Thematic Route: The Cultural Heritage Route

Name of the Touristic Attraction: Roman Camp Drobeta

Location: in Drobeta Turnu Severin, Mehedinți  County, Independenței Street, no. 2

Description: The camp lies at the end of the Roman Bridge, on a high plateau, formed by the first terrace of the Danube, closed on the east part by „Ogâşul Tăbăcarilor”, on the west part by the foot of the bridge, which is almost covered today, and on south part, by the Danube’s high bank. The ruins of the Roman Camp in Drobeta can be seen today, as well as those of Traian’s Bridge, built by the famous architect Apolodor of Damascus, or those of the Tower of Sever.

Legend / Story / Impressions / Recommendations: Drobeta is the first stone fortress built in Dacia between 103 and 105. It was a Roman defense camp. Like any Roman camp, Drobeta had a rectangular shape with rounded corners. From the southern corners of the camp, there are walls to the Danube and to the portal of the bridge. Moreover, it is oriented towards the Danube, that is towards the bridge. Initially this camp was built to host 500 soldiers who guarded the bridge. The danger that thretened Drobeta came from the north, and also in north had to be praetoria gate, but it was placed in the south part, because the mission entrusted to the camp, was to defend the bridge and the harbor. The foundations rebuilt by Constantine the Great (Constantin cel Mare) can be observed today on an area of 2 hectares. In the center of the camp stayed Emperor Traian, in the winter of 105. In the west part of the camp, on the Danube shore, can be seen the ruins of the Roman baths. Here were found, in the composition of the walls, bricks that have the stamp of Legion V Macedonica, a sign that the date of construction of the baths,  is similar to the date of the construction of the camp and the bridge. This place was important for the inhabitants of the entire Oltenian basin of the Danube, because it was a penetration gateway of the ethnic and cultural elements of southeastern Balkans.

Conditions:

Currently, the Camp can not visit because it is located in the courtyard of the Iron Gate Region Museum which is temporarily closed for rehabilitation

Information and Contact:

The camp is under the administration of the Iron Gate Region Museum:

phone: + 0252 312 177

e-mail: office@muzeulpdf.ro;  muzeulpdf@rdslink.ro

website: http://www.cimec.ro/Muzee/MuzeulRegiuniiPortilordeFier/Index.htm

Route close to other Thematic Routes:

In town you can also visit:

1. “Dragalina General Park” with the Severin Fortress and the Drobeta Archeological Complex placed on the slope of the Danube terrace
2. “Roses Park” made up of hundreds of varieties of trees, shrubs and roses
3. The Water Castle
4. The Iron Gates Hydropower Plant Museum
5. “Theodor Costescu” Cultural Pallace
6. The Orthodox Cathedral

 Other useful information

Accommodation:

„Traian” Hotel: phone: +4 0252 311 760

„Continental” Hotel: phone: +40372 528 828

„Condor” Hotel: phone: +40252 311 128

„Corona” Hotel: phone: +40743 128 658, e-mail: contact@corona.ro

 Events in Drobeta Turnu Severin:

1. Severin’s Days – 23rd April – around April 23rd, when Sf. Gheorghe, the protector of Severin, is celebrated
2. Danube Day – 29th June
3. National Festival of Literature “The meaning of love” – in Spring
4. “Songs of Romanians from Everywhere” Festival – in October
5. The Autumn National Book Fair – in October
6. Excellence Awards Gala – in Autumn

GPS Coordinates: lat, long: 44.62477215, 22.66810181174421, elevation: 55 m