//
Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Qyd assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The road climbs to an altitude of 2,042 m, making it the second highest mountain pass in Romania after the Transalpina. Being a winding road, dotted with steep hairpin turns, long S-curves, and sharp descents, it is both an attraction and a challenge for hikers, cyclists, drivers and motorcycle enthusiasts. In a segment of the British TV show Top Gear, Jeremy Clarkson proclaimed that the Transfăgărășan was "the best road in the world". The road is usually closed from late October until late June because of snow. Depending on the weather, it may remain open until as late as November, or may close even in the summer. Signs at the town of Curtea de Argeș and the village of Cartisoara provide information.
The Transfăgărășan, or DN7C, is a paved mountain road crossing the southern section of the Carpathian Mountains of Romania. It has national-road ranking and is the second-highest paved road in the country after the Transalpina. It starts near the village of Bascov, near Pitești, and stretches 90 kilometres (56 mi) to the crossroad between the DN1 and Sibiu, between the highest peaks in the country, Moldoveanu and Negoiu. The road, built in the early 1970s as a strategic military route, connects the historic regions of Transylvania and Wallachia.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Lacul Vidraru
Barajul Vidraru
It was put into service in 1966. At that time it was in the first five arches in Europe, 166.6 m high. The Vidraru Dam is the largest arch in Romania. The construction of the Vidraru Dam began in 1961, and during this period, the hydroelectric power plant at Argeş was also built.
The dam was not filled until December 1965. Vidraru Accumulation Lake was born between the flanks of Fruntea and Ghiţu Mountains. This lake is home to the waters of the River Capra, Buda and its affluent River Doamnei, Cernatul and Vâlsanul, Topologul, Valea lui Stan and Limpedea. The total area of the Vidraru reservoir is 870 hectares, the length is 14 km, and the maximum width is 2.2 km in the Valea Lupului - Valea Călugăriței.
The hydroelectric plant, named until 1989 Gheorghe Gheorghiu-Dej, was designed at that time to be run even from Bucharest. The underground station of the plant, 104 m below the level of evil, is the "jewel" that boasts those who have been participating for years in the development of the Vidraru Complex. There is the large hall of machines where five people work in each of the five shifts. They oversee everything related to the entire hydropower process. The control center is deeply dug into the mountain. About ¾ of a million cubic meters of earth were excavated.
Canionul Valea lui Stan
Longest canyon in Romania, good for adrenaline lovers.
A Wallachian castle usually associated with Vlad III Dracula. It is located near the village of Capataneni, 20 minutes north, at the beginning of the spectacular Transfagarasan high altitude highway (road DN 7C)—the castle is perched precariously on the top of a steep, forested mountain. According to legend, this is the castle that Vlad Dracula forced the nobles of Targoviste to build (or more specifically to reinforce, because the castle was clearly built long before Vlad's birth). This castle is not close to a village, so the recommended way to get there is to rent a car or maybe hitchhike. There is parking space available next to the road at the foot of the mountain, near the river. The fortress is accessible by climbing close to 1,500 steps. To get to the castle by car, drive north on National Road 7C past the few small villages until you hit the hydroelectric power plant. Then, look up! You can't miss it. The beginning of the steps is near to the food stand next to the road. There are wonderful views of the valleys and forested mountains in the surroundings from the castle, and of the nearby villages and the imposing ruin.
Mănăstirea Curtea de Argeș
One of the most famous medieval architectural monuments in Wallachia. It was founded by Prince Neagoe Basarab between 1515 and 1517.
Palatul Episcopal
Built in 1896, the episcopal church erected in 1885. The Episcopal Palace, built in an original architectural style, is provided with a chapel where the relics of Saint Philofteia can be found. The walls of Manole Hall are adorned with paintings that depict the legend of the skillful builder in pictures. A French-style park is built around the Curtea de Arges Monastery and in front of the Episcopal Palace.