Romania 2009
Romania is one of the largest countries in Europe and as I always was interested of the block during Soviet times,Romania has appeared as one very interesting destination for me.It was under the rule of king Karol second till 1937. The country also bordering Bulgaria and on east with Black sea.Has seventh largest population in Europe.My mother has visited during 1960s Sinaia palace and left very happy.After I have seen the movie Van Healsing (covered with nice graphics of Vampires living in Romanian castles and also had rough times. I have decided to visit it.The country its famouse with the production of wooden furniture and also its sea resorts such as Constanta and also many small lovely towns on the west side of the country.
Carpathian mountains also has been a great mysticism for me and great place for tourism. They are covering big percent of the country and has a very interesting vegetation.
The country has mainly Orthodox influence but you can find some Catholic churches also.Has e distinctive architecture which makes Romania one of the most attractive countries for tourism..
I have cached one line on the road west towards the border with Hungary and have seen,Calafat small village with very pleasant nature.
It was a big surprise for me to see how clean and well painted are the buildings,The villages are with big barns and lovely pubs and small shops.As a had some money with me I have stopped for a sandwich to enjoy the view just on the border and also I had bottle of wine with me.I did not stay in Romania allot except in towns of Arad were I have slept for one night.
Carpathian mountains also has been a great mysticism for me and great place for tourism. They are covering big percent of the country and has a very interesting vegetation.
The country has mainly Orthodox influence but you can find some Catholic churches also.Has e distinctive architecture which makes Romania one of the most attractive countries for tourism..
I have cached one line on the road west towards the border with Hungary and have seen,Calafat small village with very pleasant nature.
It was a big surprise for me to see how clean and well painted are the buildings,The villages are with big barns and lovely pubs and small shops.As a had some money with me I have stopped for a sandwich to enjoy the view just on the border and also I had bottle of wine with me.I did not stay in Romania allot except in towns of Arad were I have slept for one night.
Vidin - Calafat Romania
The first thing that we have to pass trough its the river Danube at the gates of Vidin.The water fiery its not that expensive and cost around 18 lv.Banks of the river Danube are the most beautiful thing you can see.Around the river you can spot lots of birds.Its full of pelicans.pelicans. Vidin-Calafat Romania its 30 min trip and it is the most exiting thing that I have been trough except the time when I have bordered on the ship from England trough France.The tank for passengers its small and does not have places to sit inside.It is just a platform on which you can transfer cars also for sale and big cargo trucks.
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During the middle ages inRomania there were two types of construction that developed in parallel and different in point of both materials and technique. The first is the populararchitecture, whose most spectacular achievements were the wooden churches, especially those in the villages of Maramureş, Banat andApuseni Mountains, where the tradition is still carried out today. In Maramureş, in Surdeşti village, the 54 m high church tower built during 1721–1724 is among the highest of this kind in Europe. The second consists mainly ofmonasteries, as well as princely seats or boyar mansions. Unfortunatelly, most of the old lay edifices were destroyed by time, wars, earthquakes and fires.
In mediaeval architecture, influences of Western trends can be traced, to a greater or lesser extent, in all the three lands inhabited by Romanians. Such influences are stronger in Transylvania, and weaker in Moldavia, in forms absorbed by local and Byzantine tradition. In Wallachia, Western elements in architecture were even fewer; there, from the 14th-century architecture was based on the local adaptation of the Byzantine model (the Princely Church inCurtea de Arges and the Cozia Monastery).
There are monuments significant for the Transylvanian Gothic style preserved to this day, in spite of all alterations, such as the Black Church in Braşov (14th and 15th centuries) and a number of other cathedrals, as well as the Bran Castle in Braşov County (14th century), the Hunyad Castle in Hunedoara (15th century).
Transylvania also developed fortified towns extensively during the Middle Ages; their urban growth respected principles of functionality (the usual pattern is a central market place with a church, narrow streets with sides linked here and there by archways): the cities of Sighişoara, Sibiu and Braşov are remarkable examples in that sense. Building greatly developed in Moldavia, too. A great number of fortresses were built or rebuilt during the reign of Moldavia's greatest prince, Stephen the Great (1457–1504). Suceava, Neamţ, Hotin, Soroca and others were raised and successfully withstood the sieges laid in the course of time by Sultan Mehmet II, the conqueror of Constantinople, by the kings of Poland and Hungary.
It was during his time that the Moldavian style, of great originality and stylistic unity, developed, by blending Gothic elements with the Byzantine structure specific to the churches. Among such constructions, the monumental church of the Neamţ Monastery served, for more than a century, as a model forMoldavian churches and monasteries. The style was continued in the 16th century, during the rule of Stephen the Great's son, Petru Rareş (1527–1538, 1541–1546). The main innovation was the porch and the outwall paintings (the churches of Voroneţ, Suceviţa, Moldoviţa monasteries). These churches of Northern Moldavia have become famous worldwide, due to the beauty of their painted elegant shapes that can be seen from afar.
The 17th century, the zenith of the pre-modern Romanian civilisation, brought about a more significant development of outstanding lay constructions (elegant boyard mansions or sumptuous princely palaces in Moldavia and Wallachia, Renaissance-style lordly castles in Transylvania), as well as the expansion of great monasteries. The latter were endowed with schools, art workshops, printing presses, and they were significant cultural centres. To this period belongs the church of the Trei Ierarhi Monastery in Iaşi, raised in 1635–1639, a unique monument due to its lavish decoration with carved geometric motifs, coloured in lapis lazuli and golden foil, all over the facades. The architectural style developed in Wallachia, especially under the reigns of Matei Basarab(1632–1654) and Constantin Brâncoveanu (1688–1714), is of a remarkable stylistic unity. The Brancovan style is characterized by integration of Baroqueand Oriental features into the local tradition. Some examples are the Hurezi Monastery in Oltenia or the princely palace of Mogoșoaia, both of which are lavishly decorated, with beautiful stone carvings, stucco work and paintings.
The 18th century (the Phanariot rule) brought to Wallachia and Moldavia elements of Oriental influence in urban civil architecture, where the number of religious constructions decreased relatively. In Transylvania, the Baroque dominated both religious (the Roman Catholic churches in Timisoara and Oradea) and lay architecture (Banffy Palace in Cluj and Brukenthal Palace in Sibiu).
Turno Severin
Turno Severin also called Drobeta. its situated near the banks of the river Danube and it is a bit industrial and neglected.I have arrived during the night and went for glass of drink.The town has nice water tower and also some Roman remains on Trajan bridge Constructed on a 20 pillars.and also Turno Severin fortress remains which is quite impressive.
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Romania Sibiu
Its located on 230 km from Bucharest. Romania its beautiful and fascinating country.Formal center of Transylvania and Romania. Don t know what to do have decided to visit for a while. Very Important trade center in 14 century.Has medieval architecture and it is important trade center during the 16 century in Europe.It is quite different from other towns of Romania as it is with small streets.The open air cafes are great.
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Carpathian mountain
Back to Bulgaria we have passed the Carpathian mountains are second largest formation in Europe.Has distinctive vegitation.
Contains thermal and mineral waters and has a big population of bears and lynx.
Contains thermal and mineral waters and has a big population of bears and lynx.
Romania Oradea-Arad 2012
Arad its a small town near the border with Hungary and has nice lovely park with places to make sport and also lovely outdoor cafes.There is wonderful town hall with singing clock and also backyard gardens full of pots with unusual plants.I have staid in there for a night and went to a local restaurant and also visited the local cafes.It was very warm and I walked throughout most of the town.Its not that much beautiful as Oradea but its in my heart.))))It is one of my favorite places in Europe.It is situated on the banks of Mures river and also its holds the Romanian Orthodox Theological Seminary. River Mures joins with river Thesa at town of Seget Hungary. Mures its second biggest river of Romania.
One of the main landmarks is the Arad fortress dating back to the Ottoman Empire times.Courtyards are fantastic.
One of the main landmarks is the Arad fortress dating back to the Ottoman Empire times.Courtyards are fantastic.
town of Arad
Town of Oradea
Its a city in a Bihor county.It is situated near the banks of a Crisul river.Its one of the most pompous towns in Romania.Its the tent largest city of Romania.It is also in the valley of the Apuseni maintain.Which I have not visited really.Its a burial place for some kings such as Ladislaus of Hungary,Stephan second of Hungary and also Andrew second of Hungary.You can see the Baroque palace of Oradea.It wa found in 1762 by the baron Bishop Adam Ptashchich and also Black Eagle palace.There is also one Medieval fortress called Catatea Oradea dates from 15 century.The fortress its shaped like pentagon.The town has lovely cafes and bars and I was there with bottle of wine which I have bought for myself and also some vodka at the local bar.The weather was not so good on the way back and even snowed.I will never forget this beautiful place.
Deva town on my way backDocumentary evidence of the city's existence first appeared in 1269 when Stephen V, King of Hungary and Duke of Transilvania, mentioned "the royal castle of Deva" in a privilege-grant for the Count Chyl of Kelling (Romanian: comitele Chyl din Câlnic). Under Voivod John Hunyadi, Deva became an important military and administrative centre.[citation needed] Partially destroyed by the Ottoman Turks in 1550, it was afterward rebuilt and the fortress extended. In 1621 Prince Gabriel Bethlen transformed and extended the Magna Curia Palace (also known as the Bethlen Castle) in Renaissance style.Most of the town its really clean and tidy but very industrial looking.There is a wide and specious roads and sometimes tyou could see also nice large new build houses.
dID NOT SEE IT TOO Town HunedoraOn a first glance town of Hunedora its nothing special and also we have just passed around it without looking at any details of the place.Lately reading about it I had discovered that there is five major things that you can do and see in here. This is Huniad castle Arboretum foI have seen on TV long ago,Prislop monastery,Cincis lake and also Simeria Arboretum natural forest and garden and large citadel.Ofcorse that we have not visited this places just have passed trough the town but its good to mentioned anyway.
Corvin Castle was laid out in 1446, when construction began at the orders of John Hunyadi (Hungarian: Hunyadi János, Romanian: Iancu or Ioan de Hunedoara) who wanted to transform the former keep built by Charles I of Hungary. The castle was originally given to John Hunyadi's father, Voyk (Vajk), by Sigismund, king ofHungary, as severance in 1409. It was also in 1446 when John Hunyadi was elected as the regent-governor of the Kingdom of Hungary by the Diet. It was built mainly in Gothic style, but has Renaissance architectural elements. It features tall and strong defence towers, an interior yard and a drawbridge. Built over the site of an older fortification and on a rock above the small Zlaști River, the castle is a large and imposing building with tall and diversely coloured roofs, towers and myriad windows and balconies adorned with stone carvings. The first step was building a double wall for fortification purposes. The walls were flanked by rectangular or circular towers, an architectural innovation to the period's Transylvanian architecture. Some of the towers (the Capistrano Tower, the Deserted Tower and the Drummers' Tower) were used as a prison. The Buzdugan Tower (name after a type of weapon) was solely built for defence purposes and it had its exterior decorated with geometric motifs. The rectangular shaped towers had large openings to accommodate larger weapons. The castle has 3 large areas: the Knight's Hall, the Diet Hall and the circular stairway. The halls are rectangular in shape and are decorated with marble. The Diet Hall was used for ceremonies or formal receptions whilst the Knight's Hall was used for feasts. In 1456, John Hunyadi died and work on the castle has stagnated. Starting with 1458, new commissions were being undergone to construct the Matia Wing of the castle. In 1480, work has completely stopped on the castle and it was recognised as being one of the biggest and most impressive buildings in Western Europe. The 16th century did not bring any improvements to the castle, but during the 17th century new additions have been made, for aesthetic and military purposes. Aesthetically, the new Large Palace has been built facing the town. A two level building, it hosted living chamber and a large living area. For military purposes, two new towers were constructed: the White Tower and the Artillery Tower. Also, the external yard was added, used for administration and storage. The current castle is the result of a fanciful restoration campaign undertaken after a disastrous fire and many decades of total neglect. It has been noted that modern "architects projected to it their own wistful interpretations of how a great Gothic castle should look". |
Tourists are told that it was the place where Vlad III of Wallachia (commonly known as Vlad the Impaler) was held prisoner by John Hunyadi, Hungary's military leader and regent during the King's minority, for 7 years after Vlad was deposed in 1462. Later, Vlad III entered a political alliance with John Hunyadi, although the latter was responsible for the execution of his father, Vlad II Dracul. Because of these links, the Hunedora Castle is sometimes mentioned as a source of inspiration for Bram Stoker's Castle Dracula. In fact, Stoker neither knew about Vlad's alliance with Hunyadi, nor about Hunyadi's castle. Instead, Stoker's own handwritten research notes confirm that the novelist imagined the Castle Dracula to be situated on an empty top in the Transylvanian Călimani Mountains near the former border with Moldavia.
Welllllllllllll WE DID NOT SEE IT BUT ITS THERE |
Tirgu JiuThe city takes its name from the river Jiu, which runs through it. In antiquity, there was a Dacian village in around the location of today's city surrounded by forests. After the Roman conquests ofOltenia (101-102), military units were stationed around the roads that connected different important routes at the time. During the digging of the Târgu Jiu - Rovinarirailroad, mosaics, coins, ceramics and Roman bricks were found in the south-eastern part of the city.This and ancient testimonies support the idea that Târgu Jiu was a commercial town (a vicus) while under the Roman Empire's rule. A very important route that connects the Danube to Transylvania runs through the city, so historians believe that part of the Roman Army under Trajan's leadership stayed and then passed in the actual location of the city.
After the 271 withdrawal of the Roman army, the city remained in the Latin influence zone, mainly because of Constantine The Great's involvement in Oltenia which he sought to bring under Imperial rule. The importance of keeping this zone under Rome's control was underlined by Constantine's decision to build a second bridge over the Danube. |
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Kraiova
On the way back from France I was so tired that I have slept most of my time during the journey.But I have manage to see something incredible on my way back to Bulgaria.
It is town of Craiova. It is the 6th largest city in Romania and it is in the county of Doji.Its bordering Danube and there you can pass to Bulgaria at Oriahovo port.I have passed again with the platform and there costs 3 Euros.The suburb of Craiova its covored with massive gypsy houses in front of which are so much uncollected dustbins.The buildings are imposant and have their own architectural style.
In the town you can see the lovely Jean Mihail palace and the lovely park.
It is town of Craiova. It is the 6th largest city in Romania and it is in the county of Doji.Its bordering Danube and there you can pass to Bulgaria at Oriahovo port.I have passed again with the platform and there costs 3 Euros.The suburb of Craiova its covored with massive gypsy houses in front of which are so much uncollected dustbins.The buildings are imposant and have their own architectural style.
In the town you can see the lovely Jean Mihail palace and the lovely park.