Peștera Valea Cetății

A concert hall carved by water, at 825 metres altitude

Few caves in Romania begin their programme with music. At the Valea Cetății Cave, in the Great Hall — a space of roughly 2,500 square metres, with the ceiling rising to nearly 20 metres — concerts given by musicians of the Brașov Philharmonic resound periodically. The exceptional acoustics turn the limestone vault into a natural amphitheatre, and the sound of the clarinet or of the string instruments takes on a resonance here that no man-made hall can imitate.

How it was discovered: a water explosion

The cave came to light by accident, in 1949. After a rainy spell, the water accumulated inside eroded the rock beneath a limestone floor and caused a veritable hydraulic explosion, which opened the entrance that had been blocked until then. Young people from the area were the first to enter, and systematic speleological research began in the following years. Only in December 2010, after development works, was the cave opened to the public, becoming one of the newest show caves in the country.

What you see inside

The gallery is almost 958 metres long, part of a route fitted with metal stairs, walkways and railings that make the visit accessible. The white limestone walls are adorned with stalactites and stalagmites still forming, fed by the water seepage that constantly trickles from the ceiling. A memorable moment of the guided visit is the complete switching-off of the lights: in the darkness and absolute silence you truly feel the age and the stillness of the mountain. Whatever the season, the cave keeps a cool and almost constant temperature, around 12°C, so a light jacket is welcome even in summer.

The cave's inhabitants

The cave is not only a tourist attraction but also a shelter for colonies of bats, among them the lesser horseshoe bat. These protected mammals make use of the stable underground environment, which is why visitors are asked to respect the quiet and the guides' instructions.

How to get there from Râșnov

The cave lies a short distance from Râșnov, near Râșnov Fortress, on the road linking the town to Poiana Brașov. From the car park, a short pedestrian path, with a few uphill sections, takes you to the entrance in about a quarter of an hour. Its position makes it easy to combine in a single day with the medieval fortress, while the whole Râșnov–Bran–Brașov area remains within reach for a longer trip.

Good to know

Because concerts and events are held, and access is with a guide, check the schedule and prices on the official source before your visit. Comfortable footwear and a thicker top will make the experience much more pleasant.