What to visit in Romania for lovers of terrifying places. Guide to Romania: the most interesting places and famous sights of the country
Romania is simply a country that is a storehouse of mysticism and various devilish things. In addition to the gloomy castle of Vlad the Impaler, known to everyone as Count Dracula, there are still places where it is not advisable for the especially impressionable to go. But if you are tired of the generally accepted routes, you adore nature and are looking for adventure on your own, then this selection is for you.
Hoya Baciu Forest
Titled " Bermuda Triangle Transylvania, the forest near the city of Cluj-Napoca is one of the most active regions in the world in terms of paranormal phenomena. Once upon a time a shepherd disappeared here along with his flock, and no one was able to find him or even part of the sheep. Since then, the forest has had a bad reputation. Local residents say that those who enter Hoya Bacha suddenly experience a strange feeling of nausea and at the same time constantly feel that someone is following them. And these are not only impressions. Unexplained phenomena were captured by cameras: UFOs floating in the air, shadows, strange silhouettes.
Witch Lake
Continuing the mystical excursion, you can look into another forest, Bold Cretjeasca, 30 kilometers from Bucharest. There is mysterious lake. Its depth is 1.5 meters and remains unchanged in hot weather and during the rainy season. There are no frogs or birds here. Animals always avoid this place and even in drought do not drink the enchanted water. Local residents say that for a long time, witches and sorcerers have been coming to the lake to conduct secret rituals. It is believed that the lake is a source of some kind of mental energy for those who can feel it. It seems, a good place for meditation.
Radovan Forest
And in this forest, located in Dolzh County, ghosts live. More precisely, the ghost of a young woman dressed in a wedding dress. They say: this is the ghost of a girl who came from Moldova to earn money for her family, but hanged herself in the Radovan forest, thinking she was pregnant. Others believe that the ghost of a girl appears in the forest, whose fiancé died right before the wedding. The news of his death forced her to jump into a well in her wedding dress. But even after death, she did not stop looking for her beloved. That's why the bride only appears in front of unmarried guys' cars. Legends are legends, but on the road running along the forest, you really have to be very careful.
Longgang Hill
On Longgan Hill between the villages of Sarka and Longgan of Yassy County, you won’t be able to enjoy the local beauty in silence either - and mysterious phantoms wander here. They say that they were buried at this place mass grave soldiers who died during the First World War. Buried without religious rites, their souls found no peace. So the restless walk the earth.
Trovante Museum-Reserve
In the south of Romania, among the sand quarries of the Valcea region, there are no ghosts, but “living” stones called “trovants” grow there. Their size ranges from a few grams to several tons, and the largest specimens reach a height of 10 meters. The most interesting thing is that such huge boulders many years ago were just small pebbles. According to geologists, the reason for the growth of stones lies in the increased mineralization of sandstone rocks. Rainwater activates a chemical reaction inside the trovants, and the pressure inside the stone causes it to grow. The whole process resembles budding, and scientists are seriously thinking about the question: are stones still an inorganic form of life unknown to mankind?
Gothic churches, medieval castles, charming cities, wrapped in the mysterious landscapes of South-Eastern Europe... Romania is full of stunning places that are worth seeing for any traveler. From the underground theme park Salina Turda to the dark castle of Dracula - before you best destinations for a trip to this country.
Sighisoara
This is a small medieval town in Transylvania with charming streets, colorful houses and a stunning historical center. But be careful: Sighisoara is also the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler. According to legend, the city is literally teeming with ghosts.
Lacu Rosu (Red Lake)
Despite the name, the water in Lacu Rosu is very ordinary, but once here you will be so engrossed in the stunning mountain views, that you don’t even remember about semantics.
Bran Castle
Bran Castle is located in the Carpathians, on the border of Transylvania and Wallachia. It is also known as Dracula's Castle due to its resemblance to the fortress described in Bram Stoker's novel.
Transfagarasan Highway
The Transfagarasan Highway is considered one of the most beautiful and most exciting roads on Earth. Routed through the Carpathians, it is literally dotted sharp turns and long S-shaped slopes.
Salina Turda
This is unique theme park, located in one of the oldest salt mines in the world. At a depth of 120 m, tourists can play bowling, take a boat ride on the lake and even ride a Ferris wheel.
Sarmisegetusa
The Romanian version of Stonehenge represents the remains of the capital of ancient Dacia, built in the 1st century AD. e. under King Decebalus and destroyed by the Romans in 106.
Statue of King Decebalus
An impressive 40-meter-tall sculpture of the face of King Decebalus rises on the Romanian side of the Danube. The statue looks like it was created by people of the ancient world, but in fact it was erected in 2004.
Palace of Culture in Targu Mures
The Palace of Culture was rebuilt at the beginning of the 20th century and is now a fine example of Art Nouveau architecture with bronze busts and numerous stained glass windows.
Lake Balea
This glacial lake is located at an altitude of over 2000 m in the central part of the Fagaras mountain range. Balea is known for its extraordinary scenery and two chalets open to tourists all year round.
Ice Hotel
The Ice Hotel is another attraction of Lake Balea. It offers its guests an ice restaurant, bar, rooms and an igloo. There is also an ice church nearby where you can get married and have children baptized.
Chahlău
Ceahlău (1907 m) is one of the most famous mountain ranges in Romania. It is attractive with stunning views of the Eastern Carpathians, as well as a rich flora and fauna.
Merry Cemetery in Sapynets
You may think that all Romanian necropolises are terrifying to look at, but this is not entirely true. Graves of the Merry Cemetery with colorful crosses self made They don't look gloomy at all.
Danube Delta
The Romanian part of the Danube Delta is home to over 300 species of birds, many beautiful beaches and extensive wetlands.
Corvin Castle
This 15th-century Gothic fortress has enough creepy features to rival Bran Castle: massive walls and a drawbridge on the outside, dungeons and torture chambers on the inside.
Timisoara
Timisoara - third most popular tourist destination in Romania after Bucharest and Cluj-Napoca. The city is attractive for its magnificent squares, luxury hotels and festivals.
Casino Constanta
The Casino of Constanta was opened in 1910. Now this Art Nouveau masterpiece overlooking the Black Sea is one of the most beautiful abandoned buildings in Romania.
Beushnitsa
Located in the southwest of the country, this national park is famous for its picturesque waterfalls and dazzling blue lakes.
Vidraru Dam
The Vidraru Dam, built in 1966 on the Arges River, is a spectacular sight, as is the lake of the same name that it created.
Palace of Parliament in Bucharest
It is the second largest administrative building in the world after the Pentagon. The Palace of Parliament has 12 floors and 1,100 rooms.
Brasov
A visit to Brasov is like traveling back to the Middle Ages. Numerous clock towers and Gothic churches remind of an era that has sunk into oblivion.
Sibiu
The history of the city dates back to the 12th century, when Saxon settlers explored Transylvania. Sibiu is full of buildings with German architecture that serve as reminders of its founders.
If you think that Romania is full of vampires hiding in dark castles and waiting for tourists, then this is not so at all. And although the Transylvanian vampires of legend do look menacing, Romania is much more than just Dracula and his Brukenthal palace. There are many medieval castles and stunning alpine scenery for skiing in winter and hiking in summer. Romania has quaint villages and vibrant churches that are painted with a unique style. Millions of birds nest in the Danube Delta, including very rare species. I present to your attention an overview of the main attractions of Romania.
Churches of Maramures
When the foreign rulers of Maramures refused to allow the people to build durable stone churches, they decided to build them from wood. Over a 200-year period, approximately 300 were built wooden churches, about 100 of which have survived to this day. These Gothic structures are predominantly Orthodox, but there are several Greek Catholic shrines. Churches with tall, slender bell towers reflect great craftsmanship and knowledge of carpentry. These are both simple and elegant attractions of Romania. Hand-painted frescoes decorate the interior of many of Maramures' wooden churches.
Vaser Valley
In Romania you will have unique chance go on a tour of the Carpathian forests on a steam locomotive. Stretching along the Vaser River valley Railway The local forestry department has been operating since 1932, when it was used to transport wood from sawmills. Today it is used to transport tourists who enjoy the charm of old narrow gauge trains along pretty forested landscapes. The train stops in Patina, where you will have two hours for a walk through the forest and a picnic surrounded by beautiful nature.
Danube Delta
If you are a nature lover, then definitely visit the Danube Delta. It is the largest protected River Delta in Europe, most of which falls on the territory of Romania. Be sure to bring binoculars as this is a birdwatcher's paradise. Here you can observe many rare species of birds that gather for the winter. The canals overgrown with reeds provide an ideal environment for 300 species of birds. There is also a wide variety of animals here, including wild cats, wolves and even wild boars. The Danube Delta is one of Romania's most outstanding natural attractions.
Poiana Brasov
When you're tired of looking for vampires, turn your attention to Poiana Brasov and visit this popular ski resort in Romania. This place attracts skiers from all over Europe. Ski resort in the Carpathians has seven slopes with a total length of 25 km for athletes with varying levels of training. Competitions are constantly held here alpine skiing, figure skating and snowboarding. After an active day on the slopes, treat yourself to a traditional mulled wine or try a local hot pepper drink.
Corvin Castle
Corvinov Castle is a medieval Gothic structure considered to be the greatest medieval castle in Romania. It is also known as Hunyad Castle after the high-ranking ruler who built it. Corvin is a fairytale castle to which wooden bridge with a statue of the Holy Patron of Bridges, John of Nepomuk. The symbol of the 15th century castle is a raven wearing Golden ring. While visiting this Romanian landmark, pay attention to the bear pit and the dungeon where people were brutally tortured. This is one of the perfectly preserved European castles that is definitely worth a visit.
Sucevita Monastery
Sucevita Monastery has a unique architectural style. One way or another, Gothic and Byzantine elements are mixed here, plus the Moldavian style of painting churches. All this is reflected in a single impressive building, as one of the most recognizable landmarks in Romania. The front part of the monastery is cylindrical and topped with a conical roof, while the rear part is rectangular with a small tower. Inside you will find painted frescoes from the early 1600s and tombs with silver thread embroidery. The monastery is located in northeastern Romania and is considered one of the most important painted churches in the country.
Salina Turda
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Romantic and mystical Romania is known to many for Transylvania and Count Dracula. But this is only a small part of what awaits in this beautiful country. The amazing republic can boast medieval castles, Black Sea coast, clean beaches, lakes, the majestic Danube, ski and health resorts. We'll talk about this later in the article.
General idea of the country
Romania, with its capital Bucharest, is located in the southeastern part of Europe. The state's neighbors are Ukraine, Moldova, Hungary, Serbia and Bulgaria. The country has long understood that the name of Count Dracula alone will not get you far. Therefore in Lately In Romania, the tourism infrastructure is rapidly developing, new hotels are being built, and new projects are appearing at the country's resorts.
Modern Romania will delight guests with interesting excursion programs, fashionable and updated hotels, beautiful nature mountain ranges, warm sea. The weather in Romania is influenced by the temperate continental climate zone, while the eastern regions are influenced by the maritime climate. Winters in the country are mild and sunny, but sometimes there are frosts; summers are warm and humid. Swimming season on Black Sea coast lasts from May to September, and skiing in the Carpathians - from December to April.
How to get to Romania from different CIS countries
Several times a week there are direct flights from Moscow to Bucharest. The average flight duration is 2.5 hours. Every day planes from Kyiv and Minsk land at the airports of Bucharest and Timisoara. There are no direct flights from Kazakhstan to Romania: you will have to fly with a transfer in Moscow, Kyiv or Minsk.
IN summer time every day from Moscow via Kyiv to Bucharest fast trains. Traveling from Russia on this transport will take about two days, and from Ukraine – 31 hours. In winter, trains travel to Romania several times a week. Modern buses and taxis run from the capital's airport to Bucharest itself.
The Black Sea coast of Romania is famous for its flat bottom and clean, well-maintained beaches. Featured seaside resorts amazing country You will be pleased with the developed infrastructure and affordable prices:
- Constanta is considered the largest Black Sea port and a wonderful place to relax. Third most populous Romanian seaside resort attracts travelers with interesting sights, entertainment centers, cathedral, mosque, museums, planetarium and dolphinarium.
- Near Constanta is the popular Mamaia. The resort is located on a sand spit that separates the Black Sea and the large freshwater lake Syutgiol. Oldest city will delight you with a long coastline, wide beaches, numerous hotels, amusement parks, the only water park in the country, discos and bars. Every summer in Mamaia there is a music Festival. Unlike other places for sea holidays in Romania, this resort is more expensive, which is explained by the high level of comfort.
- Fans of a family, quiet and secluded holiday will love the Jupiter resort, located an hour's drive from Constanta. Vacationers come here to admire the picturesque bay, soak up the wonderful beaches and escape from the bustle of the city.
- The most southern resort Romania is considered to be Mangalia, which is known for its beautiful sandy beach, thermal springs, mineral drinking water, therapeutic mud, a nature park and a stud farm where you can ride a horse. Saturn is located near Mangalia. This resort has lower prices.
The most luxurious resort on the Romanian coast is Neptune-Olympus, located near Mangalia. The coastal zone of the town borders on a coniferous forest, thanks to which recovery from lung diseases is achieved. Neptune-Olympus will delight tourists with sports grounds, a summer cinema, an amusement park, numerous shops and boat trips.
Ski resorts in Romania
The small but pretty resort of Sinaia attracts tourists rich history and ancient architectural landmarks. The direction owes its name to the monastery, which was built in the area towards the end of the 16th century. The visiting card of the town is the beautiful Peles Palace with its picturesque park.
Ski and toboggan runs are suitable for both beginners and experienced athletes. Sinaia often hosts international winter sports competitions. The resort with developed infrastructure will delight you with restaurants, bars, discos, an ice rink, a swimming pool, interesting excursions And picturesque nature with clean air.
The fashionable resort of Poiana Brasov is located in a sunny valley. Well-equipped trails are built on the southern slopes of the Carpathian Mountain Posrevaru. Tourists get here on horseback or on sleighs; the air is of unique purity. Fans of bobsleigh, cross-country skiing, luge, ski jumping and paragliding come to Poiana Brasov. Vacationers can have a pleasant time in the pool, sports center, sauna, restaurants and skating rink. There are excursions to the legendary Bran Castle, which was built by Vlad the Impaler himself back in the 15th century.
Predeal is the highest mountainous Romanian city. The resort's pistes are protected from the wind by dense forest, which creates pleasant and comfortable conditions. Local ski tours known in Europe and are popular. On the territory of the resort there are best tracks countries. The main feature of the area is that the ski resort never closes and receives thousands of tourists.
The main entertainment in Romania, how to spend your time
Romania is rich in all kinds of entertainment. Entertaining excursions to ancient places and attractions, bicycle rides in the mountains, historical performances related to Count Dracula. We must not forget about sea, ski and balneological resorts. In the capital of Romania, Bucharest, tourists will be able to admire ancient architecture, visit city museums, and taste delicious dishes local cuisine V best restaurants countries.
The seaside resort of Constanta is famous for its aquarium, which is located next to the famous casino building. The local aquarium is considered the first and largest in Romania. Visitors will be able to admire marine life from the Black and Mediterranean Sea. The aquarium is divided into three sections: the last section is home to representatives of the exotic underwater world.
The northeastern city of Iasi is famous for its Palace of Culture, which looks like a French castle. The building was erected at the beginning of the last century, on the site of the ruins of a burnt royal courtyard. During World War II, the Palace of Culture served as a warehouse and barracks for soldiers. Now this place is home to museums where exhibitions and cultural events are regularly held.
The surrounding area of Timisoara is famous for the ancient Recas vineyards, which were planted more than five centuries ago. The wines are famous throughout Romania, and have been repeatedly awarded at international events with marks of quality and taste. Excursions are constantly held around the territory of the vineyards, after which tourists visit wine cellars and workshops. In addition, each guest can bring the taste of the best wines home without any problems.
Sights of Romania, where to go
Transylvanian Brasov is famous for the Black Temple and ancient churches, the historical museum and the medieval Town Hall. Not far from it is the city of Sighisoara, where Vlad the Impaler was born. It is worth visiting the museum, which is located in the building of the Clock Tower, a Gothic church.
Largest Black Sea resort Romania Constanta, except the sea and beach holiday, is proud of its landmarks. Guests of the city are obliged to admire the ancient Roman wall, the monument to Ovid, the ancient Genoese lighthouse, the cathedral and the church. Fans of cultural recreation will see unique exhibits in museums of natural history, navigation, ethnography, and astronomy.
The outskirts of Bucharest attract attention with the monastery, the “Lord's Church”, the ruins of Count Dracula's castle, the ruins of the Zhidov's palace, reserves with salt caves and the colorful city of Targu Jiu. Tourists come to Gorj County to visit the oldest Romanian monastery, Tisman.
The calling card of the mountainous Maramures county is the “Merry Cemetery”, located in the town of Sepinec. This attraction is considered the only memorial structure on the planet where death is depicted in the form of painted crosses and cheerful carved monuments.
The Romanian people have always been friendly and sociable, so tourists can walk safely in the country even at night, without fear of hooliganism and harassment. Bucharest is ahead of many in terms of security European capitals. Fraud and petty theft rarely occur, and even then far from the main attractions. Despite the rarity of checks, it is better to walk on the streets with a copy of your passport or driver’s license. Photography of military installations, bridges, ports and government buildings is prohibited.
Due to the large amount of chlorine in tap water, intestinal disorders can occur, so it is better to boil or buy bottled liquid. Modern buses, trolleybuses, trams and taxis ply along the city streets. There is a metro in Bucharest. Despite good organization, the capital's transport is often overcrowded. You can rent a car at the airport or large hotel. For this you will need credit card and an international driver's license.
Reviews from tourists about a trip to Romania
Marina: For me, Romania has always been considered a country of contrasts and ancient legends and traditions. During the trip, the influence of the European Union was felt, but this does not stop Romanians from dressing in national costumes, listening to their native music and observing folk traditions. Romania is quite large in area, each region has its own characteristics.
Mountain Transylvania gives a head start to the central and coastal regions of the country in terms of the richness and beauty of nature. In the homeland of the famous Vlad the Impaler there are numerous architectural and historical places. I really liked the excursions to Bran Castle, where Dracula lived, Royal Palace Peles and the medieval fortified city of Sighisoara.
Irina: Before the trip, Romania was associated only with Dracula and the gypsies. There are really a lot of the latter in the country, so you shouldn’t be surprised by gypsy children begging on the streets of cities. In terms of the beauty of nature, the cleanliness of streets and roads, Romania is similar to Russia. However, Romanian cities differ from others in color Balkan countries. The local residents pleasantly surprised us with their kindness and friendliness. You should definitely visit the legendary Bran Castle, the main thing is to visit this place at night.
Valeria: A trip to Romania will delight history buffs: various medieval architectural monuments have been preserved here, which give the country fabulous atmosphere. The city of Brasov, which is famous for the castle of Count Dracula, gave special emotions. The City Historical Museum is interesting with exhibits and exhibitions. In Bucharest by affordable price you can order an interesting one a tourist route together with a Russian-speaking guide.
Mysterious Romania is known throughout the world for Transylvania and Count Dracula, who was the hero of many films. However, we must not forget about other features of this country: wonderful sea and ski resorts And mineral springs, thanks to which the Carpathian balneological holiday destinations are always filled with tourists.
Video review: resorts of Romania
Romania is a beautiful country with its own amazing and magical world, with beautiful and picturesque places, a number of attractions that are worth seeing and which are very popular among tourists from all over the world. It attracts with its ancient culture and beautiful nature. Any tourist will find a lot of interesting things for himself: beautiful views of the Black Sea, Carpathian mountains, clean air, beautiful mountain springs, indescribable beauty famous river Danube, historical architectural structures. Sights of Romania can be found in every corner of the country. Each of them has its own history, or even legend. Many of them are nature reserves.
On the way from Transylvania to Wallachia, by order of King Carol I, the Peles Palace, which is commonly called a castle, was built. It is 135 km from Bucharest. Its construction began on August 22, 1873 under the direction of the German architect Johann Schulz. It was originally intended as a summer residence for the king and a hunting ground. The central entrance is decorated with a sculpture of King Carol I, who considered his palace “the cradle of the dynasty, the cradle of the nation.”
It was here that two Romanian kings were born: Carol II (in 1893) and Mihai (in 1921). A sculpture of his wife Elizabeth, depicted behind embroidery, is located in a secluded corner of the garden. The castle, with an area of 3200 m², was designed in the neo-Renaissance style. This building became the first castle in the world to be supplied with electricity. For this purpose, a power station was built on the territory. Stables and houses for guarding and hunting were built. The 66-meter-high tower was topped with a clock.
The interior is decorated in Baroque style. In total, the castle has 160 rooms, 30 bathrooms, and a theater for 60 spectators. An elevator and an air conditioning system using sliding ceiling stained glass windows were built here. Workers worked on the construction of the castle different countries. According to Queen Elizabeth's calculations, they spoke 14 languages. In 1947, King Michael was forced to abdicate and the castle was confiscated. It hosted tourists, and then in 1958 a museum was created.
During the reign of N. Ceausescu, the castle was under guard, and access to it was stopped. The museum's reopening was short-lived. In 2006, it was returned to its rightful owner, the Romanian King Mihai. The government paid him 30 million euros, and the castle became accessible to visitors again. Currently the castle houses Historical Museum, the collection of which includes works of painting and sculpture from Eastern and Central Europe, items made of silver, gold, ivory, Sevres and Meissen porcelain.
The collection of medieval weapons and armor is amazing. It contains more than 4,000 exhibits. Carpets to decorate the interiors of the castle were woven in Bucharest, Mosul, Isparta and Smyrna. Leather products were delivered from Spain (Cordova). Hand-painted stained glass windows were brought from Switzerland. The park ensemble consists of seven terraces built in Italian style. They are decorated big amount figures made of Carrara marble by the Italian sculptor Raffaello Romanelli, fountains, stairs. Open for tourists from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Wednesday-Sunday). It doesn't work in November either. It can be visited as part of excursion group, they are collected based on the linguistic principle.
Bran Castle
Built at the end of the 14th century, it was intended for defense and was built by the residents themselves. It is located on the top of a cliff 30 km from the city of Brasov and covers an area of 8 hectares. The interior has a complex staircase system that allows you to move between four levels. In the courtyard there is a well, which according to legend leads to underground rooms. For the construction of this defensive fortress local residents were exempt from paying taxes to the treasury for several centuries. During its existence, the fortress changed owners several times. But it received the name Dracula’s Castle, since the ruler Vlad the Impaler spent the night here during his campaigns and his favorite hunt.
There is a legend that the Turkish conquerors tortured him in the basements of the castle. In 1918, the townspeople gave the castle to the Romanian Queen Maria. From that moment on, it began to be used as royal residence. In 1920-26, a grandiose restoration was carried out, during which a park with fountains, alleys and its own lake was spread out on the territory of the estate. In 1948, the royal family left the palace and it fell into disrepair. But already in 1956, the Museum of History and Feudal Art was opened on its basis.
In 2006, a law was passed in Romania to return property to the previous owners, and the castle was returned to the queen's heirs. But before that, all the historical furniture was removed. So it fell to her grandson Dominic to recreate the interiors and buy the appropriate furnishings. Local shops are happy to sell souvenirs related to Count Dracula. In addition, the town of Bran is famous for its local cheeses, the recipes for which are passed down from generation to generation in great secrecy. Bran is a hit with filmmakers all over the world. So in 1994 the film “Interview with the Vampire” was released, filmed on the territory of the fortress.
Corvin Castle
It is located near the city of Hunedoara and was donated by the Hungarian King Sigismund to the Romanian military and political figure Janos Hunyadi for outstanding services. He decided to rebuild it and make it a family estate. The restoration was carried out in two stages. During 1441-1446, seven towers were erected, in 1446-1453 - a chapel, halls and utility rooms in the southern wing. The heir to the castle was Janos's son, Matthias Corwin, who continued construction work in the chapel and in the northern wing.
The architectural style of the castle includes Gothic elements combined with Quattrocento (early Renaissance) fragments. According to legend, Transylvanian Count Vlad the Impaler was held in the dungeons of the castle for seven years after the overthrow. Since 1508, the castle changed owners several times until it ended up in the hands of Gabor Bethlen, who led the anti-Habsburg movement in the Kingdom of Hungary. He carried out reconstruction in it in the light of the latest fortification requirements.
But in the 18th century, the Habsburgs began to own it anyway. During their reign, in 1854, a fire broke out in the castle, destroying the interior wooden decoration. During 1868-74, reconstruction was carried out here, as a result of which the roof was covered with tiles. During communist rule, the castle also underwent reconstruction and was opened to visitors.
Poenari
It is located in Arefu (Romanian: Arefu), which is a few kilometers from Lake Vidraru. Presumably it was built by Radu Negru, nicknamed the Black Voivode. This is the semi-legendary founder of the Vlash state. At that time there was only one tower and a small garrison of guards. In the 15th century it belonged to the famous ruler Vlad the Impaler, who did a lot to strengthen it.
He built four more towers and expanded the castle buildings. Legends say that it was here that Dracula tortured his opponents. After his death, the territory began to fall into disrepair, which was aggravated by the earthquake of 1888. The last restoration work was carried out in 1972. At this time, the masonry of the walls was strengthened and walkways with railings were built for the convenience of tourists.
Archaeological excavations have made it possible to assert that the fortress in the bed of the Arges River has existed since time immemorial. It allowed control of the territory between Transylvania and Wallachia. To get to the ruins, you will have to overcome 1,480 steps of a steep staircase leading to the top of Mount Chetetsuya. On it there is a platform from which, according to legend, the wife of Count Tepes, Elena, threw herself into the gorge.
Romanian Athenaeum
In 1865, the Athenaeum Society was founded in Romania, and in 1888, construction of the building began with funds from the Wallachian boyar family Vacarescu. In addition, public money was used for its construction, collected under the motto “Donate one leu to the Athenaeum!” This concert hall, located in the capital of the country Bucharest. The author of the project was the French architect Albert Galleron. It is built in a neoclassical style with romantic elements.
On the ground floor there is a meeting room, and on the second there is an auditorium with 600 seats (52 additional seats are located in the boxes). The interior of the auditorium is decorated with a fresco by artist Costin Petrescu depicting significant events in Romanian history. The painting work was carried out over 6 years, starting in 1933. On April 22, 1939, a concert was given in honor of the construction of the concert organ.
Organ music was performed by Franz Schütz, director of the Vienna Academy of Music and performing arts. In front of the Athenaeum there is a small park in which there is a monument to the classic of Romanian poetry Mihai Eminescu. Currently, the concert hall is considered a symbol of Romanian culture and is included in the List of European Cultural Heritage.
Rasnov Fortress
The fortress in the city of Rasnov was founded by the Teutonic knights in 1215. It served to shelter the local population from numerous conquerors and was so fortified that in its entire history it was conquered only once in 1612 by the Transylvanian prince Gabriel Bathory. There is a well in the center. A terrible legend is associated with him. During the Ottoman siege, residents lacked drinking water. Then they forced the two captured Turks to dig another well 62 meters deep.
They were promised freedom, but at the end of the work, which lasted seventeen years, the prisoners were killed. During restoration work, two human skeletons were actually discovered at the bottom of the well. Currently, the area is freely visited by tourists. What remains of the fortress is the fortress wall with towers and the foundation of the church. A panoramic view opens from the observation deck two-story city and beautiful surroundings. From here you can see Bran Castle.
Merry Cemetery
In the village of Sapinta in Maramures County there is an original cemetery. His tombstones are made in bright colors and have original inscriptions in poetic form. They reflect the life path of the buried villagers. This idea for the cemetery came from Stan Jon Petrash, a local wood carver. In 1935, he was the first to carve and install a cross with a cheerful inscription. Over the years of its existence, more than 800 such crosses have been installed on the churchyard, and it itself has turned into a museum that tourists love to place. There is an inscription on the grave of Stan himself. It reads: “In my entire life I have never harmed anyone...”.
Mud volcanoes
The Vulcanii Noroiosi Nature Reserve was created in the 20s of the 20th century near the city of Buzau, located approximately 100 km from Bucharest. They originated on the territory of an abandoned mine. In 1977, an earthquake occurred in Romania, and particularly active volcanoes began to appear. As a result of the escaping gases, dirt and salt water are thrown to the surface. They freeze in the sun and form peaks that resemble craters.
Currently, four such volcanoes are constantly active, and twelve are periodically active. The green hills surrounding the reserve add originality to the couple. Between the craters there are frozen streams. Their cracks on the surface of the clay soil reach 5 cm. You can enter the territory of the reserve freely and spend several days in tent city or as part of a tour group.
The Bihor Mountains are located 134 kilometers from the city of Cluj-Napoca. They discovered a cave 1 kilometer long, which was formed approximately 3,500 years ago as a result of glaciations. Scarisoara was first mentioned in 1863. Then the Austrian geographer Arnold Schmidl compiled a map of it. In a grotto located underground in the mountains, a glacier was discovered that is gradually disappearing as a result of melting. Stalagmites found in the halls resemble church candles.
Therefore, the cave is conventionally divided into halls called the Great Hall, the Church, the Cathedral. Currently, the cave is equipped with metal and wooden stairs, which allows you to visit it freely. Illuminated inside using carbide lamps. Some part of the cave is being studied by scientists. The temperature inside the grotto is approaching zero. Therefore, when visiting an attraction, you need to take warm clothes with you.
Pelisor Castle
This is a small part of the Peliş complex, built in 1899-1903. It was intended as the summer residence of the heir to the Romanian throne, Ferdinand. The author of the castle in Art Nouveau style was the Czech architect Karel Liman. Direct participation in the design of the castle belonged to Ferdinand's wife, Princess Maria, who had a very discriminating taste. She managed to successfully combine elements of the Art Nouveau style with Byzantine and Celtic symbols.
The castle has 99 rooms. They are decorated with furniture designed by Viennese designer Bernard Ludwig. In addition, the interiors were developed by him together with Queen Mary. Therefore, they have a special sophistication. To ensure that there is a lot of light in the castle, the large windows and the ceiling of the Main Hall, three floors high, are decorated with stained glass. It is decorated with oak panels and decorated with portraits of the owners of the castle and their children.
Maria herself developed sketches of furniture for the “Golden Bedroom”. It was made in 1909 in a workshop in the city of Sinai. In the Queen's office there is furniture depicting lilies and a Celtic cross - symbols of the princess from Scotland. The office of King Ferdinand, opposite, is designed in strict German neo-Renaissance. The castle houses a unique collection of works by contemporary Art Nouveau masters, including designers Halle, the Daum brothers, Hoffman, Tiffany, and Gurschner.
Sucevita Monastery
It is located in Bukovina, in the northeastern part of the country. The nearest town of Radauti is 18 kilometers away. In 1585, it was built by brothers from the Wallachian family Mogila Jeremiah and Simon. The square-shaped monastery is surrounded by six-meter walls. For fortification, towers were built in the corners. Its architecture contains both Byzantine and Gothic elements. The building, inside and out, is completely covered with unique paintings based on the Old and New Testaments.
They were made by Moldovan masters, brothers Ion and Sofroniy, with the help of a huge number of unknown craftsmen. The unique interior painting serves the idea of spiritual renewal of a person through faith and pious deeds. In 2010, the monastery was included in the World Heritage List. Currently, one of the walls is used for a museum, which houses a large exhibition of historical objects.
Mogosoaia Palace
In 1698-1702, the Wallachian ruler Constantin Brancoveanu built a palace and park complex 16 km from Bucharest as the summer residence of his family. Constantine was the founder of a national architectural style that combined Venetian, Dalmatian and Ottoman elements. It contains numerous carved decorations and decorative paintings. In 1714, the Ottomans executed Brancoveanu, and set up a hotel in his palace.
Having recaptured it during the Russian-Turkish War, in 1853 the Russians built storage facilities for weapons in it. The Princes of Bibescu, who became the new masters palace complex, in 1860-1880 they began its restoration. They managed to recreate and decorate the palace, which they owned until the Second World War. In the 1920s, it belonged to the widow Marta Bibescu, who put a lot of effort into its restoration and opened a salon in it.
Many famous people of the first half of the 20th century, including Antoine Saint-Exupery, became its visitors. It was her name that the palace and park ensemble began to bear. Representatives of the princely family of Bibescu found peace in the church of the park. Despite significant reconstructions of the 20th century, the palace has the basic elements of the national style. In 1957, the Brynkovec Art Museum was opened here, including antique furniture and household items from the 17th to 19th centuries, historical documents, icons and works of art.
Throne Fortress
The 14th-century fortress served as the coronation site for Moldavian rulers. Located in the city of Suceava, it is currently in ruins. Restoration of the remains of the once powerful fortress began in 1961 and is still underway. The almost square fortress, 40x36 meters, had square towers. A water ditch was dug around it. Its depth reached 10 meters. The fortress was founded by Peter I Mushat, but highest value had under Stephen III the Great (Stefan cel Mare).
He strengthened the two-meter walls made of solid stone, built an additional defense system from walls 10 meters high, which was moved 20-25 meters forward. Additional rooms were built inside for his family members. Its siege by Ottoman troops was unsuccessful until the self-proclaimed ruler Stefan VII Tomša took refuge in it in 1563. The mercenaries betrayed him and surrendered the citadel to the Turks. After that, it was burned and passed from hand to hand by the proteges of the Turkish Sultan.
In 1675, on the orders of Dumitrash Cantacuzin, it was blown up. The remains were destroyed by an earthquake. The revival of the fortress began after archaeological research by the Austrian architect Karl Romstorfer at the beginning of the 20th century. But reconstruction began only in the 60s. Currently, the remains of the fortress can be visited for a fee.
Neamets Fortress
During the reign of Peter I Musata, the Neamets fortress was also built. It is located near the town of Targu Neamt. Legends say that the Teutonic Knights were the first to fortify this place. They appropriated large territories in Transylvania and colonized Semigrad. The name Targu Neamt translates as “German Bargain”. Stephen the Great, preparing to fight the Turks, was strengthening the ring of fortresses, including Nyametska.
By his order, its walls were increased in height by 20 meters and an outer courtyard was built, where artillery guns were installed. They threw it across the ditch huge bridge, reminiscent of a Roman aqueduct and bridges of the 20th century at the same time. A well was dug in the courtyard to provide drinking water in case of a siege. But neither the Ottomans nor the Polish commander Jan Sobieski could take it.
The Turks got into the fortress only thanks to the conquest of Moldova, but they did not destroy it. They left it as an observation post. Currently, there is a small museum exhibition in the fortress. It presents household items of the defenders of the citadel. Reconstruction began in 2007-09. Thanks to her, a reliable road appeared for tourists visiting this place, the infrastructure was improved, and the architecture was updated.
Bicaz Gorge
In the Eastern Carpathians there are the rocks of the Bikaz gorge. It stretched between Moldova and Transylvania, and served as the only natural road. Bicaz is the deepest and longest gorge in Romania; its banks are separated by the river of the same name. Currently, this is a protected area with almost vertical cliffs above an 8-kilometer-long highway.
Photography is permitted in certain areas. Those driving along the route are delighted with the surrounding beauty of nature and will take their breath away. In 1961, a hydroelectric dam with a reservoir was built at the exit of the gorge. It is recognized as the largest Romanian lake. River trout live in the waters of the Bicaz River, and red-winged wallcreepers, considered rare birds, live on the rocks.
Chahlău
One of the most famous mountain ranges is also located in the Eastern Carpathians. It is located near the town of Spring Lake Mountain in Neamt County. Highest points are Toaka (1904 m) and Okolashul-Mare (1907 m). The massif is surrounded by the Bistrica and Bicaz rivers, and in the east by Lake Bicaz. IN national park The Transfiguration monastery is located, and Mount Chakhlau is recognized as the second Christian mountain after Athos. Many pilgrims flock here to visit the monks who have taken refuge on the peak.
There is a beautiful legend associated with the formation of the mountains. According to it, the ruler of the Dacians, Decebalus, had a beautiful daughter, Docia. After the capture of Dacia by the Roman emperor Trajan, she went to the Chahlau mountains so as not to get to him. Here she was grazing goats and froze. According to one version, the Virgin Mary turned it into a stream, and the sheep into beautiful flowers around. According to another, the girl turned into rocks. According to another legend, Emperor Trajan ordered the construction of a mountain to block the path of the barbarians attacking from the East.
Lacu-Rosu
Near the Bicaz gorge there is a lake formed in 1837 at an altitude of 978 meters. One of the rocks was washed away by heavy rainfall. Fallen stones formed a dam in the shape of the letter “L” on the site of former pastures. Coastline The lake is 2830 meters long and its depth reaches 10.5 meters. A beautiful fairy tale is associated with him. Nearby lived a girl, Esther, whose beloved was drafted into the army.
She was very sad and often cried alone near a mountain stream. Here a robber met her and stole her. The girl begged the mountains to save her, and nature took pity. The mountains shook and the earthquake killed everyone, including the innocent shepherds. The collapsed rocks formed a lake with tree trunks sticking out of the water and hid the unfortunate Esther in its waters.
Canyon 7 stairs
The gorge got its name in the 20s of the 20th century, when crossings were built here for the local population. They stretch for 230 meters with differences in height of 55-60 meters. It is held in groups without special equipment. From time to time we meet along the route small waterfalls, additionally spraying tourists with water.
Scientists attribute the formation of the canyon to the Jurassic period. Its bottom is assumed to be the base ancient sea, along the banks of which dinosaurs lived. In addition to its wondrous nature, legends attribute miracles to the canyon. Young people, in order to test their future wives, invited girls for a walk along the bottom of the canyon. Thus, they found out her endurance. Then the girls were invited to spend the night above him, climbing seven stairs to the top.
If during the test the young couples did not quarrel, but helped each other, they would have a long, happy life. And in our time there are brave souls who repeat the instructions of ancient legend. The atmosphere of the gorge is filled with highly ozonized air, which kills all conceivable infections, thereby promoting a strong healing effect.
Retezat National Park
This is the first national park in Romania, founded in 1935. The main reason for the formation of the protected area was the desire to preserve the unique alpine vegetation. In an area of 381 km², located at an altitude of 2000 meters above sea level, traces of glacial lakes are preserved. This is where the deepest Romanian lake, Lake Zenoaga, is located. The peak of Mount Peleaga is located at an altitude of 2509 meters.
1190 species have been found in the park flora, of which 90 are endemic. Alder, rhododendron, kilngrass, bluegrass, and hawkweed grow here. The reserve is home to many wild animals. Among them are brown bear, forest cat, lynx, and wolves. It lives in a large number of birds: horned lark, brown vulture, rare golden eagle, white-throated blackbird and many others. Because of them, the national reserve has been declared a specially protected zone.
Piatra Craiului National Park
200 kilometers north of Bucharest in the Southern Carpathians there is another interesting corner of Romania. The date of formation of the protected area is considered to be 1938, which became a national park in 1990. The total area of the reserve is 14,781 hectares. Its karst landscape with limestone outcrops is distinguished by a variety of flora and fauna. Among the 1,170 species of vegetation there are pine and willow trees, alder, hornbeam, and oaks.
There are 48 species of representatives of the orchid family. Among the representatives of the living world, there are 11 species of birds alone. These are thrush, cuckoo, oriole, cayuki, golden eagle and many others. But there are only 3 species of fish: barbel, brook lamprey and sculpin. Walking routes are organized for any physical condition. They allow you to admire the beauty of Romanian nature to your heart’s content: mountain gorges, valleys and glacial lakes.
Rodna mountain range
Another Romanian mountain range not far from Ukrainian border. It is formed by granites and crystalline rocks. Pyrite deposits were discovered here. On the territory of the massif there is National Park Rodna has an area of 46,599 hectares. It was created in 2000 and represents unique territory from glacial crevasses and caves, valleys, forests and mountain pastures. Some of the park's inhabitants are protected by law. Common mammals include brown bear, wolves, lynxes, capercaillie and eagle.
Sarmisegetusa
The territory of Dacia was located in the southwest of Transylvania. Its residence and main military and political center was Sarmizegetuza, located on the Gradistea-Muncellului hill. She got this interesting name in honor of the conclusion of a truce between the Sarm and Getae tribes. The last Dacian ruler Decebalus included it in his defensive system. It was destroyed by Roman troops during the campaigns of conquest. In 1999, the remains of Sarmizegethusa were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The fortress was located at an altitude of 1200 meters above sea level, had a quadrangular shape and occupied 30,000 m². In addition to its defensive value, it was also a religious center, since it housed sanctuaries important to the Dacians. It is assumed that the cave on Mount Kogayonon, located here, served as a shelter for the god Zalmoxis. Several sacred sanctuaries were discovered at the top, the road to which was paved with tightly fitted parallelepiped stones. Ceramic pipes were installed into the houses located on the terraces of the mountains, through which water flowed. This allowed us to conclude that the Dacian tribes had a high culture of life.
Vidraru Dam
A dam was built on the Arges River in 1961-66, flooding the village of Arges Arefu. Square artificial lake is 870 hectares. This is the highest dam in Romania. It has a shape resembling a bow, up to 167 meters high and 305 meters long. At the time of commissioning in the 60s of the 20th century, the dam was considered the ninth largest in the world and the fifth in Europe. Currently, extensive repair and restoration work is being carried out at the dam to modernize and strengthen existing capacities. An observation deck with an iron figure of Prometheus was built next to the dam, which was previously allowed to be climbed using a stone staircase.
Currently, there is security around the dam, as there is a large amount of explosives located on the mountain slopes in case of a water breakthrough. In this case, to quickly prevent an accident, it will be easier to create an artificial barrier. There are boat trips around the reservoir and a bungee jumping attraction, reminiscent of a bungee jump.
Buceja Sphinx
In the Bucegi Mountains, located in the center of the country, at an altitude of 2216 meters, there is an interesting natural formation. It is very similar to the Egyptian Sphinx. As a result of wind weathering of sandstone and limestone rocks, such a miracle was formed in the Southern Carpathians. It is assumed that in this area there was one of the centers of Atlantis, where the landing sites were located alien civilization. In the city of Iasi there lives a clairvoyant who claims that under the Sphinx there is a labyrinth hiding treasures of knowledge. ancient civilization, which will be revealed to humanity when it is ready for it. The Bucegi Sphinx is included in the List of Seven Natural Wonders of the country.
Curtea Veche
The Old Court (Romanian: Curtea Veche - Old Courtyard), or the Princely Court (Romanian: Curtea Domnească din Bucureşti) is a complex of buildings designed to serve the Wallachian rulers. It was built in the second half of the 14th century by the ruler Mircea Sarym. It was not used after his death. In the 15th century, Vlad Tepes decided to found the Dymbovitsa fortress on its ruins.
Founded in stone on September 20, 1459, the fortress is considered the foundation of Budapest. After him special attention The fortress began to receive attention after 1545 under Mircea Ciobanul, who founded the Church of St. Anton (hramul Sf Anton) and the Annunciation (de Buna Vestire). Later, coronations of Romanian rulers were held there. Currently it is the oldest building in Bucharest.
