Dacian Fortresses of the Orastie Mountains - Definition and Overview

Built in murus dacicus style, the six Dacian Fortresses of the Orastie Mountains, in Romania, were created in the 1st centuries BC and AD as protection against Roman conquest.

Their extensive and well-preserved remains present a picture of a vigorous and innovative Iron Age civilisation. Today, treasure-hunters are searching the area, as Romania lacks legislation in this domain.

The six fortresses - Sarmizegetusa, Blidaru, Piatra Rosie, Costesti, Capalna and Banita - that formed the defensive system of Decebalus together form a UNESCO World heritage site.

External links

• The Dacian Fortresses of the Orastie Mountains (http://www.cimec.ro/UNESCO/UNESCOen/Album/FortDac/Sarmizegetusa/FortOrastie.htm)
• UNESCO Protection of Ancient Sacred Site Not Enforced Within Romania (http://www.sitesaver.org/preservation/sarmezegetusa.html)
• The Dacians - pictures of the fortresses in the Orastie Mountains (http://www.geocities.com/cogaionon/pictures.htm)
• UNESCO: The Dacian Fortresses of the Orastie Mountains (http://whc.unesco.org/sites/906.htm)