Romania & Serbia: the Iron Gates

The river Danube cuts through the Carpathian Mountains

The Iron Gates - their total length is 100 kms - comprise four interconnecting gorges .  The canyon is just 150 metres at points, and its limestone cliffs can rise to a height of 500 metres.
 
In the side of the canyon (and only visible from the river) is a monumental Tablet of the Roman emperor Trajan This was carved in AD 103 to commemorate the completion the emperor’s road during the wars of Rome with Dacia (now Romania).  In around AD 105, beyond the Iron Gates, Trajan’s army to built a massive bridge across the Danube, over 3,700 feet long and almost 50 feet wide.

The Emperor was lured was the silver mines and gold mines in Dacia’s part of the Carpathian Mountains

Stunning views.
This photo was taken in a narrow part of the canyon, on the other side of which is Serbian territory.

Photo 2

Further down the river is the colossal Ðerdam (pronounce it as Jerdam), comprising the largest hydroelectric dam on the Danube, and produces more than 10 billion kW/year.  This was the product of 8 years cooperation (1964 -1972) between Romania and Serbia.

This photo shows the down-side of the dam.