake, with ski slopes, nautical sports on the lake.

 

Historical vestiges

                Ruins of the Roman settlement Tibiscum (2nd -5th centuries AD.) near Jupa, a flourishing settlement during the reign of the emperors Septimius Severus and Philipus Arabs, raised at the rank of municipium.

                Lederata-Tibiscum Roman Road, it is preserved in good conditions on a length of 5 km between Binif and Bocf.

                The Centum Putel Roman Camp (near Suruducu Mare), the unique Roman camp in the country which preserves all the old reinforcements.

                The Roman Settlement Ad Pannoriios (2 km away from Teregova), it offers information regarding the development level of the civilisation in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD.

 

Other historical vestiges: Traces of the Lederata

 

Roman Camp (101 A.D.), near Baziaf, Traces of the Berzovia Roman Camp (2~ century A.D.), near Berzovia, Ruins of the Cara~ova Fortress, huge fortress built in 1333.

Cultural buildings

                Museum of Steam-Engines in open air, the collection also includes the first engine made in Resita

in 1872.

                The Memorial House "GeneraI Dragalina" in Caransebess, a great commander who died on the battlefield during World War I.

                Other cultural buildings: Museum of Theatre History in Oravita, the oldest theatre in the country can be seen here (1787 - 1817), The Danube's Museum in Moldova Nout.