Apahida: Gepidic Graves and Roman Traces

Apahida is a destination for travelers looking to combine a stay with an interest in local history. Its archaeological record ranges from prehistoric and Roman settlements to Gepidic burials and a wooden church. The area is also known for its location on the Someșul Mic and its fruit and vegetable growing traditions. The archaeological traces vary in age, type and location—a helpful framework when considering which aspects of the area interest you most.

Gepidic Burials and Their Classification

Three princely tombs attributed to the Gepids were discovered in Apahida in 1889, 1968 and 1978. The burials are dated to the second half of the 5th century AD. Archaeological investigations in 2016 interpreted the finds as isolated burials rather than an extensive, flat-ground Gepidic necropolis. This distinction describes two different forms: individual burials on the one hand and a large cemetery on the other.

Prehistoric and Roman Sites

The prehistoric settlement of Apahida–Fața Merezii lies southeast of the village in the valley of the Tarcea stream. Another site, the Roman rural settlement of Apahida–Dealul Pădurița, lies northeast of the village on Pădurița Hill, near the Chibaia Plateau.

Apahida–Tarcea Mică is also a Roman rural settlement. Archaeological investigations in the early 20th century identified a main building and an annex there. The main building measured 21.80 × 22.60 meters and had two rooms with hypocaust systems, that is, heating systems arranged beneath the floor. Finds from the settlement include pottery fragments, architectural elements and several coins from the first half of the 3rd century AD.

A Roman coin hoard from Valea Mărăloiu contained 1,068 coins, including two bronze coins and Roman silver denarii. The coins date from the reign of Nero to the reign of Balbius; the hoard was buried around 240 AD. The span covered by the coins and the approximate date of burial are two different pieces of information. Archaeological complexes in Apahida lie on the right bank of the Someșul Mic. Another archaeological site is located at kilometer 3.0–3.1 of the Apahida–Dej railway line, north-northeast of the village and near a former gravel quarry.

Wooden Church and Landscape on the Someșul Mic

The wooden church of the “Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel” was built in 1806 by carpenter Ioan Ghiran from Nadăș and is listed as a historic monument. Two years later, in 1808, Ioan Pop from Ungurași painted the wooden church in Apahida. The construction date and the painting thus mark separate stages in its history.

The landscape around Apahida includes the floodplain and the right-bank terrace of the Someșul Mic, as well as the northeast-facing slope of the 387-meter-high Maeru Hill. The area also contains a rock salt massif and saline springs. Local residents have used the brine from the saline springs since ancient times. Alongside the individual historic sites, the river, terrace and hill offer distinct landscape landmarks to help you find your way around.

Local Highlights in the Municipality

Apahida has strong fruit- and vegetable-growing traditions and is known for “ridichi de Apahida,” the radishes of Apahida.

You can find another activity in the municipality of Apahida, outside the village itself: near Câmpenești, a fishing facility comprises six lakes and offers sport fishing for leisure, following the catch-and-release principle and local fishing rules. When planning your stay, you can consider these different themes—history, landscape and recreational fishing—separately.

Discover more destinations: Lunca Vişagului, Băișoara, Lungești, Dealu Negru, Poieni, Maia, Petreștii De Jos, Smida.

For the broader travel overview: Cluj-Napoca.