MULTICULTURALISM Germans
The German population in Romania peaked in the 1930s when there were 800,000 Saxons in Transylvania. Numbers have dwindled to no more than 65,000 today. During WWII, 175,000 Romanian Germans were killed or left the country. After Romania switched sides to join the Allies against Hitler's Nazi Germany, 70,000 Germans were accused of Nazi collaboration and sentenced to five years hard labour. Survivors returned to find their land and property confiscated by the newly installed communist regime....
Transylvania
Measure the thickness of the walls of the Saxon fortified churches pi 49 near Sighijoara linusylvania - the word alone conjures up images of haunted castles, werewolves and umpires. There's Gothic galore here to keep visitors happy even if they're likely to leave without bite marks on their necks. The 14th-century castles at Ra nov and Bran, for exam- ili', lt ould be straight out of a Count Dracula movie. Yet its connection to a literary myth i I nit a small part of what makes Transylvania an...
fortified saxon churches
The Tarnave plateau, which stretches for some 120km between Bra ov and Sighi oara, is traditionally known as Burzen Land Tara Barsei in Romanian . It was to this region that Saxons - mainly from the Franken region in western Germany - were invited by the Hungarian king Geza II in 1123. In the 15th and 16th centuries, following the increased threat of Turkish attacks on their towns, the settlements were strengthened with bulky city walls and fortified churches. Defensive towers in the churches...
PIATA REVOLUTIEIMap p
The scene of Ceau escu's infamous last speech was on the balcony of the former Central Committee of the Communist Party building on 21 December 1989. Amid cries of'Down with Ceau escu', he escaped in a helicopter from the roof. Meanwhile, the crowds were riddled with bullets, and many died. On the front fa ade next to the entrance is a plaque dedicated to the 'young ar,d courageous people' who 'drove out the dictator', thus 'giving the Romanian people back their freedom and dignity'. A statue...
Szekely Land
The eastern realms of the Carpathians, known as Szekely Land Tara Secuilor in Romanian, Szekelyfold in Hungarian , are home to the Szekelys, ethnic Hungarians who live and communicate almost exclusively in their Hungarian dialect. Highly organised as a group, they publish their own local booklets and maps often with place names obstinately written in Hungarian only, making it very frustrating for foreigners to figure out where they are through all those consonants and have nourished a...
targu mure
Targu Mure is a city with something up its sleeve. It's not much to look at, save for some splendid buildings in the centre, as ugly concrete structures scattered everywhere mar its appeal, and constant traffic gives it an unpleasant edge. However, scratch the surface and you'll find a particularly vibrant city with many funky places to hang out in for a day or two while you learn a few words of Hungarian. Traditionally a Hungarian stronghold, Targu Mure Marosvasarhely in Hungarian, Neumarkt in...
Todirescu Flower Reservation
The crowning glory of the Rarau Massif is the glorious Todirescu Flower Reservation Fanetele Montane de la Plaiul Todirescu 1933 , which sprawls for 44 hectares across Todirescu Mountain on the southern edge of the Slatioara Reservation. In July its meadows are ablaze with colour. Tulips, bluebells, daffodils, daisies, chrysanthemums and the poisonous omagul aconitum anthora are just some of the many floral delights found here. Frank Carter and David Turnock's Environmental Problems in...
Top Festivals
Every part of Romania has some kind of festival going on throughout the year, from international film festivals to country get-togethers where shepherds meet and locals sell their wares. Here are our favourites Snow Festival, April, Paltini pi 22 Juni Pageant, May, Brajov p91 Tanjaua de pe Mara Folk Festival, May, Hoteni p259 Bucharest Carnival, late May early June, Bucharest p68 Medieval Festival of the Arts, July, Sighijoara pi 25 International Folk Music and Dance Festival of Ethnic...
Drinking
Bucharest's budding bar scene is liveliest in the Lipscani area, which now has a dedicated pedestrianised road called Summer Streel which is lined with trendy pubs and outside tables. Piata Universitatii is alive with revellers at the weekend, and hosts free outdoor pop concerts in summer. Amsterdam Grand Cafe Map p60 313 7580 Sir Covad 6 10am-2am It's like being at home yet much nicer, funkier and with better looking bar staff and better cooking. Gel here early and feast on massive portions of...
sighiara
Of all the dreamy spots throughout Tran sylvania that make you feel like you're floating through another time and space, Sighi oara's citadel wins the time-travel cake by a long shot. Sighi oara Schassburg in German, Segesvar in Hungarian has an enchantingly preserved medieval citadel as its core, and is surrounded by beautiful hilly countryside. It tends to seduce visitors' hearts more than any other city in Transylvania. Nine towers remain along its intact city walls, which encircle sloping...
Dangers Annoyances
Bucharest is generally safer than most other Western European capitals but it suffers the same petty-crime problems. Safeguard your wallet and be vigilant when walking alone at night. Gara de Nord is still blighted by begging children and shifty-looking characters so be on your guard. Mosquitoes are the scourge of summer so bring a heavy-duty repellent. The street dogs have been culled but there are still strays, so if threatened just bend down and look like you'll throw a stone and they'll run...
Buteni
Ten kilometres south of Predeal, along the main road running through the Pra-hova Valley between Bra ov and Sinaia, is Bu teni 885m , hovering beneath the mighty Caraiman 2384m and Co tila 2490m peaks to the west and Mt Zamora 1519m to the east. Between the Caraiman and Co tila peaks lie the highest conglomerate cliffs in Europe. Bu teni, coupled with Sinaia, is the main starting point for hikes into the Bucegi Mountains. Many fine trails are readily accessed from the top of the cable car. Rock...
Athne Palace
Now home to the deliriously posh Hilton see Sleeping p69 , the Ath n e Palace Map p60 Str Episcopiel 1-3 is the grand dame of Bucharest, holding a particular place in the city's history. It was the first concrete building in Bucharest when designed and built in 1914 by French architect T ophile Bradeau. Sitting on the northern side of Piata Revolutiei, it hosted political intrigue, scandals and high living when German officers used it as their base during WWII. It suffered heavy bombing during...
Mnaia
Ifnot dubbed the Pearl of the Carpathians Itn nothing. Sinaia boasts not only Roman-hottest skiing, but also the country's iiliisl fabulous palace. Despite being Ro-lliiiilla's most popular ski resort, it has ifhilned an earthy elegance, a refusal to tin n into commercial kitsch. Yet it would lie hard to mess up such gorgeous sur-Inlindings at once floating at an altitude mI H00-930m in the narrow Prahova Valley iiul lying at the foot of the fir-clad Bucegi Mountains, Sinaia seems to have...