A beautiful view of Deva in Hunedoara county at night. In the background, high on the mountain, you can see the Deva fortress dominating the city.

Thanks Go Hunedoara (photo: Radut Eddie) for permission to use this image.

The town and spa resort of Băile Olănești is located in the county of Valcea, in the historical region of Muntenia, on the southern slopes of the Căpățânii Mountains, part of the Transylvanian Alps. The county capital Râmnicu Vâlcea lies about 15 kilometers to the southeast.

The town was first mentioned in a document in 1527 and has been known for its springs and their curative properties as late as 1760. In 1830, the physician Karl Friedrich Siller first analyzed the composition of the curative waters, after which he started the operation of the spa with combined bathing and drinking cures.

Thanks Centrului Național de Informare și Promovare Turistică Vâlcea (Photo: Vacante Olănești) for permission to use these images.

Places, places and lots of nature not to miss in 2024. Beautiful pictures of wonderful tourist destinations in Romania.

Danube Gorge / Iron Gates | Putna Monastery | Red Lake | Red Lake | Palace of Culture in Iasi | Curtea de Argeș | Voroneț Monastery | The Merry Cemetery of Săpânța | Government Palace in Bucharest

Pictures from January 27, 2024 from the ski resort / Statiunea Parâng in Hunedoara county.

Thanks Go Hunedoara (photo Gabriel Hotea) for permission to use these images.

The Horezu Monastery is a Romanian Orthodox monastery of nuns located in the historical region of Muntenia Mică, in Valcea county.

https://discover-valcea.com

The monastery is situated at the foot of the Căpățânii Mountains, a mountain massif in the Transylvanian Alps, in the village of Romanii de Jos, about three kilometers (as the crow flies) north of the small town of Horezu.
The cries of nocturnal birds of prey (huhurezi in Romanian) nesting in the woods around the monastery probably gave the place its name. The monastery was founded in 1692 by the then Prince of Muntenia Constantin Brâncoveanu (1654-1714) and completed in 1709. It was a men’s monastery until 1862. After the monks were transferred to Bistrița, nuns came to the monastery. The monastery complex has been restored several times since 1827 and is a listed building.

Located on a hill, the monastery complex is surrounded by two fortifications. The smaller outer wall surrounds the entire monastery estate with its hermits. The second is formed on three sides by buildings of different heights and a wall to the east. The entrance to the monastery is on the south side through a bell tower with a massive wooden gate armored with steel. The monastery church of Saints Constantine and Helen in the center of the complex is 32 meters long, 14 meters high and was built between 1693 and 1697. There are several tombs in the vestibule of the church, the most beautiful of which is decorated with marble and a carved lid, intended for Prince Brâncoveanu, but which never fulfilled its purpose and was therefore never used. The large iconostasis is carved in lime wood and covered with gold.

The square chapel with an octagonal tower, whose windows are the light source of the chapel, is located on the west side, opposite the entrance to the church, and was built in 1697. The chapel frescoes were painted between 1705 and 1706 and are still in good condition today.

We would like to thank Centrului Național de Informare și Promovare Turistică Vâlcea for permission to use these images.

Curtea de Argeș is a Romanian town in Argeș county. It is located on the right bank of the Argeș River, which flows through a valley in the Southern Carpathians.

Curtea de Arges is one of the oldest towns in Romania. According to tradition, it was founded in the 14th century by Prince Radu Negru, who made it the first capital of the Principality of Wallachia.

Curtea de Argeș Cathedral (Curtea de Argeș Monastery, Curtea de Argeș Cathedral) is one of the most famous buildings in Romania. It stands on the foundations of a monastery and is located about one and a half kilometers north of the city. It resembles a very large and ornate mausoleum and was built in Byzantine style with Moorish arabesques.

“Bear Cave” is located in the Bistrița Gorge, about one (1) kilometer from the entrance to the river valley.

https://discover-valcea.com | https://hanulvatra.com/

Fossils/traces of cave bears have been discovered in the cave, as well as human tracks from the Roman, Dacian and Medieval periods. In addition to the gorge and the truly impressive cave, you can also visit the Bistrita Monastery at the entrance to the gorge, the Papusa Monastery and many more. The guest house Hanul Vatra is also close to the site.

Images from January 2023 from the old center of Brasov, in the so-called Burzenland* and Transylvania region.

https://discover-brasov.com | https://kronstadt-erleben.de

* Țara Bârsei (Burzenland in German, Barcasag in Hungarian) is a historical and ethnographic region in south-eastern Transylvania, with a mixed Romanian, German and Hungarian population.

The construction of the Nicolae Romanescu Park in Craiova (Dolj County) was designed and started in 1898, after Nicolae Romanescu was elected mayor.

The French architect in charge of the project was Édouard Redont, who designed the park, which was built between 1898 and 1903.

The park is considered the largest nature park in Eastern Europe. It was laid out in a romantic style, a synthesis of landscape architecture and painting.

We would like to thank the photographer Corina E. Mateescu for permission to use these images.

A beautiful town in Mures county and a perfect vacation destination any time of the year.

Sighisoara, or Segesvar in Hungarian, is located in the heart of Transylvania and is one of the few completely preserved medieval towns in the world today.

https://xn--urlaub-in-rumnien-2qb.de/en/uir/destinations-romania-sighisoara/

A look back … in the car mirror and to the summer of 2023. The Transfăgărășan mountain road and Balea lake are always worth a visit.

There is currently a lot of snow there, but the lake can still be visited by cable car. The road will be open again from mid/end of June 2024 and if you haven’t seen it yet, you should have been there at least once in your life

Video

A delightful sight in the Harbach Valley, Agnetheln! This year, over 280 Urzeln enthusiasts took part in this tradition-filled event.

From historic guilds to vibrant masks, the community celebrated Urzeln’s rich history and heritage with a spectacular parade and joy-filled festivities. The Urzelns won the hearts of onlookers with their wrinkled garb, whips and donuts.

The parade showcased Agnetheln’s once mighty craft guilds – the guilds of shoemakers, tailors, furriers and carpenters. Their far-reaching influence and traditions are kept alive through events such as Guild Day and the Urzelnlauf. The traditional Transylvanian Saxon Urzelnlauf takes place annually on the last Sunday in January and is organized by an international community.

We would like to thank Mrs. Heide Göddert for the photos and this very interesting and informative text.

“Vero Italiano” (Real Italian). Italian-style food, freshly prepared right in front of your guests and located at the foot of Brasov’s landmark.

Visit the Cucinino Pasta & Pizza restaurant and indulge. And if you want to stay the night, Boutique Hotel Casa Chitic is looking forward to welcoming its guests

https://xn--urlaub-in-rumnien-2qb.de/en/uir/pasta-pizza-kitchen/
https://xn--urlaub-in-rumnien-2qb.de/en/uir/casa-chitic-boutique-hotel/

Winter in the house of “Dracula” Beautiful pictures of Törzburg Castle in Brasov county in December 2023.

https://discover-brasov.com

And Count Dracula, who never lived (at most his namesake Vlad III), probably never set foot in this castle. But the stories from Transylvania (Transylvania, a region in Romania) give free rein to the imagination

Thanks to Mr. Cristian Macedonschi for sending us the photos.

Salina Turda is a real museum dedicated to the history of salt mining. It is located in the town of Turda, which belongs to Cluj county.

The temperature in the salt mine is a constant 10-12 degrees. It is one of the oldest and most famous salt mines in Transylvania / Romania.

Find out more:
https://xn--urlaub-in-rumnien-2qb.de/en/uir/turda-salt-mine/

Image source: https://www.destinatiaanului.ro/

Thanks to photographer Sorin Onisor ( facebook.com/sorinonisor ) for permission to use these wonderful images.

Wildly romantic for some, hard work with many hardships for others, in the Apuseni mountains the two meet. Who is happier… each must decide for themselves. More does not always mean more … at least not when it comes to your own satisfaction.

The Apuseni Mountains are a mountain range in western Romania. It reaches heights of almost 1,850 meters (highest peak: Cucurbăta Mare at 1,849 meters) and forms the northern section of the Western Carpathians in Romania. The mountain range has an almost circular contour, with a diameter of 130 – 150 kilometers, is bordered by the rivers Mures, Someș and Barcău and lies in the counties of Arad, Bihor, Cluj, Alba and Hunedoara.

Thanks to the photographer Gerd Deeken for permission to use these images.

We followed the Zitzmann family through Romania, which not only allowed us to use photos from the trip (late September 2023), but also to capture their experiences and adventures. Thanks to them

Here: Bears on the Transfăgărășan … including the very important warning!!! They are and remain bears, please always remember this!

Note information: Urs = bear in Romanian

Thanks to Gerhard Daniela Zitzmann for pictures and text.

https://mocanitamoldovita.com

Thanks to photographer Sorin Onisor ( facebook.com/sorinonisor ) for permission to use this photo.

The city of Oradea (in German Großwardein) is the capital of Bihor county in northwestern Romania.

The city was first mentioned as a Roman-Catholic episcopal see in 1080 (document from 1113) and belonged to the Kingdom of Hungary. After the First World War, Oradea became part of Greater Romania and later returned to Hungary. It was recaptured in October 1944 and has been part of Romanian territory ever since.

Just a few kilometers away is Băile Felix (Bad Felix), a spa town with internationally renowned thermal springs. Famous guests have included Marlene Dietrich, Charlie Chaplin and the painter Salvador Dali. Today, with 200 springs, Baile Felix is the largest spa resort in Romania.

See more info / photos about Oradea:
https://xn--urlaub-in-rumnien-2qb.de/en/uir/destinations-romania-oradea/

Thank you for permission to use these images: https://www.instagram.com/oradea.de.poveste/ and https://www.instagram.com/oradeainimagini/

The village of Viscri (German: Deutsch-Weisskirch, Hungarian: Szaszfeheregyhaza) is located in the county of Brasov in Transylvania.

It lies northwest of the town/castle of Rupea (German: Reps) and southeast of the town of Sighișoara (German: Schäßburg). The village had about 700 inhabitants between the 18th and 20th centuries, mainly Transylvanian Saxons plus a Romanian part of the village. Viscri is characterized by both the fortified church and the village structure, which was shaped by the Saxon farms.

The village was founded by the Transylvanian Saxons at the end of the 12th century and was first mentioned in a document from 1185. The fortified church stands at the north-western end of the village.

In the 12th century, the Szeklers (a Hungarian-speaking population group in eastern Transylvania) built a small Romanesque hall church here before the German settlers. It was enlarged in the 13th century. After the first Turkish invasions, the church was fortified in the 14th century and a fortified ring with defense towers was erected.

We would like to thank the photographer of the images (early September 2021) Brian Randall for permission to use them.

The city of Buzău is located on the river of the same name and at the southeastern foothills of the Carpathian Mountains in southeastern Romania.

The most famous symbol of the city is the Communal Palace (historically the municipal palace, now the town hall), which was built in 1903. It is a palatial building in the typical Romanian Brâncoveanu style, like many of the municipal theaters and other buildings of the time.

About 20 kilometers northwest of Buzău are the mud volcanoes of Berca, one of the most extraordinary natural attractions in Romania and Europe.

A small selection of cities, places and destinations you must visit when traveling in Romania.

https://uir-news.com

City of Sighișoara in Mureș county | Bârsana Monastery in Maramureș county | Corvin’s Castle / Hunedoara in Hunedoara county | City of Sibiu | Bran Castle in Brasov county | Peles Castle in Prahova county

Pictures: Virgil Maierean, Irene Alvarado, Ștefan Cosma, Alex Blajan, Nomadic Julien, Valentin Bălan

The Muntele Mic massif is a mountain range in the Retezat-Godeanu Mountains, which are part of the Southern Carpathians.

It is situated between the Țarcu Mountains, the Godeanu Mountains and the Retezat Mountains. The highest peak is the Varful (mountain) Muntele Mic, with an altitude of 1802 meters. It is a small but popular ski resort in Banat, 130 kilometers from Timișoara. There are six (6) slopes with different levels of difficulty: Borlova 1, Borlova 2, Valsanu, Nordica, Isai, Felix.

Little Mountain is also popular with hikers in summer and is easily accessible by car.

We thank Mrs. Corinna Haisch Coliev for sending us the photos/text. We would also like to thank Little Mountain Online for permission to use the images.

Sibiu at night … a city full of life.

Images from September 2023. Here evenings are still pleasant and many people go out for a coffee in the city, to take advantage of the many offers or simply to stroll through the historic center of Sibiu.

Guided tours of the city can be found here: https://heide-reisen.de

The German-speaking guesthouse Conacul Grigorescu is located in the Buzău region, close to the mud volcanoes, the “Focul Viu” and the Tinutul Buzăului Geopark.

https://xn--deutschsprachiges-gastgewerbe-rumnien-sed.de/en/guesthouse-conacul-grigorescu/

Enjoy wonderful days, indulge yourself with culinary delights and experience the region around Buzăului or the surroundings. The pension is located in the center of the triangle formed by Bucharest, Brasov and the Danube Delta. The perfect starting point for further experiences and adventures.

Volcanii Noroioși are located in the commune of Berca in Buzău county.

The 30-square-kilometer area was declared a nature reserve in 1924. The main attraction of the protected area are the small mud volcanoes, which are a few centimeters/meters high and represent cold volcanism. Volcanoes are formed by gases rising from a depth of about 3,000 meters through layers containing clay and water. The mud dries on the earth’s surface and forms volcano-like structures.

Romania and its regions presented on 52 pages in German and four other languages as pdf file.

Download here:
https://xn--urlaub-in-rumnien-2qb.de/en/holiday-destinations-in-romania/

We are pleased to offer for download the official brochure of the Romanian Ministry of Tourism. The brochure is available in German, English, Romanian, French, Spanish, Romanian and French.

Please go / scroll down a little bit on the above mentioned website and then click on the appropriate flag (to select the language) to the right of the word “Download:”!

Târgu Mureș (German: Neumarkt am Mieresch) is the capital of the district of Mures in Transylvania.
Neumarkt am Mieresch was first mentioned in 1230.

Thanks to Vlad the Impaler – Dracula (Photo: Palace of Culture, Targu-Mures) for permission to use these images.

The Alba Carolina Fortress in Alba Iulia (Karlsburg) was built between 1715 and 1738, during the reign of Emperor Charles VI, as a fortification with seven (7) bastions.

It served the Habsburgs as a strategic point of defense along the military border with the Ottoman Empire. Alba Iulia is located near the highway on the road to and from Sibiu (Hermannstadt). Definitely worth a visit.

We would like to thank photographer Rene Benner ( facebook.com/rene.benner.1 ) for sending us these wonderful pictures. Thank you

Near the town of Anina is the Bigar Waterfall, which was created out of travertine (calcareous tuff) and topped the list of the world’s most impressive waterfalls on the World Geography website in 2013.

A large slab of cantilevered travertine collapsed under its own weight on June 7, 2021. Since then, the waterfall’s image has changed, but it is and remains worth visiting.

Thanks to Mrs. Corina E. Mateescu for permission to use these images.

Three languages (D, EN, RO) but only one city, Romania’s capital.

https://uir-news.com

The castle seen from above … from the so-called “vampire’s perspective”

https://discover-brasov.com

We thank Mr. Amstad Beat for sending us these images and for permission to use them: https://motobiketrips.ch/

Tismana is a small town in the Romanian region Muntenia, in the county of Gorj, in southwestern Romania.

The town is known for the Romanian Orthodox monastery of Tismana, the oldest monastery still existing in Muntenia.
Prince Radu II built a monastery here in 1377, which was rebuilt in 1495 (as it had fallen into disrepair). The town (Tismana has been a town since 2004) developed around the monastery in the 15th-16th centuries and is now an important Romanian center for the wood industry.

We would like to thank Mr. Amstad Beat for sending us these photos and for permission to use them: https://motobiketrips.ch/

Hunedoara Castle (also known as Hunedoara Castle, Iron Market Castle in German, Corvin Castle or Huniazilor Castle in Romanian, Vajdahunyadi var in Hungarian) is one of the most important non-ecclesiastical buildings in Transylvania.
The rock castle was built on the remains of a 14th-century fortification and is located in the south-western part of Hunedoara (German: Eisenmarkt) in western Romania.

The listed castle has many other names (Castelul Corvinilor, Castelul Corvinilor, Castelul Corvinus, Castelul Corvinus, Castel Corvinești, Castel Corvin Castle, Castelul Corvinilor, Castelul Corvinilor, Castelul Piața de Fier, Castelul Negru, Castelul Vajdahunyad, Castelul Hunyadi), which can be attributed to its location or its owners.

After 1440, the Hungarian statesman and military commander Johann Hunyadi had an existing fortification converted into the ancestral castle of the Hunyadi family. In the second phase of construction, the castle was extended from 1458 under King Matthias Corvinus. At the beginning of the 17th century, Prince Gábor Bethlen carried out another major remodeling of the building. As a result, today’s castle is a mixture of different architectural styles.

The castle has been in Austrian hands since 1724, and since 1918 it has been Romanian state property. Apart from being a tourist attraction, the castle is (and has been) used as a backdrop for a number of Romanian and international film productions. The castle currently houses a museum.

The Voroneț Monastery is located in the commune of Gura Humorului in Suceava County, in the Bucovina historical region of Romania.

It was built in 1488 by order of Stephen the Great, in a period of a little less than four (4) months, to commemorate the victory in the Battle of Vaslui.

Image source (2 of 3): https://www.destinatiaanului.ro

The town of Sighișoara (in German Schässburg / Schäßburg, in Hungarian Segesvar) is one of the most important and also the most colorful towns in Mureș County.

Sighișoara is located in the historic region of Transylvania, in the heart of Romania.

Image: Bianca Fazacas

Fragment from the history of Sibiu: In 1438, the Turks besieged the city but failed to conquer it. However, the entire surrounding area was devastated.

As a result of the Turkish threat, three rings of walls with 39 towers and several large gates were built in the city. This made it the largest fortified city in the Kingdom of Hungary. Sibiu resisted several sieges by the Turks, who never managed to conquer the city.

In 1442, the Turks were defeated at the city gates, and Mayor Thomas Trautenberger became a legend. In 1445, Pope Eugene IV. Sibiu as a wall and shield of Christianity.

However, the armies passing and encamped in front of the town devastated the entire surrounding area again and again. Only once, the Hungarian prince of Transylvania, Gabriel Bathory, succeeded in occupying the town through a forgery, plundering it and expelling all the German inhabitants from the fortified walls – a bitter lesson which subsequently led to even greater vigilance and distrust on the part of the Germans.

Around 1500, Sibiu already had around 6000 inhabitants. During the Reformation, the writings of Martin Luther and Philipp Melanchthon reached the city from 1523. In 1543, the Protestant confession of faith was introduced, as the states had left the decision of faith up to the individual. On March 31, 1556, the entire lower town and part of the upper town burned in a fire. About 550 buildings were destroyed.

Sibiu was the political center of the Transylvanian Saxons and the seat of the Universitas Saxonum, a kind of Transylvanian parliament, which dealt with Transylvanian Saxon affairs until 1878 and was a symbol of the unity and political independence of the Transylvanian Saxons.

Text source: Wikipedia
Photo: Alex Blajan

Today is a public holiday in Romania (Reunification Day) and many people take the opportunity to go hiking in the mountains.

Pictures from this minute from the Schuler mountain in Poiana Brasov (German name Schulerau), city of Brasov (Kronstadt).

Thanks to Cristian Macedonschi for these, as always, wonderful pictures. Thanks Cristian

It’s cold and many waterfalls turn into veritable wonder worlds or, as here in Hunedoara county, perfect climbing attractions.

Thanks Go Hunedoara (photo: Gabriel Hotea) for permission to use these images.

Bogatii Forest is a protected area for the conservation of biodiversity of the natural habitat of wild plants and animals.

Among others, a wide variety of bird and reptile species can be found here. The forest is located in the center of Romania (in the south-eastern part of Transylvania), in the county of Brasov.

Fantastically beautiful, with lots of offers (in German), from adventure tours, wine tours, photo tours to a 7-day horseback riding vacation “On the Trail of the Bears” in the Carpathian Mountains.

Find out more: https://www.karpaten-offroad.de

Discover the beauty of the Danube Delta and Sulina by bike. Spend the night in breathtaking nature and savor local specialties.

https://discover-sulina.com/ro/tururi-oferte/

Guided bike tours and more (kayaking, live like a local) in combination with delicious fish dishes, soups and more allow you to experience the Danube Delta in a completely different way.

Video

The Black Church (Biserica Neagra in Romanian) is a Gothic hall church in the Transylvanian city of Brasov in Romania.

It was originally a Catholic church dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The Black Church bears its current name from a town fire in 1689 and is currently the main church of the German-speaking Honterus congregation of the Evangelical A.B. Church of Romania.

Retezat National Park (Parcul Național Retezat), with an area of 383 km², is located in the high mountainous area of the Romanian Carpathians, in the counties of Hunedoara, Caras-Severin and Gorj. It was established in 1935 as the country’s first national park in the Retezat Mountains of the same name. The highest point is Mount Peleaga, at 2,509 meters. The lowest point in the park, at 794 meters, is near the Gura Zlata mountain hut.

Thanks Go Hunedoara (photo: Elena Dragomir) for permission to use this image.

The Brâncoveanu glamping site, located about 15 minutes from the village / monastery of Horezu, offers a unique experience and pure relaxation in Valcea County.

Igloos with 2 double beds (2 adults + 2 children)
✅ Swimming pool and relaxation areas
✅ Private bathroom and heating
✅ Breakfast included and dinner available (with vegan options)
✅ Many tourist attractions in the area
✅ Electric charging station

More details at: https://www.brancoveanuglamping.com/acasa.html

Thank you Centrului Național de Informare și Promovare Turistică Vâlcea for permission to use these images.

The Moskovits Palace (named after the engineer Moskovits Miksa) in the city of Oradea (Bihor County) was designed in 1905 by the architect Rimanoczy Kalman Jr.

It is a two-storey building with many ornate plant motifs and one of the finest examples of the Secession style (a variant of Art Nouveau, which developed mainly in Austria) of the time.

Pictures from August 2023 on the Black Sea, here in Mamaia, Constanta … Pure vacation

Thanks to Mrs. Andreea Postolache for sending us these pictures

Transfăgărășan, Făgăraș Mountains and Balea Lake.

Please note: Photos without snow are from previous dates. There is currently snow at Balea Lake and on the Transfăgărășan and the road is expected to be closed by mid/late June. However, Lake Balea can also be visited in winter by cable car.

Count Dracula and the legacy of Transylvania | The story of Vlad III the 3rd Transylvanian Prince Vlad the Impaler

https://uir-news.com/en/count-dracula-and-the-legacy-of-transylvania-the-story-of-vlad-iii-tepes/

The Lord’s Bridge (Natural Bridge of Ponoarele) is the only functioning natural cave-ridge in the country.

Located in Mehedinți County, it is also the largest natural bridge in Romania and the second largest in Europe (30 meters long, 13 meters wide, 22 meters high and 9 meters thick), and the only one in the world open to road traffic (including heavy vehicles).

Image source: https://destinatiaanului.ro/

Images from January 20, 2024 from / from Bukovina in north-eastern Romania … Beautiful

Thanks to photographer Cătălin Urdoi ( facebook.com/urdoi.catalin ) for permission to use these images.

Near the village of Dubova (Mehedinți district), in the Iron Gates Natural Park, the statue of the Dacian king Decebalus (ca. 86-106 AD) is located directly on the Danube.

It is 55 meters high, was created between 1994 and 2004 and is the largest/highest stone sculpture in Europe.

Thanks to Relu Chiriac for permission to use these beautiful images.

Video

Pictures of these minutes from Poiana Brasov, city of Brasov (Kronstadt).

Thanks to Cristian Macedonschi for these wonderful pictures.

Castel Pelisor is located about 300 meters from its “big brother”, Peles Castle in Prahova County.

The castle was built by King Carol I between 1899 and 1902 for the future King Ferdinand I and Queen Maria of Romania by the architect Karel Liman, in chalet style.

If you ever get to Bucharest, you must visit it! Caru’ cu Bere is a famous brewery in Bucharest that opened in 1879.

The brewery is located in the eastern part of the center of Bucharest (Old Center), between Lipscani and Stavropoleus streets.

The dining room on the ground floor is seven meters high and decorated in Gothic style, with columns, stucco ceilings, carved wainscoting and paintings. Access to the other floors is via a carved oak staircase.

Bucharest at night … Pictures from the Old Town (Old Town / Lipscani) on January 18, 2024.

In the center (Old Center / Lipscani) of Bucharest you will find the restaurant XCLUSIVE Grill & Crepes in four different locations.

Grilled specialties (meat, fish), traditional Romanian food, salads, a variety of crepes, Romanian sweets (e.g. papanași) and much more. Delicious food, in a wonderful ambiance and with friendly and attentive staff. We have been there and can definitely recommend it

Carturesti Carusel bookstore is much more than just a “bookstore”. It is located in the historic center of Bucharest and covers six (6) floors with a total area of 1,000 m2.

A bistro on the top floor, a multimedia room in the basement and a contemporary art gallery on the first floor invite you to browse, linger and shop.

The elegant 19th-century building came into the possession of the famous Chrissoveloni banking family in 1903, then was confiscated during the communist period and converted into a shop. After 1990, the building was brought back to life by the current owner, Jean Chrissoveloni, in collaboration with the architectural firm Square One.

Pasajul Macca-Villagrosse is located in the center of Bucharest (north-west), in the Old Center / Lipscani.

The covered overpass is a historical monument that connects Calea Victoriei and Lipscani Street through the exit of the overpass from Eugeniu Carada Street.

A small selection of churches of different denominations in Bucharest. Old with history or new, small, large, open in a square or hidden between houses. Everything is possible and you are always surprised again.

Thanks to Mr. Liviu Jakob ( facebook.com/leaveu.jacobs ) for permission to use these images. Thank you

Today we will take you through Bucharest, Romania’s largest city, the industrial and commercial center of the country and a mix of rich and poor, history and modernity, fascination and sadness, and much more…

With around 1.8 to 2.4 million inhabitants, Bucharest is one of the ten largest cities in the European Union.

Pictured here: Parliament Palace, Unirii Boulevard and Park, Mantua Cathedral (left, behind the Parliament building).

Thanks to Vlad the Impaler – Dracula (photo: Panorama Group) for permission to use this image.

The Cantacuzino Castle was not only the filming location for “Nevermore Academy” in the TV series Wednesday, but it is also one of the most beautiful and important historical buildings/castles in Romania.

The 60,000 square meter castle park, framed by its own 1,000 hectare private property, invites you to linger and is today one of the most visited tourist attractions both in the holiday resort of Busteni and in the Prahova Valley.

Stavropoleos Monastery is an Orthodox monastery located in the center of Bucharest, the capital of Romania.

It was built in 1724 in the Brâncovenesque style by the Greek monk Ioanichie Stratonikeas and is considered one of the most beautiful and important architectural monuments in the Romanian capital. The church is dedicated to the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel.

Lake Balea and the Transfăgărășan road in the Romanian Carpathians, Făgăraș Mountains in Sibiu county.

Let yourself be seduced and enchanted. Romania is looking forward to your visit

Transalpina or “King’s Road”, as the road is also known, is usually open from early/mid-June (depending on snow conditions).

It links the towns of Novaci in Gorj county and Sebeș in Alba county. The 138-kilometer-long road crosses the Parâng Mountains and has its highest point in the Urdele Pass.

Image/text source: Destinatia Anului

Cocoșu Monastery is located between Galati / Braila and the city of Tulcea, in the Danube Delta, at the foot of the hills of Dealul Cocoșului.

It was founded in the second half of the 17th century and the church was demolished and rebuilt in 1910. The monastery comprises a monastery house, a number of monks’ living quarters, a bell tower, a chapel and a church dedicated to the Dormition of the Virgin Mary.

Thanks to the photographer Daniel Micu – Fotograf for permission to use these wonderful images (February 2021).

The Clock Tower is a landmark of Schässburg (Sighisoara in English) and a popular movie and photo subject both day and night.

The Stundturm, Sighisoara’s landmark, offers visitors a wonderful vantage point from which to observe the city.

Access is possible daily from 09:00 (weekends from 10:00) until 18:00. Including the museum, admission costs 16 lei (about €3.40) for adults and just under €1 for a child.

Vâlcan mountain pass is located in Hunedoara county, in the Jiului Valley.

It is situated on a plain in the western group of the Southern Carpathians, in the eastern part of the Vâlcan Mountains, at an altitude of 1,621 meters. The nearby town of Vulcan (approx. 25,000 inhabitants) is named after this pass. The highest mountain in this mountain range is Vâlcan peak at 1,946 meters.

Thanks to Mr. Emil Notar for permission to use these wonderful images (February 2021).

Neamț Castle is a medieval fortress in the city of Targu Neamt (Neamț County) in northeastern Romania.

It was built in the 14th century in the Principality of Moldavia, during the reign of Petru I Muscat of Moldavia, and was extended in the 15th century.

The castle played a key role in the defense system of Stephen the Great, along with Suceava, Khotyn, Soroca, Orhei, Orhei, Bender, Kilija and White Castle.

We thank Vlad the Impaler – Dracula (photo: Vlad Maxim) for permission to use this image.

In the Natural Park Gradiștea Muncelului Cioclovina in Hunedoara county there are numerous gorges, among which Cheile* Crivadiei, Cheile* Banitei, Cheile* Roșia and Cheile* Taia.

* literal translation: gorge or ravine

Thanks Go Hunedoara for permission to use these images.

Tismana is a small town in the Romanian region Muntenia, in the county of Gorj, in southwestern Romania.

The town is known for the Romanian Orthodox monastery of Tismana, the oldest monastery still existing in Muntenia.

Prince Radu II built a monastery here in 1377, which was rebuilt in 1495 (as it had fallen into disrepair). The town (Tismana has been a city since 2004) developed around the monastery in the 15th-16th centuries and is now an important Romanian center for the wood industry.

Thanks to Vlad the Impaler – Dracula for permission to use this image.

Sibiu at night … a lively city. Many people are still in town at 11pm, you can drink coffee at the many terraces, eat ice cream and even the supermarkets in the city center are open until midnight.

A small but good Mexican restaurant in the heart of Bucharest, close to the Novotel hotel.

We have been there and can only recommend it. Delicious Mexican food, friendly service and the right air with the right music. Perfect

Hotel, restaurant, Charlie’s Pub and more in the European Capital of Culture 2023 … Timisoara … experience.

The Best Western Plus Lido Hotel offers modern and comfortable accommodation close to the center of Timișoara (about 15 minutes’ walk). Despite its good position in the city, the hotel offers its guests free parking (locked and supervised by the rooms). The hotel’s interiors, rooms and conference rooms are furnished in an elegant and high-quality style.

Find out more and book online:
https://www.hotel-lido.ro/

The hotel has 60 rooms with a capacity of 144 beds and is ideal for visitors wishing to explore the city, as well as for business travelers and conference travelers of all types. Single rooms, double rooms, junior suites, family suites and DELUXE suites are available.

Pictures from these snowy days at Corvinilor Castle in Hunedoara county.

Castles and palaces in Romania:
https://urlaub-in-rumänien.de/ro/excursii-calatorii-romania-castele-cetati/

Thank you Go Hunedoara (photos: Muntean Florin) for permission to use these images.

A beautiful picture of the church of Sucevița Monastery (built between 1582 and 1584), located in Sucevița municipality in Suceava county, northern Romania.

This Romanian Orthodox Romanian monastery church, which is dedicated to the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, is one of the eight Moldovan monasteries inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in August 2010.

Image source: https://www.destinatiaanului.ro/
Photo: ninatrisciuc

Discover Transylvania and the almost untouched wilderness of the Romanian Carpathians.

On a hiking excursion along steep streams, through endless forests with picturesque valleys and mountains, past crystal-clear mountain lakes and lonely mountain huts. Experience Transylvania, the land of bears and wolves, in its unspoiled wilderness.

Dream now and plan your next vacation: https://www.karpaten-offroad.de/

Have you heard of the hotel made of ice on Lake Balea? Not yet … then it’s time for a trip …

Thanks to its location (at 2,034 meters, in the Făgăraș Mountains, Sibiu County), cold and long winters are guaranteed and, besides the wonderful winter scenery, it’s another of the region’s attractions.

Find out more: https://www.hotelofice.ro/de

Balea Lake can be reached by cable car / gondola (3.7 km, Monday to Sunday, between 9:00 and 17:00). The starting point of the cable car is the Balea waterfall (Balea Cascada Hut).

Images from early February 2023.

Șoimoș is a village in western Romania, which belongs to the small town of Lipova in Arad County. The ruins of the medieval castle high above the Mieresch Valley are impressive.

To visit the castle ruins, you have to climb a 250-meter-high hill to the east of the village. The oldest part of the castle is the castle cemetery, and the castle courtyard covers an area of 35 × 22 meters. In the northern part of the Renaissance wing there is another balcony, which is known as Isabella’s Balcony, in honor of Isabella Jagiellonica, who lived here since 1541. In the southern part of the complex is a knights’ chamber and a chapel.

Schoimosch Castle (also known as Falkenstein in German) was first mentioned in a Latin document in 1278 as Castrum Somos.

Image: Pixabay, user mary1826, https://pixabay.com/de/users/mary1826-3583171/

Boutique Hotel Casa Chitic has a great location in the center (old town) of Brasov, just a few meters from the Black Church and the historic Town Hall Square.

https://xn--urlaub-in-rumnien-2qb.de/en/uir/casa-chitic-boutique-hotel/

Visitors will find a hotel with historic architecture, combined with all modern standards and modern comforts.

Over 100 German-speaking members / hosts are represented in the network of the German-speaking hospitality industry in Romania.

You can find lots of information and contact details for the respective hosts in Romania here: https://dsg-ru.de

Extras / Pictures: Restaurant “La Fritz”, Fogarasch, Brasov county | Hipparion Trails, Harghita county | Hotel Cabana Vânătorilo, Brasov county | Casa Wagner, Brasov county | Casa Wagner, Brasov county | Greenhouse Pension, Sibiu county | Wolkendorf Bio Hotel Spa & Conference, Brasov county | Bistro Poarta Schei nr. 4, Brasov county | Domeniul Cerbilor Chalets, Suceava county | Pension Casa Schmidt, Brasov county and many, many more …

Deva Castle (also known as Diemrich Castle, Deva Fortress in Romanian) is located in the town of Deva (Diemrich) in Hunedoara County.

Thanks to Vlad the Impaler – Dracula (photo: Raul Dumitru) for permission to use this image.

A wonderful day, May pictures from Brasov in Transylvania.

https://kronstadt-erleben.de | https://discover-brasov.com

Find out more about German-speaking hosts in Brasov (Brașov) and all over Romania: https://dsg-ru.de

Sarmizegetgetusa Regia is located in the Broșteni Mountains, near the Romanian town of Orăștie in Hunedoara County, in the area of the commune of Orăștioara de Sus.

The rich deposits of copper, gold and iron in Hunedoara County have fostered extensive trade and lively cultural exchange since the Neolithic period. Since the Bronze Age, archaeological discoveries have provided evidence of links between the cultures of Lusatia in the north, the Greeks in the south, the western Urnfield culture and the Black Sea.

Sarmizegetgetusa Regia was a military base and capital of the ancient Dacian Empire until its destruction in 106, during the Second Dacian War of the Roman Emperor Trajan.

The Salina is located in the village of Slanic in Prahova County, about 100 kilometers northeast of the capital Bucharest.

It lies at a depth of about 200 meters and covers an area of 53,000 m². The salt massif is 5-6 kilometers long and about 2-3 kilometers wide. The history of the salt mine dates back to 1686 and it has been open to visitors since 1970.

Defileul Someșului Rece National Park, near the communes of Măguri Racatau and Măguri-Marisel, is located west of the city of Cluj-Napoca, in north-western Romania.

Find out more about Cluj-Napoca:
https://xn--urlaub-in-rumnien-2qb.de/en/uir/destinations-romania-cluj-napoca/

Thanks to Mrs. Farkas Ildiko Farkas (facebook.com/farkas.ildiko.75) for permission to use these images.

The road from the White Tower back to the city … Brasov (Kronstadt) in Transylvania / Transylvania.

https://kronstadt-erleben.de | https://discover-brasov.com

Transylvania is famous for its more than 160 fortified churches dating back to the Middle Ages.

Find out more about fortified churches:
https://xn--urlaub-in-rumnien-2qb.de/en/uir/fortified-churches/

At the time, the region was a disputed border area. The inhabitants reacted to threats by fortifying their churches with defenses. Over the centuries, fortifications were extended and remodeled. Many of them have been preserved to the present day and form a unique landscape of fortified churches, characterized by the particular density and diversity of these architectural monuments.

We would like to thank the Fortified Churches Foundation for permission to use these images.

It takes many hours, if not days, to explore the town of Sighișoara in Mureș county.

There are lots of cobbled pavements and sometimes you get the impression that you’re not in Romania at all, but rather in an old town in Saxony … say, Meissen or something similar.

Sighișoara (the German name for Sighișoara) was founded in the second half of the 12th century by German immigrants, the Transylvanian Saxons. It was first mentioned in documents in 1280 as “Castrum Sex”. In 1298 it was referred to as “Schespurch” or “Schaesbrich”, and in 1337 with the Hungarian name “Seguzwar”. In 1435, the Romanian name “Sighișoara”, borrowed from the Hungarian one, appeared for the first time in writing.

The town has retained its multicultural character to this day. Sighișoara is now officially trilingual again. Town signs and tourist information are labeled in Romanian, German and Hungarian. There are kindergartens where German is spoken, as well as a primary school and a secondary school (Bergschule Schäßburg) where German is offered as the language of instruction. The mountain school offers the Abitur in German, which is also recognized by German universities. The town also has several Protestant churches and a lively community life.

The Church of St. Precista in Galati is situated high up, at the highest point of the promenade on the waterfront, with a fantastic view of the Danube.

The church is the oldest building in the city and was consecrated in September 1647, during the reign of Vasile Lupu. The architectural style of the church, which was also used as a defensive fortress, is typical of Romanian church architecture in the 17th century.

https://xn--urlaub-in-rumnien-2qb.de/en/uir/destinations-romania-galati/

Images: https://www.facebook.com/mocanu.cip

The city of Oradea (in German Großwardein) is the capital of Bihor county in northwestern Romania.

The city was first mentioned as a Roman-Catholic episcopal see in 1080 (document from 1113) and belonged to the Kingdom of Hungary. After the First World War, Oradea became part of Greater Romania and later returned to Hungary. It was recaptured in October 1944 and has been part of Romanian territory ever since.

Just a few kilometers away is Băile Felix (Bad Felix), a spa town with internationally renowned thermal springs. Famous guests have included Marlene Dietrich, Charlie Chaplin and the painter Salvador Dali. Today, with 200 springs, Baile Felix is the largest spa resort in Romania.

Thank you for permission to use these images: https://www.instagram.com/oradea.de.poveste/ and https://www.instagram.com/oradeainimagini/

Cluj-Napoca (in German Klausenburg, in Hungarian Kolozsvar) is one of the largest cities in Romania and the capital of Cluj County in Transylvania.

Cluj-Napoca is also the unofficial capital of Transylvania, has universities, a lively nightlife and many buildings dating back to the time of Hungarian and Saxon rule. Around the main square, Union Square, is the Gothic Church of St Michael and a 15th-century equestrian statue of King Matthew Corvinus. The baroque Banffy Palace is now a museum exhibiting Romanian art.

Cluj-Napoca has an international airport and is located in north-western Romania.

Thanks to the city of Cluj-Napoca for permission to use these images.

Wonderful pictures of the center/old city of Romania’s capital, Bucharest.

Thanks to Mr. Maik Lanckrock (instagram.com/travantime) for permission to use these images from early August 2022.

This church/fortified church is located in the commune of Biertan (Biertan in German, Berethalom in Hungarian) in the district of Sibiu in Transylvania.

Biertan is one of the earliest German-Saxon settlements and was mentioned in documents as early as 1398 (other sources: 1402).

Like any Saxon settlement, it is characterized by a row of houses built around a central square, above which rises the imposing church fortress. Between 1572 and 1867, Biertan was the seat of the Saxon bishopric (episcopal see of the Evangelical Church A.B.), which fostered the building of one of the largest agricultural communities in Transylvania around this fortified church. It is a medieval and architectural treasure of Romania, definitely worth a visit.

Thanks to photographer Sorin Onișor ( facebook.com/sorinonisor ) for permission to use these beautiful images.

It takes many hours, if not days, to explore the town of Sighișoara in Mureș county.

There are a lot of cobbled pavements and sometimes you get the impression that you’re not in Romania at all, but rather in an old town in Saxony … say, Meissen or something similar.

Sighișoara (the German name for Sighișoara) was founded in the second half of the 12th century by German immigrants, the Transylvanian Saxons. It was first mentioned in documents in 1280 as “Castrum Sex”. In 1298 it was referred to as “Schespurch” or “Schaesbrich”, and in 1337 with the Hungarian name “Seguzwar”. In 1435, the Romanian name “Sighișoara”, borrowed from the Hungarian one, appeared for the first time in writing.

The town has retained its multicultural character to this day. Sighișoara is now officially trilingual again. Town signs and tourist information are labeled in Romanian, German and Hungarian. There are kindergartens where German is spoken, as well as a primary school and a secondary school (Bergschule Schäßburg) where German is offered as the language of instruction. The mountain school offers the Abitur in German, which is also recognized by German universities. The town also has several Protestant churches and a lively community life.

The small town of Sulina lies at the mouth of the Danube, on the Black Sea, in the Danube delta.

https://discover-sulina.com

Sulina can only be reached by boat/ship, but it’s a fantastic place for vacations, nature, trips to the delta, relaxation and a variety of activities (e.g. kayaking on the Danube or in the Danube delta) almost all year round.

As Sulina is located in south-eastern Romania, summer is very hot (from 35 degrees Celsius), ideal for the 40 km long beach on the Black Sea. In spring and fall, the Danube Delta with its wildlife and nature, the wild horses in the Letea Forest, the Cliff (Sulina’s shore) and much more invite you to stay.

Discover Sulina, you will love it

in Hunedoara county, western Romania.

More information and pictures of the castle:
https://xn--urlaub-in-rumnien-2qb.de/en/uir/the-castle-of-the-corvins/

The Botanical Garden covers an area of almost 14 hectares in the southern part of Cluj-Napoca.

It contains over 10,000 plant species from all over the world and is divided into several sections: Ornamental Plants, Plant Geography, Systematics, Economics and Medicine. Romanian flora and vegetation is represented by plants from the regions of Transylvania, Carpathians, Banat and other areas.

Thanks to the city of Cluj-Napoca for permission to use these images.

Pictures of the Parâng Mountains and its lakes, such as Galcescu Lake, Vidal and Pencu Lakes, Mandra Lake, Roșiile, Lung and many others.

The Parâng massif is located in the central part of the Southern Carpathians (also called the Transylvanian Alps, Carpații Meridionali in Romanian), in Hunedoara and Gorj counties, among others.

Thanks Go Hunedoara (Photo: Mugurel Neag, Mugurel Neag) for permission to use these images.

Peles Castle was built between 1873 and 1883 on the initiative of Carol I, the first king of Romania.

It is located about 1.5 kilometers northwest of the town of Sinaia, in Prahova county. Just a few meters away (approx. 300 meters) is its “smaller” brother, Pelișor Castle.

The Church of St. Nicholas in Densuș (Demsdorf), Hunedoara County in western Romania, is the oldest stone church in the country.

It was built in its present form in the 13th century on the site of a 2nd-century Roman temple, using materials from the Dacian fortress of Sarmizegetusa. Inside the church there are 15th-century murals depicting Jesus in traditional Romanian clothes.

According to Romanian historians, there was once a Dacian temple on the site of the present church, which was built for the god Zamolxis. Later conquered by the Romans, they built another temple dedicated to the god Mars. Given its later prehistory, the origin of this church in Densuș dates back to the 4th century AD and is therefore considered to be the oldest church in Romania and south-eastern Europe.

Thanks to Go Hunedoara for permission to use these images.

Topolnița Cave is a karst cave in Mehedinți County.

It is the fourth longest cave (approx. 11 km) in Romania: only Vantului Cave, Humpleu Poienița Cave and Hodobana Cave are longer.

The temperature of the cave varies between 8.2 and 10.8 degrees Celsius, making it a relatively warm cave.
As a result, it is a suitable habitat for some animals, including the largest colony of big-shoe bats (bats) in Europe. Radiocarbon dating has shown that bat guano from this colony has been continuously deposited since 1694.

Thanks to Vlad the Impaler – Dracula for permission to use these images.

From Tulcea to Sulina or vice versa, to Sf. Gheorghe, Crișan, Mila 23 and many other places in the Danube Delta.

https://www.navromdelta.ro/ (also in English) | https://discover-sulina.com

Book your ticket(s) online and simply enjoy the beautiful nature and the journey to your destination:
https://www.navromdelta.ro/en/buy-tickets/

Subscribe to our 2024 newsletter and receive regular updates on current offers, insider tips, reports, recommendations and more …

Törzburg Castle (in Romanian: Bran Castle, in Hungarian: Törcsvar) is located in the Transylvania region, Brasov county in Romania.

Thanks Castelul Bran for permission to use this image.

Many cultures, many names and much (much) history are brought together in one city: Timisoara, Timisoara, Timisoara or Timisoara and more …

Information and lots of tips and suggestions:
https://xn--urlaub-in-rumnien-2qb.de/en/uir/destinations-romania-timisoara/

We would like to thank the city of Timisoara for sending us the photos and allowing us to use them.

The German-speaking guesthouse Conacul Grigorescu is located in the Buzău region, close to the mud volcanoes, the “Focul Viu” and the Tinutul Buzăului Geopark.

https://conaculgrigorescu.com/

Enjoy wonderful days, indulge yourself with culinary delights and experience the region around Buzăului or the surroundings. The pension is located in the center of the triangle formed by Bucharest, Brasov and the Danube Delta. The perfect starting point for further experiences and adventures.

Many, many excursions and offers (German speakers) > https://www.karpaten-offroad.de

It’s winter in the Danube Delta, not with lots of ice and snow … but with a lot of peace and quiet that has moved here.

Thank you Plimbari cu barca Delta Dunarii – Murighiol / Boat trips in Danube Delta for these beautiful pictures.

The Horezu Monastery is a Romanian Orthodox monastery of nuns located in the historical region of Muntenia Mică, in Valcea county.

https://discover-valcea.com

The monastery is situated at the foot of the Căpățânii Mountains, a mountain massif in the Transylvanian Alps, in the village of Romanii de Jos, about three kilometers (as the crow flies) north of the small town of Horezu.
The cries of nocturnal birds of prey (huhurezi in Romanian) nesting in the woods around the monastery probably gave the place its name. The monastery was founded in 1692 by the then Prince of Muntenia Constantin Brâncoveanu (1654-1714) and completed in 1709. It was a men’s monastery until 1862. After the monks were transferred to Bistrița, nuns came to the monastery. The monastery complex has been restored several times since 1827 and is a listed building.

Situated on a hill, the monastery complex is surrounded by two fortifications. The smaller outer wall surrounds the entire monastery estate with its hermits. The second is formed on three sides by buildings of different heights and a wall to the east. The entrance to the monastery is on the south side through a bell tower with a massive wooden gate armored with steel. The monastery church of Saints Constantine and Helen in the center of the complex is 32 meters long, 14 meters high and was built between 1693 and 1697. There are several tombs in the vestibule of the church, the most beautiful of which is decorated with marble and a carved lid, intended for Prince Brâncoveanu, but which never fulfilled its purpose and was therefore never used. The large iconostasis is carved in lime wood and covered in gold.

The square chapel with an octagonal tower, whose windows are the light source of the chapel, is located on the west side opposite the entrance to the church and was built in 1697. The chapel frescoes were painted between 1705 and 1706 and are still in good condition today.

We would like to thank Centrului Național de Informare și Promovare Turistică Vâlcea for permission to use these images.

Fragment from the history of Sibiu: In 1438, the Turks besieged the city but failed to conquer it. However, the entire surrounding area was devastated.

As a result of the Turkish threat, three rings of walls with 39 towers and several large gates were built in the city. This made it the largest fortified city in the Kingdom of Hungary. Sibiu resisted several sieges by the Turks, who never managed to conquer the city.

In 1442, the Turks were defeated at the city gates, and the mayor Thomas Trautenberger became a legend. In 1445, Pope Eugene IV. Sibiu as a wall and shield of Christianity.

However, armies passing through and encamped in front of the city devastated the entire surrounding area again and again. Only once, the Hungarian prince of Transylvania, Gabriel Bathory, managed to occupy the city through a forgery, plunder it and expel all the German inhabitants from the fortified walls – a bitter lesson which subsequently led to even greater vigilance and distrust on the part of the Germans.

Around 1500, Sibiu already had around 6000 inhabitants. During the Reformation, the writings of Martin Luther and Philipp Melanchthon reached the city from 1523. In 1543, the Protestant confession of faith was introduced, as the states had left the decision of faith up to the individual. On March 31, 1556, the entire lower town and part of the upper town burned in a fire. Some 550 buildings were destroyed.

Sibiu was the political center of the Transylvanian Saxons and the seat of the Universitas Saxonum, a kind of Transylvanian parliament, which dealt with Transylvanian Saxon affairs until 1878 and was a symbol of the unity and political independence of the Transylvanian Saxons.

Text source: Wikipedia
Photo: Alex Blajan

Old and new, history and modernity, young and old, rich and poor, bustling and timeless… this is Bucharest, the capital of Romania.

If you have the time and the muse to look around, you will discover 1000s of things, feelings and more … that capture, inspire, but also make you think.

All photos were taken in the Roman Square neighborhood, which covers an area of about 500 x 500 meters in the center of Bucharest.

The Ciucaș Mountains (Csukas-hegyseg in Hungarian) are a mountain range in northern Prahova county, on the border with Brasov county.

A new creation … and our next destination coming soon

With #Mozarella, #FiorDiLatte, #Gorgonzola, #Prosciuttocrudo, #Uva (Grapes), #Basilico in a perfect atmosphere

Vinto – Wine & Gastrobar in the center of Timisoara is the perfect place to indulge yourself with culinary delights. Here is a small selection of the “appetizers” on offer … but better yet, see and taste for yourself.

According to TripAdvisor “Best wine gastrobar in town”

Find out more at Vinto – Gastro Wine Bar

Retezat National Park is worth a visit at any time of the year.

Thanks Go Hunedoara for permission to use these images.

The town and fortress of Râșnov (Rosenau in German) is located in the county of Brașov in Transylvania.

The castle has been under renovation for more than two years (expected to continue until mid-1924) and is therefore closed to visitors. The Dinopark just behind the castle (seen in the picture) (rear access) is open year-round (previous post).

Thanks to Vlad the Impaler – Dracula (photo: @vatavuv) for permission to use this image.

Just a few meters from the Râșnov Castle (in Brasov county) is the dinosaur park of the same name.

Life-size dinosaurs, multimedia presentations, a history museum, a ‘real’ volcano and much, much more invite both children and adults to enjoy a fun and informative visit.

Images: January 2020 (more snow) and January 2019 (less snow)

In 2011, the largest statue of Jesus in Eastern Europe was erected on Mount Gordon in Harghita County, between the villages of Odorheiu-Sequiesc and Praid.

The statue, called the Heart of Jesus, is about 22 meters high, made of iron and stainless steel and paid for by donations collected by the Lupeni village hall.

Image source: https://www.destinatiaanului.ro/

Live cameras from the ski resorts of Sinaia, Busteni, Azuga, Predeal and Poiana Brasov (Brasov and Prahova counties)

https://www.infoalpin.ro/live/

Banffy Castle in Bonțida commune (in Hungarian: Bonchidai Banffy-kastely) is known as the Versailles of Transylvania and is an architectural ensemble built by the Banffy family in Bonțida commune, Cluj county.

The core of the ensemble of buildings reflects the Renaissance style, later additions and alterations were made in the 18th century in the Baroque style and in the 19th century in the Classicist and Romantic styles (neo-Gothic gallery from 1855).

Thanks to Mrs. Farkas Ildiko Farkas ( facebook.com/farkas.ildiko.75 ) for permission to use these images.

Romania is one of the most biodiverse countries in Europe in terms of flora and fauna. The flora and fauna is pristine and diverse, and as well as bears (two-thirds of Europe’s bear population live in the forests here), with a bit of luck you might encounter wild boars, foxes and owls during the day.

The experience of meeting people from this region or seeing the tracks left by a wild boar on a tree, bear tracks in the grass, a bear cub or small hawk owls is unforgettable.

These photos (autumn 2020) were taken in Piatra Craiului National Park (German: Königstein, counties Brasov and Arges) by Mr. Udo Krauss, who made them available to us. Thank you for them! Mr. Krauss works as a tour guide and leads small groups on day or multi-day tours in this area (if you are interested: Mr. Krauss speaks German and can be reached at carpatmountains@gmx.de).

Important info: Please note that a bear “encounter” in the wild can be very dangerous. Never try to lure these animals (even from the side of the road in a car) and only go hiking in the woods with experienced guides.

Törzburg Castle (in Romanian: Bran Castle, in Hungarian: Törcsvár) is located in the Transylvania region, Brasov county in Romania.

Thanks Castelul Bran for permission to use this image.

The Slow Food & Slow Travel Experience in the UNESCO Global Geopark “Ținutul Buzăului” in Romania

Discover Conacul Grigorescu – a small family-run guesthouse with its own farm and high quality local products.

Find out more: https://xn--deutschsprachiges-gastgewerbe-rumnien-sed.de/en/guesthouse-conacul-grigorescu/

Beautiful pictures of Lake Cincis in the commune of Teliucul-Inferior in Hunedoara county.

Thanks Go Hunedoara for permission to use these images.

Romania is famous for its desserts … Papanași, Clatite cu inghetata (pancakes with ice cream), Prajitura (cake) Greta Garbo and many, many more

Simply delicious
PS: More pictures and recipes are welcome in the comments

This gorge is a particularly picturesque area in Romania, situated in the central part of the Hașmaș Mountains in the northeast of the country, in the counties of Neamt and Harghita.

The gorge starts near the Red Lake and, as far as you follow the road, you can admire many bizarre rock formations, huge boulders and swirling water.

Thanks to Mrs. Farkas Ildiko Farkas (https://www.facebook.com/farkas.ildiko.75) for permission to use these beautiful images.

Always an experience … Brasov (Kronstadt).

Here’s a photo from December, you can see the Christmas tree next to the town hall, as well as the cable car leading to the “BRASOV” sign on Mount Tâmpa.

https://kronstadt-erleben.de | https://discover-brasov.com

Adrian Dascal

It takes many hours, if not days, to explore the town of Sighișoara in Mureș county.

There are a lot of cobbled pavements and sometimes you get the impression that you’re not in Romania at all, but rather in an old town in Saxony … say, Meissen or something similar.

Sighișoara (the German name for Sighișoara) was founded in the second half of the 12th century by German immigrants, the Transylvanian Saxons. It was first mentioned in documents in 1280 as “Castrum Sex”. In 1298 it was referred to as “Schespurch” or “Schaesbrich”, and in 1337 with the Hungarian name “Seguzwar”. In 1435, the Romanian name “Sighișoara”, borrowed from the Hungarian one, appeared for the first time in writing.

The town has retained its multicultural character to this day. Sighișoara is now officially trilingual again. Town signs and tourist information are labeled in Romanian, German and Hungarian. There are kindergartens where German is spoken, as well as a primary school and a secondary school (Bergschule Schäßburg) where German is offered as the language of instruction. The mountain school offers the Abitur in German, which is also recognized by German universities. The town also has several Protestant churches and a lively community life.

Now perfectly connected to many ski resorts … Predeal, Busteni, Sinaia and many more …

Lifecams from the ski resorts:
https://www.infoalpin.ro/live/

The hotel has 139 4-star rooms, a modern spa, the Orizont Forum conference center, the Orizont restaurant with international cuisine, the Miorița restaurant with traditional Romanian cuisine, a wine cellar and a bar with an excellent selection of drinks.

All rooms offer 4-star comfort, and the SPA area (with indoor pool, jacuzzi, fitness room, sauna and massage) is an oasis of tranquility that combines relaxation with rejuvenation. Hotel Orizont’s relaxation center offers an indoor pool, fitness room, jacuzzi, dry sauna, wet sauna, infrared sauna, massage facilities and more to help guests unwind perfectly.

Find out more about the hotel and all the offers:
https://xn--urlaub-in-rumnien-2qb.de/en/uir/hotel-orizont-predeal-en/

The town of Făgăraș is located on the road from Sibiu to Brasov. At the end of the 12th century, the castle was just a wooden fortress, which was enlarged into a stone fortress in the 14th century.

The castle contains a museum, which can be visited as well as the castle. The cathedral/church of St. John the Baptist is right next to the fortress.

More about the fortress in Făgăraș:
https://xn--urlaub-in-rumnien-2qb.de/en/uir/fagaras-fortress/

Rupea Fortress / Rupea Castle (first mentioned in 1324, German name: Burg Reps) is located near the town of the same name, Rupea, halfway between Brasov and Sighisoara, in the northern part of Brasov County.

Rupea Fortress was a refuge for the population of the neighboring villages in the face of repeated sieges by the Turks and Tatars. It was built in 1324 during the Saxon uprising against the Hungarian king Carol Robert of Anjou. Later, the inhabitants added three defense towers and two inner courtyards to the first building, which served as a shelter. In the first courtyard there is a 59-meter deep well, which still brings water today.

Find out more about the fortress and travel destinations in Romania:
https://xn--urlaub-in-rumnien-2qb.de/en/uir/rupea-fortress/

We would like to thank Go_out_Romania for permission to use individual images.

The Great Temple is a Jewish place of worship in the center of Rădăuți, Suceava County, built in 1883.

The first Jews came to Rădăuți at the end of the 18th century from Galicia, but also from places such as Siret, Storojineț, Cernăuți, Suceava, Mihăileni and Gura Humorului. The merchant Lössel Reichnenberg, who arrived here in 1796, is the first known Jew. The 1807 tax register records the existence of three Jewish families in Rădăuți.

Thanks to photographer Cătălin Urdoi (@urdoi.catalin) for permission to use these images.

The Palace of Culture in Iasi, which served as an administrative and judicial palace until 1955, now houses four museums under the name of the National Museum Complex Moldova.

The palace has 298 large rooms with a total area of about 34,000 square meters and 92 windows in the front of the building, as well as 36 more inside.

Thanks to Vlad the Impaler – Dracula (photo: @vladdmh) for permission to use this image.

Bucharest at night … Pictures of the old city center (Old Town) on Easter Sunday, April 24, 2022

Just 18 kilometers west of Sighetu Marmatiei is the “Happy Cemetery”, one of the most visited tourist attractions in the Maramureș region.

The crosses, which were painted by local craftsmen, have a vivid, predominantly blue color.

The idea for the cemetery was conceived in 1935 by the woodcarver Stan Ioan Patras. He wanted to create a cemetery, unique in Romania, which would show the life and personality of the deceased in a cheerful representation. Each cross has an image carved on the top, representing a special moment in the life of the deceased. Underneath, short, humorous poems or rhyming texts describe the life of the person buried there.

Customs, hard work and lots of snow… the Bucovina region in northern Romania is diverse and worth a visit at any time of the year.

Thanks to photographer Cătălin Urdoi (@urdoi.catalin) for permission to use these images (January / February 2021).

Prislop Monastery is a Romanian monastery near the village of Silvasu de Sus in Hunedoara County.

The monastery was built from the foundations in 1564 by Zamfira, daughter of Moise Vodă Vodă from Wallachia. The monastery church dates back to the 16th century.

Find out more:
https://xn--urlaub-in-rumnien-2qb.de/en/uir/destinations-romania-prislop-monastery/

The Sphinx (Sphinxul in Romanian) is a natural rock formation located in the Bucegi Mountains*, at an altitude of approximately 2,215 meters.

*The Bucegi Mountains are located south of the city of Brasov (Kronstadt), on the eastern edge of the Southern Carpathians in Romania.

Thanks to Vlad the Impaler – Dracula for permission to use this image.

View from the town of Vulcan towards the Parâng Mountains (Muntii Parâng) in Hunedoara county.

Thanks Go Hunedoara (photo: Ionica Merisanu) for permission to use this image (January 2022).

Pictures (January 2022) from Oslea mountain in Hunedoara county.

Thanks Go Hunedoara (photo: Radu Ghiabluc) for permission to use these images.

At Christmas, the turning of the years and the arrival of winter / solstice, there are many winter traditions and customs that you can admire and experience in Bucovina.

Bucovina (also known as Buchenland in German, Bucovina in Romanian) is a historic landscape northeast of the Carpathian Mountains, in the border region between Central, Southeast and Eastern Europe.

Thanks to Sorin Onișor ( facebook.com/sorinonisor ) for permission to use these images (from previous years).

Neamț Castle is a medieval fortress in the city of Targu Neamt (Neamț County) in northeastern Romania.

It was built in the 14th century in the Principality of Moldavia, during the reign of Petru I Muscat of Moldavia, and was extended in the 15th century.

The castle played a key role in the defense system of Stephen the Great, along with Suceava, Khotyn, Soroca, Orhei, Orhei, Bender, Kilija and White Castle.

We thank Vlad the Impaler – Dracula (photo: Vlad Maxim) for permission to use this image.

Prod, formerly Prud (Pruden in German), is a village in the municipality of Hoghilag in Sibiu County in Transylvania. It was first mentioned in writing in the year.

The church, a Gothic building without a tower and defensive choir, was built at the end of the 15th century. The old church was demolished in 1902 and the present church was built on the same site in 1904.

We would like to thank the photographer Sorin Onisor ( facebook.com/sorinonisor ) for permission to use this image.

Situat în nord-vestul României și având propriul aeroport, Cluj-Napoca este unul dintre cele mai mari orașe din România.

Orașul, pe numele german Klausenburg, este situat în Transilvania și are aproximativ 300.000 de locuitori (cercetări actuale la sfârșitul anului 2023, în măsura în care este posibil).

We’ve “poked around” a bit through last year’s posts and put together a selection of our favorite photos. We’ve traveled around Romania and these are not the only places worth visiting.

In conclusion, vacation destinations for the next 3 – 5 years are secured.

You can also visit us at
https://uir-news.com

Thanks to Vlad the Impaler – Dracula, Dracula Fan Club (https://draculafanclub.com), photographers Daniel Micu, Relu Chiriac and Marius Nistor, romania ig (https://www.instagram.com/romania_ig), Banatul Montan , Plimbari cu barca Delta Dunarii – Murighiol / Excursii cu barca în Delta Dunării și Castelul Bran for permission to use these images.

Simply because the pictures are soooooooo beautiful….

https://xn--urlaub-in-rumnien-2qb.de/ro/uir/de-vizitat-locatii-de-vizitat-ochiul-beiului/

Thank you Banatul Montan for permission to use these images.

The archaeological site of Băile Romane (a former Roman thermal bath) and Băile Daco-Romane (a new thermal bath, now used for treatments) is located in Geoagiu-Bai, about 45 km northeast of Deva, in Hunedoara county.

Geoagiu-Bai is a balneoclimatic (balneotherapy) holiday resort, first documented in 1805. The ozonized air, constantly freshened by the mountain breeze, is recommended for the treatment of diseases of the nervous system, fatigue, overwork, anemia and neuroses, among others.

Thanks to traveller.s_bucket_list ( https://www.instagram.com/traveler.s_bucket_list/ ) for permission to use these images (Băile Române).

The gorges are located in the municipality of Bănița in Hunedoara county and run along high limestone walls.

They are about 300 meters long and were dug deep into the limestone by water. They can be visited on calm summer days, but waterproof shoes are required as the gorge path also passes through water.

The height of the rock walls is about 10-15 meters and shows how the water has eroded the rock. In many places the rocks form a roof that has been formed over hundreds of years by horizontal erosion, depending on the current.

More information about the Hunedoara district:
https://xn--urlaub-in-rumnien-2qb.de/en/hunedoara-county/

Thanks to Vlad The Impaler – Dracula for permission to use this image.

Cozia National Park is located in the north-eastern part of Valcea county, in the administrative area of Brezoi, Călimănești, Racovița, Perișani, Sălătrucel and Berislăvești.

For more information: https://discover-valcea.com

Thank you Centrului Național de Informare și Promovare Turistică Vâlcea for permission to use these images.

It is a very old church in the small town of Brezoi (Valcea County), where it is said that Michael the Brave married his wife Stanca in 1583.

Popular legends also say that Prince Michael the Brave was baptized in this church. The present All Saints’ Church was built in 1798. In 1812, a six-columned porch was added to the church by Macarie Hieromonach, and the painting was added later in 1875.

Thanks Centrului Național de Informare și Promovare Turistică Vâlcea for permission to use these images.

We’ve “poked around” a bit through last year’s posts and put together a selection of our favorite photos. We’ve traveled well in Romania and these are not the only places worth visiting.

In conclusion, vacation destinations for the next 3 – 5 years are secured

You can also visit us at
https://uir-news.com

Thanks to Vlad the Impaler – Dracula, Dracula Fan Club (https://draculafanclub.com), photographers Daniel Micu, Relu Chiriac and Marius Nistor, romania ig (https://www.instagram.com/romania_ig), Banatul Montan , Plimbari cu barca Delta Dunarii – Murighiol / Excursii cu barca în Delta Dunării and Castelul Bran for permission to use these images.

The castle built by Gheorghe Grigore Cantacuzino in 1911 rises majestically at an altitude of 1,000 meters in the town of Busteni (Prahova County), right in front of the Bucegi Mountains, with a height of 2,500 meters.

The 6-hectare (60,000 m2) castle park invites visitors to linger and is now one of the most visited tourist attractions in the Prahova Valley. The castle, sculpture park and terrace with breathtaking views attract thousands of visitors every year.

Find out more about the castle:
https://xn--urlaub-in-rumnien-2qb.de/en/uir/cantacuzino-castle/

Stavropoleos Monastery is an Orthodox monastery located in the center of Bucharest, the capital of Romania.

It was built in 1724 in the Brâncovenesque style by the Greek monk Ioanichie Stratonikeas and is considered one of the most beautiful and important architectural monuments in the Romanian capital. The church is dedicated to Saints Archangels Michael and Gabriel.

We would like to thank Vlad the Impaler – Dracula (Photo: Amintiridedeparte) for permission to use these images.

An interesting idea by photographer Bogdan Popa from Oradea, photos of old doors.

Who can say what these doors have seen and experienced and what stories they could tell us. But they bear witness to hard work and are silent witnesses of their time.

The city of Oradea (German: Großwardein) is the capital of Bihor county in north-western Romania.

Thanks to Bogdan Popa Photography for permission to use these images.

Sibiu (Sibiu in Romanian, Nagyszeben in Hungarian and Hermestatt in Transylvanian Saxon) is a city in the geographical region of Transylvania and was/is one of the centers of the Transylvanian Saxons.

The first German settlers probably arrived in the area in 1147; they settled on the hill above the Zibin River, today’s Upper Town. The first documentary mention of the town dates back to 1191 under the name praepositum Cibiniensem; a provostry was established. The Latin name “Villa Hermanni” is documented from 1223 and the German equivalent Hermannstorf from 1241.

In the 14th century, Sibiu developed into a trading center of international importance. It was one of the most important cities in Transylvania – perhaps even the most important, as it was not only the center of trade, administration and the church, but also had the largest fortifications in all of Transylvania.

The Museum of the History of the City and County of Brasov was founded in 1950 and is located in the former town hall in the center of the Council Square and partly in the Bastion of the Weavers of Brasov (Kronstadt).

Find out more about Brasov:
https://kronstadt-erleben.de | https://discover-brasov.com

The bastion, defended and maintained by the cloth weavers’ guild, was built in two stages, between 1421 – 1436 and 1570 – 1573. In the first stage, the first two levels of the three battle galleries were built. The upper galleries, built between 1570 and 1573, were intended for small-caliber weapons, which could be used through narrow, circular firing shafts along the entire length of the galleries. Two watchtowers were built for the guards, who kept watch over the town both from a military point of view and from the point of view of observing possible fires.

After restoration, the Weber Bastion was turned into a museum.

Piatra Neamț (literally: Piatra Neamț) is the capital of Neamț county in northeastern Romania.

The city is located in the historical region of western Moldavia, on the terraces on the left bank of the Bistrița River, surrounded by the foothills of the Eastern Carpathians, the mountains Pietricica, Cozla, Cernegura and Bâtca Doamnei. The oldest traces of a settlement in today’s urban area of Poiana Cireșului (“Pajiștea Cireșilor”) date back to the Mesolithic period (approx. 12,000 BC).

Text: Wikipedia

Băile (Bad) Govora is a town in the historic Oltenia region of Oltenia, consisting of the neighborhoods of Curaturile, Gatejesti and Prajila.

Learn more: https://discover-valcea.com

The name Govora comes from the Slavic language. In southern languages, govora or govornih means word or sound. The first spa was established in 1887 and had 29 cabins for hot baths. The resort was officially opened in 1910.

Thanks Centrului Național de Informare și Promovare Turistică Vâlcea for permission to use these images.

Piatra Neamț (German: Kreuzburg an der Bistritz) is the capital of Neamț county in northeastern Romania. In literal translation, Piatra Neamț means “Piatra Neamțului” or “Deutschstein”, the word Neamț being an obsolete Romanian word for “German”.

From the train station, a cable car (Telegondola) travels almost 2 km (2,000 meters) to the mountain station on Mount Cozla, at an altitude of 632 meters (632 meters). The trip takes just under 8 minutes and you can already enjoy the wonderful view of the city and the surrounding area.

Piatra Neamț was founded in the late 14th century as Piatra lui Craciun and developed into a renowned economic and handicraft center, following the establishment of a princely court by Stefan the Great, Prince of Moldavia (1433-1504). The town has between 80 and 100 thousand inhabitants and is always worth a visit, not least because of its old historic center.

Built by Prince Vlad Tepes, the Chindian Tower has also been a symbol of the city since the 15th century.

For centuries, the tower played a military role as possible attacks could be recognized from the top.

Source text / Image: https://www.destinatiaanului.ro/

in Mures county in the Transylvania region of Romania.

The holiday resort Călimănești Caciulata, situated at the foot of the Southern Carpathians, is located on the banks of the Olt river, approx. 20 km north of Rm. Vâlcea and approx. 80 km south of Sibiu.

Călimănești is a small town and spa resort in Vâlcea county, in the Muntenia region of Romania.

Find out more: https://discover-valcea.com

Thank you Centrului Național de Informare și Promovare Turistică Vâlcea for permission to use these images.

A small selection of cities, places and destinations you must visit when traveling in Romania.

Town of Sighișoara in Mureș county | Bârsana Monastery in Maramureș county | Corvin’s Castle / Hunedoara in Hunedoara county | City of Sibiu | Bran Castle in Brasov county | Peles Castle in Prahova county | City of Brasov

Millions of lights at Christmas and the New Year in many cities in Romania.

Pictures of the city of Braila in south-eastern Romania from 2020.

Peles Castle is a former royal castle from the 19th century. It is located about 1.5 kilometers northwest of the town of Sinaia, in the Prahova district. About 300 meters higher up is the smaller Pelesor Castle.

https://xn--urlaub-in-rumnien-2qb.de/en/uir/peles-castle/

Thanks to Vlad the Impaler – Dracula for permission to use this image (early February 2022).

The Danube Delta is an exotic landscape with over 1,800 plant species, 2,400 species of insects, molluscs, reptiles, amphibians, 320 species of birds and about 50 species of mammals.

Find out more about the Danube Delta:
https://xn--urlaub-in-rumnien-2qb.de/en/uir/danube-delta/

More on Sulina at the mouth of the Danube:
https://discover-sulina.com

More about tours / excursions in the Danube Delta:
https://xn--urlaub-in-rumnien-2qb.de/en/uir/danube-delta-murighiol-boat-trips-offer/

Humor Monastery is a Romanian Orthodox women’s monastery located about 5 kilometers north of the town of Gura Humorului (Suceava County) in northeastern Romania.

The monastery church of the “Assumption of the Mother of God” was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1993, together with other churches in Moldova.

We thank Vlad Impaler – Dracula (photo: larinardini) for permission to use this image.

Many, many trips and offers (in German)

https://www.karpaten-offroad.de