Chitila: Archaeology, Monuments and Arboretum

If you’re looking for a hotel in Chitila, archaeological sites, memorials, railway history and the dendrological park can offer different points of interest to help you plan your trip. The historical themes span from prehistory to the 20th century. This makes it possible to view Chitila from several perspectives, rather than reducing the city to a single era or attraction.

Archaeological Traces from Different Eras

Numerous historical remains have been unearthed at the Chitila-Cărămidărie archaeological site. They date from prehistory, the Bronze Age, the Dacian period, the Roman conquest and the Middle Ages. This broad time span makes the archaeological focus particularly diverse: the finds represent different periods of history, rather than a single continuous era.

Evidence from different periods has also been archaeologically documented at Chitila Fermă. This includes a Carpo-Dacian settlement dating from the 2nd to the 5th century AD. A Bronze Age settlement belonging to the Tei culture has also been documented there. In addition, three residential and workshop buildings from this culture were identified at Chitila Fermă. Iron ore was smelted in them, and iron, bronze, silver and copper were worked.

The archaeological investigations at the Chitila-Cărămidărie archaeological site covered the area of the former brickworks and the area where the Parcul Dendrologic is now located.

Church and Memorial Sites

The Biserica Sfântul Prooroc Ioan Botezătorul was endowed and built by Ion and Florea Olteanu between 1912 and 1913. This building adds a specific historical point of interest from the early 20th century to the much older archaeological themes.

The Obelisc în memoria Eroilor căzuți în primul război mondial Chitila commemorates those who fell in two periods: its plaques list 28 heroes who fell in the First World War and also commemorate the heroes from Chitila who fell in 1944. A stone memorial cross stands in the same green space as the Cruce memorială Chitila Ilfov memorial and about 15 metres from the obelisk. The names and distinct commemorative references give these sites a clear historical context.

Railway and Military History

Gara Chitila was the first railway station on the old royal railway line connecting Bucharest with Târgoviște. The station is therefore part of the recorded history of this connection; this refers to its historical position along the line.

Another perspective on military history leads to Fortul Kitila. King Carol I had it built as the first fort in the defensive ring around Bucharest and personally inaugurated it. The station and the fort represent different historical themes: one relates to a railway connection, the other to the creation of a defensive ring.

The Dendrological Park and Nature

Parcul Dendrologic din Chitila (Arboretum) is located at Strada Păcii 69 and is open from 08:00 to 22:00. If you plan to visit the park, check the opening hours in advance. According to a visitor description, the park is suitable for relaxing walks and picnics, and visitors can see numerous ornamental tree and shrub species there.

A municipal description from 2021 includes the valley of the Mangul stream on its list of protected natural areas. This gives you a range of themes to consider when planning: the park description mentions plants, walks and picnics, while the archaeological sites and memorials appeal to those with an interest in history. You can weigh up which of these are most important for your trip based on these highlights.

Discover more destinations: Corbeanca, Afumați, Dascălu, Roșu, Popeşti-Leordeni, Otopeni, Balotești, Buftea.

For the broader travel overview: Ilfov.