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PLOVIDBA BRODOM ĐERDAP
SAIL INTO A NEW ADVENTURE...
Djerdap Boat Tours
Speedboat tours and boat sailing into the heart of the Iron Gates Gorge!
Don`t miss the opportunity to explore Europe`s most beautiful gorge and the biggest open-air archeological museum from the water. One hour speedboat tours boarding from Tekija.
(22 km upstream from Kladovo).
We sail through the strait where the Danube is at its narrowest and deepest measured point
of Europe`s rivers - 93m.
EXPLORE THE IRON GATE`S GORGE IN A UNIQUE WAY AND SAIL WITH US INTO A NEW ADVENTURE
TOURISTIC AND HISTORICAL BOAT TOURS OF IRON GATE`S NATURAL SIGHTS
MRACONIA MONASTERY
Seen from the water, you will think that you are seeing the Monastery of Sveta Gora (Mount Athos), built on rocks and stones with it’s foundations stopping the Danube`s waves. Today`s Mraconia Monastery (secret place or dark place in translation) lies on left bank of the Danube, on the place where a short while ago the balloon signal station worked as a traffic signal for the passing boats. According to ancient records the Mraconia Monastery has existed since the middle of the 15th century, and because of its troubled history and faith, it is known as the “monastery beneath waters”. Destroyed during the Russian-Austrian-Turkish war between 1787-1792, it was later rebuilt and destroyed again in 1968 with its ruins flooded by the Danube. The Mraconia Monastery was again fully restored in 1995 AD. Built in the shape of a cross with an opened porch towards the Danube, the Monastery has written on its entrance: “Born and destroyed several times, the Monastery is showing today, beyond death, like security of faith, hope in resurrection and foundation of love”.
DANUBE`S BIG AND SMALL BOILERS
Certainly the most beautiful and exciting part of the Danube, the boilers encompasses a 19 km long drive and sail path, providing a breathtaking scenery and magical lookouts that pass through the place where Danube is at its narrowest (only 140m) and at its deepest (90m). Before the building of the HPP “Djerdap I” in the deep whirlpools of the boilers, cod and sturgeon coming all the way from the Black Sea, spawned their eggs. The caviar was used for the production of the famous Kladovo caviar, a worldwide renowned specialty. After completion, the HPP “Djerdap I” and “Djerdap 2” discontinued the fishes ‘paths to their natural hatcheries leading to an almost complete disappearance of cod and sturgeon. Unfortunately, the Kladovo caviar ceased to exist.
In the heart of the Danube`s Gorge, under Mali Strpce there lies a natural picnic area known as Haiducka Vodenica. The site where necropolises from the Mesolithic and iron age were found during archeological excavations, as well as fortification remains of the late antique period is a frequent gathering place of locals and tourists, especially fans of sport fishing and camping activities.
TRAJAN`S PLAQUE
During his conquer quests on Dacians (ancestors of today`s Romania), roman emperor Trajan built in 103 AD his own path (via Traiana) through the Iron Gate`s Gorge all the way to the place where he order the construction of the bridge over Danube (Trajan`s bridge). Honoring the success of the roman empire and Trajan himself, a written plaque carrying two winged spirits was carved to be known as Trajan`s Plaque. The plaque represents and worships the greatness of emperor Trajan.
Only four of the six lines honoring Trajan`s greatness are still visible and readable. After the Hydroelectric Power Plant “Djerdap I” was built, the ancient roman road was sunk, leading to an archeological effort of lifting Trajan`s Plaque 30 m above the original location. Today the plaque is only visible from the water, during the cruises or sailing trips on the Danube.
VARNICA SIGNAL STAION
Prior to the construction of the dam, the boilers were once the most dramatic natural landscape of Danube`s entire course and the most dangerous navigation area of the old river. Difficult navigation conditions, at that time, were regulated by a specific system of guidance and control of the river traffic in the form of signal stations. The system comprised of six signal stations on both banks of the Danube, served as a single traffic light on the Danube, a raised or lowered balloon being a sign to the captains to freely pass or wait for an opposite boat to pass the strait.
Today, two so-called “balloon stations” have been preserved and serve as an infrastructural monumental heritage, being under protection of the Institute for Protection of Cultural Monuments. Inside the balloon station “Pena” there is an art studio of the local artist Radislav Trkulja while the balloon station “Varnica” was renovated and works as a restaurant which welcomes tourists eager to taste the refined local specialties.
ROCK SCULPTURE OF DECEBALUS
The rock sculpture of Decebalus is the tallest in Europe, third in the world, carved into a limestone rock above the gulf of Mraconia watching the Iron Gate`s Gorge. Decebalus`s face, in translation - power of the dacians, has a height of 40m being only 6m shorter than the Statue of Liberty in New York and it was carved during 1994 AD - 2004 AD, across the Danube from Trajan`s Plaque. Romania`s Mount Rushmore was financed by Iosif Constantin Dragan, one of the first controversial businessmen and millionaires from Romania, with more than million dollars. The original project was intended to present the two ancient rulers, Decebalus and Trajan, on opposite sides forever, watchfully watching, and guarding Danube`s shivering waters. Like other touristic attractions seen in the Iron Gate`s Gorge the sculpture retains the name of its donor: Decebal rex - Dragan fecit (King Decebal - made by Dragan). This amazing attraction remains one of the most imposing and loved places, being visited, and photographed by all tourists that admire the beauty of the Iron Gate`s Gorge.
IRON GATES GORGE
The Iron Gates Gorge is the largest and longest gorge in Europe, measuring about 100 km. In the Danube sector of the Djerdap Gorge, there are four narrowed parts - gorges, which are separated by appropriate extensions - valleys. Gorges and valleys on the Danube alternate in the following order: Golubac gorge, Ljupovska valley, Gospodjin vir gorge, Valley of Donji Milanovac, Big and small boilers gorge, Orsova valley and Sip valley, known also by the Djerdap name.
In the western part of the Kladovo municipality, on an area of about 64 hectares there lies the Djerdap National Park, the biggest in Serbia, characterized by a rich ecosystem and specific flora and fauna and extremely valuable historical treasures dating from prehistoric times. Djerdap National Park is the area with the largest and oldest water holes in Europe and the site of the largest natural and archeological museum in Europe having the biggest biodiversity within one ecosystem. It is one of the most beautiful geographical areas in Europe, with exceptional opportunities for several types of tourism, from hunting to fishing (respecting the rules of conduct and laws of Djerdap National Park) to hiking, biking, bird watching and more.
SAIL ON THE DANUBE IN THE MOST COMFORTABLE WAY AND ENJOY
A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME EXPERIENCE
OUR PROFESSIONAL TEAM PROVIDES YOU THE BEST SERVICES AT THE BEST PRICES!
YOUR SAFETY
COMES FIRST!
PROFESSIONAL EQUIPMENT AND EXPERIENCED STAFF
INCREDIBLE AND MAGICAL NATURAL ATTRACTIONS OF THE IRON GATES GORGE
Djerdap Boat Tours has 2 large latest generation speedboats, each with 12 comfortable seats. The boats are fitted with state-of-the-art equipment while our captains guarantee a safe and warm cruise thank to the long-term experience in sailing the Danube`s waters.
THE DANUBE CRUISE THROUGH THE IRON GATES GORGE LASTS 60 MINUTES
ALL DEPARTURES ARE MADE FROM TEKIJA AND CAN BE ORGANIZED ACCORDING TO YOUR NEEDS -
WE ARE HERE TO MAKE YOUR STAY AS COMFORTABLE AND UNFORGETTABLE AS WE CAN!
PRICE LIST
MINIMUM PRICE FOR DEPARTURE
GROUP DISCOUNTS
Boarding place for the routes through the Iron Gates Gorge
IF YOU PLAN TO EXTEND YOUR STAY FOR A FEW DAYS - WE WARMLY RECOMMEND YOU TO VISIT HOTEL DJERDAP
Hotel Djerdap is located on the Danube bank in the quiet center of Kladovo. It has 138 rooms and 6 apartments. The entire facility is covered by free WIFI internet.
Parking in front of the hotel is free for all guests and visitors.
For more information please visit Hotel Djerdap web site
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