Transfăgărășan: A Marvel of Romanian Infrastructure Built with Tremendous Sacrifice

Approximately 3,000 soldiers of all ranks, four million cubic meters of earthworks, 290,000 cubic meters of foundations, and 598,000 cubic meters of macadam superstructures contributed to the realization of one of Romania’s most ambitious projects: the Transfăgărășan road. Built over four and a half years by the Romanian Army in the early 1970s, it stands today as a monumental feat of engineering and human endurance.

Work began in February 1970, with the road initially designed as a single-lane forest road for military use. The 1st Engineering Regiment „Alexandru Ioan Cuza” from Râmnicu Vâlcea started the construction, working alongside other military units. The conditions were often perilous, with soldiers working on steep and unstable terrain, facing frequent landslides, known as „ebulments”—dangerous rock and sand formations that could shift suddenly.

Colonel Vasile Dabu, a young lieutenant at the time, recalled the harsh working conditions. „We worked in rock, in highly dangerous areas. We worked day and night, regardless of the weather. We had accidents, some of them fatal,” he said. Official estimates suggest that seven soldiers lost their lives during the construction, though unofficial figures place the death toll higher.

The most challenging section of the project was between Piscul Negru and the Bâlea tunnel—the longest mountain road tunnel in Romania, located at an altitude of 2,042 meters. Stories from the site reveal that workers often had to hold onto each other to avoid being swept away by high winds or torrential waters.

Despite the extreme danger and difficulty, those who worked on the project believed it was worth every effort. On September 20, 1974, the Transfăgărășan was inaugurated, becoming one of Romania’s most significant infrastructure achievements.

Today, the Transfăgărășan is celebrated as one of the most visited attractions in the country, drawing both domestic and international tourists with its breathtaking switchbacks and stunning views. In 2009, it was dubbed „the most beautiful road in the world” by the British TV show Top Gear, solidifying its legendary status.