In Tomești, hiking trails, forested landscapes and wooden churches come together. The village is one of the settlements arranged from south to north along the Bega and lies in the foothill zone along county road DJ 684. When planning your trip, the natural and cultural heritage offers different points of interest: the upper Bega shapes the terrain, while the cave, churches and local customs provide specific destinations for excursions.
Bega, Cave and Hiking Trails
The upper Bega flows through the Tomești commune across heavily forested terrain with limestone and dolomite formations. Peștera cu apă is located in Românești, a village within the commune, on the left slope of the Pustânii Valley. The cave is 370 metres long and has a horizontal layout on three levels. Its entrance is 9.5 metres wide and 2 metres high. Inside, large vaulted chambers alternate with narrower sections; lateral flowstone curtains, stalactites and stalagmites shape the succession of spaces.
The hiking trails also differ in their routes. On the Luncani–Pârâul Mare–Padeș mountain route, the first section is easy, while the second becomes much steeper; the route has an elevation difference of 1,070 metres. Another hiking route leads from Valea lui Liman via Luncani and Valea Topla to Cabana Căpriorul in the Nădrag commune. It follows forestry roads and forest paths. The information provided about gradients, elevation differences and trail surfaces helps distinguish the two routes by their respective characteristics.
To reach Românești, take the asphalted county road DJ 684 for 4 kilometres from DN 68A at Coșava. As road conditions can change, it is worth checking the current conditions before travelling.
Wooden Churches and Industrial History
The wooden church in the village of Românești dates from the 17th century. It was built from thick oak beams joined together without nails. A wooden church in Tomești has a different construction history: it was built around 1750 and dismantled in 1952. In 1957, a wooden reconstruction was built on the same site, with a rubble-stone foundation, a galvanized sheet-metal roof and a single tower.
The church of Mănăstirea Românești was begun in 1912, completed in 1929 and consecrated in 1931. Its patronal feast is celebrated on 20 July and on the Friday of Bright Week. The different construction dates offer a glimpse into several periods of local church history, from wooden construction to the monastery church completed in the 20th century.
Another historical point of interest is the former glass factory near Tomești. It is a monument of industrial architecture and is considered the oldest glass factory in the present-day territory of Romania. It complements the churches and natural attractions with a different perspective on the history of the area.
Customs and Cultural Events
The Dube-Colind tradition is maintained in the villages of Românești, Tomești and Baloșești. Traditional dress is still worn today at folklore performances in the wider Tomești area. The Nedeea românilor de pretutindeni takes place every August in Valea lui Liman as a festival of folk song and dance. Check the specific dates for your year of travel before setting out.
Peștera Românești is also associated with a musical tradition: symphonic concerts there began in 1984 at the initiative of Speotimiș founder and doctor Constantin Lupu. The 41st edition took place in 2025; for a future trip, check whether and when another edition is planned. This helps distinguish recurring cultural events from the commune’s enduring attractions and take them into account when choosing your stay.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Sânandrei, Lugoj, Zolt, Buziaș, Bucovăţ, Cărpiniș, Bogda, Fârdea.
For the main travel overview: Timiș.
