Rock Sculpture of Decebalus
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Decebalus is considered a national hero in Romania and has been portrayed in numerous literary works, movies, public sculptures, and other memorials. The rock sculpture of Decebalus Rex (Romanian: Chipul regelui dac Decebal) is a 42.9 m in height and 31.6 m in width carving in rock of the face of Decebalus (AD 87–106), the last king of Dacia, who fought against the Roman emperors Domitian and Trajan to preserve the independence of his country, which corresponded to modern Romania. The sculpture was made between 1994 and 2004, on a rocky outcrop on the river Danube, at the Iron Gates, which form the border between Romania and Serbia. It is located near the city of Orșova in Romania. It is the tallest rock relief in Europe. The project of sculpting the colossal head of Decebalus was the brainchild of a wealthy Romanian businessman, Iosif Constantin Drăgan. In 1985, Drăgan chose the rock to be sculpted, an outcrop 128m in height located in the area of Iron Gorge, Danube. Perhaps one of the reasons Drăgan chose this site was due to the fact that the Tabula Traiana, a memorial to the Roman conquest of Dacia, was located on the opposite side of the river. After the sculpture was completed Latin inscription was put beneath it and is: DECEBALUS REX DRAGAN FECIT, which meant “King Decebalus, made by Dragan”. The best photographs are made while cruising if you are visiting from serbian side or from a bridge if you are already in Romania.
Sasa Nikolic
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Decebal sziklába vésett arcképe egyike a legtöbbet fotózott helynek a Vaskapuban. Ki volt Decebal mit tudunk róla? Imponáló méretével Európa legnagyobb méretű kőszobra ötvenöt méter magas és 25 méter széles. Az arcot tíz éven át (1994-2004) 10-12 alpinista véste. A munkálatokat egy román milliomos finanszírozta. Decebalt a fellelhető források először már hadvezérként említik, amikor i.u. 87-88-ban hódító háborút folytatott a Balkánon. A Római Birodalom akkortájt a területet saját érdekszférájába tartozónak tartotta, ezért az agresszióra hamar válaszolt. Decebal, már uralkodóként, 88-ban vereséget szenvedett a rómaiaktól de a győztesek enyhe békeszerződést „kényszerítettek” a dákokra. A veszteseket az északról támadó barbárok megállítására kötelezték, amihez az anyagiakat a rómaiak biztosították. Az új római császár, Traianus azonban a szerződést túlzottan engedékenynek tartotta, ezért azt semmisnek nyilvánította. 101-ben rómaiak megtámadták a dákokat és újra győzedelmeskedtek. Decebalnak ezúttal sokkal szigorúbb feltételeket kellett elfogadnia. Titokban azonban revansra készült. Traianushoz eljutott a készülődés híre, ezért végső leszámolásra sorakoztatta fel csapatait. Drobeta közelében hidat építtetett a Dunán és az átvonuló nagy létszámú seregtestek végső diadalt arattak a dák csapatok felett. Decebal menekült, ám néhány római katona észrevette és üldözésére indultak. Amikor további menekülését kilátástalannak ítélte, Decebal az öngyilkosságot választotta, saját kardjába dőlt, így kerülve el a fogságot. A rómaiak levágták a dák király fejét és Rómába, Traianus császárnak küldték el. A hiedelem szerint öngyilkossága előtt Decebal a kincseit elrejtette a Hunyad megyében csordogáló Strigy folyóba, és temetése hasonló volt Alttila hun királyhoz. A vízfolyás a Dák királyság fővárosától, Sarmizegethustól pár órára folyik. Amatőr és hivatásos kutatók a mai napig keresik helyét.
György Janovics
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During our Danube river cruise we came across this gigantic statue near Orsova Romania. This statue is of King Decebalus. He was the last ruler of ancient kingdom of Dacia. He was a very kind ruler who ruled for the welfare of his people. This statue is a tribute to him. It is the the tallest rock sculpture in the Europe and sixth largest in the world. It took 10 years to complete. Its height is 43 meters and width 25 meters. The cruise ships slow down at this point. It takes 6/7 minutes to cross it. Those who are interested to shoot it should be ready with their cameras.
Balkrishna Shroff
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A very interesting attraction that's worth seeing in the area. Its history and construction methods are quite surprising as well. If you can, try and book a tour on one of the smaller boats, as they will go under the bridge and get you very close to the rock face where the sculpture is. Also, on smaller boats the guides tend to give out more information about the area and the attractions. If you're staying longer in the area, you can also drive there in the evening, as the sculpture is lit after dark.
Mihai Belcan-Bucur
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This rock sculpture is one of the most important landmarks in Romania. Not only it represents a great personality in the history of our country, but it's a very impressive work of art. It's the mount Rushmore of Romania, if you may. The landscape in the area is truly an amazing one as well, it's great for a road trip, along the Danube. In any season, the views are amazing. Visit this place if you have the opportunity, you will not regret it!
Marian Buzarnescu
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The rock sculpture of Decebalus is a 42.9 m in height and 31.6 m in width carving in rock of the face of Decebalus, the last king of Dacia, who fought against the Roman emperors Domitian and Trajan to preserve the independence of his country, which corresponded to modern Romania. The sculpture was made between 1994 and 2004, on a rocky outcrop on the river Danube, at the Iron Gates, which form the border between Romania and Serbia.
LWK
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Nearby Attractions Of Rock Sculpture of Decebalus
Golful Mraconia

Golful Mraconia
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DN57, Dubova 227170, Romania
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+40 744 612 005
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statuia-decebal.ro
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Description
The rock sculpture of Decebalus is a colossal carving of the face of Decebalus, the last king of Dacia, who fought against the Roman emperors Domitian and Trajan to preserve the independence of his country, which corresponds to present-day Romania. The sculpture is located near the city of Orșova, in Mehedinți County.
attractions: Golful Mraconia, restaurants:
