Piatra Fântânele

Piatra Fântânele is a protected area of ​​national importance, classified as IUCN Category IV, i.e. a botanical nature reserve. It is located in the northeastern part of the Transylvania region, in Bistrița-Năsăud County.

This natural area is located in the extreme eastern part of Bistrița-Năsăud County, near the border with Suceava County. It is located on the administrative territory of the Prundu Bârgăului commune, in the vicinity of the Tihuța Pass, which is on the national road DN17, a road that connects the Transylvanian Colline Depression to the Dornelor Depression.

The reserve was designated as a protected area by Law No. 5 of 6 March 2000, on the approval of the National Spatial Planning Plan - Section III, dedicated to protected areas, law published in the Official Gazette of Romania No. 152 of 12 April 2000. The total area of ​​this reserve is 5 hectares.

This natural area is located in the Bârgău Mountains, at an altitude of 1200 meters, and is characterized by the presence of mountain meadows and hayfields. In this area grows the mountain bulbul (Trollius europaeus), a plant species protected at European level by Directive 92/43/EC of 21 May 1992, which aims to conserve natural habitats and species of wild flora and fauna. The mountain bulbul grows together with various species of grasses of the Poaceae family, including several types of field grass (Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis moldavica, Agrostis rupestris) and red fescue (Festuca rubra).

In the western part of the reserve is a rock formation composed of andesite, an igneous rock formed following a volcanic eruption that occurred a long time ago.

Sursa: ro.wikipedia.org