People in most of the world seem to know very little about Romania these days. Either they have no idea where they are located in the atlas, or they have heard something about terrible events in the country. The mention of the name of the country could be greeted with questions about the execution of Ceausescu, the gypsy problem, etc. Some might go so far as to suggest that Romania is still languishing in medieval times.
Now, there is a grain of truth to these wild reactions, but only fair. That image is very old and needs to be updated immediately. Romania today has many things that can be said in its favor, things that will completely transform your negative impression of the country. First of all, Romania is a country in Southeast Europe that is blessed with incomparable scenic beauty. The diversity in its geography must be seen to be believed.
Romania’s beauty is evident from the mighty arch of the Carpathians in the northwest to the serene Black Sea coastline and the mouth of the Danube in the east. Romania has it all, from the sunny hills and rolling vineyards of Moldavia to the vast fertile plains of Wallachia, drained by gurgling streams and crystal-clear rivers. It is a land of natural beauty and diversity that can truly cast a spell on a foreign visitor.
Take, for example, the Black Sea coast. It has a large number of modern resorts with an architecture totally in tune with the natural environment. This non-intrusive building style can also be seen in many large cities. By the way, Romania has a population of over 22 million at the last count.
Bucharest, the capital of Romania and a vibrant metropolis, has its own charms for the foreign tourist. Iasi, Brasov and Sibiu are other interesting cities, the latter being considered the cultural capital of the country. Not only the big cities, but each province of Romania has something special to attract the foreign visitor.
Oltenia in the south is known for the exquisite quality of its rugs and embroidery. Maramures is famous for its wooden sculptures. Bucovina is a land of picturesque traditions of the past. And if you are interested in history, Dobrogea is where you will find the ancient ruins.
Perhaps the best known region of Romania is Transylvania with its mysterious legend. The legend of Dracula, the vampire king, is set in Transylvania as its backdrop. It dates back to the time of Vlad the Impaler, the ruthless tyrant, who ruled briefly between the years 1456 and 1462. His favorite form of punishment for his subjects was to impale them for disloyalty or any other crime.
The barbarity and cruelty that such a form of punishment implied led the gullible of the time to think that no human being was capable of such brutality. Therefore, they came to the conclusion that it must be the work of a creature from hell. The blood associated with the punishment also contributed to the legend of a vampire, which was sustained by human blood. This king’s seat of power was at Bran Castle in Brasov County in Transylvania. It is a very popular tourist destination, and you can visit it for a spooky experience.
Now it is not only the evil of the past that you will find in Romania, but also the sacred. Romania is famous for its monasteries, especially in the north of Moldova. Secluded monasteries will give you a taste of the peace of mind that is so rare in today’s fast-paced life. The peace and tranquility of these monasteries will fill your mind with sacred joy and free you from your sorrows and worries. Take some holy water and pray there, or just enjoy the serene and beautiful scenery.
That was a very brief summary of the treasures that you can find in the beautiful country that is Romania. Now that you have an idea of what to expect, you can visit the country for a fantastic experience.