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- Targoviste – A Capital’s CharmDrobeta Turnu Severin – A Bridge Across The AgesSearching For Tranquility Around BucharestCalimanesti, Olanesti, Govora – Oltenia’s Health SpringsAlba Iulia and Codex AureusIasi – A City Imbued With History and CultureThe Deva Fortress – Active Witness to Transylvania’s HistoryRupea Stronghold, The Core of Brasov CountyScarisoara Cave, Glacier Chill in Summer TimeMuierilor Cave, Symbol of Fertility and HolinessOrsova – Heavy Industry Meets the Roman EmpireThe Heaven of Cherry Orchards, in CetateleCurtisoara Museum – a Cradle of SpiritualityBaile Felix – a Balneary Resort for All AgesIzei Valley – Maramures Finest Traditions and LocationsHarman – A Small Part of Brasov’s CultureMuseums and places to visit in OradeaVidraru Dam and Lake, a Wonder of Nature, Confined by ManAncient Cities in the Constanta AreaSfantul Ioan Domnesc Monument-Church – The Shadow of Stefan cel MarePutna Monastery – The Spiritual Center of MoldaviaOcnele Mari: Salt Mines, Spa and Rich HistoryBaile Govora – One of The Oldest Romanian SpasCraiova – The Heart of OlteniaRules for Visiting the Protected Nature AreasArad – One Millenia on the Banks of MuresTargu Jiu and the Endless ColumnBucura Lake – The Largest Glacier Lake in RomaniaTraveling to Sfantu GheorgheLipscani – “The Old Leipzig” of BucharestCule – Strange Strongholds of a Riotous PastVatra DorneiCluj NapocaDobrudja and the Danube DeltaBucharest – an european capitalBrasov – Part of the “Heart” of RomaniaTimisoara, Little ViennaRosia MontanaPeriam “Rock la Mures” FestSinaiaVama VecheSighisoara, medieval heavenHunedoaraSighisoaraSibiu – modernity with a German touchA visit in Piatra-NeamtVama Veche versus MamaiaThe mountain tourism in RomaniaA trip to Muntii ApuseniAn incursion in legends – BranTrips and winter sports on Valea PrahoveiTransilvania – The medieval land of StrongholdsBucovina and Northern MoldaviaMaramures – A Land From TalesTan and Fun at the Black SeaA wild land – The Danube Delta
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Drobeta Turnu Severin – A Bridge Across The Ages
In South-Western Romania, in the Topolnita valley, on an elevated position guarding the majestic, yet dangerous waves of the Danube, there is the capital city of Mehedinti County, Drobeta Turnu Severin.
A settlement existed here even since Dacian times, but Drobeta grew in importance when Trajan decided to incorporate the lands situated north of the Danube into his Empire. The war from 101 – 102 A.D. was successful for the Romans, but everyone knew the peace was actually a truce and that it was only a matter of time until the conflict would start again.
In order to facilitate the transportation of troops and supplies across the Danube, Emperor Trajan employed the architect Apolodor of Damascus to build a bridge over this river. The ancient historians Dio Cassius or Procopius of Caesarea recorded descriptions of this great architectural achievement, constructed between 103 and 105 A.D.
The bridge consisted of 20 large stone pylons (some of them were built by temporarily deviating the Danube’s course) and a superstructure made of wood. It had a length of 1135 m, a height of 50 m and a width of 12 m; it connected Pontes (a military camp situated on the right shore) and Drobeta, occupied by the Romans after the war from 101 – 102 A.D. As the migrating populations had begun threatening the Roman borders, Trajan's successor, Hadrian, decided that the bridge’s wooden superstructure should be destroyed, to prevent incursions in the southern provinces of the Empire.
The stone pylons lasted until the beginning of the XIXth century, when some of them were destroyed because they hindered navigation. Today, the first and the last of the pylons can be seen on both sides of the river, the one from Drobeta Turnu Severin having been declared national monument.
In time, from a military outpost, Drobeta evolved into a typical Roman town, the third in Dacia as importance, after Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa and Apullum. In 121 A.D., during Hadrian’s rule, it was declared “municipium” and the document recorded the fact it had 14 000 inhabitants; in 193 A.D. Emperor Septimius Severus granted Drobeta the title of “colonia”, which made its citizens equal in rights to those in Rome. Basilicas, temples, public baths, guilds, a harbor and a forum existed here at the time of its maximum prosperity, in the IIIrd century, when it had 40 000 inhabitants.
The fall of the Empire inevitably affected Drobeta’s development and it took several centuries until its former role as a strategic point was revived, when the Byzantine emperor Justinian (527-565) built a guard tower here.
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