Romania is home to some incredible historical landmarks. From medieval towns and fortified churches, to wooden masterpieces and Dacian relics – Romania offers something spectacular for every traveler.
From the 30-meter-high Endless Column Complex to the Gate of Silence and Table of Silence, these sites can help students conduct impactful research for their customized term papers.
Sinaia Monastery
Sinaia, located at the base of three stunning Carpathian mountains – Varful cu Dor, Furnica and Piatra Arsa – is one of Romania’s top tourist spots. Part of this success can be attributed to Prince Mihai Cantacuzino’s monastery established between 1690-1695 as well as breathtaking mountain villas constructed during 19th century by Romanian aristocracy as part of their estates in Sinaia.
Sinaia Monastery is a magnificent sight and deserves to be visited, even though it doesn’t date as far back as some medieval fortresses in Romania. Comprised of two courtyards with its central building dating from 1742 (Biserica Veche or Old Church), 1842 saw construction of another halidom called “Curtea Noua (the New Court) which eventually housed electric lights to create the world’s first electric lit place of worship here.
The church was decorated with large portraits of King and Queen (along with family members), as well as two royal seats located close to the altar. Furthermore, this site saw the opening of a religious museum which has since become part of UNESCO’s list of world heritage sites.
The monastery grounds are scattered with low buildings that once served as monk homes but later were taken over by members of Romania’s upper class as summer retreats; many can still be seen when touring around town; among the best can be found Peles Castle (UNESCO World Heritage Site), once residence of Romanian kings.
Horezu Monastery
Horezu Monastery stands as an exquisite example of religious architecture and art, making it one of Romania’s most revered monuments. Established by Prince Constantin Brancoveanu in 1690, Horezu is now designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its singular style and architecture; with sculptured details, portaits and painted decorative works well known throughout the Balkans; not forgetting its fame as a school of icon and mural painting from 17th to 18th century Romania.
The church facade depicts The Last Judgement, an interpretation of hell and heaven that depicts groups of damned souls being swallowed up by demons while others who had better fate are taken up towards heaven collectively by angels. This image can often be found in mural art; this particular representation stands out as one of its most elaborate and complete versions.
Once inside, you’ll discover an impressive fortified cloister featuring a grand church at its core as well as other churches, halls and rooms featuring beautiful frescoes. The monastery was an influential center for spreading cultural ideas and knowledge in the region; one notable aspect being mural art combining Western and Ottoman influences.
The monastery also provides lodging options; with 20 places to stay available ranging from bedrooms for one or two people and attic suites with three rooms each. You can visit all year-round but the best time of year to visit would be spring and summer when its blooming flowers and lush gardens can be appreciated best. Don’t forget pottery; its millenary tradition continues today within this UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List-inscribed monastery located 50 kilometers west of Rm Valcea is truly worthy of admiration by visitors today.
Maramures
Maramures County in Romania offers one of the greatest rural surprises of Romania’s countryside landscapes. While other parts of Romania rapidly change with modernity, Maramures has managed to remain free from perverse influences and still evoke images of an idyllic countryside scene.
Maramures’ wooden churches are one of the main draws to its region, drawing crowds of visitors thanks to their breathtaking size and intricate woodcarvings that have earned the region a place on UNESCO’s world heritage list. Aside from churches, another highlight is monumental gates found throughout many villages that once served as protectors against evil; many feature ornaments like sun rays or twisted rope motifs as symbols of life and continuity – excellent examples being in Vadu Izei, Giulesti Desesti Barsana and Oncesti.
As was true centuries ago, social life in Maramures revolves around its village church. Residents gather each evening at pubs to drink Palinka and play traditional folklore games like batandura. On Sundays they dress in traditional attire to attend mass.
In Sighetu Marmatiei is a memorial house honoring Nobel prize winner and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel, born here. His childhood home and Jewish cemetery provide poignant reminders of what transpired here during WWII.
Maramures’ friendly villagers take great pride in their traditions. They understand they live in an area of magnificent natural beauty; yet history was not kind. Under communist rule, several political leaders and Romanian elites were imprisoned in Sighetu city prison for political reasons.
Danube Delta
The Danube Delta is Europe’s best-preserved river delta and home to an abundance of wildlife. Recognized as both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, its ecological importance has largely escaped human development; yet changes due to ecological shifts have reduced biodiversity as well as altered the flow, sedimentation, and circulation patterns in its interior – hence why hiring a guide could allow accessing parts that otherwise cannot be reached via road travel.
Chilia, Sulina and Sfantul Gheorghe (St George) arms of the Delta all offer something different in terms of character. Chilia stands out as being especially vibrant; here you’ll find many villages including Miscaria 23 with residents descended from Lipoveni refugees fleeing religious persecution during Russia’s 18th-century persecution and making their living through fishing, livestock breeding and harvesting of reed. Reed was heavily harvested under communist regime but has since recovered its full growth potential.
Sulina is the second-oldest of the three arms and has the largest population. Tulcea port once served as an Ottoman maritime hub; though now much industrialized and congested. Still, Sulina’s town centre offers enough attractions to fill several hours’ worth of touring time.
Halmyris, one of Romania’s premier ancient Roman cities, lies within easy driving distance of Tulcea. Once an oasis of prosperity that attracted troops and merchants from Rome, its prosperity slowly declined during the seventh century AD due to marauding barbarians, climate change and less imperial support leading up to its eventual demise.
Painted Monasteries of Bucovina
Painted Monasteries of Bucovina is one of the must-see sights in Romania. Situated primarily in northern Romania, these churches stand out for their intricate exterior decorations – frescoes with religious themes covering each exterior wall and built between 1530-1600, now considered among Romania’s most significant historical sites due to their cultural value; eight were included on UNESCO’s World Heritage list in 1993, including small Arbore church.
Humor was among the earliest of painted monasteries to be completed, and remains an impressive site today. One stand-out feature here is its reddish-brown frescoes – especially when hit by sunlight at just the right angle! In addition, Humor’s paintings tell an unusually rich narrative – they were designed to teach people about Christianity via depicting scenes from scripture clearly and simply.
Voronet Monastery stands as Romania’s oldest painted monastery, constructed just three months after Stefan the Great won an important battle against Ottoman Turks in 1488. It’s breathtaking to visit, with stunning frescoes that boast one of Romania’s most elaborate frescoes known for its vivid hue and signature “Voronet Blue” shade; artists had to become master chemists as they mixed paints with rare clays, semiprecious stones and common minerals to produce its signature vibrant hue – something they had only master artists could do before! To create such unique shades as its famed fame was achieved – mixing paints with rare clays, semiprecious stones and common minerals.