Romania is a gorgeous country in the Balkans located in south-eastern Europe. The tourist attractions of Romania are known for their authenticity. The country used to be almost isolated from the rest of the world by a tough communist regime until 1989. With its medieval towns, painted monasteries, unspoiled countryside with traditional civilisation and the famed Transylvania – home of Count Dracula – the beauty of Romania is waiting to be explored.
1. Carpathian Mountains
While these mighty cascading Mountains stretch for almost 1,500 km across several countries in Europe, a lion’s share of it (over 900 km) is inside Romania, isolating Transylvania from the rest of the country. The breathtaking views from the top of Piatra Craiului ridge, the longest and highest limestone ridge, and Fagaras Mountains are the highlights of this place.
2. Corvin Castle
Corvin castle was built by the Anjou family. The castle was a fortress until the mid-14th century. Transylvania’s voivode, Iancu de Hunedoara made it his residence and upgraded the fortress into a stunning gothic style Transylvanian castle.
3. Peleş Castle
Peles was a royal residence for the kings of Romania. Its regal rooms have been used as decors for American films. 300 Workers took 2 years to build the castle which became one of the most remarkable monuments of 19th century Europe. Dozens of gold coins with the king’s image were buried under the cornerstone. These coins can be found there today and are known as the small treasure under the castle.
4. Palace of Culture, Iaşi
The architecture of the palace features Neo-Gothic, Neo-Baroque, and even Art Nouveau elements. King Ferdinand and Queen Maria lived in Iasi during the First World War. it served as the Palace of Justice and Administration until 1955, it’s been transformed into a museum now.
5. Merry Cemetery, Săpânţa
Over 600 wooden crosses bear the life stories, dirty details, and final moments of the bodies they mark, displayed in bright, cheery pictures and annotated with limericks like “Underneath this heavy cross. Lies my mother in law poor… Don’t try to wake her up. For if she comes back home. She’ll bite my head off.” This place has the stories of almost everyone who has died in the town of Săpânţa.
6. Palace of Parliament, Bucharest
This palace, also known as the “People’s House’’, is one in a series of spectacular buildings built by Nicolae Ceausescu, to prove to the world how wealthy and powerful was the Socialist Republic of Romania. The Palace of the Parliament is said to be visible from the moon.
7. Arbore Monastery, Bucovina Monasteries
The Unesco-protected church in the village of Arbore is a beautifully painted monastery. It is quite off the radar from tourists so you can admire the paintings up close. The history of the church dates back to 15th century and it was painted by Dragos Coman, one of the greatest 16th-century mural painters of Romania.
8. Endless Column, Târgu Jiu
This 30-meter-tall structure was built of stainless steel, composed of fifteen entire rhomboid modules and two half modules. The endless column symbolises the synthesis of heaven and physical reality.
And in parting, a special mention goes to Bran Castle, popularly known as “Dracula’s Castle”. Whether it’s really Dracula’s Castle is still being speculated, but as long as you’re in Romania it wouldn’t hurt to pay a visit, right?
