What Mehedinti is known for

Drobeta–Turnu Severin is the capital city of Mehedinti County, located on the shores of the Danube River. Positioned as an inland port along the Danube River, it is situated near the exit point of the river from the Iron Gate Gorge. The name Turnu Severin, which translates to the "Tower of Severus," derives from a tower constructed to commemorate a victory by the Roman emperor Septimius Severus during the 2nd and 3rd centuries. Remnants of various historical structures can still be seen in the city, including the piers of Trajan's bridge, built in the 2nd century by Apollodorus of Damascus. This city is also home to the Iron Gates Museum, which features a bridge model. Several other architectural ruins, such as the castrum guarding the bridge, baths, palaestra, and remains of a 13th-century church and citadel, can be seen scattered across Drobeta–Turnu Severin.[6]

One of the predominant natural attractions in Mehedinti County is the Iron Gates Natural Park. In the park and its vicinity are located various tourist attractions. Among the historical sights in the area belongs Ladislau Fortress, located near Coronini, which functioned as a Danube traffic control point, with its origins dating back to the 14th century. Across the Danube on the Serbian bank lies the better-preserved Golubăț Citadel. The Tri Kule fortress, constructed in the 15th century, was characterized by ruins, including two towers, near Svinita. This citadel was intentionally flooded to create the Iron Gates I reservoir, with the third tower only visible during periods of low Danube water levels. As for the Church of St. Archangels, this building was constructed in 1836 in the Baroque style, the oldest Romanian church in the Danube Gorge. Resting at the Mraconia River's mouth in the Danube is the face of Decebal, carved into the rock, measuring 40 meters in height and 25 meters in width. Gaura Chindiei II cave, located near Pescari town, has archaeological significance, as it reveals habitation traces from the Proto-Dacian and Dacian periods and cave art from the Paleolithic and Neolithic.[9]

In the Mehedinti County of Romania, tourists have the opportunity to visit the "God's Bridge" in the commune of Ponoarele. "God's Bridge" stands as the largest natural bridge in Romania and ranks second in Europe in terms of size. This natural formation spans 30 meters in length, 13 meters in width, 22 meters in height, and has a thickness of 9 meters. It originated from limestone rock and took shape when the ceiling of a cave collapsed. Each year, this phenomenon draws in several tourists from across the world.[8]

Geography

The geographical features of the Mehedinti area are considerably diverse, encompassing three main types: mountains with a peak elevation of 1,466 meters, plateaus, and plains with elevations maxing out at circa 50 meters. The region extends from north to south with a significant altitude difference of approximately 1,400 meters. Plains represent the most extensive portion of the area, covering 34.7% of the territory, followed by hilly areas at 29.9%, and mountains accounting for 26.8% of the county's total area. The hydrographical network of the county is primarily centered around the Danube River, into which all other rivers in the region flow. These rivers include the Cerna, Topolnita, Cosustea, Motru, Blahnita, and Drincea. Additionally, the county has a system of underground water sources, with depths ranging from 2 to 40 meters, featuring springs and underground reservoirs with mineral waters that are known for their therapeutic properties.[2]

One of the natural protected areas within Mehedinti County is the Iron Gates Natural Park, situated on the Romanian side of the Danube River between Bazias and Drobeta-Turnu Severin. The Iron Gates Natural Park is the second-largest environmentally protected region in Romania, encompassing approximately 1,100 square kilometers. In 1998, the park was designated as a protected area, and it now comprises 18 scientific reservations.[1] The protected area of the natural park has habitats shaped by climate, geology, and the Danube's influence. Forests—which cover 80% of the Almaj and Locvea Mountains—contrast with bare, almost vertical, calcareous slopes along the Danube's path. These rocky surfaces host rare endemic plant species. The park's flora combines boreal mountain and Mediterranean elements, with some mountain species descending to lower altitudes while southern species ascend. Geographically, the plant species in the Iron Gates Natural Park are predominantly of northern or western origin, followed by southern and endemic elements. Oriental elements make up 11.07%, and polycoral parts account for 6.75%.[4]

Due to its location in the southwest, Mehedinti County experiences a temperate continental climate infused with pronounced Mediterranean influences. This climatic blend results in generally elevated average temperatures, mild winters, and warm summers.[2] The warmest month in Drobeta-Turnu Severin tends to be August, with an average daily temperature of 30°C. January is commonly the coldest month, as temperatures average approximately 4°C. August is often considered the driest month in Drobeta-Turnu Severin because it generally receives 50 millimeters of rainfall on average. The most precipitation falls during May, with an average of about 78 millimeters.[5]

History

In Mehedinti County, the earliest evidence of human presence can be traced back to the end of the Upper Paleolithic period, approximately 12,000 years ago. Sites from that era include Climente's Cave in Dubova, located within the Danube's Cazane. Furthermore, archaeological findings have unveiled remnants from the Neolithic, Bronze Age, and Iron Age cultures in various locations such as Svinita, Dubova, Ilovat, Hinova, and more.[2]
The archaeological findings from within Mehedinti County substantiate the arrival of the Romans in the Balkan Peninsula, their conflicts with the Dacian Kingdom, the colonization of Dacia, and the emergence of the Romanian people. Notable remnants include the Trajan's Bridge ruins, the Drobeta Roman camp, and the Roman Thermae. Additionally, Drobeta-Turnu Severin hosts the "Portile de Fier" Museum within an archaeological park. This museum covers a range of subjects, including natural sciences, history, folk art, an aquarium, and art. Furthermore, the park encompasses medieval defensive structures dating from the 13th century and a medieval church constructed in the 14th century, associated with the Severin Metropolitan Seat. In the vicinity of Simian, along the route from Craiova to Drobeta-Turnu Severin, lies the Simian Alt, situated amidst the Danube River. There, people can see Turkish houses and a mosque that were relocated from Ada Kaleh Island before it was submerged by the man-made Portile de Fier Lake in the 17th century. Around 6 kilometers east of Drobeta-Turnu Severin is located Cerneti, a former capital until 1833. The "Tudor's Fortress" serves as the memorial house of Tudor Vladimirescu, a historical figure of the 1821 Revolution.[1]

In the past, Mehedinti County was situated in the southwestern region of Greater Romania, specifically in the western area of the historical Oltenia region. Târgu Jiu served as its county seat during the interwar period. The boundaries of the interwar county encompassed a portion of what is now Mehedinti County. Today, Mehedinti County largely covers the same territory, excluding the northern section, which is part of Gorj County. Additionally, a small part of the former Severin County where Orsova was situated now falls under Mehedinti County. The county shared its borders with the Kingdom of Yugoslavia to the west, Severin County to the northwest, Hunedoara County to the north, and Gorj and Dolj Counties to the east. To the south, it bordered the Kingdom of Bulgaria.[3]