Covasna: The History of Technology and Dacian Heritage

Covasna is known as a spa resort with several distinct themes: the history of transport technology in Valea Zânelor, the archaeological heritage of Cetatea Zânelor, and places of remembrance in Chiuruș. This combination can help you decide which side of the town interests you most before choosing a hotel.

Technology and Railway History in Valea Zânelor

The Planul Înclinat is located in Valea Zânelor in Covasna and is a technical monument unique in Europe. Its inclined track is 1,236 metres long, with an elevation difference of 327 metres between the stations. Loaded with timber, the wagons were transported along the track using gravity and no other energy sources. The length and elevation difference are two distinct measurements of the same installation. The Planul Înclinat thus represents both a technical monument and an unusual solution for transporting timber.

The railways in Covasna also have different roles. The local railway line 404, which runs between Sfântu Gheorghe and Brețcu via Covasna, is part of the spa resort’s transport and industrial history. By contrast, the CFF sections between Comandău and Valea Zânelor are currently used for tourism. A leisure train hauled by a steam locomotive runs through Valea Zânelor; rides are offered to children and adults. Before your visit, check which days and times the tourist train runs.

Also in Valea Zânelor, Cascada de sub Șiclău is near the Planul Înclinat, about 100–150 metres upstream from the Covasna water treatment plant. The waterfall and the technical monument bring together two distinct interests in the area: nature and engineering history.

Buses run between Covasna railway station and the spa resort centre. If you plan to arrive by train, check the current route and bus connection before departure.

The Archaeological Heritage of Cetatea Zânelor

Cetatea Zânelor is located on the 960-metre-high Muntele Cetății, between Pârâul Cetății and Pârâul Mișca. Its features include ancient terraces cut into the rock. The fortress is considered one of the largest and best-preserved Dacian sites outside the Orăștie Mountains. Its terraced fortification system is considered unique in the Dacian world. Unlike the Planul Înclinat, the focus here is on archaeological fortification techniques, not the technical use of gravity.

The History of the Baths and Places of Remembrance in Covasna and Chiuruș

Balta Dracului is part of Covasna’s history as a spa resort: it opened as a public bath in 1881 and was initially used to treat rheumatism. Bazarul is a reconstruction of the bazaar that operated next to Balta Dracului until the middle of the 20th century. The bath and the bazaar thus tell different chapters of the town’s history.

In Chiuruș, a statue is dedicated to Kőrösi Csoma Sándor, a 19th-century linguist and traveller. He is associated with the first Tibetan-English dictionary. The monument adds to the technical and archaeological themes a tribute to a figure whose work was connected with language and travel.

Discover more destinations: Moacşa, Sfântu Gheorghe, Micfalău, Dalnic, Bățanii Mici, Târgu Secuiesc, Ozun, Comandău.

For the wider travel overview: Covasna.