Thematic Route: The Cultural Heritage Route

Name of the Touristic Attraction: Roman Camp Hinova

Location: in Hinova Commune, Mehedinți County, at 16 kilometri from Drobeta Turnu Severin, towards Calafat, on DN56A.

Description: It is an extremely important archaeological spot, here being descovered the largest golden treasure in the country, of Thracian origin. The fortress had the role of defending the northeast border of the Empire, where the barbarians used to invade. Its ruins can still be seen today, buried in the ground, near Hinova Village.

Legend / Story / Impressions / Recommendations: The archaeological research began in the 1970s. First were discovered the thick walls with four towers, one in each corner, almost in square shape. The fortress gate was flanked by two rectangular towers and was placed on the south side of the castle. A sixth tower was discovered in the middle of the northern wall. Inside, another wall was found, with stone foundation and brick elevation. Inside was also found the commander’s home. Both the coins discovered here and the Hinova’s maps from that time, outline the history of this settlement. It was probably settled in the time of the first tetrarchy, most probably between 294 and 296, but it was destroyed between 378 and 379. It is later restored and will survive until the beginning of the 5th century, when it will be destroyed by the Huns, a fact proved by the discovery of a hunic boiler fragment. In 1980, during some systematic archaeological excavations carried out in the area of the Roman camp Hinova, a whole treasure was discovered in one of the 60 Thracian tombs under the citadel. And so the wealth found in a clay pot came to light. The Hinova treasure consists of over 9,639 pieces, weighs 5 kg, and it is the largest prehistoric treasure discovered in Romania, both in terms of weight and number of objects. After the archaeological research, he was fully recovered.

Information and Contact:

The Roman Camp Hinova is under the administrative territory of Hinova Commune:

Phone: + 0252 354 288

Route close to other Thematic Routes:

In the commune you can also visit:

1. „The Falling Asleep of Virgin Mary” Church Bistrița Village
2. Archaeological Site “Botu Piscului” from Ostrovu Corbului

In the area you can also visit:

1. “Saint George” Church, in Dunărea Mică Village
2. Archaeological Sites: in Batoți, Crivina, Tismana Villages
3. Archaeological Site “La Punti” , in Bistreţu Village (Bronze Age, Neolithic Period)
4. Archaeological Site “La Ochiuri”, in Devesel Village (7th-6th centuries BC, Bronze Age, Gârla Mare Neolithic)
5. The archaeological Site of Izvoru Frumos, Burila Mare
6. Stârmina Forest

GPS Coordinates: lat, long: 44.5477795, 22.781769439039156, elevation: 83 m