Râu de Mori
The old seat of the Cândea knezes at the foot of the Retezat — gateway to Colț Fortress and the Râul Mare valley.
Râu de Mori is a commune in the south-west of the Hațeg Country, at the foot of the Retezat, close to where the Râușor meets the Râul Mare. It has 11 villages: Râu de Mori (the seat), Brazi, Clopotiva, Ohaba-Sibișel, Ostrov, Ostrovel, Ostrovu Mic, Sibișel, Suseni, Unciuc and Valea Dâljii.
First recorded in 1359, the village was the seat of the Cândea family — the most powerful Romanian knez family in Hunedoara county, later known as the Kendeffy. In the centre you can see the ruins of their noble court (14th century), and in the cemetery in front of it the All Saints' Sunday Church, the Cândeas' former court chapel, with a massive bell tower.
Further up, at Suseni, stand the ruins of Colț Fortress and the fortified church of the Cândea knezes, while the Râul Mare valley climbs towards Lake Gura Apelor and the entrances to Retezat National Park.
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Nucșoara Valley – Colț Fortress trail
The shortest, most accessible marked trail at the edge of Retezat: an hour up to the Colț Citadel ruins.
Râu de Mori
Râu de Mori – Retezat Peak trail
A long ascent from the south, starting in the village of Râu de Mori, straight up to Retezat Peak.
Retezat National Park
Gura Zlata Hut – Lake Bucura trail
The western access route, via Gura Zlata Hut, up to Lake Bucura.
Retezat National Park
Branu Ridge – Gugu Peak – Lake Iovan trail
A long, demanding traverse through the Godeanu Mountains, with a partly unmarked section.
Godeanu Mountains
Colț Fortress
The ruined fortress of the Cândea knezes, on a crag at the mouth of the Râușor gorge — a possible inspiration for Jules Verne's “The Carpathian Castle”.
Hațeg Country
Cândea Noble Court
The ruins of the seat of the Cândea knezes — the most powerful Romanian family in the Hațeg Country — in the middle of Râu de Mori.
Râu de Mori
Church of the Descent of the Holy Spirit, Ostrov
One of the oldest Romanian stone churches in Transylvania, founded by local knezes in the 14th century.
Râu de Mori