Arutela Roman castrum restoration defended by archaeologist

Archaeologist Felix Marcu, a specialist in Roman fortifications and head of the Ministry of Culture Commission, has addressed online criticism regarding the restoration of the Arutela Roman castrum in Vâlcea County.

Critics on social media have compared the visual results of the restoration to ‘Disneyland’, questioning the aesthetic choices of the project. In response, Marcu explained that the ‘dirty white’ appearance of the plaster is historically accurate, noting that Roman mortar often contained crushed brick, which can result in a reddish tint.

The Arutela castrum, located near the Cozia Monastery on the banks of the Olt River, was built in 138 AD and is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. Marcu maintains that the restoration was conducted based on detailed studies of Roman gates and enclosures, and that the current height of the gates is much closer to the original dimensions than previous reconstructions from the 1980s.