Historical Monuments

H I S T O R I C A L M O N U M E N T S

Dacian Fortress Apoulon, Craivii Stone

Dacian Fortress Apoulon from Craivii Stone, identified by researchers as the ancient Apoulon, is near Galda de Jos on top of the mountain Craivii Stone. Following discovery and analysis of objects and building residues, archaeological research has revealed that living by the Dacians of the common Galda de Jos can be traced, in time, between centuries II BC and II AD.

The fortress was surrounded by walls 3 metre thick, today being visible north-western portion of the massif. From the fortified citadel is oversee access to this region.

Within the Union Museum in Alba Iulia is on a notice board on which is written:

'Around the middle of Transylvania, about 20 km north of Alba-Iulia city, in the eastern part of the Apuseni Mountains, the forest zone limit exists a huge rock that dominates proudly other surrounding heights, and the middle of Mures Valley.

This massif limestone called Craivii Stone is now known worldwide, thanks to important Dacian fortress, found here at 1083 m cliff-top altitude.

Fortress, along with effective area, occupying rocky terraces at the foot of the residence was identified with Dacian tribe of Apulia, Apoulon center, mentioned in this area by geographer Alexandrin Ptolemeu'.

The first research to Craivii Stone were started in 1960 and is focused on investigating the medieval remains. It was found the existence of a strongly fortified center here, in that area, on several terraces carved into the rock, civilian settlement were developed. Among the most important findings are mentioned three rectangular sanctuaries, two circular enclosures, workshops for metalworking and stones, pits for worship.

It is said that last Dacian fortress defeated by the Romans was one on Craivii Stone. Defeated in Sarmizegetusa, after a long resistance, Decebalus retired to Apoulon where he was one of the most powerful Dacian fortresses, built in a unique style of Greek craftsmen, that came here especially for King Decebalus. The special construction of the fortress, almost inaccessible position on top of a steep mountain, rock, making Apoulon impregnable shelter.

Dacian Fortress Apoulon from Craivii Stone

The text on the panel located on the Apoulon halting place contains the following:

'Stone Craivii rocky massif (altitude 1083 m) and terraces around him, began to be inhabited in prehistoric age (Cotofeni archaeological cultures - Neolithic final and Wietemberg - Bronze Age).

Development of this site was due Dacian Apouls that, from century II BC undertook extensive flatwork 11 rectangles terraces. On these terraces settlement intertwined itself, identified by numerous ceramic and metal artifacts, preserved in the Museum of Alba Iulia. Ancient literary sources mention appulse with Dacian tribe and ancient toponym Apoulon - their political and military center.

In parallel with the settlement, which became in time a powerful economic and trading with the world classical surroundings (century I BC - I AD), there has existed an important spiritual center of the type illustrated by three sanctuaries alignments built on so-called terrace-balcony, and then terrace V, and of the penny.

Another step is all about the building of fortress (castle proper), with stone walls, carved in a local workshop. The fortress area is quadrilateral (67 x 36 m), and occupies an area of 2400 square meters. In medieval times, over Dacian fortress, conquered by the Romans during the wars of 101-102 and 105-106, there arose a feudal fortress, reported in documents in 1272 under the name of Castrum Kechkes (Goat Fort)'.

Both the early of Dacian settlement from Craivii Stone, and the period stone walls construction, could not be specified with sufficient accuracy. Other materials that can be dated with some precision, five coins were found, four of whom are Roman Republican denarii, emitted in the years 88-70 BC, and one is Dacian silver, made at the end of the third century or the beginning of next.

Taking as a criterion the oldest coin, was assumed existence of the settlement since the third century BC, corresponding time lifting the Dacians under King Rubobostes. This era would belong only settlement, and fortification itself was built in Decebalus times, the last of the Dacian kings.