Bistrița-Năsăud County is in Transylvania, Romania.

Cities

• 1 Bistrița — the main city of the county has an interesting old quarter
• 2 Lunca Ilvei — a remote mountain community
• 3 Sângeorz-Băi — best known for its mineral springs used for the treatment of various ailments

Understand

The relief is generally high and quite fragmented, in the county unfolding the peaks of Rodna, Bârga, Călimani and Țibleș mountains. Although only a part of the Rodna mountains are on the territory of the county, their beauty creates a wonderful setting.

The glaciers of the Quaternary era left traces, creating sharp ridges and glacial circuses that shelter lakes of the same origin, with clear waters of rare beauty (Lala, Buhaescu). A very picturesque landscape is also revealed by the Bârgăului Mountains, through the presence of volcanic magpies, through the forests and the particularly rich hunting background. The Călimani Mountains are characterized by massiveness and curious volcanic-karst phenomena, and the Țibleș Mountains, which cross the western part of the county, include various riches. In the western part there are also the heights of the Transylvanian Plateau, respectively the hills of Suplai, Năsăud and Bistrița, which reach up to 600 m altitude.

See

Architectural monuments in the county include the ruins of the Ciceului Citadel, Casa Argintarului and Dogarilor Tower in Bistrița, the ruins of the fortress of Rodna, and the ruins of the Roman camp in Orheiu.

You can learn about the county's history and culture at museums in Bistrița (Bistrița-Năsăud County Museum, Casa Argintarului Museum, Andrei Mureșanu Memorial House), and Sângeorz-Bai (Museum of Comparative Art).

Do

You can go spelunking in the county's caves. Izvorul Tausoarelor Cave (near Rebrisoara) is the deepest cave in Romania (478.5 m), and the underground galleries stretch for about 16.5 km. Zalion's Gutter Cave, which, due to its 242-m level difference, is the second deepest in Romania. Other caves include the Fairy Cave Cave, Magla Cave, Schneider's Bath Cave, and Cobasel Cave.

Lakes: Lala Mare Lake (below Ineu peak, glacial lake). Lala Mic Lake (below Ineu peak, glacial lake).

Nature reserves Mixed reservation "Ineu - Lala". Piatra Corbului (geological and vegetal park, located in the Calimani mountains). The salt mountain of Saratel. Zorcaiele Borcutului. The natural reserve "Cave from Izvorul Tausoarelor". Râpa Verde The Râpa cu puppet, Domnesti Valea and Bistritei gorges, start from the Calimani mountains, from an altitude of 1,562m and stretch for 65 km. The Repedea Valley forms a complex vegetal reservation and stretches for 7 km, among the volcanic formations of the Calimani mountains. Arcalia dendrological park (17km west of Bistrita, near the village of Arcalia) - covers more than 16ha and houses over 150 species of trees from various parts of the world (Japanese acacia, silver fir, Caucasian spruce, etc.).

Sângeorz-Bai resorts (56 km from Bistrita) - balneo-climatic resort located in a depression area (465 m) between Rodna, Suhard and Bârgaului mountains, on the valley of the Somesul Mare river. The mineral springs from Sângeorz-Bai have been documented since 1770. Colibita (830 m altitude) 18 km from Prundu Bârgaului. Piatra Fântânele (1,100 m, in the Tihuta pass, skiing can be practised here).