Town of Deva in Transylvania Places to see, things to do, transportation, attractions, events.

Deva Fast Facts

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Deva is a large town in west – central Romania, set on the left bank of Mures River, not far from Romania's main coal and mineral mining area. Numerous artifacts dating from the Bronze Age, found in the area, indicate that Deva region has been inhabited since at least 450 BC.
The name Deva may have been given to the area by the leaders of the Roman Legion Augusta II who – in early 100s AD – has been transferred from Castrum Deva (Castra Devana) in Britania (today the city of Chester in England) to the newly conquered territory of Dacia / Transylvania.

Deva is – for the members of the Universal Unitarian Church – an important place of pilgrimage.
Unitarianism traces its institutional roots to Transylvania, where Unitarianism has flourished since the 1500s. Deva fortress contains the prison where Francis Davíd (Ferenc Dávid) - the Unitarian founder of Europe's first official declaration of religious toleration - died in 1579.

Deva Sights and Landmarks

Deva Fortress
Cetatea Deva
Address: Strada Cetății
Telephone: (+4) 0254 220.288
Rising 1,000 ft. on a rocky hill-top (Dealul Cetatii), Deva fortress - the symbol of the town - had witnessed, since 1269, the town's long history and countless visitors. For centuries the fortress (nicknamed "the Key to Mures River") has guarded the access, from the western regions of Banat and Crisana and from Central Europe, to Transylvania.
The fortress is open daily and admission is free.
The climb to the fortress is a 45-minute walk on a reasonable path.
Those who do not wish to walk to the citadel can use the funicular to reach nearly to the top.
One must still navigate a series of steps to enter the ruins of the fortress and view the memorial to Francis David;
His statement "We need not think alike to love alike" still inspires many today.
From the top of Dealul Cetatii hill visitors can view the route of the "Salt Road" the old Roman route that used to connect Rome, the capital of the Roman Empire, with Transylvania.

Deva Fortress Opening Hours:
October 1 - April 30 — 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
May 1 - September 30 — 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Admission to the citadel is free-of-charge.
Funicular / Incline Tramway to the citadel:
Adults: 20 Lei (round-trip)
Children, students and senior citizens: 10 Lei (round-trip)
Proof of status (student ID / senior citizen) is need to get a discounted ticket.

Magna Curia Palace
Palatul Magna Curia
Address: Bd. 1 Decembrie 1918, nr. 39
At the foot of the Fortress Hill (Dealul Cetatii) lies the Magna Curia Palace (Latin for The Great Court), a Renaissance style structure built in 1582 (enlarghed and remodeled in 1621). Subsequent modifications, last one in 1746, added numerous Baroque elements - including a monumental staircase and a lobed balcony - gave the structure the shape and look of today.
Magna Curia Palace is now home to the Museum of Dacian and Roman Civilizations.

Deva Performing Arts Theatre
Teatrul de Arta – Deva
Address: Bd. 1 Decembrie 1918, nr. 15
Telephone: (+4) 0787 259.420
Built in the mid 1800s, the "Art Theater" is Deva's finest example of Secession Viennese architecture and the town's main cultural institution. The building was opened as a theater in 1911 after extensive renovations based on plans by architect Marcell Komor whose other major works include Targu Mures (Romania) Municipality Building, Reduta concert hall in Bratislava (Slovakia) and Subotica synagogue (Serbia).

Episcopal Cathedral St. Nicholas
Catedrala Episcopala Sfantul Nicolae
Address: Strada Avram Iancu 2
Built in 1861 the massive cathedral features beautiful Roman-Byzantine (interior) frescoes; the exterior is adorned with base-reliefs. Twenty-one crosses are placed on the roof of the structure.

Statue of Dacian King Decebal
Statuia Regelui Decebal
Location: Deva Citadel Park (Parcul Cetății)
A bronze statue is dedicated to the king of Dacia: Decebalus (Decebal) who ruled the Dacians between AD 87 and 106. The kingdom of Dacia stretched between the rivers Tisa, Danube, upper Dniester and Siret (a significant part of the territory of today's Romania). Decebalus translates into "strong as ten men". Decebalus fought several wars against the Roman Empire; his army was defeated in 106 AD by the Roman legions of Emperor Trajan and the king of Dacia committed suicide to avoid capture.

Statue of Roman Emperor Trajan
Statuia Imparatului Traian
Location: Piata Unirii (Union Square)
The statue of Roman Emperor Trajan stands in front of Deva town hall. To increase the glory of his reign, restore the finances of Rome, and end a treaty with Dacia perceived as humiliating, Trajan resolved on the conquest of Dacia, the capture of the famous Treasure of Decebalus, and control over the Dacian gold mines of Transylvania. The result of his first campaign (101–102) was the siege of the Dacian capital Sarmizegethusa and the occupation of part of the Dacia. Emperor Trajan recommenced hostilities against Dacia and in 105 AD and in 106 gained control over a significant part of Dacia's territory.
To commemorate Emperor Trajan's victory against the Dacians, the Roman Senate commissioned the construction of a monument: a freestanding column (Trajan's Column) known for its spiral bas relief, which artistically describes the epic wars between the Romans and Dacians (101–102 and 105–106). Its design has inspired numerous victory columns, both ancient and modern.

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Deva Museums

Museum of Dacian and Roman Civilizations
Muzeul Civilizaţilor Dacică şi Romană
Address: Strada 1 Decembrie nr. 39, Deva
Telephone: (+4) 0254 216.750
Items of great historical and cultural value are exhibited in the fhe four main sections of this museum: history, numismatic, art and natural sciences. The archeology and history section of the Museum of Dacian and Roman Civilizations displays fragments of Transylvania's ancient history, including earthenware vessels, tools, coins and other finds dating from different eras: the prehistoric age, Dacian, Roman, pre-medieval and medieval.
Sections of the museum (found in the same or different locations) include:
the Natural History Museum (Muzeul de Stiinte ale Naturii),
The Art Gallery ( (Sectia de Arta),
Archaeology Museum - Sarmisegetusa (38 miles S of Deva),
Museum of Local History and Ethnography in Brad (24 miles N of Deva),
Museum of Ethnography and Folk Art in Orăștie (15 miles E of Deva).
Hours:
Tuesday - Sunday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. (summer season)
Tuesday - Sunday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. (summer season)
Admission:
Adults - 20 Lei (approx. $4.50)
Children and students - 4 Lei (approx. $1.00)

Deva Printing Museum
Muzeul Tipografiei - Gutenberg
Address: Bulevardul 22 Decembrie nr. 257
Telephone: (+4) 0254 221.750
Housed in the lobby of Tipografia Gutenberg - Polidava (printing house), Deva Printing Museum has one of the largest collections of antique printing presses and tools in the Romania. Items on display include a Linotype N14 Machine, an 19th century Proof Press, a late 1800s foiling machine.

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Performing Arts

Deva Theatre of Arts Theatre
Teatrul de Arta Deva
Address: Bd. 1 Decembrie nr. 15
Telephone: (+4) 0787 259.420

Town of Deva Cultural Centre
Centrul Cultural „Drăgan Muntean”
Address: Piata Victoriei 7
Telephone: (+4) 0354 408.907

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Attractions not far from Deva

Corvin Castle
Corvin Castle Castelul Corvinilor
Where: town of Hunedoara, 12 miles south of Deva
Access: car, bus, train
The most spectacular Gothic-style castle in Romania, Corvin castle has been the setting of numerous film productions and TV advertisements.

Săvârșin Castle
Castelul Săvârșin
Where: 44 miles west of Deva, 56 miles east of Arad
Address: Strada Alba Iulia 457, Săvârșin
Telephone: (+4) 0743 183 181
E-mail
Regular visiting days/ time:
May 1 – October 1
Friday through Sunday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Advance reservations are required for visits during any other days.
Simple architecture, missing the rich decorations and ornaments specific to royal residences, defines Savarsin Castel - the countryside retreat of Romania’s former royal family. A 16-acre park - which contains numerous rare species of trees and shrubs, such as silver firs, spruces, pyramidal thujas, swamp cypresses, Himalayan pines, Turkish walnut trees - surrounds the castle.
The castle’s grounds are also home to a Teahouse, an automobile museum and a craftsmen village.

Simeria Arboretum / Dendrological Park
Parcul Dendrologic Simeria
Address: Str. Biscaria 1, Simeria
Where: 7 miles E of Deva
Telephone: (+4) 0254 261.254
Access: train or bus to Simeria
Simeria – Transylvania is home to Europes's third largest Arboretum. The 180-acres park, located on the left bank of Mures River, was created in the early eighteenth century and, intensively developed since 1953 by the local Forest Research Agency. |It is believed to be the oldest, the most valuable and picturesque collection of exotic and native trees and shrubs in Romania.
The native vegetation: riparian forests, fragments of an ancient elm forest and rare oaks forest are complemented by 2,165 diverse species of (exotic) plants and rare trees brought from all over the world.
Plant enthusiast, birders, walkers and anyone who enjoys nature and fresh air can spend several hours or even a whole day at Simeria Arboretum to relax and enjoy the diverse landscapes that include lakes and streams and walking paths.
Hours: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. (daily)
Admission :
Adults: 4 Lei (approx. $0.90)
Children: 2.00 Lei (approx. $0.45)

Banpotoc Gardens - I Giardini di Zoe Park
Gradinile Banpotoc
Where: 10 miles NE of Deva
Address: Banpotoc 337266
Access: car or bus to Banpotoc (40 minute bus ride)
Telephone: (+4) 0770 263.522
Hours: 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. (daily)
Admission: 10 Lei (approx. $2.25)

Inventor and airplane constructor, Aurel Vlaicu Memorial Museum
Muzeul Memorial Aurel Vlaicu
Where: village Aurel Vlaicu (24 miles east of Deva)
Address: Sat Aurel Vlaicu nr. 177, comune Geoagiu
Access: car, bus
Telephone: (+4) 0727 516.884
Hours: Tuesday - Sunday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Between 1909 and 1912, Romanian engineer and airplane pilot Aurel Vlaicu has designed and built three self-powered airplanes featuring one central aluminum tubing, flight controls (in front) two propellers (Gnome rotary engines, one mounted ahead of the nacelle, and the other to the rear of the wing) and a tricycle-landing gear with independent trailing arm suspension and brakes on the rear wheel.
Romania's 50 Lei banknote, currently in use, has a portrait of Vlaicu on the obverse, and on the reverse a drawing of one of his airplanes and a cross-section of the airplane's engine.

Gabriel Bethlen Residence - The Red Bastion
Bastionul Roșu
Where: 18 miles west of Deva
Address: town of Ilia,
Strada Libertatii 69 / DN 7, Ilia
Telephone: (+4) 0726 489 697
Located in an area rich in history, Gabriel Bethlen Manor (the Red Bastion) - (re)built in 1850, on the site of a 1582 structure - is an interesting example of Romantic architecture.

Roman Baths "Thermae Gemisara"
Geoagiu Bai
Where: 23 miles north-east of Deva
Access: car, bus

Brad -- Crișcior narrow gauge train,
narrow gauge railway built in 1906 to transport coal from the mine at Barza to Brad power plant.
Calea Ferată Minieră cu Ecartament Ingust: Brad -- Crișcior
Where: 24 miles north of Deva
Access: car, bus
Rides with the narrow gauge train are offered July through September. Schedules and more info.

Sarmizegetusa Ulpia Traiana
Archeology Museum and Ruins of Roman City "Ulpia Traiana"
Muzeul de Arheologie / Asezarea Romana Ulpia Traiana
Where: 38 miles south of Deva
Address: DN 68 Sarmizegetusa nr. 1
Access: car, bus
Telephone: (+4) 0728 025.694
Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (daily)
Admission:
Adults: 14 lei ($3.50)
Children and students: free
Spanning about 80 acres and numbering 20.000 to 25.000 inhabitants, the strongly fortified, Colonia Ulpia Traiana Augusta Dacica (later named Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa after the former Dacian capital located some 45 miles east) was, during the 2nd – 3rd centuries, the political, administrative and religious center of Roman Dacia (also known as Dacia Traiana or Dacia Felix).

The Roman of Dacia conquest was followed by a period of peace, stability, and prosperity.
Agriculture, stockbreeding, and commerce flourished in the province. Dacia began to supply grains not only to the military personnel stationed in the province but also to the rest of the Balkan area.
New mines were opened, and ore extraction intensified.

In the 250s, the Carpi (Free Dacians) and then the Goths advance intensified.
Since it became more and more difficult to keep Dacia within the boundaries of the Roman Empire, the last province to be added to the Roman Empire was the first to be abandoned by the Roman army.
Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa was destroyed by the Goths, most likely at the beginning of the 4th Century AD.
Today, the former Roman capital of Dacia remains in ruins, with a partly preserved forum, palace of the Augustalia, the thermae, the amphitheatre, several temples, some of the public and private edifices.

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Day Trips from Deva

Town of Alba Iulia
Where: 46 miles east of Deva
Access: car, bus, train
Alba Iulia info

Sarmizegetusa Regia
Ruins of capital of Dacian Kingdom "Sarmisegetusa Regia"
Sarmizegetusa Regia Sarmisegetusa Regia - Capitala Daciei
Where: 45 miles south-east of Deva
Address: DJ 705A 66a, Costești
Access: car

Retezat Mountains National Park
Parcul National Retezat
Where: 60 miles south of Deva
Access: car, bus
Retezat National Park info

Town of Sibiu
Where: 75 miles east of Deva
Access: car, bus, train
Sibiu info

City of Timisoara
Where: 94 miles west of Deva
Access: car, bus, train
Timisoara info

A Day Closer to Nature - itinerary idea
Deva -- Șoimuș (Mures river cruise) -- Banpotoc (visit to Giardini di Zoe Gardens) --
-- Simeria (visit to Simeria Arboretum/ Dendrological Park) -- Conacul Archia (horseback riding, nice restaurant) -- Deva.
Total distance: 28 miles
Driving time: 55 minutes (normal traffic).
Itinerary map

TransVîlcan and TrasAlpina scenic roads over the Carpathin Mountains
(best if done in two days)
Itinerary:   Deva -- Cheile Banitei -- Cave Bolii -- TransVîlcan scenic road -- Targu Jiu
Targu Jiu -- Novaci – TransAlpina scenic Road -- Sebes -- Deva.
Distance driven: 245 miles
Driving time, without stops: 7 hours and 45 minutes
Itinerary map
Highlights: Cave Bolii, sculptor Constantin Brancusi Targu Jiu ensemnle (UNESCO), two scenic drives/ spectacular Carpathian Mountains vistas, town of Sebes.

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DEVA TRIP PLANING INFO

Transportation

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Air transportation to Deva

Nearest airports to Deva are:
Sibiu - 75 miles east of Deva
Timisoara - 95 miles west of Deva
Cluj Napoca - 100 miles north of Deva

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Traveling to Deva by Car
The fastest route from Bucharest to Deva is via A1 – E81 - A1:
Bucharest -- Pitesti -- Ramnicu Valcea -- Sibiu -- Sebes -- Orastie -- Deva

Road Distance from/to Deva:
City	Distance
Bucharest	255 miles
Arad	120 miles
Brasov	195 miles
Budapest (Hungary)	275 miles
Cluj-Napoca	105 miles
Constanta	325 miles
Iasi	305 miles
Oradea	135 miles
Sibiu	75 miles
Sighetu Marmatiei	215 miles
Sighisoara	120 miles
Suceava	280 miles
Timisoara	95 miles
Vienna (Austria)	420 miles

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Reaching Deva by Train

Deva Train Station
Gara Deva
Address: Piata Garii 1
Tel: (+4) 0254 212.725
Deva train station is located 0.5 miles from town centre.
There are direct trains from./ to Deva to/ from Romania's main cities as well as international service from/to Vienna (Austria) and Budapest (Hungary).
To check train schedules for domestic and international routes please visit RomaniaTourism Transportation Section
(For departures from /to Bucharest please select Bucuresti Nord).

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Inter-City Bus

Deva Bus Stations - international & domestic bus service

Atlasib Bus Station
Autogara Atlasib
Address: Piata Garii 1 (next to the train station)
Tel: (+4) 0254 231.519

Eurolines Bus Station
Autogara Eurolines
Address: Piata Garii 1 (next to the train station)
Tel: (+4) 0254 234.220

PlusCom Bus Station
Autogara PlusCom
Address: Piata Garii 1 (next to the train station)
Tel: (+4) 0722 238.969

International Bus Companies Serving Deva:

Atlasib
Address: Bd. Iuliu Maniu, bl. B1, ap. 23
Tel: (+4) 0741 269.756
E-mail

Eurolines
Address: Str. Iuliu Maniu, Bl. J
Tel: 0723 322.747
E-mail

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Deva Public Transportation
Deva's public transportation network includes 6 bus and mini-bus routes, five of which start/ end at the train station / inter-city bus station.
Cost of one trip is 2.5 lei ($0.50)

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Deva Taxi

Deva Taxi Companies
Name	Phone #
Astral Taxi	(+4) 0254 234.567
Taxi Deva	(+4) 0254 222.959
Non-Stop Taxi	(+4) 0764 224.444
EuroTaxi	(+4) 0254 223.344
FlyTaxi	(+4) 0254 943
CityTaxi	(+4) 0254 221.111

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Deva Car Rental

Autonom
Tel: (+4) 0254 232.004

Rent a Car Deva
Tel: (+4) 0726 679.034

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Deva Hotels

Accommodations in Deva include:

	Class	Location
Villa Venus	boutique	Deva Town Centre
Villa Sarada	boutique	One mile north of Deva Town Centre
Conacul Archia	four-star / midscale	three miles south of Deva Town Centre
Hotel Wien	four-star / midscale	0.8 miles south of Deva Town Centre
Villa Brussels	three-star / midscale	Deva Town Centre
Pensiunea Heaven	three-star / midscale	1.2 miles north of Deva Town Centre
Vila Roma	three-star / midscale	0.8 miles southeast of Deva Town Centre
Casa Alina	three-star / midscale	1.2 miles north of Deva Town Centre
Sarmis	three-star / midscale	Deva Town Centre

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Deva Tourist Info

Deva Tourist Info Centre
DevaTurism
Address: Piata Cetatii (next to cablecar boarding point)
Telephone: (+4) 0254 220.288
E-mail

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Deva Health and Emergency

Deva General Emergency Telephone #: 112
(Ambulance, Police, Fire Department)

Deva pharmacies (Farmacie) open 24 hours:

Farmacia Revitalia
Address: Piața Victoriei 9
Tel: (+4) 0723 186.345

Farmacia Sfântul Gheorghe
Address: Piața Victoriei 3, Bl. 9 - parter

Deva Emergency Clinic Hospital
Spitalul Judetean Deva
Address: Str. 22 Decembrie nr. 58
Tel: (+4) 0254 227.070

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Deva Local Authorities

Hunedoara County Archives
Direcţia Judeţeană Hunedoara a Arhivelor Naţionale
Address: Str. Aurel Vlaicu 2
Tel: (+4) 0254 213.875
E-mail
Hours

Deva Town Hall
Primaria Municipiului Deva
Address: Piata Unirii 4, Deva
Tel: (+4) 0254 213.435
E-mail

Bureau of Consumer Protection
Comisariatul Judetean pentru Protectia Consumatorilor - judetul Hunedoara
Address: Str. Mihai Viteazu 3, bl. 46
Tel: (+4) 0254 214.971
E-mail

Deva Main Post Office
Address: Bd. Decebal, bl. 16
Tel: (+4) 0254 212.222
Post offices display a postal horn symbol and the word Posta.

Telephoning Deva from Abroad
International Access Code +4 (country code) + 0254 or 0354 (area code) + six-digit telephone number

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Deva Maps

Romania Tourist Attractions Map   (Harta Atractiilor Turistice)
Town of Deva interactive Street Map   (Harta Interactiva Deva)