Măgureni, a village in the heart of the Godeanu Mountains, has regained its life thanks to the Via Transilvanica hiking trail, attracting once again visitors who want to explore the “holy mountain of the Dacians”. Founded in the 19th century, Măgureni lies at the foot of Godeanu Peak, at an altitude of around 1300m, and was originally inhabited by families of shepherds and woodcutters. They had to cover impressive distances on foot to reach the nearby towns, and the timber was transported by mountain rivers to the valley where it was harvested. Rapid depopulation in the 1990s reduced the village to just a few inhabitants, and in the 2000s, to keep the memory of the place alive, a hermitage was established, which became the spiritual and social center of the hamlet, according to local sources. The old houses, abandoned for a time, have been converted into tourist cottages and are now attracting visitors again. They can enjoy the fresh mountain air and the unique atmosphere of the village, where traditions are kept alive thanks to the convent of nuns, which offers guests an authentic experience and a glimpse into the village’s past. Via Transilvanica, a spectacular mountain trail linking Putna to Drobeta-Turnu Severin, passes through areas of rare beauty and offers hikers the chance to discover not only nature but also local history and culture. The 1,400 km-long trail has become increasingly popular with Romanian and foreign tourists, revitalizing small villages such as Măgureni and helping to preserve the authentic values of Transylvanian villages.
A village in the heart of the Godeanu Mountains has regained its life thanks to the Via Transilvanica hiking trail
