Dacian Fortresses of the Orăştie Mountains

Built in murus dacicus style, the six Dacian Fortresses of the Orăștie Mountains, in Romania, were created in the 1st centuries BC and AD as protection against Roman conquest, and played an important role during the Roman–Dacian wars [1]. The six fortresses — Sarmizegetusa Regia, Costești-Cetățuie, Costești-Blidaru, Piatra Roșie, Bănița, and Căpâlna — that formed the defensive system of Decebalus were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999 [1]. All the sites are in Hunedoara County, except for Căpâlna, which is in Alba County [1]. The town of Sarmizegetusa Regia was the capital and major fortress of the Dacian kingdom, probably built in the mid first century BCE [1]. It consisted of perimeter walls and fortifications, a sacred precinct, and a settlement area primarily for nobles and supporting servants [1]. It was located at the top of a 1,200 metres hill with excellent visibility of the surrounding lands [1]. Piatra Roșie, which means Red Rock, was a Dacian hill fort two days march to the west from Costești-Cetățuie [1].