Thematic Route: The Cultural Heritage Route

Name of Touristic Attraction: Ilovița Village

Location: The Village is situated in the Commune with the same name, in Mehedinti County. It is at a distance of 11 km from Orșova and 27 km from Drobeta Turnu Severin. The access to the village is from DN6, on the DJ607C, at the Bahna Bay. Ilovița is crossed by Racovăţ River, which joins Bahna River and flows together into Bahna Bay.

Legend / Story / Impressions / Recommendations: The village of Ilovita is a village where the traditions are preserved with holiness, one of the most famous being the Pants Ball. It is a tradition that takes place every year on February 28th. On this day, a popular ball is organized at the Cultural House in the center of the village, and all the participants must be dressed in what they call the locals, “Oltenian trousers”, namely in Pants. The Pants Ball is a custom taken from Banat, which is held every year in the Ilovița Village. This is due to the fact that Ilovița is located in Banat Interference Area with Mehedinți. Every time, the boys are urged to dress at every great feast as the elders did, so that the tradition is not lost. The ball they attend every year, over 40 pairs are wearing trousers and folk costumes. This is an important celebration that gathers the locals in the center of the village at the Cultural House. Those who participate are dancing on Oltenian and Banat music till the second day. The most important activity specific to the area is related to folk art, namely traditional hand-made sewing and hand-woven fabric using the traditional loom, with influences from Banat and the northern part of Mehedinţi County.

Information and Contact:

Ilovița CityHall: – tel: +40252 316 451

Route close to other thematic routes:

In the area you can also visit:

– The Vodița Monastery.

– The Bahna Cyrillic Alphabet Cross Monument

– The Iron Gates Natural Park

– Bahna Paleontological Reservation, one of the oldest and most interesting fossil streams in the country

Other useful information:

Accommodation:

The Greek Mansion: tel: +40727 174 690

Events:

– The Field Festivity “The sons of the village” – in the last Sunday of July, Iloviţa

GPS Coordinates: lat, long: 44.7603061 , 22.47016050000002, elevation 120m