Romania is a relatively young country with rich history And cultural heritage, attracting tourists from all over the world! The Republic is proud of its magnificent palaces, medieval castles and villages, inexpensive ski resorts– Poiana Brasov, Busteni, Predeal and Sinaia. The state is well known thanks to the famous Dracula's castle located in Brasov. Romania is one of those countries that has practically not changed the boundaries of its own forests and is very careful about flora and fauna. We bring to your attention a fascinating guide to mysterious Romania.
A brief introduction to an amazing European state
Romania is located in Southeastern Europe, part of the country is located in the northeast of the Balkan Peninsula.
Photo taken from the site: knaus.com.ua
The capital of the state is the city of Bucharest. Romania neighbors Moldova and Ukraine, Serbia and Hungary, and also has a land border with Bulgaria. The majority of the country's population professes Orthodoxy. In the southeast, Romania is washed by the Black Sea. The Carpathian Mountains stretch across the entire territory of the country. Highest point Romania - Mount Moldoveanu. Forests occupy only thirteen percent of the republic's area. The state has been a member of the European Union since 2007.
On Black Sea coast Romania has wonderful natural beaches. Popular sea resorts in Romania are Constanta and Mamaia, Eforia and Mangalia, ski resorts - Sinaia and Busteni, Predeal and Poiana Brasov, balneological resorts - Baile Felix (near Oradea), Baile Herculanee and Efori Nord (mud baths can be taken on Lake Tekirgel ). The ski season starts in December and ends in March. The country contains one third of all minerals, thermal springs Europe.
What is worth seeing in Romania?
Romania is rich in numerous cultural, historical and architectural attractions. which are worth seeing with your own eyes at least once in your life!
Photo taken from the site: guide.travel.ru
In Romania, tourists should visit:
- Art Museum And National historical Museum .
- Palace of Justice 1864 and Stirbey Palace 1835.
- National Bank in the premises of 1885 and the presidential palace, located in a building built in the 17th century.
- Konstakudilo Palace 1900 and Royal Palace 1935.
- Arc de Triomphe 1920 and Antim Monastery 1715.
- Mihai Voda Monastery And Patriarchal Church, dated 1665.
- Church of Croculescu And Ethnographic Museum - Cluj-Napoca
- St. Michael's Church, erected in 1396-1432, and reformed church 1486.
- Botanui Palace- the former residence of the princes of Transylvania and Alba Iulia - the most old museum Romania, which was opened in 1794.
- Citadel b, built by the Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI in the years 1716-1735 and 2nd century cathedral, which was rebuilt in the Gothic style in the 15th century.
No less valuable attractions of Romania are:
- Historical Museum Brasov a, operating in a building from the 15th century and fragments of the citadel from 1553.
- Gothic Black Church(XIV - XV centuries) and St. Bartholomew's Church, dating from the 13th century.
- Town Hall, built in 1420 and Bran Castle- Castle of Count Dracula.
- Cathedral and two 15th century church in Iasi.
- Parish Church in Oradea, in which the King of Hungary, Laszlo I the Saint, is buried.
- Gothic church XV century and Teleki Palace in Targu Mures.
Interesting sights can be found in Timisoara:
- 18th century castle And orthodox cathedral;
- pseudo-gothic column, located in the city center, built in 1851 by Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria.
IN locality Sinai tourists will be able to see the summer Royal Palace of Peles, dating from the 19th century.
Natural attractions of Romania
Travelers will be enchanted by the unsurpassed beauty of the Bigar waterfall, located in the west of Romania in the area of Caras Severin, near the town of Bozovic. The Nera Gorge, famous for this natural wonder, is located in the Beushnitsa National Park.
Photo taken from the site: www.lifeguide.com.ua
Tourists will be able to enjoy a truly fabulous spectacle. The peculiarity of this waterfall is that, rushing at breakneck speed, water flows fall from an eight-meter height onto tuff covered with green moss. It seems that a stream of water envelops rock formation, resembling a mushroom, from all sides.
So that tourists can get to the fabulous waterfall, a bridge was built over the Minis River. National Park attracts tourists not only unique and fantastic beautiful waterfall, but also turquoise lakes, mysterious caves, diverse flora and fauna.
A protected area with steep cliffs and caves - the Bikaz gorge is located in the Eastern Carpathians.
Photo taken from the site: needguide.ru
It is the longest in Romania. In addition, it is also very deep. In 2004, this area received the status national park. Unique plants grow here, rare species of birds and animals live, Mountain Lake natural “Red” and artificial reservoir - Bikaz.
The picturesque Red Lake or Killer is characterized by an L-shaped shape, located at an altitude of nine hundred and eighty meters above sea level, near the Bicaz gorge (this is the northeastern part of Romania).
Photo taken from the site: nataliacebotari.wordpress.com
It arose naturally in 1837. As a result of heavy rainfall, a rock collapse occurred. They blocked a mountain river, forming a barrier like a dam.
The depth of the lake is ten and a half meters. The reservoir covers an area of 114,676 sq/m, and reaches a length of 2830 meters.
Tourists will enjoy strolling through the Bucharest Botanical Garden, which is characterized by excellent landscape design. It is close to the Catroceni Palace and the center of the capital.
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Founded Botanical Garden in 1860. It occupies an area of seventeen and a half hectares. Medicinal plants have been grown in this area for a long time. The botanical garden has been open to visitors since 1891. In 1954 it became the property of the university.
Here, in a building from the Brâncoveanu era, there is a museum that displays ancient tools of botanists, their manuscripts, as well as products made from minerals.
Let's take a closer look at tourist places must-visit places in Romania.
Where to stay: tourists are accepted
TOP - 15 main attractions of Romania
Bran Castle or Count Dracula's Castle is the most popular tourist attraction in Romania, a striking example of medieval architecture. It was erected in the 14th century on the top of a cliff, in the place where the wooden fortress of the Teutonic knights was located.
Photo taken from the site: globustour.com.ua
In the 17th century, the castle had two towers, characterized by an irregular geometric shape. During the time of Queen Bran, a wonderful park was created, with a lake and fountains. Currently, the castle is owned by Dominic Habsburg.
The castle never belonged to Count Dracula. Bran served as a refuge for Vlad the Impaler during his campaigns; here he stopped to go hunting in the mountains. In the castle museum, tourists can see his bed.
How to get there: From the capital you can get to Brasov by train, change to a bus and get off at the Castelul Bran station.
There is an entrance fee to the castle.
Where to stay: tourists are accepted
The Rasnov fortress is located between the town of Brasov and the castle called Bran.
Photo taken from the site: allworld4us.livejournal.com
It was built in the 13th century in the place where the old fort of the Teutonic Knights was located. The Rasnov fortress is located on the top of the mountain. Currently, it is a popular tourist attraction among travelers, characterized by a stunning panorama of the city and its surroundings.
Where to stay: tourists are accepted
3. Poenari Castle or “the real Dracula’s castle.”
Poenari is one of the oldest Romanian castles. It was erected in the 13th century over the Arges River.
Photo taken from the site: www.rutraveller.ru
At first the castle had only one tower. In the 15th century, it was rebuilt by Vlad III the Impaler (the prototype of the vampire Count Dracula), who settled here for a long time. The castle then acquired new buildings.
Currently, only ruins remain of it. To get to the legendary fortress, travelers need to overcome one and a half thousand steps of a steep stone staircase.
Peles Castle is a famous, luxurious architectural monument, built by order of King Charles I (Karol I) - a representative of the Hohenzollern dynasty. It is named after the mountain river of the same name. Construction of the palace dragged on for ten years.
Among the numerous styles that were embodied in the architectural project, neo-Renaissance predominated. Peles Castle is the first electrified palace in the world, equipped with an elevator. It occupies an area = over 3 thousand sq. m. The palace has more than one hundred and sixty rooms, decorated in the Prussian Baroque style. The historical monument was declared a museum in 1953.
On the ceiling of the castle you can see beautiful hand-painted stained glass windows. The walls, antique, wooden furniture are decorated with carvings. The palace contains exquisite Turkish, Iraqi, Bukhara carpets, huge Venetian mirrors, a collection of gold, silver and porcelain items, sculptures, figurines made from Ivory, as well as weapons and armor. The museum houses a unique collection of equipment for horses and knightly uniforms.
How to get there: to the city of Sinaia from the capital of Romania by train, as well as from Brasov by bus, then you need to walk to the castle.
Entrance to the palace is paid.
Where to stay: tourists are accepted
Tourists will be interested in ancient, Lutheran religious building with a Gothic style bell tower - the Black Church of St. Mary, located in the city of Brasov (southeastern Transylvania). The construction of the temple began in the Middle Ages - in 1385.
Photo taken from the site: www.romaniajournal.ro
After the fire, restoration work began, during which the outside of the church was decorated with frescoes in the Renaissance style.
The religious building together with the tower reaches a height of sixty-five meters. Inside the temple you can see unique Turkish carpets, sculptures, frescoes, a font in the form of a cast-iron, Gothic ark, and an organ dating from 1839.
In the summer, organ music concerts are organized in the church for parishioners.
Where to stay: tourists are accepted
The Throne Fortress (another name is the Throne Castle) is located in the village of Suceava (north-eastern part of Romania).
Photo taken from the site: alexjourba.livejournal.com
Its construction began by order of Prince Peter I Mushat in the 14th century. In ancient times, the fortress was the place where the coronation of the rulers of Moldova took place. Initially, it was characterized by a square shape and had towers (in the middle of the walls and in the corners).
Under Stephen the Great, the construction of a circle of bastions began, and the walls were strengthened. The fortress in the north was surrounded by a deep ditch and equipped with a drawbridge. An underground passage led from it to the St. Demetrius Church.
In the 20th century, the restoration of the Throne Castle was carried out by the Austrian architect Karl Romstorfer. Tourists today can see a paved courtyard, a chapel, and a bathhouse. The fortress became the venue for art exhibitions and a festival dedicated to the art of the Middle Ages.
Where to stay: tourists are accepted
The Kretsulescu Palace was built at the beginning of the twentieth century. The Romanian architect Petre Antonescu worked on his project. The building stands out from other buildings in the capital with its beauty and pomp. It is located near Cismigiu Park.
The exterior of Crezulescu's building displays Gothic and Baroque features. It is connected to the Scetu Magureanu temple by an underground passage. The palace has housed the headquarters of UNESCO-CEPES since 1972 - European Center higher education.
Where to stay: tourists are accepted
The gloomy Corvin Castle rises on a cliff above the Zlašte River in the city of Hunedoara (southern Transylvania). It was built in the 15th century.
Photo taken from the site: krasivye-mesta.com
Initially it had the shape of an oval. The castle was once the ancestral seat of the Hunyadi family. Thanks to reconstructions, it appearance it was changed. The castle now has towers and a chapel.
According to legend, Vlad Celeš (Count Dracula), who was overthrown from the throne, was hidden in the dungeons of Huyandi Castle. In the 17th century, under the next owner, Gabor Bethlen, the castle was rebuilt. The new palace embodied elements of late Gothic and Renaissance in its design.
Since the 18th century, the castle was owned by the Habsburgs. Today there is a historical museum in Korvinovo, which will be interesting for travelers to see.
Where to stay: tourists are accepted
Catherine's Gate is located in Brasov. Previously, in their place there was a fortress wall, and near it there was the monastery of St. Catherine.
Photo taken from the site: www.votpusk.ru
On the gate you can see the city's coat of arms. Today, in the premises of this unique attraction there is a museum that will be interesting to see for inquisitive tourists.
Where to stay: tourists are accepted
The ruins of Deva Castle are a famous landmark of Transylvania.
Photo taken from the site: www.votpusk.ru
The castle was built on the left bank of the Mures River, a tributary of the Tisza. The first mention of the fortress appeared in 1269. In order to look at the fragments of the once mighty citadel, tourists can take the cable car up. Currently, the area around Deva Castle is a protected area. Rare plant species grow here.
The powerful, majestic Neamt castle-fortress is located on the territory of Romania near the town of Targu Neamt, in a picturesque area between the Prut River and the Carpathians, on Plesa Hill.
Photo taken from the site: www.votpusk.ru
The first written mention of the Neamt fortress dates back to 1395. The castle was founded by the Prince of Moldavia, Peter I Mushat. The castle is characterized by incredibly thick, twenty-meter walls, impressive bastions, and a semicircular bridge supported by eleven pillars. Currently, an overview of the castle, which was strategically important in ancient times, is included in popular tourist routes.
The Mogosoaia Palace is a striking example of a new, unique architectural style - the Brancovean style, founded by Constantin Brancoveanu.
Photo taken from the site: www.votpusk.ru
The palace and park complex is located sixteen kilometers from Bucharest. Its construction lasted from 1689 to 1702. Mogosoaia Palace was the summer residence of the crowned family.
Under the princes of Bibescu, the building acquired rich decoration, openwork balconies, wooden, carved columns and balustrades. Its design harmoniously combined Western and Eastern stylistic trends. In 1945, the palace became state property, and in 1957 it received the status of a museum of Brynkovets art.
Today, tourists within its walls can see antique furniture, household items from the 17th-19th centuries, icons, historical documentation and paintings.
Where to stay: tourists are accepted
Active, Orthodox, monastery Sinaia is located in the mountains - the Southern Carpathians.
Photo taken from: commons.wikimedia.org
Its construction lasted five years - from 1690 to 1695. The founder of the monastery was a representative noble family- Mikhail Cantacuzino. The iconic building is decorated in the Brynkovian architectural style. The church was painted by the painter Parva Muthu.
The construction of the second church of the monastery took place from 1842 to 1946 in the same stylistic direction. Today within its walls are two valuable icons that were presented by Emperor Nicholas II to King Ferdinand I of Romania.
Tourists are invited to visit the Museum of Church Art, which houses a rich collection of various church objects, icons and books. Among them, the first Bible written in Romanian is of particular value.
Harastrau Park is located around the lake of the same name, in the north of the capital of Romania.
Photo taken from the site: www.votpusk.ru
The Green Island appeared in Bucharest in 1936. Harastrau Park is currently popular place, where not only guests of the capital, but also local residents prefer to relax.
Visitors to the park will see the Village Museum, operating under open air and named after the Romanian ethnographer - Dimitrie Gusti.
Guests will be offered:
- get acquainted with the life and life of peasants in the Middle Ages:
- look at the wooden huts and other buildings of the rural population of the 16th-18th centuries.
In the recreational area of the park there are a large number of terraces, alleys, fountains, a fairground, a boat pier, embankments and courts equipped for playing tennis.
Where to stay: tourists are accepted
The ancient Catholic Church of St. Bartholomew is located in the city of Brasov.
Photo taken from the site: www.votpusk.ru
It was built by the Transylvanian Saxons in 1260. The religious building has a clock tower. The temple is a valuable monument medieval architecture, decorated in Gothic style. which will be interesting for tourists to see.
Where to stay: tourists are accepted
Go to an amusing trip through Romania - a mysterious country with medieval castles, majestic mountains and legends about Count Dracula, and enjoy pleasant moments! Tourists will be captivated by the pristine nature and rich fauna of the country, unique architectural sites and the hospitality of the local residents. Here you can taste incredibly tasty and heady Romanian wine. And in order to make your stay as comfortable as possible, do not forget
Romania is a country full of surprises, amazing folklore and exciting places that leave a pleasant impression in the hearts of its visitors. Don't believe me? Experience it for yourself on your next visit to this land full of surprises!
Romania has the most beautiful and cheerful cemetery in the world
Cimitirul Vesel (which literally translates from Romanian as “Merry Cemetery”) in a village in the Maramures district is a unique place and is open to any visitor. There are many majestic and beautiful wooden crosses and monuments here. In addition, each headstone contains a witty rhyme that reflects the funniest side of the people buried in the cemetery and episodes of their lives. This kind of witty performance and at the same time ironic epitaph exists only here.
Romanian inventors changed the world
Romania is home to some extraordinary scientists and engineers, most of whom have actually changed our world. For example: Nicolae Paulescu was the actual discoverer of insulin; Eugen Pavel - inventor of the CD-ROM; Aurel Persu was a famous automotive designer who built the first car with wheels in its aerodynamic line; Petrasce Poinaru invented the fountain pen; Emil Rakovica created the first underground biological laboratory and organized work on biospeleology.; Anastas Dragomir was the inventor of an early version of today's ejection seat.
Romanian is the only Romance language in Eastern Europe
Most people believe that the Romanian language is similar to the Slavic languages, but in reality, the Romanian language is closely related to the Italian, French, Spanish, Catalan and Portuguese languages.
Romania has 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
They include: churches of the historical region of Moldova; Dacian fortresses in the Orastie mountains; Historical Center the city of Sighisoara; Monastery in Khorez; Villages with fortified churches in Transylvania; Wooden churches of the historical region of Maramures and the famous Danube Delta.
Romania is the richest country in Europe in terms of resources
There is oil, timber, natural gas, coal, gold, iron ore, salt, arable land and hydropower resources, thanks to which Romania is considered one of the richest countries in Europe.
The largest civil administrative building in the world is located in Romania
Built by the former Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu Palace of Parliament in Bucharest (also known as People's House) is the largest and most expensive civil administration on the planet.
Romania has the best preserved delta in Europe
Despite the fact that it is only the second largest river delta in Europe (after the Volga), the Romanian Danube Delta is the best preserved on the continent. There are as many as 23 natural ecosystems with their amazing, diverse and unique flora and fauna.
The largest population of brown bears in Europe
Brown bears are more common here than anywhere else in Europe.
The largest mountain sculpture in Europe
Along Dumai, near the small town of Orsova in southwestern Romania, there is a 55-meter-high mountain sculpture. She depicts Decebalus, the last king of Dacia. But you can only see the monument from a boat, which makes it an even more unique place.
The only gold museum in Europe
Also known as the Brada Mineralogical Collection (or the Golden Museum) in the small Romanian town of Brada is the only one of its kind in Europe. Founded about 100 years ago, the museum contains more than 2,000 gold artifacts.
Here was the first city illuminated by electricity
Timisoara, one of the most beautiful and vibrant Romanian cities, was the first mainland European city to be illuminated by electric street lamps.
Romania may not be the most popular country in Europe, but this in no way detracts from its importance on the world stage. There is a lot to see here, but the historical importance of this land is not known to many.
We present to your attention a selection of the most interesting facts about Romania.
- 1 Self-driving car
- 2 World Warriors
- 3 Nadia Komenec
- 4 Trajan Popovic
- 5 Dracula's Castle
- 6 Tax on black magic
- 7 Cave with bones
- 8 Top Gear and Parliament House
- 9 Bear Day
- 10 Cigarette smuggling
Self-driving car
Romanian student beats global corporations with his invention
Nineteen-year-old Romanian student Ionut Budisteanu has developed an artificial intelligence system that can drive a car while you sit, shiver, or sip a beer while driving (please don't do this). The entire system will cost the consumer only $4,000. Ionut received the first prize for this invention at the World Competition of Scientific and Engineering Achievements of Schoolchildren, which is held by Intel, while the giant Google, with billions of dollars at its disposal, cannot complete the development of such a system. Budisteanu's version uses webcams, and 47 out of 50 test rides ended well, indicating that the invention can be used. Three unsuccessful attempts occurred due to the fact that the cameras were not advanced enough and could not distinguish small objects on the road, that is, for the system to work perfectly, more powerful cameras are needed.
World Warriors
Both world wars affected Romania
Romania's entry into the First world war sent Kaiser Wilhelm into a state of panic: the Central Powers were practically defeated on both fronts and captured by British and Russian troops. When Romanian troops entered the war, they opened new line protection at the Transylvanian border. Unfortunately, they were few in number and soon began to suffer greater and greater losses. In addition, Russia plunged into revolution and could no longer provide support. Romania had to surrender, with total losses of about 300,000 soldiers. The coastal territories fell under the control of Austria and Hungary until the end of the war. True, after its end, the borders were restored and even expanded by the annexation of the notorious Transylvania.
During World War II, Romania was no more fortunate: its allies in the Entente and the Luftwaffe (Wehrmacht Air Force) bombed its territories from all sides, and this happened largely due to the fact that the former Romanian general Jon Antonescu was in league with the Nazis, later King Michael removed him from office.
Nadia Komenec
This girl is one of the most titled athletes in Romania
Gymnast Nadja Elena Komenec unexpectedly became a sports icon when she won the first prize in gymnastics. At the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, she won three of the three gold medals. The jury's computers could not even reflect such high scores, since no one could have imagined that someone was capable of such a thing. But Nadya succeeded, and at first the displays showed “1”. The audience was confused, but then the situation became clear: Nadya received the highest score - “10”. Before the end of the competition, she managed to consolidate her impeccable result 6 more times. The girl was only 14 years old at the time.
Trajan Popovic
Every country has its heroes
Oskar Schindler, an internationally recognized hero, has been immortalized in history for his great achievements. His figure is presented in history as one of the most noble, although the unknown Romanian lawyer Traian Popovic saved many more lives. He was born in the small town of Suceava, which became Romanian territory after the First World War; during the Second World War, this land was under the control of Austria. The thought that thousands of innocent people would be killed haunted him, and, risking his life, he convinced the military commander of Romania (who supported the Nazis) Jon Antonescu that Jewish workers were badly needed in his city. The plan worked, senior management gave the go-ahead.
Dracula's Castle
According to legend, Count Dracula lived in this castle
Can you imagine a more perfect place to celebrate Halloween than Count Dracula's castle? Most likely no. Visitors here, according to tradition, are treated to bread and brandy. Tourists will also be treated to a show where they can take part in a knight's tournament and attend the coronation of the newly crowned Miss Transylvania. But the true history of the castle is not so exciting: the one we used to identify with Dracula (Vlad the Impaler) never lived here. Tepes may have visited here a couple of times, but his estates are located elsewhere. This building became Dracula's Castle later, after Bram Stoker made it the main residence of the county. Local residents have long realized that Dracula and Tepes are different people, but still tried to benefit from the established legend. Today the castle building houses a museum.
Black magic tax
Romanian magicians and sorcerers were forced to pay taxes
Was published not long ago new law, which caused indignation in the ranks of Romanian magicians and clairvoyants, since they do not want to pay taxes to the state on the income from their craft. The law also affects those who are involved in the occult, predictors of the future, who for some reason could not foresee the impending innovations. New laws came into force on January 1, 2011, and now services provided by sorcerers and seers are considered official income. Soothsayers and witches, believing that such innovations would bankrupt them, even tried to bring damage to the government.
Cave with bones
The discovery in one of the caves became a very significant event for anthropology
A cave in northwestern Romania has become an anthropological treasure, preserving human history. A discovery made in 2002 showed that people lived on this land even earlier than expected, the age of the found remains is more than 40,000 years. The bones exhibit features of early and later hominid species. This discovery was a real success; it allows us to slightly lift the veil of secrecy about where the first people appeared. For example, the lower jaw found in the cave belongs to Neanderthals. Although scientists are not entirely sure of family ties modern man and Neanderthal, some of the bones discovered indicate that representatives of these two different groups found each other in this cave.
Top Gear and Parliament House
This road amazes with the beauty of the landscape
The guys from Top Gear raced along the Transfagarasan Highway - a winding road with many sharp turns and bends, accompanied by beautiful scenery. In other words, this road is ideal for ruining a set of tires, regardless of what kind of car you have. The team was not very inspired by the trip along this highway, and they decided to go to the Houses of Parliament - one of the largest buildings in the world. Behind its walls, in the basements, the palace hides a labyrinth of dusty tunnels that are not used today.
This palace was Ceausescu's personal residence and at the same time his headquarters; today the Parliament is based here - it would be short-sighted not to use a building of such political significance. This is one of the largest buildings in the world and the largest administrative building (also the most expensive and heaviest). Surprisingly, Ceausescu invested billions in its construction while his people were starving.
Bear Day
Instead of Groundhog Day, they celebrate Bigger Animal Day.
It's no secret that there are a lot of bears in Romania. Some tourists even buy very expensive tours, where a guide takes a group through the forest and shows how local clubfoot live in wildlife. Love for this animal is reflected in many aspects - there is even a holiday dedicated to bears, and it is very similar to the famous American Groundhog Day. Before emerging from hibernation, the bear briefly leaves the den for water treatments. And his behavior suggests whether winter will continue or whether spring will come soon.
Cigarette smuggling
Cigarette smuggling is very popular in Romania
Cigarette smuggling is an incredibly lucrative business: one hand-rolled cigarette brought from neighboring Ukraine can be sold here for about 35 rubles. The authorities are struggling with the current situation: in 2012, almost 10 million packs were confiscated and 30 cigarette transport operations were prevented. A large number of money has been invested in anti-smuggling technologies, including spending on seismic detectors that respond to footsteps. Some methods of smuggling seem to be taken from cartoons: not so long ago, a batch of cigarettes was discovered that was hidden in logs.
We hope that our article helped you learn more about little-known Romania. Now you can tell your friends that this is not only the land of vampires, but also the homeland of talented people with a worldwide reputation.
Romania is considered to be quite young and quite unusual, and even to some extent exotic country Europe. Her appearance on political map world dates back to the second half of the 19th century. The country has many large historical areas with their own specifics, since each of them was part of different states for quite a long time. These include Transylvania, Dobruja, Oltenia, Muntenia, Banat, Crisana and Maramures. 
Because of its unusual nature, tourists love to visit the country. However, tourists need to remember that Romania is very unfavorable in sanitary and epidemiological terms. Diseases such as viral meningitis, rabies and even typhus are found here.
Economy of Romania
Romania is an industrial-agrarian country, and its leading industry is metallurgy, both black and colored. The chemical industry, which has a fairly strong raw material base, is also considered a promising area. In addition, this is a country with well-developed arts and crafts. For example, the production of leather and ceramics or weaving from straw and twigs is well developed, as well as decorative sewing and embroidery, especially multi-colored and carpet weaving, which is mainly dominated by ancient geometric patterns. 
Country of scientists and inventors
Romania can rightfully be proud of its wonderful scientists and inventors. It was discovered in this country pancrein, which later became known as insulin. Its discovery belongs to the outstanding scientist and politician -. The country owes another scientist Marinescu the fact that he was the first to examine the structure of human nerve cells under a microscope. Romanian chemist Nicolae Teclu invented a gas burner and named it after himself. The outstanding psychologist of Romania Odoblezha was the forerunner of such a science as cybernetics.
Unusual places in Romania
The cemetery, located in the district of the historical region, is perhaps the most unusual European cemetery, which is called unusually - cheerful. Its unusualness lies in the fact that each tombstone has a witty, cheerful poem engraved on it. This area is also famous for its very beautiful wooden churches, built in the 17th and 18th centuries in the Gothic style and wooden gates, which almost all residents of this area have. 
In Scarisoara, which is located near the village of Garda, there is a glacier cave, famous for the largest underground glacier in the world. 
In the Southern Carpathians there is a mountain range, on the surface of which there are numerous very bizarre sculptures. Their authors are the heavenly elements: wind and rain. The most famous sculptures are those of the sphinx, harp and old man. 
The town is famous for the largest sanatorium not only in Europe, but perhaps in the whole world, located in the oldest underground salt mine. 
The Bridge of Liars, which is located in Vlad the Impaler’s favorite city, carries an element of mysticism. One of the legends says that there is no place for liars on this bridge, as it may collapse under them. However, it is believed that there is no confirmation of this legend, since the bridge has existed for centuries or there are no liars at all. 
The largest parliament building in the world is considered to be the building located in the Romanian capital. 
Culinary preferences
Corn hominy replaces bread for Romanians, and for loved ones national dish considered similar to lula kebab - mititei and sarma, in other words, cabbage rolls, which are made with pork filling. The filling is wrapped in grape leaves or sauerkraut leaves, which are prepared for future use using the pickling method. Among the strong drinks, plum vodka - tsuika and grape wines are common. Moreover, in the cold winter, it is customary to drink vodka with spices and warmed up. 
Residents of the country also love black coffee, and among dairy products they prefer sour milk and feta cheese, with which they bake puff pastries on holidays. As a first course, they prefer a vegetable soup called chorbu or borscht. The technology for preparing borscht is very unusual: it is acidified with green fruits, bread kvass or cabbage brine.
Vampire Country
Romania is considered by many to be the country of vampires. According to legend, Vlad Tepes (Dracula) lived in Transylvania, who became famous for his brutal executions. In general, there are many interesting historical sights in this area. One of them is the Black Church, dating back to the 15th century. She is also called Biserica-Neagra.
Here are some more interesting facts about Romania:
- In Romania, the features of modern times are successfully intertwined with traditional culture, and the family in this country plays a huge role in the preservation and transmission of ancient traditions.
- Every aspect of the folk life of the Romanian population is reflected in their creativity. Epic ancient ballad songs are especially interesting, for example, the ballad of the Romanian shepherds “Mioritsa”.
- There are a huge number of folk festivals in Romania. Among them, the holiday with the “plugoshor” ritual, which the Romanian people celebrate on the first day after the New Year, stands out. This ritual is dedicated to the future harvest and is performed by young men dressed in goat skins.
- The oldest city in Romania, Cluj-Napaka, where a Dacian settlement once settled, is mentioned in the works of the scientist Ancient Greece Claudius Ptolemy.
- The fountain pen was invented by Romanian student Petrache Poenaru.
- The narrowest European street, just a hundred centimeters wide, is considered to be Niti Street, located in a city with well-preserved buildings from the Middle Ages - Brasov.
- Romania is famous for its unique balneo-mud and climatic resorts located on the Black Sea and in the cradle of Romania - Transylvania, as well as ski resorts.
Romania may not be the most popular country in Europe, but this in no way detracts from its importance on the world stage. There is a lot to see here, but the historical importance of this land is not known to many.
We present to your attention a selection of the most interesting facts about Romania.
Self-driving car
Romanian student beats global corporations with his inventionNineteen-year-old Romanian student Ionut Budisteanu has developed an artificial intelligence system that can drive a car while you sit, shiver, or sip a beer while driving (please don't do this). The entire system will cost the consumer only $4,000. Ionut received the first prize for this invention at the World Competition of Scientific and Engineering Achievements of Schoolchildren, which is held by Intel, while the giant Google, with billions of dollars at its disposal, cannot complete the development of such a system. Budisteanu's version uses webcams, and 47 out of 50 test rides ended well, indicating that the invention can be used. Three unsuccessful attempts occurred due to the fact that the cameras were not advanced enough and could not distinguish small objects on the road, that is, for the system to work perfectly, more powerful cameras are needed.
World Warriors
Both world wars affected Romania Romania's entry into World War I sent Kaiser Wilhelm into a state of panic: the Central Powers were virtually defeated on both fronts and captured by British and Russian forces. When Romanian troops entered the war, they opened a new line of defense along the Transylvanian border. Unfortunately, they were few in number and soon began to suffer greater and greater losses. In addition, Russia plunged into revolution and could no longer provide support. Romania had to surrender, with total losses of about 300,000 soldiers. The coastal territories fell under the control of Austria and Hungary until the end of the war. True, after its end, the borders were restored and even expanded by the annexation of the notorious Transylvania.
During World War II, Romania was no more fortunate: its allies in the Entente and the Luftwaffe (Wehrmacht Air Force) bombed its territories from all sides, and this happened largely due to the fact that the former Romanian general Jon Antonescu was in league with the Nazis, later King Michael removed him from office.
This girl is one of the most titled athletes in Romania Gymnast Nadja Elena Komenec unexpectedly became a sports icon when she won the first prize in gymnastics. At the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, she won three of the three gold medals. The jury's computers could not even reflect such high scores, since no one could have imagined that someone was capable of such a thing. But Nadya succeeded, and at first the displays showed “1”. The audience was confused, but then the situation became clear: Nadya received the highest score - “10”. Before the end of the competition, she managed to consolidate her impeccable result 6 more times. The girl was only 14 years old at the time.
Trajan Popovic
Every country has its heroes Oskar Schindler, an internationally recognized hero, has been immortalized in history for his great achievements. His figure is presented in history as one of the most noble, although the unknown Romanian lawyer Traian Popovic saved many more lives. He was born in the small town of Suceava, which became Romanian territory after the First World War; during the Second World War, this land was under the control of Austria. The thought that thousands of innocent people would be killed haunted him, and, risking his life, he convinced the military commander of Romania (who supported the Nazis) Jon Antonescu that Jewish workers were badly needed in his city. The plan worked, senior management gave the go-ahead.
Dracula's Castle
According to legend, Count Dracula lived in this castle Can you imagine a more perfect place to celebrate Halloween than Count Dracula's castle? Most likely no. Visitors here, according to tradition, are treated to bread and brandy. Tourists will also be treated to a show where they can take part in a knight's tournament and attend the coronation of the newly crowned Miss Transylvania. But the true history of the castle is not so exciting: the one we used to identify with Dracula (Vlad the Impaler) never lived here. Tepes may have visited here a couple of times, but his estates are located elsewhere. This building became Dracula's Castle later, after Bram Stoker made it the main residence of the county. Local residents have long realized that Dracula and Tepes are different people, but still tried to benefit from the established legend. Today the castle building houses a museum.
Black magic tax
Romanian magicians and sorcerers were forced to pay taxes Not long ago, a new law was issued that caused indignation in the ranks of Romanian magicians and clairvoyants, since they do not want to pay taxes to the state on the income from their craft. The law also affects those who are involved in the occult, predictors of the future, who for some reason could not foresee the impending innovations. New laws came into force on January 1, 2011, and now services provided by sorcerers and seers are considered official income. Soothsayers and witches, believing that such innovations would bankrupt them, even tried to bring damage to the government.
Cave with bones
The discovery in one of the caves became a very significant event for anthropology A cave in northwestern Romania has become an anthropological treasure, preserving human history. A discovery made in 2002 showed that people lived on this land even earlier than expected, the age of the found remains is more than 40,000 years. The bones exhibit features of early and later hominid species. This discovery was a real success; it allows us to slightly lift the veil of secrecy about where the first people appeared. For example, the lower jaw found in the cave belongs to Neanderthals. Although scientists are not entirely sure of the relationship between modern humans and Neanderthals, some of the discovered bones indicate that representatives of these two different groups found each other in this cave.
Top Gear and Parliament House
This road amazes with the beauty of the landscape The guys from Top Gear raced along the Transfagarasan Highway - a winding road with many sharp turns and bends, accompanied by beautiful scenery. In other words, this road is ideal for ruining a set of tires, regardless of what kind of car you have. The team was not very inspired by the trip along this highway, and they decided to go to the Houses of Parliament - one of the largest buildings in the world. Behind its walls, in the basements, the palace hides a labyrinth of dusty tunnels that are not used today.
This palace was Ceausescu's personal residence and at the same time his headquarters; today the Parliament is based here - it would be short-sighted not to use a building of such political significance. This is one of the largest buildings in the world and the largest administrative building (also the most expensive and heaviest). Surprisingly, Ceausescu invested billions in its construction while his people were starving.
Bear Day
Instead of Groundhog Day, they celebrate Bigger Animal Day. It's no secret that there are a lot of bears in Romania. Some tourists even buy very expensive tours, where a guide takes a group through the forest and shows how the local clubfoot lives in the wild. Love for this animal is reflected in many aspects - there is even a holiday dedicated to bears, and it is very similar to the famous American Groundhog Day. Before emerging from hibernation, the bear briefly leaves the den for water treatments. And his behavior suggests whether winter will continue or whether spring will come soon.
Cigarette smuggling
Cigarette smuggling is very popular in Romania Cigarette smuggling is an incredibly lucrative business: one hand-rolled cigarette brought from neighboring Ukraine can be sold here for about 35 rubles. The authorities are struggling with the current situation: in 2012, almost 10 million packs were confiscated and 30 cigarette transport operations were prevented. A large amount of money has been invested in anti-smuggling technology, including spending on seismic detectors that respond to footsteps. Some methods of smuggling seem to be taken from cartoons: not so long ago, a batch of cigarettes was discovered that was hidden in logs.
We hope that our article helped you learn more about little-known Romania. Now you can tell your friends that this is not only the land of vampires, but also the homeland of talented people with a worldwide reputation.
