Dinosaur Geopark "Țara Hațegului"

Zamfir Alexandra Maria

cl. a VII-a A
The Dinosaurs Geopark "Țara Hațegului" is a protected area of national interest that
corresponds to the 5th IUCN category (natural park), located in southwestern Transylvania, on
the territory of Hunedoara county.

Location
The protected area is located in the southwestern
part of Hunedoara county, on the administrative
territory of Hațeg and in the communes: Baru,
Densuș, General Berthelot, Pui, Răchitova, Râu de
Mori, Sarmizegetusa, Sălașu de Sus, Sântămăria-
Orlea and Totești.

Facts
Dinosaur Geopark is the only area in Romania that
is a member of the European Network and the
Global Network of Geoparks. It was the first
geopark in Southeast Europe to obtain this
international status in 2005.
Geodiversity
• This protected natural area has a special status, due
to the high degree of habitation and its purpose is
to ensure the protection of the natural and cultural
heritage of Ţara Hațegului.
•
• The geopark includes elements of special geological
interest along with elements of ecological,
archaeological, historical and cultural interest.
•
• The key factor that personalizes this territory is
represented by the sites with dinosaur remains of
the Upper Cretaceous age. The dwarf dinosaurs of
the Hațeg Depression are unique in the world, their
scientific importance and attractiveness being
enhanced by the discovery of egg nests and
dinosaur embryos, of contemporary dinosaur
mammals and of a flying reptile (Hatzegopteryx),
from the pterosaur group.
Biodiversity • 3.the river otter (Lutra lutra)
• The geopark overlaps with the site of Community •
importance "Strei - Hațeg" (24,968 ha), a protected • 4.the bat with mouse ears (Myotis blythii),
area established in 2007 for the conservation of
natural habitats and species of wild plants and •
animals of Community interest. several faunal
species (bear, wolf, river otter) and floristic. •
Among the faunal species reported in • 5. the common bat (Myotis myotis),
the park area are seven mammals: •
• •
• 1. the brown bear (Ursus arctos) • 6.the long-legged bat (Myotis capaccinii)
•
•
•
• • 7.the large horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus
• ferrumequinum)

•
•
• 2. the wolf (Canis lupus),
Three species of amphibians: Four species of fish:
o 1. the yellow-bellied ivory (Bombina § 1.barbel (Barbus meridionalis)
variegata) §
o
§ 2.woodpecker (Cottus gobio)
o
§
o 2.the Transylvanian common newt §
(Triturus vulgaris ampelensis) §
§ 3.stingray (Sabanejewia aurata)
o 3.the crested newt (Triturus cristatus) §
§
§
§ 4. whiting (Eudontomyzon danfordi)
§
§
§
As well as ten species of invertebrates: Five species of butterflies :
q1.the crayfish v1.Hypodryas maturna
(Austropotamobius torrentium) v
v
q2.the hermit beetle v2. Euphydryas aurinia
(Osmoderma eremita) v

q3.the mountain grasshopper v3.Lycaena dispar

(Isophya costata) v
v
q4.the Transylvanian grasshopper v4.Maculinea teleius
(Pholidoptera transsylvanica)
v
q v
q5.the grasshopper
v5. Gortyna borelii lunata
(Isophya stysi) v
v
• Geopark House:
The concept capitalizes on the legends of
dragons, the myth of dragons and the
fascination for dinosaurs. The main hero is
the Bondoc Dragon, a species of
Transylvanian dinosaur, with the story of
its discovery and reconstruction.

o House for Science and Art

The center is intended for visiting,
organizing educational workshops and
outdoor learning activities. The star of the
exhibition is the life-size reproduction of
Magyarosaurus dacus outside. Inside is
another reconstruction - Zalmoxis
robustus, as well as a collection of fossils
including three original nests with
dinosaur eggs. The visiting schedule differs
depending on the season.
§ House of Volcanoes
The House of Volcanoes is an earthen
construction that tells the story of the
Earth, adapted to the geological story of
the Hateg Country. It is a place where
you can find out interesting things
about the volcanoes that dominated
the Island of Hațeg 70 million years ago
and whose traces are found today in
the commune of Densus. The
construction is an ecological one made
of cob, ie yellow earth, straw and water.
§
qHouse of Dwarf Dinosaurs and House of
Traditions
The House of the Dwarf Dinosaurs and the
House of Traditions are part of the
community center of Sânpetru village. In
the perimeter of the dinosaur fossil site in
Sânpetru, Franz Nopcsa made his first
paleontological discoveries in 1895.

vHouse of Stones
The House of Stones is a construction of
stone, wood, clay, water and straw bales
that tells the story of stones and living
things that live or have lived on Earth. Here
you will learn more about stones and
fossils, but also about how close are the
connections between them, landforms and
life on Earth.
Thank you for your time!