Hateg

Hațeg is a town in Hunedoara County, Transylvania, at 315 m elevation on the banks of the Râul Galben. It is the centre of the ethnocultural region Țara Hațegului (Hațeg Country), known for its medieval churches, dinosaur fossils, and proximity to the Retezat Mountains. The Hațeg Island dwarf dinosaurs (Magyarosaurus dacus) were discovered here, and the area is a UNESCO Global Geopark.

By Plane

The nearest airports are Sibiu International Airport (SBZ), about 130 km north-east, and Timișoara Traian Vuia Airport (TSR), about 170 km west.

By Train

The nearest station is Subcetate (3 km from Hațeg), with daily trains from Bucharest, Timișoara and Cluj-Napoca. Take a bus from Subcetate to Hațeg.

By Car / Road

From Timișoara: DN6 to Caransebeș, then DN66 to Hațeg. From Cluj-Napoca: E81 to Alba Iulia, Sebeș, then E68 to Orăștie and Simeria, then E79 south to Hațeg. From Bucharest: A1 to Pitești, E81 to Râmnicu Vâlcea, E79 via Petroșani.

Hațeg is small enough to walk. For landmarks in Hațeg Country, take a taxi from the station near I.C. Bratianu National College.

• Kendeffy Castle (Castelul Kendeffy) — Sântămărie Orlea, 3 km from Hațeg. A stately noble mansion with a Latin inscription featuring the family coats of arms.

• Sântămăria-Orlea Church — one of the oldest churches in Romania (13th century), with 15th-century frescoes of Eastern origin.

• Prislop Monastery — 13 km from Hațeg, 14th-century monastery, reopened as a convent in 1976, with a theological school.

• St. Nicholas Church, Densuș — 10 km from Hațeg, a bizarre church built from Roman ruins (bricks with inscriptions, funerary stones) taken from Ulpia Traiana.

• Hațeg Country Dinosaur Geopark — 20 km away, a UNESCO Geopark with fossils of dwarf dinosaurs: Magyarosaurus dacus, Rhabdodon, Telmatosaurus.

• Buffalo Reservation (Rezervația de Zimbri) — 3 km from town, European bison reserve.

• Gura Apei Dam — 40 km from Hațeg, the highest rockfill dam in Europe (168 m).

• Subcetate Fortress — 13th-century fortress ruins on a hill 3 km from Hațeg.

• Go skiing at Râușor (35 km) — the only ski slope in the Retezat Mountains, 1,300 m lift, 380 m vertical drop.

• Visit the Dinosaur Geopark with guided tours of fossil sites.

• Hike in the Retezat National Park — starting point for trails into the mountains.

• Vila Veche, Str. Timișoarei nr. 6, +40 354 414 851 — Romanian and international dishes.
• Club T, Strada Tudor Vladimirescu 9 — pizzas and sausages.
• Artgrill Bistro — part of ArtHotel.
• Restaurant Rustic, Strada Mihai Eminescu 49.
• Casa Românească, Str. Progresului nr. 84, +40 254 770760.

• Haos Club, Piața Unirii — M–Th 08:00–23:00, F 08:00–01:00, Sa 10:00–01:00, Su 10:00–23:00.
• Club T (Trattoria di Toto), Strada Tudor Vladimirescu 9.

• Hotel Ferdinand, Str. Bisericilor nr. 2, +40 756 140 124 — brick hotel on the street corner, free breakfast.
• Art Motel, Strada Tudor Vladimirescu nr. 2, +40 254 772 344 — doubles from 120 lei.
• Vila Veche, Str. Timișoarei nr. 6, +40 354 414851 — inn with pool, restaurant and wine cellar.
• Pensiunea Sarmis Cristal, Str. Progresului nr. 57, +40 754 030337.
• Vila Nicole, Strada Aurel Vlaicu nr. 2, +40 785 490 428 — rooms with views of the Gaibena River, from 129 lei.

• Billa, Strada Sarmizegetusa, +40 354 130943, 07:00–22:00 (Su from 08:00).
• Local artisan products at the weekly market.

• Deva — 43 km north, county capital with Deva Fortress.
• Hunedoara — 20 km north, Corvin Castle.
• Orăștie — 33 km north.
• Petroșani — 50 km south.
• Retezat National Park — 40 km south-west.