Luncoiu de Jos is a district in Hunedoara County, Romania. The district is located on the northern slopes of the Valcan Mountains in the historical region of Transylvania. It is bordered by the counties of Alba and Sibiu to the east, Arad and Caraș-Severin to the south and Gorj to the west. The population of the district is approximately 18,000 inhabitants.
The area was dominated first by the Romans who built the towns of Hunedoara, Brad, and Caila. Later, in the Middle Ages, the area became part of the Transylvanian Principality and was influenced by the Székely and Csango population. After the administrative reforms of the late 19th century, the area was included in the Hunedoara district.
The landscape of the district is predominantly rural, featuring villages scattered along both sides of the Valcan Mountains, with small patches of forests, meadows, and pastures. There are small vineyards and orchards, mainly in the villages close to the Valcan Mountains. Winters in the area are rather cold, and summers are hot and dry.
The traditional occupations of the inhabitants of the district are mainly farming, herding, and forestry. Besides this, there are several small mines and factories in the district, but they are not major sources of employment.
The district has several attractions, including the Valea Cerbului Cave, which consists of two parts and is believed to have been a refuge to the Anton Pann and his disciples. In the nearby village of Roșia, historical artifacts from the Dacian and Roman periods have been unearthed. The fortress of ruin of Dealul Tare, which is located near Luncoiu de Jos, is also a major attraction.
Apart from these historical attractions, the district also boasts beautiful landscapes and a rich cultural heritage. Popular tourist activities include hiking, mountaineering, horse riding, and visiting local museums, churches, and fortresses.
Luncoiu de Jos is a commune located in Hunedoara county, Romania. It is composed of eight villages: Bărbulețu, Grașișor, Luncoiu de Jos, Luncoiu de Sus, Ohaba, Peța, Sălașu de Sus and Victoria. The commune is situated in the Western plains of the Apuseni Mountains. It is mainly an agricultural area, with large potato and corn fields.
The best way to get to Luncoiu de Jos district from anywhere else is by car. If you don’t have your own vehicle, you could consider taking a bus or hiring a taxi for the trip.
1. Luncoiu de Jos Castle: This medieval castle, built by Iancu of Hunedoara, is one of the most important 15th century constructions in Romania. It is located on the Jiu River in Silagiu village. The castle is an impressive defensive structure and has changed hands several times throughout its history. It is now a popular tourist destination.
2. Joia Fortress: This fortress is located in the village of Joia, on the Tismana River, and was also built by Iancu of Hunedoara. The fortress was built in the 15th century and has been an important witness to the history of Transylvania. Today, it remains a popular tourist destination.
3. Silagiu Monastery: Situated in Silagiu village, this 16th century monastery was built by Sextara Voievod of Transylvania. The monastery still has its original structure and a bell tower. It is now a popular tourist destination and often hosts cultural events.
4. Izvoarele Castle: Constructed by Sextara Voievod in the 16th century, this castle is located on the Tismana River. It is an impressive example of Romanian Renaissance architecture. The castle is now a popular tourist destination.
5. Tismana Monastery: This Orthodox monastery is located in the village of Tismana, on the bank of the Tismana River. It was founded in the 16th century by Sextara Voievod. The monastery still hosts religious services and is a popular tourist attraction.
1. Corvin Castle
The most impressive monument in Hunedoara County is Corvin Castle, also known as Corvinesti, located in an idyllic environment surrounded by a deep forest. Its unique beauty and distinctive architecture have made it one of the most iconic destinations in Romania, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. The fortress features elements of Gothic and Renaissance styles and was built by the Hungarian nobleman, John Hunyadi, in the 15th century. There are numerous halls, stairways, and chambers to explore along with spectacular views of the surrounding landscape.
2. Castrul Radesa
Castrul Radesa is located in the village of Luncoiu de Jos and dates back to the 13th century. It is one of the largest fortifications in Romania and houses the Iron Age Carpathian Culture Museum, which displays a variety of artifacts found around the site. The walls of the fortress are covered in carved symbols and symbols of fortresses, and the architecture shows the influence of both Roman and Ottoman styles.
3. Ripa Hill and the Mures Valley
This natural area features a lush landscape with rolling hills, lush forests, and dense vegetation. The area is best known for its unique marble formations, as well as its abundance of wildlife, including wild boar, wolves, lynx, and deer. The Mures Valley, a river that meanders through the hill, is perfect for exploring, and there are numerous bike trails and hiking paths that are suitable for all levels of experience.
4. Nuștiu Monastery
Nuștiu Monastery is a medieval monastery located in the village of Luncoiu de Jos. It is one of the oldest religious and cultural monuments of the region and is a great place to explore and learn about the history of the area. The monastery has a rich religious heritage with frescoes, sculptures, and a variety of antique religious artifacts and manuscripts.
5. Lakes Bilbor, Taul, and Gai
The area around Luncoiu de Jos is blessed with a plethora of natural attractions, including three pristine mountain lakes: Bilbor, Taul and Gai. These lakes are surrounded by dense forests and provide excellent opportunities to fish, explore nature and take part in outdoor activities such as boating and swimming. On the shores of these lakes there are numerous eateries, as well as camping and accommodation options.
The Luncoiu de Jos District offers a wide range of tourist activities, from outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking, cycling, camping and fishing to cultural activities such as music and dance performances, gastronomic festivals, and historical tours.
Outdoor Activities:
• Hiking: Luncoiu de Jos has many hiking trails for different levels of experience. Some of these are the Valley of Curse Rout in Simeria, the Remetea Mare Harghita Tour, the Pietrosul Gorges Tour in Remetea Mare and the Valea Morii Tour at Luncoiu de Jos.
• Mountain biking: The Luncoiu de Jos District provides great mountain biking opportunities with many trails of varied difficulty. Some of the trails are: Craniul Tour in Luncoiu de Jos, Muntele Mare Tour in Porumbeni, Voivodeni Tour and Poieni Tour in Remetea Mare.
• Cycling: The region is home to many scenic roads perfect for cycling, such as the Rout of Lung Rivers in Porumbeni, Rout 10 in Poieni and the Lacu Tour in Luncoiu de Jos.
Cultural Activities:
• Musicals and dance performances: Luncoiu de Jos offers a range of cultural performances including music, dance and theatre performances. Some of the traditional music and dance performances are the Hora dance in Luncoiu de Jos, Ciocănăreasa dance in Poieni and the Catrina dance in Porumbeni.
• Gastronomic festivals: There are several traditional gastronomic festivals held in Luncoiu de Jos throughout the year. Some of these include the Traditional Paprica Festival in Simeria, the Buckwheat Festival in Voivodeni and the Bean Festival in Remetea Mare.
• Historical tours: The Luncoiu de Jos District offers a number of historical tours that take visitors through the area’s rich cultural heritage. Some of these include the Tunnels of Porumbeni, the Sarmas Fortress and the Voivodeni Historical Monument.