Iron Gates (Đerdap)

Europe's most spectacular gorge, carved by the Danube through the Carpathians between Serbia and Romania, with Golubac Fortress, the Rock Sculpture of Decebalus and prehistoric sites.

The Iron Gates are a series of gorges cut by the Danube through the Carpathian and Balkan Mountains, stretching about 130 km from Golubac in Serbia to the Iron Gate dam near Kladovo, with Romania on the north bank and Serbia on the south. The Serbian side is Đerdap National Park; the Romanian side is Iron Gates Natural Park. From west to east, the gorge passes Golubac and Ram fortresses, the prehistoric site of Lepenski Vir, the park's core area around Donji Milanovac, and the narrowest section, the Great and Small Kazan gorges. The Kazan stretch is home to the Rock Sculpture of Decebalus, the Tabula Traiana, Mraconia Monastery and several caves, while the eastern end has the Iron Gate I hydroelectric plant, the Roman fort of Diana and the remains of Trajan's Bridge. The best time to visit is May–October, when you can take a boat through the Kazan gorges or drive the Serbian gorge road or Romania's DN57; in autumn the forested slopes on both banks turn red and gold. Stay in Donji Milanovac (Serbia) or Orșova or Dubova (Romania) for 2–3 days; the western entrance of the gorge is about 2 hours' drive from Belgrade. Crossing between the two countries at the Iron Gate dam border post requires a passport, and Chinese travellers should check visa requirements for Serbia and Romania separately.

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