Cabana Omu

Cabana Omu is a mountain hut (cabana) situated directly below the summit of Vârful Omu in the Bucegi Mountains, south of the Romanian city of Brașov. It is the highest permanently used building in Romania, with an elevation commonly cited as 2,505 metres — though many sources apply that figure to the slightly higher peak beside the hut as well. The hut is a well-known landmark and refuge for hikers in the Bucegi range. The first building on the site was inaugurated on 2–3 September 1888 by the Siebenbürgischer Karpaten Verein (SKV), a Transylvanian Carpathian association. In 1900 a second wooden hut was built by the Societatea Carpatină Sinaia. Both structures served the same purpose. Until 1918, Vârful Omu formed the border between Austria-Hungary and Romania. In October 1911 the wooden hut was destroyed by fire. Plans for restoration were taken over by the Romanian Tourism Society (STR), but it was not until 1924 that realisation began. Former STR members carried out the project and named it Casa Zorilor. The official inauguration took place on 7 August 1926. Between 1936 and 1937 extension work was carried out, and since then the building has retained roughly the same form. The hut offers 32 simple sleeping places in a communal room, distributed across two bunk beds and a few double rooms. In the dining room, simple Romanian dishes and drinks can be ordered. There is no electrical power for visitors to the hut. Vârful Omu can be reached via various marked trails, with starting points including Azuga and Bușteni, among others. A popular hiking destination from the hut is the striking rock formation Babele.

The history of Cabana Omu begins in the late 19th century, when the Siebenbürgischer Karpaten Verein (SKV), a Transylvanian Carpathian association, inaugurated the first building on the site on 2–3 September 1888. At that time the area around Vârful Omu formed part of Austria-Hungary, and until 1918 the peak marked the border between Austria-Hungary and Romania. In 1900 a second wooden hut was built by the Societatea Carpatină Sinaia. Both buildings served the same purpose as mountain refuges. In October 1911 the wooden hut was destroyed by fire. Plans for restoration were taken over by the Romanian Tourism Society (STR), but it was not until 1924 that realisation began. Former members of the STR carried out the project and named it Casa Zorilor. The official inauguration took place on 7 August 1926. Between 1936 and 1937 extension work was carried out, and since then the building has retained approximately the same form. The hut continues to operate as a high-altitude refuge, offering 32 simple sleeping places in a communal room distributed across two bunk beds and a few double rooms. In the dining room, simple Romanian dishes and drinks can be ordered. There is no electrical power for visitors to the hut. Vârful Omu can be reached via various marked trails, with starting points including Azuga and Bușteni, among others. A popular hiking destination from the hut is the striking rock formation Babele.

• 1936

  Extension work carried out between 1936 and 1937.

• 1926

  Official inauguration of Casa Zorilor on 7 August.

• 1924

  Realisation of restoration plans began under former STR members.

• 1911

  Wooden hut destroyed by fire in October.

• 1900

  Second wooden hut built by the Societatea Carpatină Sinaia.

• 1888

  First building inaugurated on 2–3 September by the Siebenbürgischer Karpaten Verein (SKV).

Romania's highest permanently inhabited mountain hut, a historic high-altitude refuge in the Bucegi Mountains.

• Mountain hut accommodation

  32 simple sleeping places in a communal room, distributed across two bunk beds and a few double rooms.

• Dining room

  Simple Romanian dishes and drinks can be ordered.

1. 1Cabana Omu official websitecabana-omu.ro
2. 2Cabana Omu – Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Cabana Omu – Wikipedia (German)de.wikipedia.org