Landmarks of Romania. The strangest places

If you think that Romania is vampires hiding in dark castles and waiting for tourists, then this is not at all the case. And although the Transylvanian vampires, according to legend, do look menacing, Romania is much more than just Dracula and his Brukenthal palace. There are many medieval castles and gorgeous alpine landscapes 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, some of which are very rare. 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 people to build durable stone churches, they decided to build them from timber. During the 200-year period, about 300 wooden churches were built, about 100 of which have survived to this day. These Gothic structures are predominantly Orthodox, but there are several Greek Catholic shrines. The churches, with tall slender bell towers, reflect high craftsmanship and knowledge of carpentry. These are both simple and graceful sights of Romania. Hand-painted murals adorn the interior of Maramures's many stave churches.

Vaser Valley

In Romania, you will have a unique chance to go on a tour of the Carpathian forests on a steam train. The local forestry railway, which runs along the Vaser River valley, has been operating since 1932, when it was used to deliver wood from sawmills. Today it is used to transport tourists who love the charm of old narrow-gauge trains that travel along pretty forest landscapes. The train stops at Patina, where you will have two hours for a walk in the woods and a picnic surrounded by picturesque 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 is in Romania. Be sure to take your binoculars with you 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 bird species. There is also a wide variety of animals, including wild cats, wolves and even wild boars. The Danube Delta is one of the most outstanding natural attractions in Romania.

Poiana Brasov

When you get tired of looking for vampires, take a look at Poiana Brasov and visit this popular ski resort in Romania. This place attracts skiers from all over Europe. The ski resort in the Carpathians has seven slopes with a total length of 25 km for athletes with varying degrees of training. Alpine skiing, figure skating and snowboarding competitions are constantly held here. After an active day on the slopes, indulge in a traditional warmed wine or taste a local spiced drink.

Corvin Castle

Corvin Castle is a medieval Gothic structure considered to be the greatest medieval castle in Romania. It is also known as the Hunyad Castle in honor of the high-ranking ruler who built it. Corvinus is a fairytale castle, to which a wooden bridge with a statue of St. John of Nepomuk, the patron saint of bridges, leads. The symbol of the 15th century castle is a crow wearing a gold ring. While visiting this Romanian landmark, pay attention to the bear pit and dungeon where people were brutally tortured. This is one of the perfectly preserved European castles that are definitely worth a visit.

Sucevitsa monastery

Sucevitsa Monastery has a unique architectural style. One way or another, Gothic and Byzantine elements are mixed here, plus the Moldovan style of painting churches. All this is reflected in a single impressive building as one of the most recognizable landmarks in Romania. The front of the monastery is cylindrical and topped with a conical roof, while the rear is rectangular with a small tower. Inside you will find painted murals from the early 1600s and tombs embroidered with silver thread. 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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Romania is one of the most mysterious countries in the whole world. Permeated with gloomy legends, filled with secrets, this country attracts those tourists who dream of opening the door to other worlds, and at least out of the corner of their eye to see the unusual and mystical manifestations of otherworldly forces. Indeed, there are a lot of places that are not well known in Romania. But does it scare the one who yearns to see everything sights of Romania and witness some kind of miracle?

Witch lake

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Not far from the capital of Romania, in the depths of the Boldu-Creteasca forest, there is a small reservoir. At first glance, it is unremarkable. It is quite small, only 1.5 meters deep, which, however, remains unchanged in summer heat and during seasonal rains.

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The most interesting thing is that the local residents of Romania have never seen animals come here to drink. And in the lake itself there are no fish or other aquatic inhabitants.
Animals are scared away by a poisonous substance in the lake or gas sources at the bottom. But other mystical events take place near the reservoir.

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Sometimes, at night, strange people appear on the shore, who burn various objects above the surface of the water and perform other, no less strange actions. There is a belief that the lake is a source of magical powers, and all its unusual night visitors are sorcerers and witches who come here to perform rituals. It is said that even some tourists, while on the shore, feel the unusual energy emanating from the depths of the water.

Funky cemetery of Romania

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This is probably the most unusual cemetery in the whole world. And this is not at all about the legends of ghosts and lost souls. Ominous occult rituals are not performed here either. Why is this place so attractive for tourists?

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It's all about the design of the "last refuge" of the deceased. There are no stately crosses and mournful statues that eternally mourn the dead. Quite the opposite. Each tombstone shines with bright colors, and satirical verses are written on them instead of posthumous epitaphs. Sometimes even on the graves there are pictures illustrating events from the life of the "inhabitants".

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And even if souls wander here who cannot find peace, then the cheerful atmosphere surrounding them should suit their taste. After all, she is so liked by living people who come to see the most original cemetery in the world.

Bran Castle

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Even the most distant from any mystical manifestations, a person knows that Romania is considered the birthplace of the progenitor of the legendary vampires - Count Vlad Tepes, better known to people as Dracula. This dark legend was born in the depths of Bran Castle, which is most often called Dracula's castle.
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If we turn to historical facts, it is believed that it was in the dungeons of the castle that the captive Vlad Tepes, captured by Matthias Korvin, was kept. Nowadays, tourists come here to look at the place where, albeit for a short time, the legendary Dracula still lived. Or maybe they hope to meet him someday in the dark dungeons of the castle?

Secrets of the Hoya Bachu forest

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In the age of the development of science, it would be strange if a person, trying to find unusual and mystical manifestations in life, limited himself in his research only to ancient legends and stories that have come down to us from the depths of the Middle Ages.

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Since humanity was able to get off the ground and fixed its gaze into space, a theory began to form that there are other living beings in the Universe, which in development can far exceed the terrestrial civilization. And, of course, after a while, eyewitnesses appeared who told that they saw unknown flying objects and even the aliens themselves. There are even places where such contacts occurred quite often. One of them is the mysterious Hoya Bachu forest. Many tourists come here hoping to see guests from deep space.

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But the strangeness of this place doesn't end there. Other strange phenomena also occur here: people disappear, lose their memory or fall ill with incomprehensible diseases. No one can explain all these events. But it is precisely because of such cases that the forest got its second name - “Romania's Bermuda Triangle”. All these oddities, however, do not prevent crowds of travelers from flocking here in search of unexplored wonders.

Museum of "living" stones

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The stones are usually not of any noteworthy tourist attraction. The exception is stone sculptures and structures.
But in Romania, even these everyday objects have strange and even mystical properties. They can grow, move around, and even reproduce!

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And if the first property can be attributed to an unusual composition, which includes mineral salts that absorb moisture and expand under its influence, then reproduction is a property inherent only in living organisms. Is it possible that there is a different, inorganic form of life on our planet? So far, scientists have remained silent. But on the other hand, every tourist can come to Romania and admire the tromants (the so-called "living" stones), which are in the museum of the village of Costesti.

Romania, shrouded in secrets, never ceases to attract tourists. And even if you suddenly fail to see something mystical with your own eyes, it will forever remain in your memory as one of the most magnificent countries in the world.

That's all for us... We are very glad that you have looked at our site and spent a little time to enrich with new knowledge.

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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.

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, 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 to 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 linguistic 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 Tepes 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 its own 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, a law was passed in Romania on the return of property to the previous owners, and the castle was returned to the heirs of the queen. 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 was exacerbated by the 1888 earthquake. The last restoration work was carried out in 1972. At this time, the masonry of the walls was strengthened 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 will 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 created 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 the 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.

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 Pelis 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 managed to successfully combine 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 study 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 carved decorations 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.

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. 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, a small museum exposition works in the fortress. It presents household items of the citadel defenders. Reconstruction began in 2007-09. 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 on the territory of Romania, its banks are separated 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, the ruler of the Dacians, Decebalus, 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. According to another, 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 the young couples did not quarrel, but helped each other, a long and happy life awaited them. 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 the 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 Sarmizegetuza, 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 assumed that the cave on Mount Kogayon, 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 that resembles 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 an 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 limestone rocks 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 temple 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.

Gothic churches, medieval castles, enchanting cities wrapped in the mysterious landscapes of Southeastern Europe ... Romania is replete with stunning sights that any traveler should see. From the underground theme park Salina Turda to the gloomy castle of Dracula, here are some of the best travel destinations in this country.

Sighisoara

It is a small medieval town in Transylvania with charming streets, colorful houses and a stunning historic center. But be careful: Sighisoara is also the birthplace of Vlad Tepes. According to legend, the city is literally teeming with ghosts.

Lacu Rosu (Red Lake)

Despite the name, the water in Lacu Rosu is the most ordinary, however, once here, you will be so absorbed in the stunning mountain views that you will not even remember the 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 similarity to the fortress described in Bram Stoker's novel.

Transfagarasi highway

The Transfagarasi Highway is considered one of the most beautiful and most exciting roads on earth. Through the Carpathians, it is literally dotted with tight bends and long S-shaped slopes.

Salina Turda

This is a 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.

Sarmisegetuza

The Romanian version of Stonehenge is the remains of the capital of ancient Dacia, built in the 1st century AD. NS. under King Decebalus and destroyed by the Romans in 106.

Statue of King Decebalus

An imposing 40-meter statue of the face of King Decebalus rises on the Romanian side of the Danube. The statue looks like it was created by the 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 landscapes 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 baptize children.

Chahlau

Chahlau (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 rich flora and fauna.

Merry cemetery in Sepynts

You may think that all Romanian necropolises are terrifying to look at, but this is not entirely true. The graves of the Merry Cemetery with their colorful handmade crosses do not look gloomy at all.

Danube Delta

The Romanian part of the Danube Delta is home to over 300 bird species, many beautiful beaches and extensive wetlands.

Corvin Castle

This 15th century Gothic fortress has enough eerie features to rival Bran Castle: massive walls and drawbridge outside, dungeons and torture rooms inside.

Timisoara

Timisoara is the third most popular tourist destination in Romania after Bucharest and Cluj-Napoca. The city is attractive for its magnificent squares, chic hotels and festivals.

Casino Constanta

The Constanta Casino was opened in 1910. Now this masterpiece of Art Nouveau 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, erected in 1966 on the Arges River, is a spectacular sight, as is the lake of the same name, which appeared thanks to it.

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 1100 rooms.

Brasov

Visiting Brasov is like traveling during the Middle Ages. Numerous clock towers and Gothic churches remind of the era that has sunk into oblivion.

Sibiu

The history of the city goes back to the 12th century, when Saxon settlers were exploring Transylvania. Sibiu is full of buildings with German architecture serving as a reminder of its founders.

Romania is one of the most amazing countries in Eastern Europe. This is evidenced by the incredible beauty of the landscapes, the unique culture of the local population and the rich history with which many interesting places are connected. Romania is rich in amazing castles with original architecture. We invite you to get acquainted with the ten most interesting places in Romania.

The first must-see place in Romania is Constanta Casino, located in the historic city of Constanta. The uniqueness of its architecture has made it an object of pilgrimage for tourists. In 1900, the building belonged to King Karol I and was opened to the public in 1910. Despite the fact that Casino Constanta is a unique example of the Art Nouveau architectural style, the building has been closed and forgotten by everyone since 1990.

This flooded village was once the center of the religious group in Transylvania. The most unique building in it is considered to be the Catholic Cathedral, which is still visible, despite the fact that the village is completely flooded. In 1995, a memorial was erected with the names of the former residents of this village. There is also an inscription on it, which says that at the bottom of this lake rests the village of Bezidou-Nou with 180 inhabitants, who are mourned today by Catholics in Romania, Ukraine, Greek Catholics and Jews. This place has become a symbol of religious tolerance.

Bigar waterfall is located in Karash-Severin county. Locals call this place “the miracle of the Minis canyon”. The rounded waterfall, from which the water falls from overgrown with green moss stones, has a height of 8 m. It is not only one of the unique natural places in Romania, but also one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world.

It is assumed that the church was built during the times of paganism. It is considered the oldest Orthodox church in Romania and dates back to the 13th century. According to another theory, which differs from the first, the Densus church was used as the mausoleum of one of the Romanian generals.

The village of Lapatari is located 56 km from the town of Buzau. Living fire is the most unusual natural phenomenon. Tongues of flame reach 20 cm. The flame appears in cracks in the earth and is supported by gases emanating from the depths. If you want to see this unique phenomenon, visit Romania.

Lake Ochiul Beiului is considered one of the most beautiful in Romania. It is so clean that you can clearly see the fish swimming in it. Since the water in the lake is emerald green, the locals associate several legends with it. The lake never freezes, as a spring gushes out from under the ground at the bottom.

If you go on a trip on the narrow gauge railway from the city of Vichéu de Sus, you can get an unforgettable experience. This railway was previously used to deliver timber from a sawmill. Today, tourists have the unique opportunity to ride one of the few remaining old trains in Romania. It departs daily from Viseu de Sus to Novat, Faina and Macarlau. Tourists will be able to ride this train from May to October.

This neo-Renaissance castle is located near the town of Sinai in the Carpathians. It was built by Charles I for his inauguration in 1883. Although Peles is called a castle, in reality it is a real palace built in an eclectic style, neo-Renaissance. Peles Castle houses an amazing collection of 2,000 paintings.

The Danube Delta is considered the second largest river delta in Europe and the first well-preserved one. It began to form in the Black Sea Gulf around 4000 BC. In 1991, the Romanian part of the Danube Delta was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Visit the Danube Delta and you will be pleasantly surprised by the natural beauty of this region.

The Bridge of God is a natural structure located in Mehedinci county on the main road that connects the cities of Targu Jiu and Drobeta-Turnu Severi. This stone bridge, the longest natural bridge in Romania, was built by nature itself. It was formed due to geological changes, but many legends are associated with it, which local residents will gladly share.
And, of course, returning from distant and near countries. you definitely need to bring at least a small souvenir. You just need to know what to look for, because in every country