Sibiu County boasts one of the tallest and oldest fir trees in Romania. The “Guardian of the Nest” is 500 years old and it takes 8 men to wrap their arms around it.
The tree, located on the territory of Gura Râului commune, measures 42 meters high, has a diameter of over two meters and has accumulated five centuries of existence.
There isn’t a villager in Gura Râului who hasn’t heard about the legend of the colossus from Cheile Cibinului, to which, over time, people also gave him a name: “Guardian”.
A terrible mist descended from the Cindrel Mountains
It is said that, in distant times, a young shepherd climbed with his sheep towards the mountain, on the bank of the Great River, where the grass was fat and the water was crystal clear. The shepherd lived only with his mother, getting by on the little money he got from selling cheese and sheepskin coats.
As if out of the blue, a terrible fog descended from the Cindrel Mountains, the shepherd took shelter, along with his sheep, under the branches of a tree. Exhausted, the young man fell asleep, and when he woke up, he saw that his bones had disappeared, as if the earth had swallowed them.
In vain he looked for them up and down the river, through the dense woods or on the surrounding hills: the sheep seemed to be gone forever. The shepherd was brought up with faith in God, and with his eyes to heaven, he began to pray. Tears were streaming down his face which, one by one, ran down to the root of a fir tree.
The legend says that the tree gained strength and rose to Heaven
The legend says that the tree gained strength and rose to Heaven, as if taking the path of the shepherd’s prayers. Seeing the miracle, the shepherd climbed to the top of the fir tree, where he could see his little flock of lost sheep.
Returning to the village, the shepherd told the whole story to his mother who, in turn, told the people after the church service. Many villagers climbed the Cibin Gorge to see the evergreen giant with their own eyes, then vowed never to cut it down.
Currently, the centuries-old fir tree is located in the “wetland” of the Gura Râului Forest Bypass, which has also set up an access path for tourists, bordered by a safety railing.
“People come from all over to see it. Everyone marvels, takes photos of him and tries to hold him in their arms”, says Costel Sasu, the head of Ocol.
The forester admits that many people ask him about the legend of the shepherd: “I tell them what I also heard from my grandparents when I was a child. I never thought that I would end up taking care of the tallest fir tree in Sibiu county”.
“Paznicul Cibinului” can be reached by following the forest road that goes up from Gura Râului towards Crăciuneasa. The signs installed by Anii Drumeetii offer tourists the option of wonderful hikes to Păltiniș, Şaua Cânaia or the former Cabană Fântânele.
The Cibin Gorges, known for the beauty of the landscapes
Moreover, the Cibin Gorges are recognized for the beauty of the landscapes, furrowed by the waters of the Răului Mare and Răului Mic which, once reunited, give life to Cibinului. There are approximately 12 kilometers of road that separate the town from the towering fir which, in 2020, competed for the title of “European Tree of the Year 2020”, a competition in which it obtained 5th place, after receiving almost 18,300 votes.
A narrow path climbs from the road and winds its way to the foot of the green colossus. Thick roots weave and burrow through the gray rocks, feeding the giant with the sap and vigor of the earth.
The “Guardian” reigns quietly over the Cibin Gorge, ready to face the ages to come. It arose in the time of Michael the Brave, it knew the fury of nature, but people spared it after the tears of the legendary shepherd watered its roots, thus sending its branches to the high heavens. There, in the heavenly corner of the Cindrel Mountains, the evergreen “Guardian” awaits its guests, Sibiu County Council says on Facebook.
Source: www.descopera.ro
