The sacred cave
from Bănița ✟
The Gateway to the 👑
Kingdom of BUREBISTA
The cave is located in the Bănița Commune, with road access via the E79, which connects the towns of Hațeg and Petroșani. Bolia Cave is a natural breakthrough that is accessible along its entire length, one of the few caves of this type in the country. The cave’s name comes from the Bolia family, who owned land and forests in the area since the 15th century. The name BOLIA first appears in 1404, in a donation deed by Sigismund, in which, among others, the voivode Bolia from Zarand received land properties.
Mythology and Legend of the Cave
Long before the war with the Romans, the legends say that in the wild mountains that sheltered the Great God of the Getae, there lived a priest, young in years but with hair and a beard as white as snow. His faith, courage, and unwavering spirit were not only known to the people and to the god Zamolxis himself, but also to the wild creatures of the forest, with whom he lived in harmony, understanding their language.
At the command of the Great God, the priest joyfully accepted his transformation into the eternal glory of the free Getae, becoming the Great White Wolf. In this new form, he became the leader of all the wolf packs across the vast Getic Empire, guiding them in times of both war and peace. He, the Great White Wolf, was entrusted with the sacred duty of guarding the freedom of the Getae and their lands, waiting for the moment when Zamolxis would call upon him. At the sound of his battle cry, the Great White Wolf would summon the wolf packs and the masters of the lands to unite in battle and drive away the enemies who coveted their territory.
The cave itself, a place of ancient power, was where the spirit of the Great White Wolf resided, watching over the realm and ready to awaken when the time for battle arrived. It was here that the Getae would gather to receive guidance from the spirits of their ancestors and from the Great White Wolf, who would lead them to victory through the strength of their unity and their unwavering faith in Zamolxis.
The Getic Empire, the only people in the ancient world to worship a single supreme deity—Zamolxis, the Great Priest—was uniquely devoted to the god’s teachings. This devotion paved the way for the smooth mission of the apostle Saint Andrew in the Land of the Wolves, where the Great White Wolf often guided the apostle, ensuring no obstacles to the conversion of the people. Even after their Christianization, the Getae preserved the sacred laws of Zamolxis as the foundation of their society.
Among the hermits of the Carpathian Mountains, it is said that a legend endures, passed down through generations: the last great priest of Zamolxis not only met Jesus but also encountered Saint Andrew, and together they spoke of the “mystery” of the Getae’s conversion to Christianity—a secret that has been preserved through the ages, passed from hermit to hermit as a testament to the unbroken continuity of faith in these ancient lands.
The battle stindard of GETÆ 🐺
and the miracle of the Cave ✟
In Bolia Cave, there is an extremely interesting phenomenon. The mysterious appearance of the image of the Virgin Mary holding the Child in her arms, etched into the rock of the cave, is well-known. What is less known is that if you turn that image around, a new, highly suggestive image appears – the Getic standard – the wolf DRACO / DRACON. This could be a powerful symbol of the transition from the world’s first monotheistic religion to Christianity. We invite you to see it with your own eyes.
👑 Don’t hesitate to ask any questions or make the most of your time here—be sure to capture those unforgettable moments! During this stop, we will also visit 👑 The Gateway to the Kingdom of BUREBISTA Bănița Gorges 👑 and together we will uncover the Myth of Bendis, a tale of divinity and Kingship & The battle stindard of Geto-DACIANS from the Wolves’ Land 🐺