Caraș-Severin County
Geographical Data
Located in the southwest of Romania, Caraș-Severin county is the third largest county in the country and is bordered in the northeast by Hunedoara county and in the west by Serbia. The south-western border is itself represented by a natural border, namely the Danube river, with a length of 64 km.
From a geographical point of view, in Caraş-Severin there are all three classic relief steps found on the territory of Romania, which harmoniously combine in the form of a diversified and unique landscape in the world. Mountains occupy 65.4% of the total area, while hills represent only 10.8% and depressions occupy 16.5%. Plains are an essential element of the county but represent only 7.3% of the total area.
From a geographical point of view, in Caraş-Severin there are all three classic relief steps found on the territory of Romania, which harmoniously combine in the form of a diversified and unique landscape in the world. Mountains occupy 65.4% of the total area, while hills represent only 10.8% and depressions occupy 16.5%. Plains are an essential element of the county but represent only 7.3% of the total area.
The Kingdom of the Mountains
From the high peaks of the mountains to the depths of the caves twinned with blue waters, the county located at the southwest of the country is a spiritual kingdom and simple in essence. It is a place where, if you dare to visit, you will let yourself be carried away by its warm and familiar spell. Where the green of the fir leaves reigns and the lake water does not ever freeze, there you will find the true breath of life.
Thousands of hikers and men of culture came to visit to admire the riches of the soil, the architectural monuments, but also the ancient wonders created by the hands of craftsmen from Caraș-Severin.
The mountain trails that seem hidden by the foliage of tall trees are in themselves a holy place both for those who come in search of fresh air and peace and for those who seek peace in places for prayer.
Despite the massiveness of the mountain formations, the relief allowed the force of the waters to shape the land according to their will, giving birth to a multitude of natural elements that are still preserved today.
Thousands of hikers and men of culture came to visit to admire the riches of the soil, the architectural monuments, but also the ancient wonders created by the hands of craftsmen from Caraș-Severin.
The mountain trails that seem hidden by the foliage of tall trees are in themselves a holy place both for those who come in search of fresh air and peace and for those who seek peace in places for prayer.
Despite the massiveness of the mountain formations, the relief allowed the force of the waters to shape the land according to their will, giving birth to a multitude of natural elements that are still preserved today.
The unique beauty of the Mountainous Banat
Amongst the most unique places in Banat you can find Cheile Nerei-Beușnița Nature Reserve. To get there you must follow the route that leads to the Beușniței Waterfalls, where in passing you will reach a blue-green lake whose tragic legend will impress you. The lakes occupy a special place in the hydrography of the county, the most numerous being the anthropogenic lakes and the naturally created karst ones, such as The Devil's Lake and The Bei's Eye Lake.
The thermo-mineral springs in the Herculaneum Baths Resort are some of the most remarkable underground waters in the world. The resort, named after the great mythological hero Hercules, has been rated as one of the most famous in Europe and is recognized worldwide for the purity of its water.
Natural wonders are not the only monuments worthy of admiration. Human settlements have risen over the centuries with respect for all what nature means. Thus, a perfectly balanced symbiosis between these two creative forces has been maintained to this day. The typology of the settlements found in the Caraș-Severin area was influenced by the historical events and happenings that took place all throughout the county. The Habsburg influence can still be easily seen today in the shape and decorations of the old houses and mansions in the towns of the area.
The thermo-mineral springs in the Herculaneum Baths Resort are some of the most remarkable underground waters in the world. The resort, named after the great mythological hero Hercules, has been rated as one of the most famous in Europe and is recognized worldwide for the purity of its water.
Natural wonders are not the only monuments worthy of admiration. Human settlements have risen over the centuries with respect for all what nature means. Thus, a perfectly balanced symbiosis between these two creative forces has been maintained to this day. The typology of the settlements found in the Caraș-Severin area was influenced by the historical events and happenings that took place all throughout the county. The Habsburg influence can still be easily seen today in the shape and decorations of the old houses and mansions in the towns of the area.
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Remarkable curiosities
● The first theater in the country - the "Mihai Eminescu" Theater in Oravița
● The first mountain railway in Romania - "Semmeringul Banățean" - between Anina and Oravița; the oldest railway included, in fact, a longer route, namely Oravița – Iam – Jasenovo – Bela Crvka – Baziaș
● In "The Cave of Bones" in Anina, the oldest remains of modern man in Europe, over 40,000 years old, were discovered
● The first mountain pharmacy - the "La Vulturul Negru" pharmacy of pharmacist Knoblauch, in Oravița, who, together with pharmacist Gheorghe Roja, prepared the first smallpox vaccine in Banat
● The second brewery in Romania was the one in Ciclova Montană, established in 1728
● The most beautiful waterfall in the world, Cascada Bigăr, placed by the American website "The World Geography" on the first place in a list of the most impressive waterfalls in the world
● The only open-air museum in Romania and the only one of its kind in the country – the Locomotive Museum in Reșita
● The chairlift with the longest fixed route in Europe – the chairlift on Muntele Mic, with a route length of 3.5 km
● In the Valea Cernei – Domogled National Park, in the area of the The Herculaneum Baths Resort, you can find the unique species of black pine in the country, the most beautiful specimens of beech and over 1600 species of butterflies
● The resort of The Herculaneum Baths Resort is compared to the resorts of Vichy and Mont Dore in France
● The first mountain railway in Romania - "Semmeringul Banățean" - between Anina and Oravița; the oldest railway included, in fact, a longer route, namely Oravița – Iam – Jasenovo – Bela Crvka – Baziaș
● In "The Cave of Bones" in Anina, the oldest remains of modern man in Europe, over 40,000 years old, were discovered
● The first mountain pharmacy - the "La Vulturul Negru" pharmacy of pharmacist Knoblauch, in Oravița, who, together with pharmacist Gheorghe Roja, prepared the first smallpox vaccine in Banat
● The second brewery in Romania was the one in Ciclova Montană, established in 1728
● The most beautiful waterfall in the world, Cascada Bigăr, placed by the American website "The World Geography" on the first place in a list of the most impressive waterfalls in the world
● The only open-air museum in Romania and the only one of its kind in the country – the Locomotive Museum in Reșita
● The chairlift with the longest fixed route in Europe – the chairlift on Muntele Mic, with a route length of 3.5 km
● In the Valea Cernei – Domogled National Park, in the area of the The Herculaneum Baths Resort, you can find the unique species of black pine in the country, the most beautiful specimens of beech and over 1600 species of butterflies
● The resort of The Herculaneum Baths Resort is compared to the resorts of Vichy and Mont Dore in France