The Dacian Fortress in Moinești

At a distance of approximately 1.2 km from the right bank of the Tazlăul Sărat river, in a wooded area near the Lucăcești neighborhood, located northwest of Moinești municipality, Bacău county, a small Dacian site was discovered in 1986.

The archaeological research carried out so far has highlighted the presence here of a fortified observation point, which was part of the defense system of Dacia in the area east of the Carpathians.

The Dacian fortress was strategically positioned on " Cetățuia Hill", at an altitude of 719 m, its role being to ensure the security of the access road to Transylvania through the Ghimeș pass.

 

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Brief historical foray

The Dacian fortress of Moinești began its existence in the second century BC. The archaeological surveys carried out in the perimeter of the site revealed the existence of two phases of habitation.

The first phase was dated to the 2nd century BC, being characterized by a fine ceramic, made of brownish or gray-brown paste, with a glossy appearance, from the category of large vessels.

The second phase of habitation corresponds to the 1st century BC. – 1 century AD, period in which the autochthonous pottery holds the weight. To this is added the Roman pottery, noting the presence of cups with one or two handles and pyriform amphorae.

 

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Priceless treasures

An interesting aspect for a high-rise settlement, such as the one in Moinești, is the presence of all types of ceramics specific to the "classic" period (2nd-1st century BC - 1st AD). Painted pottery was also found here. The painting is red brown in color and consists of wide and narrow bands on the rim of the vessel in the case of fruit bowls or on the body of the vessel in the case of cups and jugs.

Among the archaeological materials discovered, it is worth mentioning the bitronconic-shaped burnt clay spindles, the volcanic tuff grinder fragment, as well as the iron objects (nails, chisels, scoops).

Unique experiences

If you have chosen Moinești as a tourist destination, you have arrived at the right place for a spa treatment. The springs with mineral water in Bai Park are very effective from a therapeutic point of view, being used in internal treatment and recommended for diseases of the digestive tract (chronic gastro-duodenitis, chronic non-specific enterocolitis), hepato-biliary diseases, which require choleresis cures (biliary dyskinesia, chronic cholecystitis, postoperative sequelae on the biliary tract), nutritional and metabolic diseases.

You will also find a breath of fresh air and a good mood in the Pine Forest. It is the only reserve of Canadian black pine in the country and among the few remaining in Europe. It has an area of 15 ha and is not only a conservation area for the Black Pine (Pinus nigra), but it is also of particular importance for tourism, through the recreational opportunities it offers and the landscape value.

You will be surprised to learn that in Moinești there is a monument with impressive dimensions: 25 m long, 2.6 m wide, 10 m high and weighing approximately 120 tons. The "Tzara DADA" monument was erected in 1996, in honor of Tristan Tzara and Dadaism, the artistic trend initiated by him. This creation of the artist Ingo Glass has a unique character in that it is the only monumental work of the sculptor that is not located along the route of the Danube River.

The Dada heritage also includes other iconic monuments and sculptures such as "DADA Scissors", "Holy Trinity", "Soul of Tristan Tzara", "The Griffin", Knight of Tristan Tzara, Random Cube. Also, there is an effigy dedicated to Tristan Tzara located near the place where this important and well-known author was born.