Eșelnița between the Danube Defile and history

Eșelnița lies in the Danube Defile between Moldova Veche and Gura Văii. Its location combines a clearly defined stretch of river with natural and historical themes connected to the town and its surroundings. When looking for a hotel in Eșelnița, you can assess the destination based on whether you want to focus your stay primarily on the landscape of the defile, historical heritage, or both.

Landscape and views of the Danube Defile

The Cazanele Nature Reserve is part of Porțile de Fier Nature Park; Eșelnița is a point of reference within this protected area. Forests cover 86 percent of the administrative area. Nature and river landscapes are therefore important perspectives on the destination. Dealul Bisericii offers a view of the outlet of the Danube Defile. An unpaved path climbs up past the old cemetery on the left; at the first junction, turn right towards the bay of Eșelnița. Check the trail conditions before setting out.

Decebalus Rex and Roman heritage

At the entrance to Mraconia Bay, the bust of Decebalus Rex is carved into a limestone block weighing several dozen tonnes. It is 40 metres high and 25 metres wide. The landing stage in the bay, where the sculpture is located, is accessible only by boat. This access requirement is important to bear in mind when planning a visit to the bust.

Another testament to Roman times is the Tabula Traiana, a monument carved into the rock on the right bank of the Danube. It can be seen from the Romanian bank of the Danube in the area of river kilometre 17. The Romans erected the Tabula Traiana to commemorate the obstacles their army encountered while crossing the Danube in 101 AD. The bust of Decebalus Rex and the Tabula Traiana thus offer different ways to explore the history of the Danube Defile: one is a large-scale portrait, the other a monument associated with a specific event in Roman history.

Local history and collections

The present-day settlement of Eșelnița was established in 1967–1970, after the old settlement site was submerged beneath the waters of the Porțile de Fier I reservoir. Dealul Bisericii and the old cemetery preserve the remaining traces of the former settlement site from before 1966. This makes it possible to consider the traces of the older settlement alongside the history of the present-day location.

The present-day church also tells of a later period in the town’s history: it was built in 1972–1973 in the Viennese Baroque style, using salvaged materials from the former church, which had been demolished. Its construction period, style and reused building materials connect the new church with the older place of worship.

The Doina and Teodor Grigore Ethnographic Museum houses more than 1,000 items of traditional costume from all regions of the country. The collection also includes furniture, depictions of traditional activities, ceramics, icons and photographs from Eșelnița, Dubova and Ogradena. The Eșelnița Parish Museum preserves cultural heritage from villages and churches along the Danube Defile. This includes items from the villages of Tișovița, Plavișevița and Ogradena, which were submerged by floodwaters, as well as from Dubova and Eșelnița, which were relocated as part of the Porțile de Fier system. Preserved objects include an icon from the church in Ogradena, dated to the first half of the 18th century, as well as the royal doors and a lamp from the old Mraconia Monastery.

Mraconia Monastery and Danube boat trips

In the surroundings of Eșelnița, Mraconia Monastery lies between Orșova and Moldova Nouă, at the mouth of the Mraconia River where it meets the Danube. It was built on the site of a former observation and navigation point on the Danube. The monastery can be seen from the water and is also accessible via National Road DN57. When the water level in the Danube and the bay in the Mracunea Valley drops, the walls of the old Mracunea Monastery become visible.

Danube boat trips are organised daily on request from the KM 13 landing stage in Eșelnița. Before your trip, check whether the service is available on your chosen date. To reach Eșelnița, take the DN57 along the Drobeta Turnu Severin–Orșova–Dubova route. The local and historical topics outlined here offer different ways to tailor your stay to your interests.

Discover more destinations: Şimian, Corcova, Orșova, Baia de Aramă, Godeanu, Gura Văii, Floreşti, Dubova.

For the overview of the wider region: Mehedinti.