Editorials
We love our country, Romania so we present you some historical or cultural aspects, to make you want to get to know us better.
Bucharest - the Romanian capital
Until the 5th century, Bucharest was a quiet town far from everything, until Vlad Ţepeş (Dracula) made it its capital. Since then, the city will continue to grow, reaching nearly three million inhabitants today. Bucharest was called in the 19th century the "Little Paris" because of the architectural influences & because Fashion (both in clothes, and in culture & education came from France).
Yet it’s one of the most fascinating cities in Europe if you make the effort to discover it. All architectural styles coexist in this contrasting urbanism. From the grandiose "House of the Parliament" to the smallest hidden churches, each street will be a perpetual discovery for those who know how and where to look. When you come to discover Romania and its capital, we will take you to meet a city that only shares its secrets to certain people.
The Parliament house in Bucharest
It is crazy!... the "Palace of the Parliament" formerly called "House of the People" is a reflection of the megalomania of the Ceausescu regime. The building broke all the records: 270 meters long, 86 meters high, 45,000m² of floors, 2,550,000m³… Let's just say that it is the second building in the world by its volume and that 5000 workers have worked day and night for 5 years to erect it; and it never even served the regime which commissioned it. Today, the building can be visited by reservation. The succession of huge reception rooms, monumental staircases, salons of all styles leave no one indifferent. It is undoubtedly one of the most impressive buildings in Europe. When you come to discover Bucharest we will take you to the places that make this capital a unique city.
Easter in Romania
Easter in Romania - the most important celebration in Romania.
Indeed, Easter is a special celebration in the hearts of Romanians, we prepare it with fervor long in advance and we always participate willingly in traditions. Here, the celebration of the resurrection of Christ takes place with great joy and visitors are always impressed to see a crowd of Romanians gathering in the churches. If you have the chance to come to Romania, for Easter, you will see the Romanians greet each other by announcing the resurrection of Christ "Christos a Inviat", we will also certainly suggest that you break painted eggs against each other as a sign of friendship. In addition to these shared traditions, it is the warmth of the Romanians' welcome which will make you feel at home during your stay in Romania.
How is Orthodox Easter celebrated in Romania?
Orthodox Easter during a stay in Romania is celebrated differently according to the regions in Romania, so for example in the northeast of Romania in Bucovina or Maramures, people go to church with a basket or a traditional wooven bag, full of special foods like: sweet cheese bread, painted eggs, ham, red wine, a bit of salt, lamb and other goods. After the religious service, the priest willbless the food with Holy Water and then, once returned home, the family will enjoy a delicious mealwith their loved ones.
These are just some examples of customs but there are still many throughout the country.
Come and discover Romania for a tailor-made stay with us!
Eggs painting for Easter - the natural way
A very special part of the Easter celebration in Romania is dying the eggs. Of course the traditional color for this is RED. Most people use the dyes available in the shops, but in Romania, we do it differently :
In order to obtain the red shade, we use ONION PEELS, both red or yellow onions. You can either just boil the eggs bare in a big pot filled with the peels, water and a couple of spoons of vinegar, or if you want to have some designs on them, you can use different leaves: put the chosen leaf on the egg and then cover the egg with some very thing, unused & clean tights (this is the traditional way, but any thin piece of cloth should do). Then boil the eggs in the special mixture.
One they're done, you'll have some beautiful, naturally dyed Easter eggs!
The wooden Churches from Maramures
When you say Maramureş, first of all you think of the wooden churches, the most famous brand and tourist attraction of the region, churches that have spread the fame and beauty of the place, but also of the whole Romania, all over the world. These churches are true museums of architecture and art, housing frescoes, icons, books, furniture and textiles from the 15th-19th centuries.So, because they are so precious (but underrated) that some have become a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The wooden churches from the villages of Budești Josani, Desești, Bârsana, Poienile Izei and Ieud Deal are located in the historical part of Maramureș (today Maramures is a bigger county, but culturally divided in several regions), those from Șurdești and Plopiș are from the old Chioar Country, and the church of St. Archangels from Rogoz is located in Lăpuș County.
Together, these 8 wooden churches represent a set of remarkable examples of various architectural solutions from different periods and areas. They are narrow but tall, with slender, long towers at the western end of the building. That is why they are the expression of the local peculiarity of the cultural landscape of this mountainous area in northern Romania.
It is distinguished by the technique of wooden joints and the realization of shingle roofs, by the ornamental motifs visible on the surface of portals and frames - which are supported on slender pillars - symbolizing vegetal, animal and geometric elements made by chiseling, notching.
The painted monasteries of Bucovina
Bucovina will seduce you with its famous painted monasteries, with its rich culture (hailing from almost all the ethnic groups of Central Europe), with the crafts, with the field works in its hilly landscape and other wonders.
There are 8 monasteries that have been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site starting in 1993. They are Arbore monastery, Humor monastery, Moldovita monastery, Patrauti monastery, Probota monastery, St. George monastery, Sucevita monastery & Voronet monastery.
Their painted exterior walls are decorated with elaborate 15th and 16th century frescoes featuring portraits of saints and prophets, scenes from the life of Jesus, images of angels and demons, and heaven and hell.
Deemed masterpieces of Byzantine art, these churches are one-of-a-kind architectural sites in Europe.
Far from being merely wall decorations, the murals represent complete cycles of religious events.
The purpose of the frescoes was to make the story of the Bible and the lives of the most important Orthodox saints known to villagers by the use of images. Their outstanding composition, elegant outline and harmonious colors blend perfectly with the surrounding landscape.
Tânjaua de la Mara ”- Hoteni, Maramureș County
One of the oldest and most attractive events in Maramureș County preserved until this day, that promotes the customs specific to the spring period, is "Tânjaua de pe Mara" or "Tânjaua Hotenarilor".
This custom, in whose structure we find intertwined several elements of ancient agrarian rites which, in its historical evolution, also receive new functions, enriching its value, takes place in Hoteni village, Ocna Şugatag commune, Maramureş county, at the foot of the Gutăi Mountains.
It is an ancient agrarian custom that celebrates the first villager to plow their lands.
It involves processions, along with the young men who wear 12 decorated beams used to catch cattle on the yoke while working the fields - this is called “Tânja”).
The tourists present at this celebration are captivated by the brightly colored costumes, by the choirs sung by the boys, but also by the dances and artistic programs.
"Tânjaua de pe Mara" is the largest popular event in the Eco-Tourist Destination of "Mara-Cosău-Creasta Cocoșului", managing to gather thousands of people annually, both Romanian and from abroad.
Romanian gastronomy, unexpected flavors
Mamaliga, Sarmale, Mititei, Papanaşi… these are the names of some main Romanian dishes. Romanian cuisine, influenced by all neighboring countries, has kept its peasant roots. Travelers staying in Romania are always surprised by the refinement of the dishes whose flavor derives as much from the quality of products as from the talent of Romanian cooks. The meal is often accompanied by a locally produced wine and ends with a glass of Palinca, the national brandy. When you come to discover Romania we will take you to the locals who will invite you to discover their culinary preparations.