Islaz: Cultural History and the Danube

Islaz brings together the 1848 Revolution, protected buildings, and an informal museum with the landscape along the Olt and Danube rivers. The Olt flows into the Danube at Islaz. When planning your trip, you can explore several different themes: the history of events, individual buildings and archaeological sites, a collection of diverse objects, and natural features in the surrounding area.

1848 and the Historic Sites

The Adunarea de la Islaz marked the first major moment of the 1848 Revolution on June 9/21, 1848. On the same date, Ion Heliade Rădulescu read the Proclamation of Islaz in Islaz. At the center is a protected historic monument commemorating the Adunarea, dated to 1969. The protected Biserica Sf. Trei Ierarhi is also in the center; it is dated to 1848.

The Church of the Holy Three Hierarchs displays the epaulettes of Second Lieutenant Florea Blejan. A bronze wreath dedicated by Queen Elisabeth of Romania can also be seen at the entrance. The church thus brings together a personal memento and a dedication by the queen.

Protected Buildings and Roman Sites

Casa Toma Ghigeanu is at 4 Strada Dunării, on the edge of Islaz in the direction of the Danube, and dates from the late 19th century. Casa Dumitru Găvănescu is in the south; this protected historic building dates from the mid-19th century. The houses therefore differ both in location and in date.

Two Roman sites are also associated with different location descriptions. Castrul de la Islaz-Racoviţa lies to the northeast, below the old cemetery. The site dates from the 2nd to 3rd centuries AD. Castrul roman de la Islaz-Verdea lies south-southeast of Islaz, on a terrace by the Danube. The similar names therefore refer to separate sites with different location descriptions.

The Gheorghe Zărafu Museum

The informal Gheorghe Zărafu Museum is housed in three barns in an apple orchard. Its collection includes oil and wick lamps, spinning wheels, distaffs, benches, clocks, lanterns, and radios. Two carriages, records by Romanian artists, and issues of Femeia magazine from the 1970s are also on display. Tools, furniture, lighting, and media objects offer a different focus from the historic buildings.

Via Danubiana: On Foot or by Bicycle

The approximately 110-kilometer section of the Via Danubiana in Teleorman County can be traveled on foot or by bicycle. A GPS track, along with signposts and trail markers, helps with navigation. An update from October 2025 mentions a trail marker in front of the town hall in Islaz, as well as the first route markers and information boards along the route.

Route infrastructure may be expanded or changed. So check the current status of the markers and information boards before planning your trip.

Nature in the Surrounding Area

Near Islaz, Calnovăț Island is part of the B10 – Ostrovul Mare protected natural area, a nature reserve for flora and fauna. Nearby, colonies of pygmy cormorants, yellow herons, and ruddy shelducks gather on Calnovăț and the Danube islands. Sightings are seasonal and conditions may vary; access to the protected area may be restricted.

Discover more destinations: Bogdana, Alexandria, Baciu, Stefan-Cel-Mare, Fântânele, Zimnicea, Suhaia, Mariţa.

For the broader travel overview: Teleorman.