26 Km from Sibiu, in a magical village where time seems to have stayed still for centuries, is located the Dacian Fortress of Cățânaș Tilişca.

On the Cățânaș Hill at a height of 716 meters, the fortress had a strategic value for ensuring a good view of the two neighboring valleys.

Archeological excavations in the area showed that the hill was populated at the beginning of the Iron Age by a Hallstatt civilization , from the 12th to 8th century BC.

The fortress was inhabited by the Dacians beginning with the 3th century BC. In the 1th century BC the fortress saw a major structural transformation. It was fully restored and the Hallstatt fortifications was strengthened by consolidating and raising the exterior walls. Terraces for both defensive and  housing purposes were also build.

The fortress soon became and important center for the Dacian civilization and was notable for its remarkable craft activities. The most important role of the Cățânaș Tilişca fortress was of making coins for the Dacian kings sitting in Sarmizegetusa Regia.

In the end the fortress was conquered and destroyed by the Romans on the Daco-Roman wars at the beginning of the 2nd century AD.

Today, on the Cățânaș plateau where the old Dacian fortress was standing,  you can find only some ruins of an ancient workshop, were the silver coins were made.

But it is fantastic to see 2000 years old bricks still standing on their old place.

The entrance into the archeological site is free and the road to the Cățânaș plateau is signaled and well arranged for tourists.

If you get to Tilişca, you have to buy a pair of wool socks handmade by the old ladies of the village or some very tasty and 100% natural sheep cheese. You can visit the local Ethnographic Museum organized in and old house from the village.

Also, near the Cățănaș Hill, on the Cetate Hill, you can find the ruins of a medieval citadel from the 13th century.