Romanian Culture, Traditions, and Architecture
Romanian Architecture: A Unique Blend of Influences
Byzantine and post-Byzantine elements with Gothic and Baroque influences blend with traditional Romanian ones and solutions adopted by the Ottoman Alarifes, especially the carved decoration. Thus, beautiful stone or brick buildings are obtained with short stem columns, cone arches, and capitals with vegetable and zoomorphic reliefs that adorn porches, galleries, and turrets, lobed windows and frames worked with similar motifs, handrails with tracery, and multicolored ceramic medallions under the eaves. The strong, almost military aspect of these buildings is inspired by the Culas, fortified towers that used to house the boyars of Wallachia and that in the 19th century were considered purely Romanian (although they were also available in Serbia and Bulgaria).
The Birth of the Neo-Romanian Style
The architect Ion Mincu was primarily responsible for the creation of the Romanian national style. After completing his studies at the Paris School of Fine Arts, he was commissioned by Iacob Lahovary, a leading member of the Conservative Party, to renovate one of his houses. With this aim, Mincu studied in detail the vernacular architecture of churches and palaces close to Bucharest and in 1886 he built the Lahovary House, which caused a great impression among the intellectual circles of Bucharest (below, detail of the porch ledge). That was the starting gun for the construction of dozens of buildings that created a set of extraordinary beauty and that can still be admired in Bucharest today.
Romania: A Brief History and Geography
The capital of Romania is the fabulous city of Bucharest and the official language of this country is Romanian, an Indo-European language. As with all Eastern European countries, the history of Romania is a very rich and complex history that includes the successive presence of numerous tribes as well as numerous forms of government and political systems that have been changing over time since the earliest recorded writings from this area to the present. During the Middle Ages, the reigns of Wallachia, Moldova, and Transylvania dominated the region, but this dominance would change over the years and centuries. Having a very small outlet to the Black Sea compared to the total extent of its territory, Romania has a continental climate in which temperatures are normally temperate.
Romanian Hospitality and Traditions
Most Romanians will always make sure the house is clean before guests arrive. In some cases, men will also kiss a woman’s hand, as some Romanian men still consider this chivalry gesture important. Then, in some parts, mostly in the rural areas, Romanians will offer you a glass of palinca or tuica and then invite you to eat. Be it for lunch or dinner, Romanians will have prepared a real feast for guests, with multiple courses.
The Romanian host will want you to try each course and, if it’s possible, eat everything you are offered. There are many other traditions in Romania, from welcoming the spring with the symbolic martisor to painting eggs for Easter and slaughtering the pig for Christmas. This might be a strange habit for a foreigner, but it is Romanians’ way of showing their faith in God.
Adventure in Romania
Cycling in Transylvania
Many bikers like to choose a cycling trail that passes near the fortified churches of Transylvania.
Bear Watching in the Carpathians
You have the possibility to see bears in special reservations, or even in their natural habitat, but it’s important to do this while taking some precautions, as the bears are used to coming and searching for food and you don’t want to mess with a hungry bear.
Visit One of the Most Beautiful Waterfalls in the World
You probably saw it already, as photos of the Bigar Waterfall circulated all over the internet since it was included in a top of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world.
Hiking Routes for Beginners and Experienced Hikers
Hiking is one of the best outdoor activities and the Carpathians are the perfect setting for that. You can opt for easier trekking trails, that are basically just a nice walk for a couple of hours, or more difficult trails that take up to an entire day or even more. However, if you want to have a pleasant experience in the Carpathians, don’t forget to take some precautions.