Orșova lies on the banks of the Danube and the Porțile de Fier Reservoir. The local water network includes the Danube and the Cerna; the town is also a port on the Danube. Water sports can be enjoyed in Orșova. The visitor centre for Porțile de Fier Natural Park is located in Orșova’s civic centre. This gives you two distinct focuses to choose from when planning your trip: water activities and cultural history. If you are looking for accommodation, you can first decide whether you would like to focus your stay more on activities on the water or on architectural and local history.
Monastery and Architectural History
The Sfânta Ana Monastery is located on Dealul Moșului above Orșova and offers views of part of the Porțile de Fier Reservoir. It was built between 1936 and 1939 as a foundation of the publicist Pamfil Șeicaru and consecrated on 2 December 1990. The construction period and year of consecration mark different stages in its history. If you are interested in religious history, the monastery is a distinct highlight alongside the town’s buildings.
The Catholic church in the centre of Orșova is a modernist building designed by architect Hans Fackelmann and constructed from 1966 to 1972. The Seracova Viaduct stands on the northern outskirts of the town. The Ottomans built it in 1739–1740; it is the last remnant of the former Cerna Canal. The two structures represent different periods: the viaduct dates from the 18th century, while the church dates from the second half of the 20th century. During a cultural stay, you can explore Ottoman architectural history and modern church architecture as distinct themes.
Museum and Historic Routes
The Orșova branch of the Iron Gates Region Museum has exhibition areas covering natural sciences, history and archaeology, as well as ethnography. The Drumul Eroilor was a 1,500-metre-long paved access route from the centre of old Orșova through the hills. Seven wayside crosses carved from solid oak, with resting benches, lined its route. The themed route “Pe urmele lui Hercules” passes through the Danube Gorge, Orșova and Eșelnița. The two routes therefore differ in scope: the Drumul Eroilor was a single historic trail, while the themed route passes through several named places.
Getting There and Accommodation
You can include rail, bus and road travel in your plans. Orșova lies on the Bucharest–Timișoara main railway line and has a bus station with connections to Moldova Nouă, Băile Herculane and Drobeta–Turnu Severin, as well as other county and interregional routes. By road, Orșova lies on national road DN 65, designated European route E6; the road from Orșova to Moldova Nouă (DN 57) branches off here.
Discover more destinations: Şimian, Eșelnița, Floreşti, Gura Văii, Dubova, Baia de Aramă, Corcova, Godeanu.
For the broader travel overview: Mehedinti.
