Roman Fort of Drajna de Sus
Drajna de Sus, Prahova County · Muntenia
About Roman Fort of Drajna de Sus
The fort at Drajna de Sus was one of the most important Roman military bases in Muntenia. On the plateau of Grădiște hill, north of where the Ogretin stream joins the Drajna, it controlled the road linking the lower Danube with south-eastern Transylvania through the Tabla Buții pass. The first phase, probably from the autumn and winter of AD 101, was an earthwork fortification with a palisade, ditch and rampart, kept up during the First Dacian War. The second phase, from 106 until about 117–118, was a fort with a double stone wall, home to troops from the legions I Italica, V Macedonica and XI Claudia and a cohort of Commagenians. The site was found by chance in 1883 during farm work, and the first systematic research took place in 1939–1940. Campaigns followed in the 1990s and in 2011.
What you can see
The most spectacular find is a monumental building of stone and brick, regarded as the residence of the garrison commander (praetorium). It has five rooms with mortar floors resting on small brick pillars, through which hot air circulated (a hypocaust), and a sixth room that was a bath with a stepped pool. Elsewhere the fort had stone perimeter walls and buildings with heating, water supply and drainage. As at most forts, what remains today is foundations and low walls.
Good to know
In 2022 Drajna Town Hall secured European funds of over 11 million lei for an archaeological park, with pedestrian paths, relaxation areas and temporary open-air exhibitions, and the deadline announced in 2025 was June 2026. On the "România Atractivă" platform the site is currently listed as temporarily closed, under rehabilitation. No visiting schedule is published, so before you go it is worth checking with Drajna Town Hall whether the site is open.
Information verified on 12 October 2026.
- The building with a hypocaust, regarded as the commander's residence.
- The bath with a stepped pool, next to the heated rooms.
- The plateau of Grădiște hill, from where the fort controlled the road to the Tabla Buții pass.
- The setting of a fort built in the years of the wars between Dacians and Romans.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: the fort is in the centre of Drajna de Sus village (Drajna commune, Teleajen Valley), next to DJ230, about 52 km from Ploiești.
Public transport: there is no confirmed route to the site.
- Fees & discounts
No entry fee is published.
- Rules
A site protected by law: stay on the paths, do not climb on the walls and do not take anything from the ground.
- Facilities
Open-air site · no toilets nearby
Frequently asked questions about Roman Fort of Drajna de Sus
- How long does a visit to Roman Fort of Drajna de Sus take?
- A visit to Roman Fort of Drajna de Sus takes about 45 min (estimate; open-air site).
- Can you visit Roman Fort of Drajna de Sus with kids?
- Yes, Roman Fort of Drajna de Sus is suitable for children (open ground, no stairs).
- How do I get to Roman Fort of Drajna de Sus?
- Roman Fort of Drajna de Sus is located at "Grădiște" spot, in the centre of Drajna de Sus village, next to DJ230, Drajna de Sus, Prahova County. By car: the fort is in the centre of Drajna de Sus village (Drajna commune, Teleajen Valley), next to DJ230, about 52 km from Ploiești. Public transport: there is no confirmed route to the site.
- When is the best time to visit Roman Fort of Drajna de Sus?
- The best season for Roman Fort of Drajna de Sus: April – October (open-air site).
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