Deva is the city in Transylvania whose history lasts through its great fortress. The historic centre and ancient buildings sit in harmony with urban, contemporary elements such as terraces and parks where you can relax. At the same time, it is a city of reference for Romania, as it is the place where the champions of the national gymnastics team train.
The first official attestation of the locality dates from 1265, under the name of “Hungnod“. Deva Fortress was the most important medieval fortification in Transylvania, given its geographical position. This was the residence of the Transylvanian voivodes. Subsequently, the fortress goes into state ownership. The city developed at the foot of the fortress, being the capital of Hunedoara shire, and, later, of the county.
Deva is the residence of Hunedoara County and is located in the central-western part of the country. The municipality is located in the Mureș Valley, at the foot of the Poiana Ruscă mountains. The neighbors of the region are: to the north-east and east, Alba county, to the east and south-east, Vâlcea county, to the south Gorj county, to the west Timiș and Caraș-Severin and to the west and north-west, Arad county.
The Fortress of Deva – Built in the 13th century on Citadel Hill in Deva, atop a 250-meter-high rock, from where you can enjoy a complete view of the city. It played an important strategic role, guarding the entrance to the region. It was rebuilt by King Béla IV after the Tatar invasion and served as the residence of the voivodes of Transylvania. The fortress underwent renovations and reinforcements over the centuries but was occupied several times by the Turks and witnessed battles during the Hungarian Revolution of 1848–1849.
The Art Theater – It is located on 1 Decembrie 1918 Boulevard, at number 15.
In 1862, a theatrical society was founded in Deva for charity purposes, called the Society of Amateur Artists from Deva, whose activities were reflected in the local press between 1879 and 1887. In 1866, a restaurant with a theater hall called Redut was built, a building that was demolished in 1910. On the site of the former Redut venue, the building that currently houses the Deva Art Theater was erected.
Magna Curia Palace – It is the oldest historic building and is located near the city park. Currently, it houses the Museum of Dacian and Roman Civilization. Its collection includes elements of archaeology, history, natural sciences, ethnography, and art.
Visiting hours:
Summer schedule: Tuesday – Sunday: 10:00 – 18:00
Winter schedule: Tuesday – Sunday: 09:00 – 17:00
Ticket prices:
Adults – 20 lei
Students, pensioners – 4 lei
The Alley of Gymnastics Champions – It is a symbolic street, inaugurated in 2008, which celebrates the remarkable achievements of gymnasts from the city of Deva, Transylvania, who have achieved remarkable success in national and international competitions. Along this alley, commemorative plaques or busts honoring the champions and coaches who have brought glory to the city through their achievements in gymnastics can be found. It is a place of inspiration and pride for the local community and an attraction for tourists and gymnastics enthusiasts.
The historic center – It is a small yet emblematic area that preserves and celebrates its rich cultural and historical heritage. Here, historical monuments, old buildings, and tourist attractions reflecting the history and traditions of the city can be found. Among these are the House of Culture, the Reformed Church, as well as old squares and streets full of charm and authentic atmosphere. The historic center is a lively place, where numerous restaurants, cafes, and shops blending tradition with modernity can be found, attracting both locals and tourists.
The nearest airport to Deva is 93 km away, in Sibiu, followed by Cluj-Napoca, 118 km away.
If you want to travel by train, the Deva train station has daily routes to most cities and towns in the country: Bucharest, Timisoara, Cluj-Napoca, Brasov. To check the train schedule, access this site.
If you prefer a faster option, you can choose to travel by bus / minibus. Here you will find all the necessary information on this plan: bus stations and stops, departure and arrival times, destinations.
If you choose to travel by car, the route you will have to travel from Bucharest is: Bucharest (A1) – Pitești – (E81) Râmnicu Vâlcea – Sibiu – (E68) Sebeș – Orăștie – Simeria – Deva. The distance is 398 km, which means about 5 hours of driving.
If you like music festivals, in Brașov you will find one to your taste, regardless of the style of music you prefer. Here you have a list with some of them, but you should know that every weekend there are events for all tastes.
Deva Jazz Festival – takes place between 27- 30 August in the Citadel Park. Lovers of this music genre can enjoy artists playing classical jazz as well as ones playing some of the more experimental types of jazz. Among the artists participating in this event there are even some from the world music scene.
Citadel Festival – takes place at the Deva Fortress, between 27- 29 July. If you love electronic music, you will definitely enjoy the lineup of this festival. In addition to this, you will be able to participate in various workshops and art galleries, you will be able to be inspired by the invited speakers and enjoy the food served here.
What are you waiting for?
Come and have a good time, enjoy music, nice people and magical places