Insula Șimian (Simian Island) is an island on the Danube, on Romanian territory, between Romania and Serbia. Archaeological finds show that the island was inhabited during the Neolithic era. Today, however, the island is inhabited, and although its has some tourist attractions, including the iconic fortress, moved here brick by brick in 1968, when the Ada Kaleh Island was destroyed to make room for the Iron Gate I Hydroelectric Power Station (Porţile de Fier I), these are deserted, and remain in poor conditions.
But things may change in the near future, as the Mehedinti County Council (Consiliul Judeţean Mehedinţi) signed a funding agreement worth 522,000 euros for a feasibility study and technical project to improve the tourist infrastructure on Șimian. The project would take about 16 months to complete, involving a partnership between the local authorities of Mehedinţi, as well as Bulgarian authorities from Dimovo.
The main priorities are to supply the island with electricity, build a sewer system and restore some of the tourist attractions on Șimian. A future project could enhance the island with camping places, a beach, hotels, shops, entertainment and dining venues.
The project also aims to support the development of border tourism and infrastructure that would promote the tourist potential of the island, making it interesting for both Romanian and Bulgarian tourists. Vending facilities on the island would offer shoppers both Romanian and Bulgarian products, according to Alin Ghiciulescu, news reporter for Gazeta de Sud.