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All Romania Dubova Decebal's Head

Decebal's Head

A giant portrait of an ancient king looms over the river.

Dubova, Romania

Added By
Stanislav Stanković
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Side view of the statue   George Bufan/CC BY-SA 4.0
Side view of the statue   George Bufan/CC BY-SA 4.0
  chidorinagashi / Atlas Obscura User
The head.   Cristian Bortes/bortescristian/cc by2.0
Decebal’s Head.   epfromer / Atlas Obscura User
By Dr Chris Stout   drchrisstout / Atlas Obscura User
The head.   Byron Howes/cc by-nd 2.0
The head.   Anne and David/public domain
By Dr Chris Stout   drchrisstout / Atlas Obscura User
By Dr Chris Stout   drchrisstout / Atlas Obscura User
  europafox / Atlas Obscura User
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About

This 40-meter-tall bearded stone face overlooking the Danube River looks like something straight from Middle Earth. In reality, it's the recent creation of a Romanian businessman.

Decebal (Decebalus the Brave One) was the last king of Dacia. He was also one of the mightiest rulers of this ancient kingdom. After reuniting fragmented Dacian tribes, he fought three wars against two Roman emperors before finally succumbing to the power of Rome in 106.

The national identity of modern Romania is still firmly rooted in its ancient Dacian heritage. This monumental stone portrait of Decebal is the brainchild of Iosif Constantin Dragan, a businessman and historian. It's situated on the Romanian side of Danube, right opposite the Tabula Traiana, a memorial to the Roman conquest of Dacia. At 40 meters, it is is the tallest rock sculpture in Europe and took 10 years (from 1994 to 2004) for a team of 12 sculptors to complete.

Inscription on the statue is, somewhat ironically, written in Latin—the language introduced to Romania by Decebal's enemies. It reads "DECEBALUS REX - DRAGAN FECIT" ("King Decebal - Made by Dragan").

Related Tags

Giant Heads Statues Rocks Sculptures Royalty Geology
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Added By

stanestane

Edited By

mbison, Kerry Wolfe, chidorinagashi, epfromer...

  • mbison
  • Kerry Wolfe
  • chidorinagashi
  • epfromer
  • drchrisstout
  • Michelle Cassidy
  • mtkellyphotography
  • europafox

Published

August 24, 2009

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Sources
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statue_of_Decebalus
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decebal
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_sculpture_of_Decebalus
Decebal's Head
DN57
Dubova, 227170
Romania
44.64086, 22.291578
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Tabula Traiana

Tekija, Serbia

miles away

Lepenski Vir

Boljetin, Serbia

miles away

Fetislam Fortress

Kladovo, Serbia

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Romania

Romania

Europe

Places 73
Stories 5

Nearby Places

Tabula Traiana

Tekija, Serbia

miles away

Lepenski Vir

Boljetin, Serbia

miles away

Fetislam Fortress

Kladovo, Serbia

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Romania

Romania

Europe

Places 73
Stories 5

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