What's there to visit nearby?
Hunedoara area
Destinations for history lovers
The first artifacts discovered in this area date back to the Neolithic period. Thus, the Magna Curia Palace (16th century), a historic monument built in Renaissance style, houses the Museum of Dacian and Roman Civilization in Deva, which contains "pieces of history, testimonies" dating from the Neolithic period and covering, step by step, the history written to the present day.
The Dacian fortresses (35-55 km from Banpotoc) demonstrate the high level of material culture of the Dacians. The main fortresses were discovered at: Costești (18 km from Orăștie), Blidaru (22 km from Orăștie), Piatra Roșie (30 km from Orăștie) and Grădiștea Muncelului (39 km from Orăștie), Sarmisegetusa Regia (in the Orăștie Mountains).
The capital of Roman Dacia, Sarmisegetuza Ulpia Traiana (from Hațeg to Caransebeș, about 25 km from Hațeg) - the seat of the most important institutions and high-ranking imperial officials. The city was founded in 107 AD, by order of Emperor Trajan, its full name being Colonia Ulpia Traiana Augusta Dacica Sarmizegetusa.
Colț Fortress (14th century) - located on a cliff at an altitude of 720 m, it was the source of inspiration for Jules Verne's novel The Castle in the Carpathians.
Corvin Castle – Hunedoara (~20 km from Villa Castelul Maria) – its architectural beauty ranks it among the most significant monuments of feudal art in Romania and southeastern Europe. The castle's past is mainly linked to the Corvin family, who ruled it for a long time. Iancu de Hunedoara renovated and modified it (1446-1453), arranging the "Knights' Hall" and the "Diet Hall." Developed in the following centuries, the castle combines Gothic style with elements characteristic of the Renaissance and Baroque styles.
Devei Fortress - built in the 13th century on a volcanic cone dominating the city center from an altitude of 184 m. Documented only in 169, it was one of the strongest fortresses in Transylvania. The road to the fortress can be traveled on foot or by cable car (the route is 278 m long, with a height difference of 158 m – the first of its kind in Europe).
The Aurel Vlaicu Memorial Museum (30 km from Villa Castelul Maria) - dedicated to the memory of this pioneer of Romanian and world aviation. It was here that the great inventor and pilot Aurel Vlaicu was born and built his first model airplanes.
The Mining History Museum – with interesting mineralogical collections – Brad.
Destinations for nature enthusiasts
Starting point: the garden and park of the Maria Castle villa, then the surrounding area, the village of Banpotoc, from where you can follow the stream to the village of Varmaga (~10 km), a route that can be done on foot or by bike, with the mountains, water, and forest as your companions.
Simeria Dendrological Park with a collection of woody and exotic plants - 550 species - spread over 60 hectares.
Retezat National Park, where peaks over 2,500 m await you to conquer them, 80 glacial lakes, wild landscapes where you can enter the "enchanted land with blue eyes."
Grădiște Cioclovina Park - with fantastic caves.
Starting point for visiting cities outside the county
- Banpotoc – Sibiu ~ 98 km
- Banpotoc – Alba Iulia ~ 50 km
- Gardini di Zoe: a short distance away are the famous gardens of an Italian who loved flowers, plants, and nature. They can be visited on foot, crossing the Maria Castle garden, exiting through the "gate" at the end of the courtyard, and walking another 1 km to the entrance of Gardini di Zoe.
Pilgrimage to religious buildings
- Biserica ortodoxă Strei la 10 km
- Mănăstirea Prislop at 20 km towards Hațeg
- The wooden church in Almașu Mic, 5 km away
- Biserica reformată Sfânta Fecioară din Santamarie Orlea
- Biserica cetății Colt
- The church in Densus is a unique monument of Romanian medieval architecture, probably built during the 13th century.
- The Orthodox church in Ostrov, built in the 14th century, houses a fresco from 1365.
These churches can all be visited in a single day, following this route:
Banpotoc - Simeria - Hunedoara - Călan, Streisângiorgiu - Strei - Sântămăria Orlea - Nucșoara - Suseni, Cetatea Colț - Ostrov - Peșteana - Densus - Hațeg - Prislop - Hunedoara - Simeria - Banpotoc
Heading towards Arad: Lesnic Medieval Church (14th century) (~34 km from Banpotoc) - Medieval Church in Gurasada (12th century) (~43 km).
In the footsteps of Brâncuși
- on mountain roads to the Banpotoc travertine quarry, where the great sculptor chose the material for the Gate of the Kiss and the Table of Silence
- Constantin Brâncuși's native village and memorial house: Hobita
- the park in Târgu Jiu
- Stone carving courses can be organized upon request.
We are available to help you with any other ideas or advice about nearby locations that are suitable for you, depending on your preferences.