Sarmizegetusa Regia undergoes controversial restoration projects

Large-scale rehabilitation projects at Sarmizegetusa Regia, the identified capital of the Dacian Kingdom, have sparked controversy. Authorities aim to present the Orăștie Mountains site with a more authentic and attractive setting for visitors by 2027.

Historical restoration efforts at the site, particularly those conducted in the early 1980s, have faced criticism for altering the appearance of monuments. Past interventions included using cement to complete the andesite sun, installing wooden pillars in the Great Circular Sanctuary, and replacing deteriorated limestone blocks with replicas. Some solutions, such as the use of reinforced concrete for terrace support and drainage systems, as well as the introduction of concrete disks and blocks within the sacred enclosure to complete the image of ancient temples, have been contentious.

In 2010, following a directive from the Ministry of Culture, nearly 50 concrete disks placed during the 1980s were removed from the site. Over the last decade, restoration work has been managed by the Hunedoara County Council, which assumed administration of the site in 2013. This administration also oversees other Dacian fortresses, including Costești–Cetățuie, Costești–Blidaru, Luncani–Piatra Roșie, and Bănița, all of which have been part of the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1999.