Positive and Negative Aspects in the Management of the Dacian Fortresses in the Orăștie Mountains Listed Among UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Despite Romania's commitment to UNESCO's 1972 World Heritage Convention, the Dacian fortresses of the Orăștie Mountains—recognized for their universal value—face significant challenges due to inadequate management and enforcement. While Sarmizegetusa Regia, under local administration, has seen improvements such as security, preservation efforts, and visitor infrastructure, the other five fortresses lack legal administrators, management plans, and financial support, leading to decay, vandalism, and illegal archaeological poaching. The study highlights a stark contrast: Sarmizegetusa Regia meets UNESCO standards with structured oversight, while unmanaged sites suffer from ruined structures, invasive vegetation, and unresolved land ownership issues. This disparity underscores systemic failures in Romania's regulatory framework for heritage protection, including gaps in anti-poaching measures and urban planning integration.

Bârcă, V. (2019). POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE ASPECTS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF THE DACIAN FORTRESSES IN THE ORĂȘTIE MOUNTAINS LISTED AMONG UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES. Journal of Ancient History and Archaeology, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.14795/j.v6i1.385