Costești–Blidaru Dacian Fortress

The Dacian fortress of Costești–Blidaru is located on the Blidaru ridge, near the village of Costești, Orăștioara de Sus commune, Hunedoara county. The fortification was built in the first century BC and was extended into two linked enclosures. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with the other Dacian fortresses in the Orăștie Mountains.

The massive walls and towers occupy the edge of the plateau, using the steep slope as a defense. The entrance was through a tower, and inside there are traces of a residential tower and other buildings. The walls have outer faces of stone blocks and a rubble-filled core. Forests cover the ridges and the trail up from Costești.

Photo: Oroles · Source of the photo · Public domain. Cropped and resized to 650 × 400 px, without distortion.