Decebalus Rex

Oh.....I'm so disappointed. I have just discovered that the head of King Decebal carved into that huge rock along the Danube near the frontier with Serbia in the beautiful region of the Banat isn't ancient after all. I had always romantically equated it with the amazing Buddha rock sculptures in Afghanistan for example, so criminally destroyed by the Taliban...but nope. Think again.

It was carved by twelve sculptor rock-climbers at great danger and risk (one got bitten by a viper and five others fell in the Danube but were saved by coup de grace) to themselves under the orders of Constantin Dragan. Poor Decebal's nose was in the same state as Michael Jackson's by the end of the endeavour, had to be blown to smithereens and remodelled with iron girders and ciment, bringing the work to a final end in 2004. 2004? I ask you! All my romantic bubbles have burst. The orchestra playing the schmultz I heard in my head on conjuring this incredibly impressive piece of rock sculpture has screeched to an unpleasant halt, the fireworks have quite fizzled out into a disappointing 'ttttthhhhhhhhh!'

Comments

[peterfay5574]

Romania has a wealth of traditions and history.

Some of the traditions are just less historic... :-)

HOWEVER, I was impressed when I visited the Decebal cliffs. The day was the best day of my holiday!