Planning a trip to Romania?
If you are planning to visit Romania, remember the coordinates: 44°52′43″N 22°24′51″E. The GPS will take to one of the most famous, most beautiful landmarks in Romania: Băile Herculane, a spa resort in Romanian Banat, in Caraș-Severin County, situated in the valley of the Cerna River.
If you have a couple of destinations in mind, just don’t hesitate and choose Băile Herculane for a weekend and you won’t regret a bit. It can be a budget-friendly destination for those who are fond of hiking, getting in touch with history and culture or having an unforgettable food experience. You can enjoy both the natural beauty of the region and our traditions. You can find accommodation choices for all budgets. But don’t forge to book in advance and collect all the necessary information about entry requirements and visas, if necessary, medical services, currency etc.
The Holy Waters of Băile Herculane
Having a travel guide would be best to help you plan in advance or protect you against unpleasant surprises. They will give you the correct, relevant information to make the whole experience more enjoyable.
So, what would you expect from a trip to the Herculane Baths and spa? Everything a young person would like: adventure, entertainment, sports, a new culture. There are also many motivations for mature travellers to leave home and travel abroad: relaxation, culture, socialization, good food and comfort.
For centuries now, Herculane was renowned for its beauty and healing qualities of the air and natural springs. It was first documented in 153 AD. The Romans gave the name Ad Aquas Herculi. It means the holy waters of Hercules. The Austro – Hungarian emperor Franz Joseph considered them “the most beautiful resort on the continent”. The oldest resort in Romania is famous for its sulphuric springs,
After 1869, this exceptional resort started to shine and reveal its historical heritage: baths, statues, aqueducts, votive tables etc. Besides the remained vestiges, the new hotels and spa centres offer the tourists modern accommodation, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, parking lots, saunas, gardens and terraces, playgrounds for children, sportsgrounds, night clubs etc.
Unfortunately, after 1989, some of the once hotspots for the communist elites were abandoned and fell into decay. Fortunately, a group of 25 volunteers (architects, students and web developers) started raising money to restore the Neptune baths. It seems they have been doing a great job. There is hope that the team’s intervention will be finalised in the next 2 – 3 years.
Till then, don’t hesitate to visit the place. There is a lot to do there: longer tours or day trips, outdoor activities and last, but not least, relaxation and therapy.
Do you know what mofettes are?
They are natural carbon dioxide emanations from the earth, in the last stages of volcanic activity, always accompanied by mineral water springs. Doctors generally recommend them in the treatment of rheumatic, heart diseases and other condition, too. The therapies are benefic for poor blood circulation, cardiovascular diseases and detoxification.
Definition of mofeta in English:
https://en.bab.la/dictionary/romanian-english/mofet%C4%83
They are natural carbon dioxide emanations from the earth, in the last stages of volcanic activity, always accompanied by mineral water springs. Doctors generally recommend them in the treatment of rheumatic, heart diseases and other conditions, too. The therapies are also benefic for poor blood circulation, cardiovascular diseases and detoxification.
Definition of mofeta in English: https://en.bab.la/dictionary/romanian-english/mofet%C4%83
Talking Houses in Băile Herculane
As I mentioned above, some of the old monuments are not in their best shape, but most buildings are. Once in the City of Hercules, you’ll never get bored. There are lots of places to visit, for the young ones or for the elderly. Just take a walk and don’t forget your camera. The streets, the new, modern hotels built high on the mountain slopes, the aristocratic houses, the monuments, the mosaics, or the ruins are instagrammable. Absolutely fantastic!
Photo credit: Mioara Iacob and InterviewsbyBrenda
Even the buildings left in disrepair look great. Others are back in their former glory, making the place look cinematic. And before we go on, here’s an example: „Ink Wash”. The stunning scenery here can be admired in this film made in 2023.
Let’s resume the visit!
To take a closer look at the attractions, you’ll probably have a stroll along Sissy’s Promenade. Yes, Sissy, the Empress of Austria (1837-1898). Everybody knows the story of the beautiful but rebellious, complex and glamorous woman. who visited the resort several times, and even had a residence here, Casa Tatartzy, now called Vila Elisabeta.
Despite having been considered an eccentric, Sissy had a pleasant, complex personality. She cared for the needy, loved animals, wrote poetry, rode horses. In fact, she was very much interested in all sorts of physical activities just like the young ladies today. Nevertheless, she lived in isolation and suffered from rheumatism. That’s why she arrived at Herculane, which had been recommended by her doctor.
Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria (1830 – 1916) used to visit Herculane, too, on his hunting trips. He had his own hunting residence here. The chalet became later the Railway Station. The Baroque architecture of the building and its dome resting on two impressive columns are decorated with paintings inspired from the Roman mythology.
The Băile Herculane Railway Station is on the List of Historic Monuments of our country and will soon be renovated. Volunteers and preservation groups are making efforts now to revive the historic structures and raise awareness about the historic value of the resort.
Once you have explored the attractions in Herculane, don’t worry, you have many more other options for day trips.
So, where next from Băile Herculane?
- What about, the Banat Sphinx from Topleț? Start from the Herculane train station, heading south on the European road E70 towards Orșova. It takes about 15 min. by car. Then, about 3 km across a field, a road across the locals’ gardens.
- The Iron Gates Dam
- The Statue of Decebalus
- Târgu Jiu
- Cheile Nerei National Park
Important to know!
General travel conditions: https://www.politiadefrontiera.ro/en/main/pg-foreign-citizens-173.html
Romanian visa: https://www.politiadefrontiera.ro/en/main/pg-romanian-visa-179.html
Medical insurance: https://www.politiadefrontiera.ro/en/main/pg-medical-insurance-181.html https://www.hostelworld.com/hostels/europe/romania/
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