A 30 meter piece of the Romanian Sarmizegetusa historical fortress’ west wall was affected and cut into pieces because of works on a parking area close by, conducted by a private company, according to Mediafax newswire.

“The blade of a bulldozer entered up to 1.5 meters deep, and half a meter away from the wall of the west gate, which is a threat to break down this wall. Moreover, steps have been made for tourists' access and a few stones in the wall were separated and fell”, said Vice-President of the National Commission of Archaeology, Adriana Pescariu. The works in the protection perimeter of Sarmizegetusa didn't receive the necessary building permits from the Commission, she added.

Works on the parking area in the Sarmizegetusa historical fortress have currenly been stopped, following the order of the President of Hunedoara County Council, Mircea Molot.

Sarmizegetusa  was the capital and the most important military, religious and political center of Dacians. Built on top of a 1,200 meter high mountain, the fortress was the core of the strategic defensive system in the Orăştie Mountains and included six citadels.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com

(phoro source: Romanianmonasteries.org)