DROBETA TURNU-SEVERIN

Drobeta Turnu-Severin (Roman Drobeta) on the Danube, between Bucharest and Timisoara, is the administrative center of the Mehedinti County. The opposite bank of the river is already Yugoslavia. Although the settlement was founded here in antiquity, the modern city was founded in the 20th century. The capital of the district makes a nice impression, but to visit all its interesting points, it is enough to stay here for a few hours.

Orientation and information

Bulevardul Republicii leads from the train station 1,5 km east to the Parc Hotel and the intersection with the Costescu Strada. On the first block to the left north are located – almost side by side – post office, CFR office and travel agency. Code: 052.

Sightseeing

At the eastern end of the Republicii boulevard is the Iron Gate Museum (Iron Gates Museum; closed. pn.), presenting an interesting exposition of the natural history of the Danube. The museum also has sections on history and ethnography, as well as a model of a Roman bridge, length 1,5 km. He built it on the Danube in 103 r. n.e. Apolodorus of Damascus, commissioned by Emperor Trajan. The bridge was situated right in front of today's museum, where you can still see the ruins of the 2nd and 3rd century. roman fortress (Drobeta camp), once protecting the bridge.

West of Drobeta-Turnu Severin, trains pass along the northern bank of the Danube, through the famous Iron Gate, passing a massive concrete hydroelectric plant (1972). The road runs along the top of the dam, connecting Romania with Yugoslavia. Everything is clearly visible from the train window.

Accommodation

There is not a single camping site here. BTT Mehenini, Bibicescu street 4, about 20 minutes north of the Parc hotel on foot, sometimes he arranges private quarters (9 $ from person). The modern 3-star Hotel Parc (tel.212851), Republic Boulevard 2, offers neat and comfortable rooms after 31 $ i 46 $ for one and two (hotel passes are accepted here). The nearby Severin Hotel is a bit cheaper (tel.21274; appropriately 22 $ i 29 $), Eminescu street 1, w bok od bulevardul Republicii, east of the Parc Hotel.

Journey

All express lines between Bucharest and Timisoara stop here. Passenger trains run in both directions.

tow

Driving through Romania to Bulgaria, As a stop, consider the small town of Calafat on the Danube. Car ferries cross the river every hour, and numerous passenger trains connect with Krajowa, where you can catch an express to Bucharest or Timisoara. Outside the Museum of Fine Arts (art Museum), at the strada 22 December, and a monument to the war for liberation from Turkish rule (1877-1878) there is not much to see here.

Orientation and information

Ferries arrive not far from the train station. To use the train luggage storage room, you must first buy a baggage ticket at the box office; store (mine baggage) it is located in a small building at the end of the track.

Money – Exchanging traveler's checks in Calafat is an insoluble problem. After disembarking from the ferry, it is easy to spot the exchange offices next to the customs clearance point. The commission is 3-5%, so it's worth having a look around first. On the street, you can exchange Romanian lees and Bulgarian levs, but it is better not to get involved in this type of transaction due to frequent frauds. Agricultural Bank, opposite the post office on the way to the ferry from the train station, exchanges cash at the official rate, without charging a commission.

Night and gastronomy

Situated on a small hill next to the ferry terminal, Hotel Dunarea Calafat (tel.051/231303) it has singles and doubles with a bathroom after 24 $ i 37 $. If it's not too late, you can try to get to Vidin, where it is much easier to find accommodation.

Journey

Six trains a day connect Calafat with Krajowa (107 km; 2,5 hours). If someone in Calafata only changes and has a ticket to the destination station, in Krajowa, he should buy a mandatory seat for another express connection.

To Bulgaria – There is a car ferry crossing the Danube every hour (30 min.; 3,50 $ the 6 DM in cash - hard currency only). Sometimes you pay for the transport of bicycles 2 $, sometimes nothing.

The queues of vehicles waiting to board the ferry to Bulgaria can be terrifying. The north direction is not that overloaded, and pedestrians go back and forth without any problems, passing the strings of the car. Cars on the Romanian side are standing on 12-24 hours. You can quench your thirst in one of the little ones, open 24 hours a day, cafes along the road (without forgetting it, that the cart will have to be transported, so at least one person must be sober).