Thematic Route: The Cultural Heritage Route

Name of the Touristic Attraction: Gârla Mare commune

Location: in Mehedinti County. It is 63 km from Drobeta Turnu Severin, on the way to Calafat. The commune can be reached from Drobeta Turnu Severin, following DN562A to Gruia and then continue on DN56C to Gârla Mare. 

Description: Gârla Mare commune consists of only one village and is also known as Gârla. It is located in the Danube`s lowland. The area is a true tourist attraction due to the variety and richness of the landforms. The area primarily encourages sports tourism. The tourists who come to the area enjoy fishing. Local people are engaged in fishing and farming, but they also practice milling, trading with agricultural and bakery products, and also viticulture. On the Commune area there is a part of the protected area “Danube at Gârla Mare-Maglavit”, a natural site that is part of the Natura 2000 site. It is a protected area with terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems formed from natural habitats. An element of tourist attraction is also Gârla Mare Island, right near the Commune, where there are numerous ceramic fragments that prove its inhabitation by the bearers of the Verbicioara and Gârla Mare cultures from the Bronze Age, as well as Hallstatt or the Church of the Holy Spirit in Gârla Mare, built in 1838, with the classic roof and no tower and declared historic monument. Near the river mile 840,there are the ruins of a Roman farm (villa rustica), located in the southern part of the village, on the high, non-flooded bank of the Danube. Fishing enthusiasts can enjoy fishing on the shores of Gârla Mare Pond.

Legend / Story / Impressions / Recommendations: An important Bronze Age settlement was discovered at Gârla Mare, which, due to the decorative features and the variety of the pottery, gave the name of a Bronze Age Culture (the Gârla Mare culture), also called “The Funeral Urns Fields Culture”.

Information and Contact:

Gâra Mare City Hall: tel: + 40252-393012

Route close to other thematic routes:

In the area you can also visit:

• Archaeological sites specific to the Middle Bronze Age, discovered at Ostrovu-Mare-Tigănași.
• Special protection area Blahniţa
• Gruia Commune 

Other useful information:

Feasts:

– The Days of the Commune – In October

– Nedeia – when is celebrated the God`s Ascension

 GPS Coordinates: lat, long: 44.2095198, 22.775632299999984, elevation: 80 m