Discover Canaraua Fetii Nature Reserve

Canaraua Fetii is a tourist attraction located in the southwestern part of Dobrogea, in Constanta County, at the exit of Baneasa commune, near Lipnita. This lesser-known tourist attraction is located in a spectacular region, with hills, valleys and limestone cliffs with a canyon profile. Although the area is not very promoted and, therefore, not too well known by tourists, it hides many legends about the Dobrogean lands, which are said to have flowed here, once, the Danube.

The nature reserve starts near the Iormac pond, located near Baneasa and reaches Bulgaria, where it was called Suha Reka or Drained River.

Canaraua Fetii is a rocky canyon, whose slopes with steep vertical walls are furrowed by numerous cracks and caves. In some places, the erosion was so intense that it isolated blocks almost 50 meters high, resembling fortress towers.

Canaraua Fetii, a place of legend

According to the legend, some robbers settled in the rocks of the Ceair Valley, near the border with Bulgaria. Sometimes they kidnapped the most beautiful girls from neighboring villages. Outraged by the situation, the peasants set fire to the place where the thieves were and managed to kill all those who were in the cave. They called that place Canaraua Fetii, a partly Bulgarian name, because in Bulgarian, kanara means rock. Subsequently, the name was given to the entire valley.

Another legend says that the peasants hid their daughters in these caves, so as not to be found and dishonored by the Turkish soldiers. It is said that the girls lived there for a while, and when the enemies discovered them, in order not to be caught, the young women jumped into the abyss.

The cave churches from Canaraua Fetii

In the limestone walls of the cliffs of Canaraua Fetii, archaeologists have discovered a small church of only a few meters in the upper part of the rock, which they say existed between the 4th and 3rd centuries BC.

Another church dug into the rock was discovered at the bottom, where archaeologists also found two tombs, crosses and Roman coins from the time of Emperor Constantine the Great.

Archaeological researchers also believe that in the rocks of Canaraua Fetii there was a cave complex spread over several levels, similar to the chalk from Basarabi, but slightly smaller.

The Hermit's Cave

From Canaraua Fetii, the road continues through the forest that has become, over time, a nature reserve. To the left, visitors can reach the Monastery "St. Gherman”, also known as the Hermit's Cave, whose construction began in 2011. If we look to the right, we see a small sign to it. The entrance is not imposing at all, but there is a sign to the access area to the cave, under which a cross was placed. Actually, the cave is, in fact, a short tunnel, dug into the rock, at the end of which a precipice deepens.

From there you can admire the spectacular landscape of the area and the "St. Gherman” Monastery. According to several sources, the cave is overlooked by monks, probably that is why, at the exit, you can see an icon with St. German, a wooden cross and many candles.

Access to the Canaraua Fetii Forest Nature Reserve

Canaraua Fetii Nature Reserve is located in the South Dobrogea Plateau, within the commune of Baneasa, towards its border with Lipnita, in the southwest of Constanta County.

The access is made from the northern part of the reservation and is represented by DN3 Constanta - Ostrov, between Baneasa and Lipnita localities, the exploitation road until the former stone quarry Canaraua Fetii and then on Canaraua Fetii valley.

Flora of the nature reserve

The slopes of the Canaraua Fetii valley and the fauna and flora of these walls are all special and include a large number of rare species for Romania. These slopes represent the home and resting place for several species of birds. The area is a favorable environment for many mammals, but also for Dobrogean land turtles, which have developed their habitat in the area, this being one of the elements for which the area has been declared protected.

If we have convinced you to make a trip to Canaraua Fetii, it would not be bad to consider a stop at Adamclisi, to visit the monument Tropaeum Traiani, the fortress and the museum. We wish you a good road, strength in pedals and perfect weather!

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