
The fact that this citadel was built during the conflicts between the Dacians and the Celts is also proven by the presence of iron Celtic swords. The hill on which the city is raised, Piatra Roşie, is crossed by a paved road in steps. This road was guarded by three defence towers, which made attacks difficult. Both the city walls and watchtowers were built from reddish stone, unlike other Dacian fortresses, built with yellowish white limestone. In fact, the colour of the rocks gave the fortress its name.
The City of Decebalus
In the context of the hostilities between the Dacian king Decebalus and the Roman Empire, a second enclosure was built and united with the first one in the east. The second enclosure had by ground and stone walls 1.5 - 2 metres thick. These comprise both the three watch towers for the paved road and a series of terraces, which were most likely inhabited by aristocrats and families of the garrisoned soldiers.
The second enclosure was also equipped with a palisade. Near the fortification there were two sanctuaries where the people worshipped their gods. The development of the fortress was interrupted in 106, when it was conquered by the Romans. The buildings were burned and the city walls were demolished.
Travel info: The distance between Bucharest and Piatra Roşie is 410 kilometres and between Cluj-Napoca and Piatra Roşie it is 178 kilometres.