# Roman Fort at Gilău

[Romania](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/attractions) › [Transylvania](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/region/transilvania) › [Cluj County](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/county/cluj) › [Gilău](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/locality/gilau)

> The auxiliary fort of the ala Siliana, one of the largest on the western frontier of Dacia, in the park of Rákóczi-Bánffy Castle, with information panels and graphic reconstructions.

[UNESCO World Heritage](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/unesco-heritage)

**At a glance:** Monuments and historic sites in Gilău, Cluj County. The visit takes 45 min. Information verified on 12 October 2026.

## Key facts

- **Opening hours:** No schedule published. The fort is in the park of Rákóczi-Bánffy Castle, run by a private foundation; check access to the park before you go.
- **Visit duration:** 45 min — estimate; ruins, panels, the park
- **With kids:** Yes — outdoors, in the park
- **Best season:** April – October — nicest in summer, outdoors
- **Address:** Strada Nurcăriei, in the park of Rákóczi-Bánffy Castle, Gilău, Cluj County
- **Coordinates:** 46.7571, 23.3806
- **Wikipedia:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulpianum_(castra)
- **Wikidata:** https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q613338
- **Categories:** [Monuments and historic sites](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/monumente-si-situri-istorice), [Fortresses and fortifications](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/cetati-si-fortificatii)

## About Roman Fort at Gilău

The fort at Gilău was built at the start of the 2nd century, in the time of Trajan, on a terrace overlooking the Someșul Mic valley, about 16 km from Napoca. From here the road from the west was watched, along the valleys of the Crișul Repede, the Căpuș and the Someșul Mic, as well as access to the mining area of the Apuseni Mountains. The first fortification, of earth and timber, measured 130 × 116 m and was protected by two or three ditches. Around 118–119, in the time of Hadrian, the infantry was replaced by a cavalry unit, the ala Siliana, brought from Pannonia, and the fort was enlarged to 221 × 137.5 m. Towards the end of the 2nd century it was given stone walls, towers and monumental gates. A vicus, a civilian settlement of soldiers' families, craftsmen and traders, grew up beside the walls. Since 2024 the fort has been part of "Frontiers of the Roman Empire – Dacia", inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Research began in 1949 and continued mainly between 1976 and 2000, with new finds in 2024–2025, among them the via decumana, a 5.2 m wide road of gravel and river boulders. The gates have been uncovered, along with the headquarters (principia) with underfloor heating, the commander's residence (praetorium), the barracks, a corner tower with walls more than a metre thick, three military diplomas, inscriptions and a bronze parade mask for a cavalry helmet, kept at the National Museum of the History of Transylvania.

### What you can see

The ruins lie in the park of Rákóczi-Bánffy Castle, next to the building, in a setting of old parkland. On the ground are the walls, preserved to foundation level, while explanatory panels in Romanian, Hungarian and English, with graphic reconstructions of the walls, towers, gates and military buildings, show what the fort looked like. The north wall of the fortification has been preserved and displayed in a new building on the grounds, intended as a café.

### Good to know

The nearby castle is a separate attraction. The fort has been landscaped through restoration and enhancement works (paths, panels), but no visiting schedule is published, and access to the park may depend on the castle's administrator, the Transylvanian Traditions Foundation. The photo below predates the landscaping.

## Don't miss

- The preserved walls of the fort of the ala Siliana, in the castle park.
- The panels with graphic reconstructions of the gates, towers and barracks.
- The north wall of the fortification, preserved inside a new building on the grounds.
- Rákóczi-Bánffy Castle, in the same park, with a story of its own.

## Good to know before you go

### Getting there

**By car:** Gilău is about 15 km west of Cluj-Napoca, on the DN1 (E60) towards Oradea. The fort is in the castle park, the main entrance being on strada 1 Decembrie 1918, no. 243.

**Public transport:** Gilău is linked to Cluj-Napoca by local and metropolitan transport; check timetables in advance.

### Where to park

At the castle's reopening in 2024 visitors were advised to park in the centre of Gilău and walk to the main entrance.

### Fees & discounts

No official fee for visiting the fort is published. At the castle's reopening in May 2024, entry to the grounds was free.

### Rules

A site protected by law: do not climb on the walls, do not take anything from the ground and follow the park's rules.

### Facilities

Panels in Romanian, Hungarian and English · landscaped park

## Details

- **Construction period:** 2nd–3rd c.
- **State of preservation:** ruins
- **Historical period:** 2nd–3rd c. AD
- **Civilisation:** Roman

## Frequently asked questions about Roman Fort at Gilău

**How long does a visit to Roman Fort at Gilău take?**

A visit to Roman Fort at Gilău takes about 45 min (estimate; ruins, panels, the park).

**Can you visit Roman Fort at Gilău with kids?**

Yes, Roman Fort at Gilău is suitable for children (outdoors, in the park).

**How do I get to Roman Fort at Gilău?**

Roman Fort at Gilău is located at Strada Nurcăriei, in the park of Rákóczi-Bánffy Castle, Gilău, Cluj County. By car: Gilău is about 15 km west of Cluj-Napoca, on the DN1 (E60) towards Oradea. The fort is in the castle park, the main entrance being on strada 1 Decembrie 1918, no. 243. Public transport: Gilău is linked to Cluj-Napoca by local and metropolitan transport; check timetables in advance.

**When is the best time to visit Roman Fort at Gilău?**

The best season for Roman Fort at Gilău: April – October (nicest in summer, outdoors).

## Nearby attractions

- [Lake Tarnița](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/lacul-tarnita) — Lakes · Gilău, CJ · Free · 9 km
  A reservoir almost 9 km long on the Someșul Cald, about 30 km from Cluj-Napoca, with wooded slopes, a 97 m arch dam and sailing or kayaking on the water.
- [Hoia-Baciu Forest](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/padurea-hoia-baciu) — Parks and gardens · Cluj-Napoca, CJ · Free · 1½ – 2 hours · 14 km
  A forest of about 300 ha on the western edge of Cluj, known for its twisted tree trunks, the Round Clearing and the "paranormal" legends that made it famous worldwide.
- [Romulus Vuia National Ethnographic Park](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/parcul-etnografic-romulus-vuia) — Museums and memorial houses · Cluj-Napoca, CJ · 10 lei · 1½ – 2 hours · 18 km
  Romania's first open-air museum, on Hoia hill: farmsteads, workshops, peasant installations and three wooden churches gathered over ~16 hectares into a scattered village.
- [Central Park “Simion Bărnuțiu”](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/parcul-central-cluj-napoca) — Parks and gardens · Cluj-Napoca, CJ · Free · 1 – 1½ hours · 20 km
  Cluj's historic park, laid out from 1838 on the bank of the Someșul Mic, with Lake Chios, the old Casino, the music pavilion and a central avenue between old trees; locals call it the Big Park.
- [Alexandru Borza Botanical Garden](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/gradina-botanica-cluj-napoca) — Parks and gardens · Cluj-Napoca, CJ · 21 lei · 1½ – 2 hours · 21 km
  The botanical garden of Babeș-Bolyai University, on almost 14 hectares in the south of Cluj: a Japanese garden with a tea house on a lake, greenhouses more than 60 years old, a water tower and a botanical museum.
- [Bánffy Palace in Cluj-Napoca](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/palatul-banffy-cluj-napoca) — Castles and palaces · Cluj-Napoca, CJ · 16 lei · Top 100 · 21 km
  The finest Baroque palace in Transylvania, built between 1774 and 1785 on Cluj's Union Square, with classical statues along its attic; it houses the Art Museum, with five centuries of Romanian and Transylvanian painting.

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Last updated: 12 October 2026
Source: Pe Plaiuri (https://peplaiuri.ro/en) — Guide to tourist attractions in Romania