Romania is a wonderful 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 with 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, the Carpathian Mountains, clean air, wonderful mountain springs, the famous Danube River of indescribable beauty, historical architectural structures. The sights of Romania can be found anywhere in the country. Each of them has its own history, and even a legend. Many of them are nature reserves.
Peles Castle
On the way from Transylvania to Wallachia, by order of King Karol I, the Peles Palace was built, which is commonly called a castle. It is 135 km from Bucharest. Its construction began on 22 August 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 Karol I, who considered his palace "the cradle of the dynasty, the cradle of the nation."
It was here that two Romanian kings were born: Karol II (in 1893) and Mihai (in 1921). The sculpture of his wife Elizabeth, depicted behind the embroidery, is located in a secluded corner of the garden. The chateau has an area of 3200 m² and was designed in the neo-renaissance style. This building became the first castle in the world to be supplied with electricity. For this, a power plant was built on the territory. Stables, houses for guards and hunting are arranged. The 66-meter-high tower was crowned with a clock.
The interiors are decorated in the Baroque style. In total, the castle has 160 rooms, 30 bathrooms, a theater for 60 spectators. An elevator was built here, an air conditioning system with sliding ceiling stained-glass windows. Workers from different countries worked on the construction of the castle. According to Queen Elizabeth's estimates, they spoke 14 languages. In 1947, King Mihai was forced to abdicate and the castle was confiscated. It received tourists, and then in 1958 a museum was created.
During the reign of N. Ceausescu, the castle was under protection, access to it was terminated. The reopening of the museum was short-lived. In 2006, it was returned to the rightful owner of the Romanian king Mihai. The government paid him 30 million euros, and the castle was again available for visits. Currently, the castle houses the Historical Museum, the collection of which includes paintings and sculptures from Eastern and Central Europe, items made of silver, gold, ivory, Sevres and Meissen porcelain.
The collected collection of medieval weapons and armor is striking. It contains over 4,000 exhibits. Carpets for decorating the interiors of the castle were woven in Bucharest, Mosul, Isparta and Smyrna. Leather goods were delivered from Spain (Cordoba). The hand-painted stained glass windows were brought from Switzerland. The park ensemble consists of seven terraces built in the Italian style. They are decorated with a large number of figures made of Carrara marble by the Italian sculptor Rafaello Romanelli, fountains, stairs. Open for tourists from 9 am to 5 pm (Wednesday-Sunday). It does not work in November either. It can be visited as part of an excursion group, they are collected on the basis of a language principle.
Bran Castle
Built at the end of the 14th century, it was intended for defense and was built by the inhabitants themselves. It is located on a cliff top 30 km from the city of Brasov and covers an area of 8 hectares. Inside, it has a complex staircase system that allows you to move between four levels. There is a well in the courtyard, which, according to legend, leads to underground rooms. For the construction of this defensive fortress, local residents were exempted from paying taxes to the treasury for several centuries. During its existence, the fortress has repeatedly changed owners. But the castle of Dracula got its name, as the ruler Vlad the Impaler spent the night here during the campaigns and favorite hunting.
There is a legend that the Turkish conquerors tortured him in the basements of the castle. In 1918, the townspeople donated the castle to the Romanian queen Maria. From that moment on, it began to be used as a royal residence. In 1920-26, a grandiose restoration was carried out, during which a park with fountains, alleys and a private lake was spread 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, Romania passed a law on the return of property to its previous owners, and the castle was returned to the queen's heirs. But before that, all the historical furniture was taken out. Therefore, it fell to her grandson Dominic to recreate the interiors and buy the appropriate furnishings. Local shops are happy to sell souvenirs associated with Count Dracula. In addition, the town of Bran is famous for its local cheeses, the recipes for which have been passed down from generation to generation in great secrecy. Bran is popular with filmmakers around 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 for outstanding services by the Hungarian king Sigismund to the Romanian military and political leader Janos Hunyadi. 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 the son of Janos - Matthias Korvin, who continued construction work in the chapel and in the northern wing.
The architectural style of the castle includes Gothic elements combined with fragments of the Quattrocento (early Renaissance). According to legend, the Transylvanian Count Vlad Tepes 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 Betlen, who led the anti-Habsburg movement in the Kingdom of Hungary. He reconstructed it in the light of the latest fortification requirements.
But in the 18th century, the Habsburgs still began to own it. During their reign, in 1854, a fire broke out in the castle, destroying the interior woodwork. During the years 1868-74, reconstruction was carried out here, as a result of which the roof was covered with tiles. During the communist rule, the castle was also renovated and opened to visitors.
Poenari
Located in Arefu (rum. Arefu), which is a few kilometers from Lake Vidraru. Presumably it was built by Radu Negru, nicknamed the Black Warlord. This is the semi-legendary founder of the Vlach state. At that time there was only one tower and a small guard garrison. In the 15th century, it belonged to the famous ruler Vlad Tepes, who did a lot to strengthen it.
He built four more towers, expanded the castle buildings. Legends say that it was in him that Dracula tortured his opponents. After his death, the territory began to fall into desolation, which exacerbated the earthquake of 1888. The last restoration work was carried out in 1972. At this time, the walls were reinforced and footbridges with railings were built for the convenience of tourists.
Archaeological excavations made it possible to assert that the fortress in the bed of the Arjesh River has existed since time immemorial. It allowed control of the territory between Transylvania and Wallachia. To get to the ruins, you have to climb 1,480 steps of a steep staircase leading to the top of Mount Chetetsuya.There is a platform on it, from which, according to legend, the wife of Count Tepes, Elena, rushed into the gorge.
Romanian athenaeum
In 1865, the Atheneum Society was founded in Romania, and in 1888 construction of the building began with funds from the Wallachian boyar family of Vacarescu. In addition, for its construction, the people's money was also used, collected under the motto "Donate one lei to the Athenaeum!" It is a 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 touches.
On the first floor there is a meeting room, and on the second floor 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 the artist Kostin Petrescu depicting significant events in Romanian history. The painting was carried out for 6 years, starting in 1933. On April 22, 1939, a concert was given in honor of the construction of a concert organ.
Performed organ music by Franz Schütz, Director of the Vienna Academy of Music and Performing Arts. There is a small park in front of the Athenaeum building, where a monument to the classic of Romanian poetry Mihai Eminescu is erected. Currently, the concert hall is considered a symbol of Romanian culture and is included in the European Cultural Heritage List.
Rasnov fortress
The fortress in the town 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 connected with him. During the Ottoman siege, the inhabitants did not have enough drinking water. Then they forced 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 captives were killed. During the restoration work, two human skeletons were indeed found at the bottom of the well. Currently, the territory is freely visited by tourists. From the fortress remained a fortress wall with towers and the foundation of the church. The observation deck offers a panoramic view of the two-story city and the beautiful surroundings. From here you can also see Bran Castle.
Merry cemetery
There is an original cemetery in the village of Sepyntsa in the county of Maramures. His tombstones are made in bright colors and have original inscriptions in verse form. They reflect the life of the buried villagers. This idea for a cemetery belongs to Stan Jon Patras, a local woodcarver. He was the first in 1935 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 like to place. There is an inscription on the grave of Stan himself. It reads: "In all my life I have not hurt anyone ...".
Mud volcanoes
The Vulcanii Noroiosi Nature Reserve was established in the 1920s near the city of Buzau, located about 100 km from Bucharest. They arose on the territory of an abandoned mine. In 1977, an earthquake struck Romania, and a special activity of volcanoes began to appear. As a result of the escaping gases, mud and salt water are thrown onto the surface. They freeze under the sun and form peaks that resemble craters.
Currently, four such volcanoes are constantly active, and twelve - periodically. The green hills surrounding the reserve give originality to the couple. There are frozen streams between the craters. Their cracks on the surface of clay soil reach 5 cm. You can freely get to the territory of the reserve, and spend several days in a tent camp or as part of an excursion group.
Scarisoara cave
The Bihor Mountains are located 134 kilometers from the city of Cluj-Napoca. They found a 1 kilometer long cave that was formed about 3500 years ago as a result of glaciers. Scarisoara was first mentioned in 1863. Then the Austrian geographer Arnold Schmidl made a map of it. In a grotto located in the mountains underground, a glacier was discovered, which is gradually disappearing as a result of melting. The stalagmites found in the halls resemble church candles.
Therefore, the cave is conditionally divided into halls called the Great Hall, Church, Cathedral. Currently, the cave is equipped with metal and wooden stairs, which allows free access. Illuminated inside with 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 must take warm clothes with you.
Pelisor Castle
This is a small part of the Pelisch complex, built in 1899-1903. It was intended as the summer residence of the heir to the Romanian throne, Ferdinand. The author of the Art Nouveau castle was the Czech architect Karel Liman. Ferdinand's wife Princess Mary, who had a very delicate taste, directly participated in the design of the castle. She successfully combined elements of the Art Nouveau style with Byzantine and Celtic symbols.
There are 99 rooms in the castle. They are decorated with furniture designed by the Viennese designer Bernard Ludwig. In addition, he designed the interiors together with Queen Mary. Therefore, they have a special sophistication. In order to provide a lot of light in the castle, the large windows and ceiling of the Grand Hall, three stories high, are decorated with stained glass windows. It is finished with oak panels and is 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 the workshop of the city of Sinai. In the queen's office there is furniture depicting lilies and a Celtic cross, symbols of a princess from Scotland. The cabinet of King Ferdinand opposite is sustained in strict German neo-Renaissance. The castle contains a unique collection of works by modern masters of Art Nouveau, including the designers Galle, the Daum brothers, Goffman, Tiffany, Gurschner.
Sucevitsa monastery
It is located in Bukovina, in the northeastern part of the country. The nearest town of Radauci is 18 kilometers away. In 1585 it was built by brothers from the Wallachian family Tomb Jeremiah and Simon. The square-shaped monastery is surrounded by six-meter walls. Towers were built in the corners for strengthening. Its architecture contains both Byzantine and Gothic elements. The structure inside and outside is completely covered with unique paintings based on the Old and New Testaments.
They were made by Moldovan craftsmen, brothers Ion and Sophronius with the help of a huge number of unknown craftsmen. The unique internal painting serves the idea of a person's spiritual renewal through faith and pious deeds. In 2010, the monastery was included in the World Heritage List. Currently, one of the walls is used for the museum, which houses a large exhibition of historical objects.
Mogosoaya Palace
In 1698-1702, the Wallachian ruler Constantin Brancovianu built a palace and park complex 16 km from Bucharest as a summer residence for his family. Constantine was the founder of a national architectural style that combined Venetian, Dalmatian and Ottoman elements. It contains numerous carvings and decorative paintings. In 1714, the Ottomans executed Brancovianu, and a hotel was set up in his palace.
Having won it back during the Russian-Turkish war, in 1853 the Russians set up storage facilities for weapons in it. The princes of Bibescu, who became the new owners of the palace complex, began to restore it in 1860-1880. They managed to recreate and decorate the palace that they owned until World War II. In the 1920s, it belonged to the widow Martha Bibescu, who put a lot of effort into its restoration and opened a salon in it.
It was visited by many famous people of the first half of the 20th century, including Antoine Saint-Exupery. It was her name that the palace and park ensemble began to bear. In the church of the park, representatives of the princely family of Bibescu found peace. Despite the significant restructuring of the 20th century, the palace has the basic elements of the national style. In 1957, the Brankovets Art Museum was opened here, which includes antique furniture and household items of the 17th-19th centuries, historical documents, icons and works of art.
Throne Fortress
The fortress of the XIV century served as the place of the coronation of the Moldovan rulers. Located in the city of Suceava, it is currently in ruins. The restoration of the remains of a once powerful fortress began in 1961 and is still under way. Almost a square fortress 40x36 meters had square towers. A moat was dug around it. Its depth reached 10 meters. The fortress was founded by Peter I Mushat, but it was of the greatest importance under Stephen III the Great (Stefan cel Mare).
He strengthened two-meter walls made of solid stone, built an additional defense system of 10 meters high walls, which was moved 20-25 meters forward. Additional halls were built inside for his family members. Its siege by Ottoman troops was unsuccessful until the self-proclaimed ruler Stephen VII Tomsha took refuge in it in 1563. The mercenaries betrayed him and surrendered the citadel to the Turks. After that, it was burned, passed from hand to hand of the Turkish sultan's henchmen.
In 1675, by order of Dumitras Cantacuzin, it was blown up. The remains were destroyed by an earthquake. The revival of the fortress began after the archaeological research of the Austrian architect Karl Romstorfer at the beginning of the 20th century. But the reconstruction began only in the 60s. Nowadays, the remains of the fortress can be visited for a fee.
Nyametskaya fortress
During the reign of Peter I Mushat, the Nyametskaya 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 Semigradie. The name Tyrgu-Neamt is translated as "German bargaining". Stefan the Great, preparing to fight the Turks, was strengthening the ring of fortresses, including the Nyametskaya.
By his order, its walls were increased in height by 20 meters and an outer courtyard was built, where artillery pieces were installed. A huge bridge was thrown across the moat, reminiscent of a Roman aqueduct and bridges of the 20th century at the same time. A well was dug in the courtyard to supply 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 did not destroy it. Left as an observation post. Currently, the fortress houses a small museum exposition. It presents household items of the citadel defenders. In 2007–09, reconstruction began. Thanks to her, a reliable road has appeared for tourists who place this place, the infrastructure has been improved, the architecture has been updated.
Bikaz 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 the territory of Romania, its banks are divided by the river of the same name. At present, it is a protected area with almost sheer cliffs over an 8 km long motorway.
Photography is allowed in certain areas. Those who drive along the highway are delighted with the surrounding beauty of nature, it is breathtaking. In 1961, a hydroelectric dam with a reservoir was built at the exit from the gorge. It is recognized as the largest Romanian lake. River trout is found in the waters of the Bikaz River, and red-winged wall climbers, considered rare birds, live on the rocks.
Chahlau
One of the most famous mountain ranges is located in the Eastern Carpathians. It is located near Spring Lake Mountain in Neamt County. The highest points are Toaka (1904 m) and Okolashul-Mare (1907 m). The massif is surrounded by the rivers Bistritsa and Bikaz, in the east - Lake Bikaz. The Transfiguration skete is located in the national park, and Chahleu mountain is recognized as the second Christian mountain after Athos. Many pilgrims flock here to visit the monks who have taken refuge at the top.
A beautiful legend is associated with the formation of the mountains. According to her, Decebalus, the ruler of the Dacians, had a beautiful daughter, Dokia. After the capture of Dacia by the Roman emperor Trajan, she went to the Chahlau mountains so as not to get it. Here she grazed goats and froze. According to one version, the Virgin Mary turned her into a stream, and the sheep into beautiful flowers around. On the other, the girl turned into rocks. According to another legend, the emperor Trajan ordered to build a mountain to block the path of the barbarians who attacked from the East.
Lacu - Rosu
Near the Bikaz gorge there is a lake formed in 1837 at an altitude of 978 meters. One of the rocks was washed away by heavy torrential rains. The fallen stones formed a dam in the shape of the letter "L" on the site of the former pastures. The shoreline of the lake is 2830 meters, and the depth reaches 10.5 meters. A beautiful fairy tale is associated with him. Nearby lived a girl named Esther, whose beloved had been 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, 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 their waters.
Canyon 7 stairs
The gorge got its name in the 20s of the XX century, when crossings for the local population were stretched here. They stretch for 230 meters with a height difference of 55-60 meters. It is held in groups without special equipment. From time to time on the route there are small waterfalls that additionally spray tourists with water.
Scientists attribute the formation of the canyon to the Jurassic period. It is assumed that its bottom is the base of the ancient sea, along the shores of which dinosaurs lived. In addition to the wondrous nature, legends attribute miracles to the canyon. Young people, in order to test their future wives, invited the girls for a walk along the bottom of the canyon. So they figured out her stamina. Then the girls were asked to spend the night over him, going up seven stairs.
If, during the test, young couples did not quarrel, but helped each other, they would have a long, happy life. And in our time there are daredevils who repeat the instructions of the ancient tradition. The atmosphere of the gorge is filled with highly ozonized air, which kills all imaginable infections, thereby contributing to a strong healing effect.
Retezat National Park
It 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. On an area of 381 km², located at an altitude of 2000 meters above sea level, traces of glacial lakes have been preserved. It is here that the deepest Romanian lake, Lake Zanoaga, is located. The peak of Mount Peleaga is located at an altitude of 2509 meters.
The park contains 1190 species of flora, of which 90 are endemic. Alder, rhododendron, crumbs, bluegrass, hawk grow here. The reserve is home to many wild animals. Among them are brown bear, forest cat, lynx, wolves. It is home to a large number of birds: horned lark, brown vulture, rare golden eagle, white-toothed thrush and many others. Because of them, the national reserve was declared a specially protected area.
Piatra Craiului National Park
Another interesting corner of Romania is located 200 kilometers north of Bucharest on the territory of the Southern Carpathians. The date of the 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 1170 species of vegetation, there are pines and willows, alder, hornbeam, oaks.
There are 48 species of representatives of the orchid family growing. Among the representatives of the living world of some birds, there are 11 species. These are thrush, cuckoo, oriole, kayuki, golden eagle and many others. But there are only 3 types of fish: barbel, brook lamprey and sculpin. Walking routes are organized for any physical condition. They allow you to admire the beauty of the Romanian nature to your heart's content: mountain gorges, valleys and glacial lakes.
Rodna mountain range
Another Romanian mountain range near the Ukrainian border. It is formed by granites and crystalline rocks. Deposits of pyrite have been discovered here. On the territory of the massif there is Rodna National Park with an area of 46599 hectares. It was created in 2000 and is a unique area of glacial crevasses and caves, valleys, forests and mountain pastures. Some of the park's inhabitants are protected by law. Common mammals include the brown bear, wolves, lynxes, capercaillie and eagle.
Sarmisegetuza
The territory of Dacia was located in the southwest of Transylvania. The residence and its main military and political center was Sarmisegetuza, located on the Gradishta-Munchelui hill. It received such an interesting name in honor of the conclusion of an armistice between the Sarmic and Getae tribes. The last Dacian ruler, Decebalus, included it in his defensive system. It was destroyed by the Roman troops during the campaigns of conquest. In 1999, the remains of Sarmisegetuza 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 significance, it was also a religious center, since it contained sanctuaries important for the Dacians. It is believed 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 is paved with tightly fitted parallelepiped stones. In the houses located on the terraces of the mountains, ceramic pipes were installed through which water was supplied. This made it possible to draw a conclusion about the high culture of life of the Dacian tribes.
Vidraru dam
A dam was built on the Arjesh River in 1961-66, which flooded the village of Arjesh Arefu. The area of the artificial lake is 870 hectares. This is the tallest 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 XX century, the dam was considered the ninth largest in the world and the fifth in Europe. Currently, the dam is undergoing extensive repair and restoration work to modernize and strengthen the existing capacities. An observation deck with the iron figure of Prometheus was built next to the dam, to which it was previously allowed to climb a stone staircase.
Currently, security is working around the dam, as there are large quantities of explosives on the slopes of the mountains in case of water breakthrough. In this case, it will be easier to create an artificial barrier to prevent an accident as soon as possible. Boat trips and bungee jumping, reminiscent of a bungee, are organized along the reservoir.
Bucegi 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 the weathering of sandstone and calcareous rocks of the rock by the winds, such a miracle was formed in the South Carpathians. It is assumed that in this area was one of the centers of Atlantis, where the landing sites of an alien civilization were located. In the city of Iasi, there is a clairvoyant who claims that under the Sphinx there is a labyrinth that hides treasures with the knowledge of an ancient civilization, which will be revealed to mankind when it is ready for it. Bucegi Sphinx is included in the List of Seven Natural Wonders of the country.
Kurtya-Veche
The Old Courtyard (Rum. Curtea Veche - Old Yard), or the Princely Court (Rum. Curtea Domnească din Bucureşti) is a complex of buildings designed to serve the Wallachian rulers. It was built in the second half of the XIV century by the ruler Mircea Sarym. It was not used after his death. In the 15th century, Vlad Tepes decided to establish the Dymbovitsa fortress on its ruins.
The fortress founded on September 20, 1459 from stone is considered the foundation of Budapest. After him, special attention was paid to the fortress after 1545 under Mircea Chobanul, who laid the church of St. Anton (hramul Sf Anton) and the Annunciation (de Buna Vestire). Later, the coronations of the Romanian rulers were held there. It is currently the oldest building in Bucharest.
The fires and natural disasters that occurred led to the desolation of the palace and the transfer of the government residence to another place, and this fortress was given the name of the Old Court. Nowadays, it is an open-air museum that tells about the past of the Romanian capital. Here you can see the remains of the water supply system, murals and decorations of the building, fragments of defensive fortifications and the gallery of the Court, as well as a Turkish bath built on its territory.
