Located on the Balkan Peninsula, Romania is a land of contrasts. Over the years, this former Eastern bloc country has belonged to the Romans, who gave the country its name, the Hungarians and the Ottomans. The country is full of idyllic old towns, mountain resorts where skiing is great, and a strongly developed art scene.
However, the country’s most famous citizen might be the vampire Dracula, a fictional character who lived in Transylvania. So what is Romania known for? Let’s take a look at the 27 best places to visit in Romania. Some of the most beautiful places and famous Romanian attractions, ranging from Bucharest to Transylvania to traditional regions, and including UNESCO sites, historical places and natural attractions.
27. Danube Delta
From the Black Forest to the Black Sea – over 2800 kilometers the water of the beautiful Danube flows through the diverse landscapes of Europe until it finally arrives at its destination. Just before the magnificent river flows into the Black Sea, the estuary widens into a vast and unforgettable biosphere reserve – the Danube Delta.
5000 square kilometers of magical floodplain forests, sparkling lakes, mysterious side arms, seemingly endless reed beds, floating islands, marshes, barren dune landscapes and exciting fauna make the Danube Delta a wonderland of its own – and an unforgettable highlight of any trip through Romania.
The fantastically beautiful, pristine and multi-layered Danube Delta is largely located in Romania. A total of 4029 different animal species live here. The magnificent biosphere reserve alone offers resting and nesting places or a permanent home to 325 different bird species, including the white-tailed eagle, various heron species and the pelican.
The pelican is the symbol of the Danube Delta. 7000 specimens of these wonderful birds live here, making it also the largest colony in Romania and Europe.
26. Cluj-Napoca
The sights of Cluj-Napoca are mainly located in the historic city center, which is largely preserved and hardly damaged during the Second World War. The different architectural styles are among the sights of Cluj-Napoca. Here medieval Gothic meets Renaissance and Baroque as well as styles of more recent times such as Classicism and Art Nouveau.
The Church of St. Michael is the most prominent example of medieval Gothic architecture. It is the landmark of the city and thus naturally belongs to the sights of Cluj-Napoca. The construction of the hall church began around the middle of the 14th century and remained unfinished, as the second tower was never built.
One of the other religious and architectural sights of Cluj-Napoca is the Orthodox Cathedral. The cathedral, consecrated in 1933, is over 60m high and is visible from everywhere, thus strongly shaping the cityscape of Cluj-Napoca.
On the castle hill stands one of the other sights of Cluj-Napoca, the fortress Fellegvar (Cloud Castle). From up here you have a good view over the city with its red roofs.
25. Mamaia
The Romanian party beach Mamaia is located in the northern district of the county capital Constanta on the beautiful Black Sea coast. The fine sandy beach attracts not only bathers to Mamaia Beach, but for years has attracted more and more party vacationers from all over Europe. Mamaia has been voted one of the top 10 party beaches in Europe several times, competing with the likes of Playa de Palma in Majorca or Gold Beach in Bulgaria.
Also in the offer of bars and clubs Mamaia Beach is in no way inferior to its competitors. Summer, sun and party is the motto on the seven-kilometer-long headland on the Romanian Riviera. The party beach impresses with the low prices typical of Romania and an incredible atmosphere.
24. Sulina
The town of Sulina is not connected to the Romanian road network and can be reached only by water via private boats and passenger ships. It is located at the easternmost point of Romania, directly on the Black Sea.
Sulina had an important river and sea port already in Byzantine, later Genoese and Turkish times. However, this lost its importance in modern times due to the construction of larger ports (among others in Galati, Braila, …).
The old lighthouse from 1887, some old villas on the quay and the large cemetery are testimonies of this past. Sulina has many kilometers of sandy beach on the Black Sea. Colonies of pelicans delight the people and every nature lover as well as fishing enthusiasts get their money’s worth here. Far away from the “wild world” Sulina is a calm, quiet and wonderful place that invites you to rest.
23. Timisoara
Old palaces and churches from the 18th century: With its more than 15,000 old buildings, the cityscape of Timisoara is strongly reminiscent of Austria’s capital and is often referred to as “little Vienna” – not least because the city was part of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy for a long time. Timisoara became known worldwide in 1989, when the revolution of the Romanians against the dictator Nicolae Ceausescu started right here. Since then, the name of the city has been a symbol of freedom.
The spirit of freedom, along with the multiculturalism that is just as typical of the city, can be seen in the many squares of Timisoara. The oldest square in the city is Piata Unirii. Surrounded by churches and palaces, the Cathedral Square is especially crowded during the summer months and on weekends. Piata Victorei, with its wide boulevard, is considered the city’s showpiece square.
In addition to the impressive buildings, Timisoara also has a lot to offer in the way of culinary delights. Famous are, for example, the many pastry shops with delicious Romanian delicacies – from crémes, sheet cakes and pies, you can find everything here. The inhabitants are also very proud of their beer, brewed since 1718 in the municipal brewery Timisireana. Timișoara was not chosen as the European Capital of Culture 2021 for nothing.
22. Bucharest
In Bucharest one can find an extraordinary architectural mixture of styles. In some parts of the city you can find buildings, villas and palaces in French, Neo-Romanian, Italian and Oriental styles of different eras. Likewise, you can find Bauhaus style, prefabricated buildings and a kitschy candy-striped style. A visit to Bucharest is worthwhile especially for culture-loving tourists. A rich offer of museums provides a lot of information about different areas. In addition, one can pass the time in theaters, beer gardens, bars and clubs.
Gradually Bucharest is recovering from socialism and is slowly becoming interesting for tourists. There are numerous sights in this city that attract especially individual travelers. The Arc de Triomphe was completed in its final form in 1936. As it is known in France’s capital, several streets flow towards the arch in the classical-Roman style. In the neoclassical style, the Bucharest Royal Castle was built in 1937.
Numerous museums, such as the Natural History Museum, the European Gallery, the National Art Museum, the National Museum of Romanian History and an interesting Village Museum. The oldest park in Bucharest was started as early as 1798 and completed decades later. This Cismigiu Park is still very popular today.
21. Sinaia
Sinaia is a city in the south of Romania, in the historical region of Great Wallachia. It is located only 125 km from the Romanian capital Bucharest. The region around Sinaia is also known for the skiing fans, because there are super slopes for skiing.
The monastery of St. Nicholas was first mentioned in a document in 1690, when the first settlers settled here. Originally Sinaia had the name Izvorul. Since 1874 it has had the name Sinaia. Only in 1880, Sinaia was elevated to the status of a city. In the same year Siana became the summer residence of King Carol I.
The construction of Peles Castle started about 150 years ago, according to the wish of King Carol I. He wanted to build a castle here because he fell in love with the landscape. After its completion, the castle was one of the most modern royal residences in Europe with light, indoor elevator, 170 rooms and 30 bathrooms. In 1953, the castle was confiscated by the communist authorities and turned into a museum. Today Peles Castle is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Sinaia and a must-see for anyone visiting the Prahova Valley. You have the opportunity to visit many rooms of the magnificent buildings and admire a collection of rare books, as well as over 4,000 weapons and armor and many other ancient treasures.
Although it is smaller than Peles Castle, Pelisor Castle should not be forgotten. The castle is located in the park of Peles Castle and has 99 rooms. Pelisor also became a summer residence of the royal family. Queen Mary was responsible for the interior decoration of the castle. In the castle you can admire many personal belongings and an important collection of art objects of the royal family.
20. Painted Monasteries
The northern part of Romania, the south of the Bukavina region, is a historically important area. Here are located the so-called Moldavian Monasteries, a series of beautiful Romanian Orthodox monasteries, some of which have been part of the UNECSO World Heritage Site since 1993. Most impressive are the extraordinary frescoes, which often cover the entire wall surface of the monastery churches.
The depictions of all Moldavian monasteries show stories from the Bible in a colorful and comprehensible way. Many of the monastery churches have been restored, so that the impressive depictions can still be admired in many places. Besides their beauty, the Moldavian monasteries also have a significance for national identity, especially for Orthodox Romanians.
For the most beautiful examples of fresco paintings, the Moldavian monasteries of Voronet, Arbore, Moldovita and Sucevita are worth visiting. However, the “Queen of the Moldavian Monasteries” is the Putna Monastery, which also houses the final resting place of Stephen the Great.
19. Brasov
At that time it was called Corona, but its founders had to leave it in 1225, they settled in the Baltic States. Brasov, together with Sibiu, was the cultural and economic center of the Transylvanian Saxons. They came to the country at the invitation of the Hungarian king from the 12th century and formed the majority until the 17th century. Due to the proximity to the Ottoman power influence, Brasov was threatened again and again.
Originally, Brasov belonged to the Kingdom of Hungary, to the Principality of Transylvania and also to Austria-Hungary. Only after 1920 it was ceded to Romania by the Treaty of Trianon. There are still historical buildings, such as the city’s landmark, the Black Church with the Buchholz organ. Other sacral buildings, as well as the old town hall on the town hall square, are among the special buildings in Brasov. Because of its beautiful location in the wooded mountains, the city is also often called the Romanian Salzburg.
The historic old town with its medieval town houses is as interesting as the large and stylish houses from the 19th century. The city fortifications dating back to the Middle Ages, the Catherine Gate, the Weaver’s Bastion, the White Tower and the Black Tower are very popular with tourists. The buildings are all restored today and some of them are accessible as museums. The First Romanian Book Museum displays the first book published in Romanian. Modern buildings include the State Opera House, the Playhouse and the Philharmonic Orchestra.
18. Deva
The town of Deva is located on the left bank of the Mureș River, south of the Transylvanian Ore Mountains in the historical region of Hunyad County (Iron Market). In the northern half of Hunedoara County, on the European Road 68 and the Arad-Alba Iulia railroad line, the town is situated at the foot of a volcanic cone – which dominates the town center – on which stand the ruins of the former Deva Castle.
The ruins of Deva Castle – one of the strongest fortresses in Transylvania – are situated on a volcanic cone 371 m above sea level. The castle was first mentioned in 1269. Since 1321 it was the estate of the Hungarian King Charles I. After the Kuruc Crusades from 1687 to 1706 the castle was occupied and renovated by the troops of the Emperor Charles VI. An attempt by insurgents of the Horea Uprising in November 1784 to capture the castle failed. After a visit of the Emperor Francis I in 1817, the castle was renovated again. After the castle was partially destroyed in 1849 due to an explosion of powder reserves – in which many soldiers also died – it was abandoned and not rebuilt. The ruins can be reached on foot or by a 278-meter-long inclined elevator.
Magna Curia Castle, built in the 16th century in Renaissance style, restored by Transylvanian Prince Gábor Bethlen in 1621, was rebuilt in the 18th century in Baroque style. Previously, a 13th century castle courtyard stood here, which was destroyed during the Mongol storm of 1241. Since 1882, the “Muzeul Județean” (County Museum) of History and Natural Sciences has been located here.
The Franciscan monastery and the Catholic church in Deva, both baroque buildings, built in the 18th century, are protected monuments.
17. Sibiu
Sibiu in Transylvania is a city that inspires with a true diversity of cultural offerings.
In earlier times, the Upper and Lower Towns were protected by three rings of walls with 39 towers and many large gates, which still exist in places. Today, the historic center of the Upper City of Sibiu in Transylvania with its beautiful picturesque squares has been lovingly restored. The largest square is considered to be the “Great Ring”, which is surrounded by magnificent buildings, such as the Blue Town House and the Brukenthal Palace, built in the Baroque style.
The Brukenthal Palace is the most representative building of Sibiu in Transylvania. The construction of the palace was severely limited by the size of the plots on which it was to be built, yet it is one of the most beautiful palaces in Transylvania.
The Bridge of Lies, a cast-iron beauty in Sibiu in Transylvania, is not only one of the landmarks of the city of Sibiu in Transylvania, but there are also many legends surrounding the bridge built in 1859. Since it was the first bridge that did not rest on piers, the bridge was initially called Liegenbrücke, German for lying bridge (lying as in “to lie down”), which sounds very similar to Lügenbrücke, meaning “bridge of lies”. Thus, one legend says that the bridge begins to shake when someone tells a lie during the crossing.
16. Sighisoara
There is hardly any other place in Transylvania, which is not exactly lacking in historical sites, where one can trace the past as excellently as in the Upper Town of Sighisoara, which is characterized by colorful authenticity.
The unity of the medieval and early modern sacral and fortified buildings, the cobblestone streets and squares has also contributed to the special charm of the Upper Town, which was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1999 and is usually referred to as the “Castle” for short. When strolling through the Upper Town, one is particularly struck by the friendly colorfulness of the patrician and craftsmen’s houses, often sympathetically warped due to their age, most of which were built in the decades following the devastating town fire of 1676.
But it is also remarkable that this ensemble, which makes the breath of history palpable, is inhabited and thus alive.
If the main attraction of Sighisoara, with its nine towers and three bastions, is actually the overall impression the city makes, there are, of course, a number of sights that are particularly noteworthy. Among them is definitely the architectural landmark of the city, the mighty Stundturm towering on the Piata Muzeului. The 64-meter-high tower, built between the 14th and 16th centuries, is a small fortress in itself, with its gates, loopholes and battlements. Since the beginning of the 17th century, the tower has also had a clockwork characterized by its mechanical figural play, which shows the people of Sighisoara what the hour has struck. During a visit to Sighisoara, one should also not miss to take a look at the impressive Mountain Church. This largest church in Sighisoara, built in the 15th century, sits high atop School Hill.
15. Baile Herculane
Băile Herculane (Hercules Bath) is a spa town in the Banat region in Caraș-Severin County, near the Serbian border, with currently about 6,000 inhabitants. The place has 16 thermal springs, which are located within four kilometers and have been used since Roman times, giving the place its name since that time.
The thermal springs are of various composition. There are sodium chloride, bromine and bicorbonate springs as well as iodine and sulfur springs. The temperatures of these are between 38 and 67°C and help against various diseases.
When in 1718, with the end of the Austro-Turkish wars and the Peace of Passarovice, Little Wallachia fell to Austria, the baths were largely built in an Austrian Baroque style that can still be admired today. Not only Emperor Franz Josef raved about the baths as the most beautiful thermal baths in Europe, also Empress Sissi called it in her diary a “dinstinct and harmonious presence”.
Picturesquely situated and on the same latitude as Venice and Nice, Herculesbad offers not only breathtaking nature but also a Mediterranean climate. The thermal springs run along the Cerna River between two mountains, thus offering a unique paradisiacal ambience in addition to the healing power of the springs.
14. Vama Veche
Vama Veche can be called an insider tip – the seaside resort is located at the southernmost tip of the Black Sea coast, 10 kilometers below Mangalia. Only a few hotels line the coast. Otherwise, the shores present themselves in their natural splendor with the finest sand. Those who can do without a large tourist infrastructure will spend perfect days here on the beach of the hippies and alternatives. Nudist bathing is a good thing in Vama Veche. Towel and beach tent density decreases at the edges of the beach. Every year in August, the Stufstock Festival – a hippie-esque rock event – takes place here.
13. Maramures
Whether one comes from the direction of Sathmar, Cluj-Napoca or Bistritz, at all three main entrances to Maramureş stand mighty artistically carved wooden gates. These are the emblems of a region where wood is the greatest wealth and where true virtuosos of the axe have known how to carve, shape and join wood for generations, creating works of art from oak and resin-soaked fir, with which they decorate the villages, their houses and homesteads.
As a tourist area, Maramureş has been discovered only a few years ago. This is unjustified, because this area has much more to offer in terms of landscape, folklore, and architectural history than many other parts of the country that are advertised in travel brochures. Its remoteness from the traditional tourist routes, the partly bad roads and the lack of appropriate tourist facilities may have contributed mainly to this. Today, only asphalt roads cross the Maramureş.
They connect all the sights, and there is also no shortage of comfortable accommodation. Hotels, motels, inns and campsites are available in the main cities and towns as well as along the busiest routes. There are also shelters in the mountains for hikers. And those who bring a tent can pitch it in the lovely stream meadows or in the forest clearings.
12. Hunedoara
Situated on a high limestone rock, it towers above the town of Hunedoara. Besides the impressive architecture, there are also historical highlights that will never be forgotten – for example, the castle was once visited by Vlad Tepes, known and often equated with “Dracula”.
In the late Middle Ages, around 1440, the reconstruction of the existing fortification on the rock into a castle began. It took centuries for the castle to grow into the structure it is today, including several changes of ownership. Among other things, the two predominant architectural styles, Gothic (at the beginning) and Renaissance (from the 16th century), can be traced back to this. The overall appearance is characterized by high towers, massive windows and stone balconies with elaborate carvings.
Built on a rock, surrounded by the Zlasti River and a classical fortress moat, Hunedoara Castle can be reached by a bridge. The wooden bridge is built on stone pillars and closes with a drawbridge for blocking.
Today, most of the first floor areas are open to visitors. You can visit the knights’ hall, the chapel and the castle prison.
11. Turda
Turda is located in Cluj County. Already in Roman times salt was extracted here. When the Romans built a road, the present village developed all the faster. Soon, the Transylvanian nobility sat here and held general assemblies, with historical consequences: in 1568, something like religious freedom was decided in Turda for the first time in Europe. Since 1920, Turda has been part of Romania and, along with the chemical and construction industries, is a young, up-and-coming tourist destination.
A grandiose journey under the earth’s surface can also be experienced in the Turda salt mine. It is one of the oldest and most famous salt mines in Romania. A document from a Hungarian chancellery is considered to be evidence of Turda Castle and the local salt mining around 1075. In 1690, the Habsburgs took over the rule and the present mine was built. Salt was mined here for centuries. Although salt mining came to a halt in 1932, the Turda Salt Mine has been used as an exhibition mine and museum since 1992 in order to make this tradition, which has lasted for generations, vividly tangible today.
Between 2008 and 2010, the last restoration and modernization took place, during which a panoramic elevator and a Ferris wheel were installed. In addition, a tour of the salt mine reveals the Salt Dome and a hall several stories high, where you can attend exquisite concerts. But even without an additional event, it is worth visiting this magical world, where the temperature is constantly 10 to 12 degrees Celsius, regardless of the external weather.
10. Bran Castle
Bran Castle is definitely one of the most famous Romania sights. Its hidden passages, narrow staircases and spooky atmosphere make it a must-visit destination for every tourist.
It is one of the main reasons why Transylvania has kept its mystical and occult image over the years. Apart from being the inspiration behind Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” novel, Bran Castle and the surrounding area have a greater and impressive heritage.
The high hilltop always provided a great vantage point, even before Bran Castle existed. It is probably the main reason why the Teutonic Knights built the first fortress on the site in 1211.
At the end of 1377, the Hungarian King Louis I of Anjou granted the people of Brasov the right to build a castle.
He also asked the Saxons of the region to help in the construction of the castle. Their influence can be seen in the entire architecture of the building.
In 1388 Bran Castle was completed and officially received its present name. In 1956, after the Romanian royal family had to flee the country, the communist regime decided to turn Bran Castle into a museum.
9. Bigăr Waterfall
Bigăr Waterfall is considered the most beautiful waterfall in the world. A limestone wall covered with moss and an underground water source together form this beautiful and unique piece of nature.
It is located in the Caraș-Severin district in the Anina Mountains (western Romania) and is called by the locals “the miracle from the Minis Gorge”.
This waterfall can be found on any list of breathtaking places around the world, and it is definitely one of the most beautiful Romania sights. Bigăr waterfall has a height of almost 8 meters, and it is covered with moss all year round.
The unique way the water spreads and falls in tiny shreds of drops is truly remarkable, it looks like something straight out of a fairy tale. In 2013, The World Geography ranked Bigăr Waterfall 1st in their article “8 Unique Waterfalls Around the World”.
8. Transalpina
The panoramic road DN67C Transalpina connects Transylvania with Wallachia since 1939.
The road is also known as the “Road of the King” and was rehabilitated in the 20th century by King Carol II of Romania and opened for the route through the Parang Mountains. The Transalpina is the highest passable road in Romania, of which 150 kilometers have been completely paved since 2011.
The panoramic road is less known than the Transfagarasan mountain road, but is 100 meters higher. The highest point is at “Pasul Urdule” and is 2145 meters.
The Transalpina route can be started from Sebes in Alba County or from Novaci in Gorj County. In any case, it is important to start the route in the early morning hours. The route is not entirely uncomplicated to drive and is full of serpentines, so the driver should be concentrated and alert for the entire 152 kilometers to avoid dangerous situations.
What is now an asphalted road was once a small trail. This path used to be called the Devil’s Path by the shepherds from the Marginea Sibiului region, as the route was generally very narrow and quite dangerous for both humans and animals. The shepherds used the path to bring the flocks of sheep to Wallachia. Nowadays you have the possibility to explore this historical road by car, motorcycle, bicycle or even on foot.
7. Red Ravine
The Râpa Roșie (Red Ravine) Protected Area is located in Alba Iulia County, four kilometers north of Sebeș, in the mid-west of Romania.
It is located in the Fagăraș Mountains, so the gorge is surrounded by an amazing mountain and natural landscape. It seems unreal what you could see in this panorama, which was formed 60 million years ago.
The erosion and irrigation processes, as well as the flora with endemic and rare elements have led to the formation of this amazing place, which spreads about 800 meters.
More precisely, a torrent caused erosion in the sedimentary deposits of the lower Miocene and made this landscape possible. There is an alternation of clay and gray sandstone that gave rise to the cemented formation.
Scientists were so amazed that they compared it to an ancient architectural site because of the huge vertical wall shape of this canyon. This natural reserve resembles columns and pyramids. For this reason, this place received the nickname “hairy pyramids”.
6. Merry cemetery
Generalized niceties are written on the tombstone, often shortened to as little as “rest in peace.”
This is not so in the town of Săpânţa in Romania, where in the Cimitirul Vesel or “Merry Cemetery” over 800 wooden crosses bear the life stories, crazy details and last moments of the bodies that mark them.
In bright, cheerful pictures and annotated with limericks are the stories of almost everyone who died in the city of Săpânţa. Illustrated crosses show soldiers who were beheaded and a town resident who was run over by a truck.
The inscriptions reveal a surprising degree of truth. “Under this heavy cross lies my mother-in-law poor… Try not to wake her. For when she returns home…she will bite my head off.”
5. Biertan Fortified Church
The late Gothic fortified church of Biertan, surrounded by concentric walls and flanked by towers, is one of the largest and most impressive in Transylvania.
The three-nave church was built between 1493 and 1522 and houses excellently preserved Renaissance works of art, an intricately carved pulpit and a door with mosaics.
The church and its majestic fortifications were listed by Unesco along with the medieval core of the Biertan village. Near the altar in the church is the sacristy, which once housed a treasure behind its impressive door with an even more impressive lock.
Inside the grounds are many interesting buildings, including a small bastion famous in local lore: couples who wanted to divorce were supposedly locked up here for two weeks for a final attempt to settle disputes.
There was only a bed, a table and cutlery. The method was so successful that stories claim that in more than 300 years only one couple opted for divorce.
4. Sarmizegetusa Regia
The Dacian fortress Sarmizegetusa Regia was the most important military, political and religious center and the capital of Dacia. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The fortress of Sarmizegetusa Regia was the political, administrative and military center of the Dacian state before the Roman conquest in 106 AD. The fortress consisted of three parts: the civil settlements (east and west of the fortress proper – no longer present today), the fortress and the sacred area.
The fortress experienced its greatest period of prosperity between the 1st century BC and the 1st century AD. This is evidenced by the many ceramic and iron objects found here, as well as gold jewelry. Although there is little evidence of Dacian life, legends of Dacian treasures hidden by Decebal in various places near the fortress have made an important contribution. Traces of ironworking workshops or of a system for collecting, filtering and storing water have been discovered inside the fortress.
The sacred area of Sarmizegetusa Regia is the most complex and best preserved temple complex of all Dacian fortresses. The seven sanctuaries discovered here, by their arrangement of stones, their shape or other details, have caused much controversy about their utility and use. To this day, historians do not fully agree on these issues.
A peculiarity of Sarmizegetusa Regia (as well as other Dacian fortresses) is that it did not have a necropolis.
The fortress fell after the Roman conquest. The fortress walls were rebuilt and the fortress was gradually abandoned. Research on the site began after the First World War and continues to this day.
3. Constanta
Constanta is a vibrant port city on the Black Sea. The city, once founded by the Greeks in the 7th century BC, today has about 300,000 inhabitants and is a popular vacation destination. At the time of the Romans, Tomis, as the settlement used to be called, was an important trading center – and today Constanta is still an important seaport. It is the largest port nationwide. In honor of the sister of the Roman emperor Constantine I, it was renamed Constantiana. Worth seeing are, for example, the Greek and Roman ruins, the aquarium on the coastal promenade or the Archaeological Museum with more than 20,000 exhibits from all historical periods.
The statue of Ovid was erected in honor of the poet Ovid (43 BC – 17 AD), who was once exiled here by the Romans. Emperor Augustus sent him into exile in 8 AD.
The impressive Constanta Casino was built in 1910. The architect of the “Cazinoul din Constanca” was the Frenchman Daniel Renard. Over the years it had several functions, for example it was also used as a hospital. It is a wonderful Art Nouveau building and should definitely be seen during a visit to Constanta. Unfortunately, it is not possible to visit the interior.
2. Craiova
As early as 400-350 BC there was a Dacian settlement on the site of today’s Craiova. At that time it was called Pelendava and in the same place the Romans built a camp called Tabula Peutingeriana in the 2nd century AD. Chr. a camp with the name Tabula Peutingeriana. Craiova translates as royal city, so the place was the seat of the Ban of Craiova from the 15th century. Until 1916, the place was awarded to another ruler several times. When the principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia united, Craiova lost its function as the second capital of the principality. Nevertheless, it remained an important trade center and around 1858 also the second largest city in the country behind Bucharest.
The historic center of Craiova has been opened to pedestrians after its renovation in 2014. Here you can also find most of the sights of the region, such as what House of Bane, which is also the oldest building in the city. The Art Museum was built in the French Neo-Baroque style and displays special paintings by Romanian painters, but also by painters from other countries. Romanescu Park covers 90 hectares and was designed by the Parisian architect E. Redont. It received the gold medal at the World Exhibition in Paris in 1900.
1. Oradea
The city of Oradea is located in Romania and is the capital of Bihor County. It has about 200,000 inhabitants. It is located on the edge of the Great Hungarian Plain. The center of Oradea is 13 km away from the border with Hungary. The Crisul Repede River flows right through the center of Oradea.
In the time of the Romans, a settlement named Salca was founded. Ladislaus I of Hungary made the town, first mentioned in documents in 1113, a Roman Catholic episcopal see. Since its foundation it has belonged to the Kingdom of Hungary and between the 11th and 15th centuries it was the burial place of several family members of the Hungarian royal family. At the end of the 19th or the beginning of the 20th century Oradea experienced an economic boom. Splendid, but partly dilapidated Art Nouveau palaces from this period still exist today.
Oradea is interesting for tourists in several respects. The buildings, including several church buildings such as the Roman Catholic Cathedral of St. Mary’s Assumption or the Church of the Moon are the center of attention. The State Theater and the Concert Hall are also among the beautiful secular buildings.
Near Oradea there are mineral baths, the Bishop’s Bath and the Felix Bath. Today they are again connected to the capital by the railroad line. The park with alkaline sulfur springs is also a special feature, as the rare thermal water lily thrives in their drainage.
