Orastie

Orăștie is a city in south-western Transylvania, south of the Mureș River, at 220 m elevation. First documented in 1224, it was a Saxon fortified town known in German as Broos. The city has a temperate climate and a long history as a trading centre. It is the gateway to the Dacian Fortresses of the Orăștie Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

By Plane

The nearest airports are Sibiu International Airport (SBZ), about 100 km east, and Timișoara Traian Vuia Airport (TSR), about 150 km west.

By Train

Orăștie railway station has connections to Bucharest, Arad, Timișoara, Cluj-Napoca, Iași and Deva. Check timetables at infofer.ro.

By Car / Road

From Bucharest: A1 to Pitești, E81 to Sibiu, then E68 to Sebeș and Orăștie. From Arad: E68 to Deva and Orăștie. From Cluj-Napoca: E60 to Turda, E81 to Alba Iulia and Sebeș, then E68 to Orăștie.

The city centre is small and walkable. Taxis are available for longer distances.

• St. Archangels Michael and Gabriel Orthodox Church — one of the most beautiful churches in the country, built 1936–1945 with paintings by Dumitru Belisarie.

• Museum of Ethnography and Folk Art — Aurel Vlaicu Square nr. 1, founded 1952. The most important ethnographic collection in Hunedoara County, covering occupations, costumes, traditions and folk art.

• Orăștie Fortress ruins — medieval fortification walls dating from the 13th–16th centuries in the city centre.

• Dacian Fortresses of the Orăștie Mountains — 40 km away, UNESCO site including Sarmizegetusa Regia, Costești-Cetățuie, Costești-Blidaru and Piatra Roșie.

• Lutheran fortified church — built around 1400 in Gothic style, surrounded by defensive walls.

• Arsenal Park — Romania's largest military-themed retreat and theme park. Former munitions factory transformed into a holiday park with 4-star accommodation.

• Visit the Dacian Fortresses (guided tours available from the city).

• Walk the old town centre with its Saxon-era architecture and fortified church.

• Casa Regia, Str. Codrului 1, +40 254 241048 — sausages, ribs and traditional Romanian fare.
• Pensiunea La Bariera, Str. Unirii 153, +40 254 240 849, daily 09:10–18:00 — beans, cutlet and hearty local dishes.

• Bar Scorillo, Strada Dacilor nr. 1, +40 722 678 562.
• Rio, Strada Decebal 1.
• To The King, Strada Armatei nr. 1, +40 736 429 639 — dance and night club.

• Arsenal Park Transylvania, Str. Codrului nr. 25, +40 799 108 391 — a 4-star military-themed holiday park, the largest in Romania. Accommodation in renovated barracks with modern amenities.
• Pensiunea Șura, Str. Stadionului 1A, +40 745 702 386 — a cozy inn on a side street.
• Pensiunea Driver, Strada Morii 19, +40 766 234 405 — basic accommodation with ping-pong, from 93 lei.
• Complex Daniel's, Str. Căstăului nr. 254, +40 745 529 020 — outdoor pool, banquet hall, from 170 lei.

• Local shops along Strada Aurel Vlaicu and the central square.
• Souvenir shops selling replicas of Dacian artefacts.

• Deva — 33 km west.
• Hunedoara — 33 km south-west.
• Simeria — 16 km west.
• Geoagiu — 11 km north.
• Dacian Fortresses of the Orăștie Mountains — 40 km south.