The Cinciș Lake

If you ever find yourself near Corvinilor’s Castle in Hunedoara and plan to stay a couple more days, you can go to the Cinciș Lake. It is only 6 kilometres away from Hunedoara and its main recreation area. Thus, a trip to the lake might prove to be a very good idea.

What is it and how did it appear?
According to the representatives of the Mureș Water Basin Administration, the dam was built between 1961-1964. It was used to provide water for Hunedoara and a recreation area for local metallurgists. Today, the dam produces electric energy. Its importance category is B which means it has special importance.

The Cursed Lake
To create today’s lake, 60 years ago the communist authorities flooded the vale, along with 5 villages. These were: Cinciş-Cerna, Valea Ploştii, Baia lui Crai, Moara Ungurului and Ciuleni. All 500 people that were living there moved to a new village named Cinciș. Over the past years, several people drowned in the lake. Because of this, stories about how the lake was haunted started to appear. Seeing the old beautiful houses from Valea Ploștii, Baia lui Crai, Moara Ungurului and Ciuleni abandoned shows the fact that the locals were not happy leaving their homes. Yet, the stories of monsters or dragons living there are nothing but fictitious tales.

A deep lake, with sandy shores
The lake is one of the biggest and most spectacular lakes having 867 hectares. The dam is 48 metres high while the lake’s depth can reach 30 metres. The area presentation catalogues state that 52 per cent of the lake’s shores is made of sand. This means that while you’re there you can also enjoy the sun and sand as well. While you are here make sure to ask about father Arsenie Boca. Locals say that before the dam’s construction took place, Arsenie Boca would visit them foreseeing and telling them the villages were supposed to be flooded and that they should prepare for it.

All in all, if you find yourself in Hunedoara you must visit the Cinciș lake. It would be a shame to miss it, especially that many hotels and pensions were built on the left riverbank. The other side of the riverbank, however, is only explored by fishermen and tourists that like to camp and have a much more quiet experience.