Djerdap

The Iron Gates is the area located in the middle of the Danube course, where the river separates Carpatian Mountains on the Romanian side, and the Balkan Mountains on the Serbian side of the river. The water carved its passage through the mountains, forming the largest gorge in Europe and, at the same time, one of the most scenic parts of the Danube landscapes. It is a destination with spectacular landscapes, diversity of flora and fauna, and a large number of cultural and historical sites dating back from the Neolithic period, Roman Empire and medieval times. The area, which spreads 100 km along the Danube course, is under protection, as The National Park Djerdap.

There are three gorges within the Park. Golubac gorge is 14.5 km long and only 230m wide at its narrowest point. Second gorge, Gospodjin Vir, is15 km long, 220 m wide and 500 m high at some points. The third one, Veliki i Mali kazan, is the most famous gorge of the whole route: the river here narrows to only 150 m and reaches a depth up to 80 m, which is one the largest river depths in the world.

At the top of the first gorge, there is medieval fortress Golubac. Since no one knows who built it, a number of local legends tell the story of its origins.

Lepenski vir, one of the most important archeological sites in Southeastern Europe, was excavated in the 1960's, in the area of Gospodjin Vir, proving that the banks of the Danube were inhabited in Neolithic era.

In the area of Veliki i Mali Kazan, there is a plaque carved in the stone, commemorating the Roman emperor Trajan, preceding his final conquest of Dacia (Romania). Both the plaquee and the archeological site Lepenski vir were relocated in 1970's, when Serbia and Romania together built a new power plant. The water level rose up for about 30 m, and an artificial lake was formed at the dam.

Thanks to high wooded cliffs and a very narrow flow, the colour of the Danube at The Iron Gates is dark blue-green, which is equaly impressive as everything else this destination has to offer.