Article Captivating islands in Romania

Romania’s islands and nature reserves invite you to step into a world where history and nature intertwine seamlessly. Here are some of the most remarkable locations to discover.

1. Ostrov Island

In Vâlcea County near the Călimănești-Căciulata resort is the only inhabited river island in Romania, also called Ostrov Island. It shelters Ostrov Monastery, the country’s first nuns’ religious house and one of four famous monasteries in this area along with Cozia, Turnu and Stânişoara.

Ostrov Island on the Danube is one of the most beautiful natural sites in the Banat historical region in Caraș-Severin County. It is part of the Iron Gates Nature Park, which extends over 6000 square miles. The impressive wildlife on the island includes wild horses and bird species including swans, black egrets, great cormorants and red herons. In the evening, go to the Moldova Nouă dike for an impressive view of the island. There is a legend that the tomb of Attila, the great leader of the Huns, who ruled between 433 and 453, is located here.

2. Snagov Island

Snagov Island is surrounded by Snagov Lake, a protected nature area in the middle of the Vlăsia Forest, 39 kilometers from Bucharest. It was a strategic place for the rulers of Wallachia; its history is connected to Vlad Țepeș, also known as Dracula, the ruler of Wallachia in 1448, from 1456-1462 and in 1476. It is thought to be his burial place. On the island is Snagov Monastery, built in 1521 by Prince Neagoe Basarab, on the church site from Vlad Țepeș’ time. The monastery is where Antim Ivireanu (1650-1716) printed the first books in the Romanian language with Latin characters.

3. Colibita Lake

Colibița Lake, also called “the sea from the mountains”, is in Bistrița Năsăud County. A picturesque lake seven kilometers long and dotted with small islands, it is surrounded by the impressive Călimani and Bârgăului Mountains. The lake was formed after a dam was built on the Bistrița Bârgăului river. Visitors can enjoy water sports on the lake and other nature sports in the surrounding beautiful landscape. The air quality, rich in ozone and negative ions, adds to the appeal of Colibița Lake for locals and international tourists alike.

4. Sacalin Island

Sacalin Island is one of a group of lakes in the southern part of the Delta called Sacalin Zatoane. It is home to numerous mammals and reptiles and a great diversity of birdlife (229 species), including the greatest colony of Dalmatian pelicans in Romania. It’s located on the avian migration route called the Eurasian–African Way. Between 1924 and 2015, the route grew nine kilometers in length to a total of 19 kilometers.

The Danube Delta, a UNESCO biosphere reserve, is the youngest land in Europe, and includes numerous channels and islands among its three main branches. The Ceaplace Island Nature Reserve, 4,514 meters long, is situated in the northern part of Sinoe Lake in Constanța County. It is one of the three locations in Romania where colonies of Dalmation pelicans (Pelecanus crispus) live.

These islands and natural sites, steeped in history and legend, offer visitors not only a glimpse into Romania’s rich cultural heritage but also a unique opportunity to experience some of Europe’s most unspoiled and diverse ecosystems.