Unusual Tourist Attractions: Rapa Roșie & Rapa Neagră

Today we bring to your attention an unusual tourist attraction in Romania, Rapa Roșie in Alba County.

The geological reserve has an unusual look, formed millions of years ago in red clay. It is only 3 km from the town of Sebeș, on the road linking the locality of Daia Română with Sebeș. The formation is visible from afar, so there is no way to miss it (it stretches for 800 metres, and its height varies between 50 and 435 metres).

It is also known as the “Little Canyon of Romania”, because its appearance makes it easy to compare with the Grand Canyon of the Colorado river in the USA.

The formation in our country resembles a giant organ set against an immense vertical wall. You will see strange columns and tiered pyramids, separated by ravines.

Rapa Roșie has been declared a natural monument since 1950, and is also a protected area.

Wondering how such a formation came about?

Rapa Roșie was formed by erosion “caused” by water and wind. As a result of heavy rain, running water, strong wind, collapse and erosion, these formations appeared, often compared to pyramids and columns. The reddish colour is due to the presence of red clay.

Over time the geological reserve has gained several names, such as: “strange hill”; “giant organ”; “earth organ”; “coiffed pyramids”; “bad lands”. The view of this hill with its strange shapes is absolutely fascinating, especially if you catch a shot while it is raining, because among the folds that furrow the hill you can see streams of blood-red water (due to the colour of the clay present).

As is only natural, the hill cannot be climbed, nor is this recommended. Besides the fact that the area is declared a protected nature reserve, the walls are very sandy, so the risk of collapse is very high.

Another similar point of attraction, less well known, is Rapa Neagră in Caraș-Severin County. It is in Mehadia commune, on the Banat Hills, and was also declared a protected area of national interest in 2000.

The formation of Rapa Neagră is quite similar to that of Rapa Roșie, through the combined erosion of water, wind, freezing and thawing, which led to a series of ravines 1-5 metres deep separated by narrow interfluves. The formation process is similar to the one mentioned above, except that here there were layers of hard, black-grey rock.

Rapa Neagră is becoming one of the most important tourist attractions in the Banat area, a geological site of importance covering an area of 5 ha.

You will find other unusual tourist attractions in Romania in the article: Discover the natural wonders of Racoș, Brașov