Fill your life with adventures, not things. You should have stories to share, not objects to show.
Hello travellers,
Today I want to take you all with me to the most beautiful medieval festival I have ever attended.
Why is it the most beautiful festival?
Because it has something special starting from the place where it takes place, its theme, Dac Fest brings Dacian and Roman rituals, gladiator fighting demonstrations, dances, ceremonies, military training, archery lessons, woodworking, leatherworking, pottery, weaving or blacksmithing workshops, and an important point of attraction will be related to ancient gastronomy.
The official opening of the event began with a parade of ancient costumes.
Everything here was very well organised, from where we parked the car, to the wristbands we were handed after being checked because of the pandemic situation.
Where did the event take place?
At Măgura Uroiului, also known as Măgura, Uroiului Hill or Golden Mountain is found in southwestern Transylvania, on the territory of Rapoltu Mare and Uroi villages, near Simeria.
The stunning volcanic rock hill on the banks of the Mures River has been inhabited since ancient times.
An ancient stone quarry of the Dacians would have been one of the places where our ancestors got their raw material for building.
Event theme,
The festival is a re-enactment or revival of moments from the distant or more recent past, especially battles, or lifestyles, housing, costumes specific to an era.
Lately, the passion and interest for such events is growing, and Hunedoara County has an impressive number of historical monuments and places that have witnessed crucial historical events.
A Roman and Dacian military camp is set up at the foot of the Uroi Mountain, with the help of specialists in antiquity, in order to give as much authenticity as possible and to create an atmosphere as close as possible to the times when the Dacians and Romans lived here.
Once there we could see weapons, military costumes, handicrafts made according to the model of Dacian and Roman objects.
In addition, creative workshops (ancient crafts and gastronomy) have been organised outdoors, to which all those present are invited, to actually participate in these creative workshops, as I did.
Everyone who attended the event was invited to find out how our ancestors lived.
The forge was the main attraction for photographers, while the handmade workshops were full of children.
Also during this event we were able to witness the demos of battles between Dacians and Romans just like in ancient times.
A brief summary of the event,
- Gladiator Fights - really spectacular, with trained men who really put on a show. Although there were fights, it was all in an entertaining register that attracted many spectators.
-Here I had the opportunity to do something I had wanted to do for a long time, I learned to shoot a bow.
- Slave trade - have brought to light the fact that the Roman Empire was a society in which the role and duties of slaves were very clearly determined. Three slaves and a slave girl were auctioned, and what they were to do was cute - being 'bought' by children, they taught them to shoot arrows and other crafts.
– I also had a very emotional moment, proposing live on air,
– Roman court - yes, the Roman Empire had a very well developed legal system,
– Ancient Dances, Now I'm not sure if we know exactly how the Dacians or Romans danced, but the young women who danced added to the ancient atmosphere.
First of all, the Roman soldiers demonstrated that they were a professional army, like a real war machine. Soldiers wearing exactly the same uniforms, following orders strictly, performing a real choreography
Attending this extraordinary event, I couldn't overlook the gastronomic side, so I tried a lot of Dacian and Roman dishes, I wanted to feel all the spices and all the talent of the chefs.
I have to admit that I have never eaten food like this and with such a good taste anywhere in the world.
In conclusion, It was a successful weekend with wrestling, traditional costume parades, archery competition, and more.
What can we visit nearby?
This area pleasantly surprised me with the diversity of sights it hosts: castles, historical fortresses and well-known archaeological sites, parks and nature reserves, lakes, gardens and even lesser-known places, some of them forgotten by the world.
1. I giardini di Zoe: This is the name of the beautiful garden in Banpotoc, which Giovanni Salvatelli, the Italian who has been living in Romania for some time, created out of pure passion.I leave you a link to the blog I made about this amazing location.
2. Deva Fortress: From the top of the fortress you have a beautiful view of the surroundings, especially if you go in summer when everything is green. And if you plan to visit Deva Fortress in the warm season, don't leave home without a hat and glasses.
3. Corvinilor Castle: Corvinilor Castle is one of the most touristic and sought after places in Hunedoara.
4. Sarmisegetusa Regia: about this location I posted some time ago a blog I say very interesting.
5. Hațeg Bison Reserve,
6. The Stone Church of Densuș, The church of Densuș is special because of its architecture and the fact that it is built of massive stone blocks brought from Ulpia Traiana. It is said to be the oldest stone church in Romania and that it was originally a Roman temple to the god Mars. In the near future I will blog about this destination as well because it is incredible.
7. Fundătura Ponorului, A place of rare beauty, but more difficult to reach, which can only be reached by car or on foot from the village of Federi.
Some people still live in Fundatura Ponorului, but life is hard. Time is measured by the sun, there is no electricity, and daily activities are linked to raising livestock and cultivating the land.
8.Băniței Gorge, the place is really spectacular, with high vaulted cliffs that seem to want to close in on you, and this summer I want to visit this location.
9. Clocota Waterfall in Geoagiu Băi, I visited her and it was amazing.
The attached photos were taken with my Samsung Galaxy S9 mobile phone and Nikon DSLR 3100 camera.
Thank you in advance for stopping by, for supporting me as this 