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ROMANIAN CITIES

Bucharest

According to legend, Bucharest was founded by a shepherd called Bucur, who built a
settlement amid the Vlasia forest. It was recorded as a nameless “citadel on the Dimbovita” in
1368, and named as Bucharest in an edict from the time of Vlad the lmpaler. Over the
centuries, both Tirgoviste and Bucharest have served as the Wallachian capital, but Bucharest
finally secured its claim in 1659 - its location at the convergence of the trading routes to
Istanbul outweighing the defensive advantages of Tirgoviste’s location in the Carpathian
foothills.
As the boyars (nobles) moved into the city they built palaces and churches on the main
sweets radiating from the centre; these streets were surfaced with timber baulks and known as
“bridges” (pod). Despite earthquakes and periodic attacks by Turks, Tatars, Austrians and
Russians over the course of its history, the city has continued to grow and to modernize. New
boulevards were driven through the existing street pattern in the 1890s, after the style of
Haussmann’s Paris, and they still form a ring road and the main north—south and east—west
axes of the city. Most of the major buildings, such as the Romanian Athenaeum and the
Cercul MiIitar, were designed by French or French-trained architects and built in the years
before World War I. By 1918 the city’s population had grown to 380,000 and roads such as
Podul Mogosoaiei, Podul de Pamant and Podul Calicilor were widened, paved and renamed
as the Calea Victoriei, Calea Plevnei and Calea Rahovei, in honor of the battles of the 1877-
78 War of Independence from Turkey.
After World War II the city was ringed with ugly apartment buildings, first in areas such as
“Red” Grivita, which the Allies had bombed flat (aiming for the rail yards), then expanding
into the surrounding countryside; the population doubled from one to two million. Finally, in
1984, Ceausescu set out to impose his megalomaniac vision on the city, demolishing most of
the area south of the centre to create a new “Centru Civic” which remains unfinished and
seems likely to scar the city for many years yet.

Adjud

It is situated on the Trotus Valey and it has a population of over 20,000 inhabitants. From an
economic point of view, it is an industrial-agrarian town. Adjud is a most important railway
junction in Moldavia. It has the most up-to-date and the most developed depot of electrical
Diesel engines made in Romania. It also has one of the biggest cellulose and paper mill -
“Vrancart”.

Alba Iulia

From a tourist point of view the county town holds pride of place. There are many places of
interest but the Citadel, built between 1715 and 1738 on the site of previous fortifications: the
Roman Castrum of the 13th Legion Gemina (the 2nd and the 3rd centuries) and the Balgrad
Citadel (the 8th and the 13th centuries) is undoubtedly the most important one. The Citadel
hosts the National Union Museum with its two buildings: the Union Hall and the Babylon
building (a monument of architecture). The documentary library “Batthyanaeum” with.
60,000 books, set up in 1794 is a cultural institution of world repute. The Roman Catholic
Cathedral (the 13th century) can be found here also. It is the oldest and most valuable
monument of architecture of Transylvania. The Cathedral of Reunion stands next to it. It was
built between 1921 and 1922 symbolizing the Romanian people’s idea of unity.

Arad

The town of UIROD was first mentioned in 1156; in another document dating from 1183 we
find the name ORADINUM.
In the Middle Ages a wide variety of cottage industries grew up here. A tool making industry
was established from 1835. On 6 April 1871 the 57km long railway line from Arad to
Timisoara (Temeschburg) was opened; the János Weitzer wagon works was founded in 1892
and the first electricity works in the town went into service in 1897. Initially operated with
piston steam generators, it was later rebuilt with steam turbines and supplied electricity not
only to Arad but also to the surrounding districts. In 1913 the electric narrow gauge
interurban from Arad to Pankota (58.4km) began to take electricity from this source. Whilst
the interurban has been cut back in recent years, Arad still has a metre gauge tram system,
some 30km in extent. It utilises Tatra and Timis cars.
Today Arad with its 200,000 inhabitants is after Timisoara the second largest town in the
Banat. In spite of extensive industry and rather soulless blocks of flats, it still has some
“sights”. The historical heart of the town centres on the Bulevardul Republicii. Here we can
find the Town Hall, the opera, the Hungarian Catholic church as well as shops and
restaurants.

Bacau

Lying at the crossroads of European routes, at the intersection of North-South and North
West-South East axes, drained by the rivers Bistrita and Siret, Bacäu was a wel1-known
customs post during the Middle Ages. It was mentioned in a written document 590 years ago.
A deed-a commercial privilege issued by Prince Alexander the Good in 1408 – mentions”the
flourishing market town of Bacau. “This assertion also appeared in “Descriptio Moldaviae
“by Dimitrie Cantemir, the prince with a European outlook and who was accepted in the
Academy of Berlin at the end of the 17th century. Other thousands of eloquent proofs
regarding the dynamic history of Bacau are stored in the new building of the Branch of State
Archives awaiting researchers.
Yet the town, a new urban centre, does not give up the values of the past which are attractive
tourist objective
Every year Bacau is the host of three important cultural events: the International Festival of
Contemporary Music – one of the most prestigious in the world, at its 15th edition in 1998-
the “George Bacovia” Literary Festival and the National Gala of Dramatic Recitals. Yearly,
at the beginning of October, for a week the events of “Bacau’s Days” takes place downtown
and in its main cultural institutions. Representatives of twin towns in Europe are invited to
this event as well as Romanian personalities of culture and art and those born there, but living
now in other parts of theworld.
One should not forget the Precista Church, built by Alexandrel, the son of Stephen the Great,
and the ruins of the Princely Court. In Iulian Antonescu Museum one can see a great deal of
archaeological discoveries among which objects belonging to the Geto-Dacian civilization
and the mediaeval age. The collections of the Art Museum include prestigious works, bearing
the signature of prominent personalities of the Romanian fine arts.
Baia Mare

Baia Mare, the county town, boasts arhitectural monuments dating back to the 15th century:
Stephen’s, the Butchers’ Bastion or the Elisabeta House. The Ethnography, Fine Arts of
Archaeology Museums are illustrative of the local specific character. Pride of place is held by
the Mineralogy Museum, probably the most visited museum, unique in the world due to the
minerals it displays.

Bistrita

Seat of the county, Bistrita municipality was first mentioned in a written document at the end
of the 12th century and still preserves the atmosphere of a mediaeval burgh due to its
numerous historical monuments. The Gothic Cathedral (1563) with its 75 m high stone tower
with clock is the symbol of the town. Equally important are the “Sugalete” architectural site
(made up of 13 buildings), and the old Town Hall, “Domus Consistorialis”, or the Jean le
Macon House. Numerous banners of the guilds that helped trade to develop in the area are
still preserved.
The municipal park hosts trees from various geographical zones that are protected by law,
among which highly interesting is the tulip tree.
Through its exhibits, the Bistrita County Museum reveals to its visitors the past and history of
the region.

Braila

The county town was for the first time mentionated in 1350 in a document which is part of
the Spanish geographic description titled “Libro del conoscimiento”.
In 1368, on 20 January, in the privilege Vladislav Vlaicu, ruling prince of Wallachia (1364-
1377), granted to the Brasov merchants Braila was called almost as it is called today,
“Brayla”, this actually marking the beginning of the recorded history of the town.
Between 1540 and 1829 Braila was under Turkish administration. After the Peace Treaty of
Adrianopol (l829) this territory joins Wallachia.
In the second half of the last century Braila wasthe second largest industrial and commercial
town of the country after the capital.
Along the years, but especially in the interwar period the schools of Braila, particularly the
“Nicolae Bälcescu” High School - a live museum of local education - gave great personalities
of the Romanian and even European spiritual life. That is why the “Maria Filotti” Drama
Theatre, the Puppet Theatre, the Art School play important part in the life of the town while
theBraila Museum, displaying rich historical and archaeological collections, is considered
one of the most important establishments of its kind in Romania.
One should not forget that the municipality boasts enterprises of the big industry -
metallurgy, machine building, chemical and woodworking, food, light and local - among the
best known at home and abroad being “Laminorul”, the Pulp, Paper and Artificial Fibre etc.

Brasov

Brasov - in German, Kronstadt - lies at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains. With a
population of 350.000, it is one of the biggest towns in Romania. The castle of Brasov was
founded in the Thirteenth Century by the Order of German Knights and built on the remains
of a 1,000 year-old settlement.
The symbol of Brasov is the so-called Black Church. The name derives from a fire in 1689
which blackened the walls with soot. It is the largest protestant cathedral in SE Europe and is
surrounded by many well-maintained old buildings which record Brasov’s eventful past: the
Fifteenth Century town hall, the Cerbul Carpatin Restaurant, the Ecatherina’s Gate and the
nearby Blacksmiths’ Bastion.

Buzau

The name Buzau comes from the Greek Mousaios the town lying at the junction of the four
Romanian provinces: Wallachia, Moldavia, Transylvania and Dobrogea. An important
industrial centre, with modem branches, which emerged between 1970-1990, the town has
two representative architectural objectives: the Bishop Palace, going back to the 15 th century
and restored by Matei Basarab in the 16th century, and the Communal Palace built at the
beginning of this century, nowadays the headquarters of the Town Council

Campulung Moldovenesc

It is situated at the foot of Mount Rarau in the valley of the River Moldova, its picturesque
ness being quite unique.
It was first mentioned in documents in 1411. Câmpulung Moldovenesc has all it takes to be a
climatic resort. The town has a modern hotel (“Zimbru”) and youth comp.
The Museum of Woodcraft is found here. It has a rich ethnographic material, the I.Tugui
collection having over 4 500 wooden spoon from all over Romania and from other countries.
It also includes over 1,300 models of embroideries, carpets, old and new coins. The
monument “Dragos Voda and Zimbrul”, by Ion Jalea, complete the attraction sites of the
town.
From Campulung Moldovenesc there are numerous routes towards the Rarau Mountains,
dominated by Pietrele Doamnei (1651 m), a natural monument.

Caracal

Former seat of Romanati county, Caracal lies in the middle of the plain that bears its name. It
is a well individualized town with old urbanistic traditions . The People’s Theatre, the “Toti
Sfintii/All Saints” Church, the memorial house of outcast Iancu Jianu, the vestiges of Romula Citadel are places
of real tourist interest.

Constanta

The county town was founded 2,500 years ago by the Greeks of Milet under the name of
Tomis and it soon became an important economic and commercial centre due to the
exchanges of goods between the Greek colonist and the Getic leaders.
The Archeological Museum of Constanta exhibits an important collection of Roman statues
of which two are particularly: the statue of Goddess fortune and of Pontos the protector of
town, and that of Snake Glycon – discovered in 1962 under the old railway station.
The square named after poet Ovidiu – who lived in exile in Constanta between AD 8 and 17,
author of the famous “Tristia” and “Epistulae ex Ponto”- also houses the Roman Mosaic, an
interesting architectural and artistic compound of the 4th – 6th centuries.
The mosaic of the oiiginal pavement with an area ci 2,000 m2 , of which only 700m2 have
been preserved, is, owing to its size and decorative elements, one of the most important in
Europe.
The Turkish domination is recalled by the Mahmoud II Mosque, while the Genoese’s built a
stone pier and a lighthouse which is still in operation near the recreation port.
The name of the town has been altered many times throughout its history. Thus, the
Byzantines called it Constantiana, then Constantia, after the name of one of Emperor
Constantine the Great’s sisters. The Genoese’s called it Constanza and the Ottomans
Kustendje.
After the Independence War (1877), after the I the Cemavoda bridge (1890-1895), of the
Bucharest-Cernavoda railway line, after the development and modernization of the old sea
port (1897-1901) and the building of the silo in the potr Constanta became the main sea port
of Romania and an important trailing centre. As a matter of fact, through its geographical
location, Constanta has always been a maritime port. When the present extension and
upgrading works are finished, Constanta will be the second largest port in Europe, after
Rotterdam, with 260 berths and an annual 237 million tones transit capacity.

Caransebes

The second municipality, and the second town of the Caras-Severin county in point of
population, Caransebes is an urban centre with long-standing cu1tural and educational
traditions its recorded history going back to 1289. The economy is represented mainly by the
machii building industry and woodworkir industry.The town hosts the Orthodox Bishopric
and “Ioan Popasu” Theological Seminary. Caransebes is an important railway and road
junction for the entire western and south-western part of the country. The town also has the
only airport of the county. From a tourist point of view the town on the Timis and the Sebes
boasts important attractions and is the starting point of routes to Muntele Mic and Tarcu.

Carei

The settlement was first recorded in 1320- Villa Karul. A stronghold was erected in the centre
of the present town in 1592 which, in time, loses its importance. In the wake of the successive
transformations undergone in the 18th and 19th centuries it was turned into the present castle
in baroque style of the Karolyi family.
It began to develop as a town in the first half of the 18th century through the colonization of
the Swabians. At the end of the 18th century the town was county seat acquiring an ever
greater economic and cultural importance. Carei was the settlements were the last battles
were fought in Romania in World War II.
The Memorial in Carei, erected by sculptor Vida Gheza in 1964 renders the best, it seems, the
symbol of what the 20th century meant, a century of great wars and catastrophes, a century of
communist ideology but also a century of great progress and hopes for the better especially
after December 1989.

Cluj-Napoca

Old centre of Romanian culture and civilization Cluj Napoca municipality lies in the middle
of the countyat the crossroads of important roads of national and international interest. The
most important urban settlement in Transylvania has two names: Napoca is the name of the
ancient Dacian citadel while Cluj is the Latin name it received later (meaning that the town is
closed, surrounded by hills). After Dacia was conquered by the Roman Empire, Napoca was
upgraded to the rank of municipium becoming the capital of Dacia Porolissensis when it was
for the first time mentioned in a written document.
Cluj-Napoca stands out as an outstanding cultural centre through its two drama theatres, two
opera houses, two puppet theatres, four houses of culture, the philharmonic, six museums
among which the National Museum of History of Transylvania which dates back to the 19th
century, more precisely to 23 September 1859 when the Transylvanian Museum Society was
set up. At present this institution boasts a rich heritage - 366,130 items.
The Botanical Gardens, the second in Europe in point of importance, hold pride of place. One
should also mention the three large libraries with valuable, unique books.
The municipality has direct access to railway main lines and highways which secure links not
only with Bucharest and the major towns of the country but also with foreign countries. There
are also the facilities offered domestic travel by the airport lying in the eastern part of the
town.

Craiova

Mound the year 225, “Tabula Peutingeriana” – a map of the main roads of the Roman Empire
– mentioned the Pelendava settlement between the Oltenia Plain and the Getic Plateau. The
settlement will be later referred to under the name of Craiova, in a letter of the ruler Laiota
Basarab, in 1445.
The old Craiovesti noblemen families gave to Wallachia many voivodes, such as Michael the
Brave and Constantin Brâncoveanu.
The history of this area is told to the visitors by over 150,000 exhibits, by collections of
manuscripts by archaeological findings, by coin collections, by clothes of that epoch and
other proofs now found in Oltenia Museum.
Hosted by Jean Mihail Palace, the Art Museun has priceless collections, a special place being
held by Constantin Brâncusi’s famous sculptures such as: “The Kiss”, “Head Of A Boy”,
“Head Of A Girl”, “Torso Of A Woman”, “Vitelius”. “Casa Baniei” (the Ban’s Residence) is
one of the oldest civil buildgs. Nearby there is the Saint Dumitru Church, the saint patron of
Craiova, the Metropolitan Cathedral and the ruins of Horezu Inn, built under the rule of
Constantin Brâncoveanu. The rich patrimony of Craiova contains architectural and cultural
values, including many old churches: Obedeanu, Saint George and the Cosuna-Bucovat
Monastery which distinguish themselves through the unique quality of the frescos. All this
completes the picture of a community with a powerful social and cultural life.
Many other places are in dispute for the fame of being the most valuable buildings bearing
the marks of history Nicolae Balcescu National College, Jean Mihail Palace the Metropolitan
Palace, the Central Building of the University, Minerva Complex, the Prefecture headquarters
and the Town Hall. They all stand proof of our national characteristics and of an unnvalled
interior decoration. The new building of the National Theatre in Craiova is the expression of
our tradition the valences of the Rómanian creative genius being obvious.
The period between the two World Wars played an important role in the economic and social
development of Craiova. The town begins showing a new personality, it becomes a powerful
industrial centre. It keeps developing constantly, Craiova becoming an important name in
electrical engineering the automotive, chemical and food industries. The modern
constructions mark the beginning of a genuine metropolis open to economic, cultural and
tourist initiatives.

Dej

Dej is situated in the north-east of the Cluj county at the junction of rivers Somesul Mic and
Somesul Mare, at the crossroads of important railway lines and roads connecting it to Cluj-
Napoca, Baia Mare, Satu Mare Deda, Bistrita, Vatra Dornei. Among the most important
industrial branches one may mention the manufacture of pulp and paper, furniture refractory
materials, canned vegetables, fruit and meat, concentrated juices and soft drinks.
Worth mentioning are the Reformed Church - a Gothic building of the 15th century, the “Dr.
Teodor Mihaly “ and “Dr. Alexandru Vaida-Voievod”memorial housees, Baile Ocna Dej
recommended in rheumatism neurosis and debility

Drobeta-Turnu Severin

The present beauty of the county town – known as the town of roses highly preferred by
retired people - is generated by a mixture of the past and the present whose landmarks are a
daring architecture, an infrastructure for science and culture and, last but not least, diligent,
open and hospitable people. They exploit the riches of the subsoil (limestone, sand, granite,
pit coal, non-ferrous ores) and operate the Heavy Water. Chemical Combine ROMAG
DRUBETA, an enterprise unique of its kind in Europe including Canadian know-how and
an original Romanian solution materialized in a high- quality product nuclear reactors need.

Faurei

The second largest town of the Braila county was upgraded to this status in 1968 following
the new administrative - territorial division of the country. It is an important railway junction
and has economic and transport enterprises, banks, a house of culture, a hospital, a high
school etc.

Fetesti
One of the important railway junctions of the country, Fetesti is a potential landmark on the
route to the seaside The complex of bridges across the Danube, the highway segment, the
garment and knitwear factories or the canned food enterprise have made this town famous far
beyond the country’s boundaries.

Fosani

Until 1862, the settlement was divided into Focsanii Munteniei (the Wallachian Focsani) and
Focsanii Moldoveni (the Moldavian Focsani). Al. I. Cuza, the first ruler of the United
Principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia, unified them on 24 January 1859. The first
institutions of the unified Romanian State - the Central Commission and the Supreme Court -
worked in Focsani, so that the town was considered the first capital of the United
Principalities.
After the accomplishment of the unitary national state (1 December 1918), the settlement
developed spiritually and socially, while in the second half of the 20th century it developed
economically and culturally. The civic center of Focsani is dominated by the Obelisk of the
Union, built by the sculptor Ion Jalea in the middle of a mosaic. It is a masterpiece of
decorative art inaugurated in mid-‘70s
Focsani in one of the biggest centers which produces wines and exports them to Europe,
America and Japan

Galati

It seems that the name of Galati comes from the old name of “GALATA” but there are many
hypotheses m connection with this matter.
There also are several opinions as regards the recorded history of the town, but
archaeological findings and documents impose the conclusion that Galati market town was
founded at the beginning of the 15th century, becoming the major port of Moldavia towards
the end of the same century.
The traveler that comes to Galati has the opportunity to see the “Precista” fortified church, a
valuable monument of Romanian mediaeval architecture founded by Vasile Lupu in 1647;
the building of the University of Galati; the building of the Prefecture and of the Galati
County Council built in 1911 after the plans of architect Ion Mincu; the Museum of Visual
Arts and the History Museum; the “Alexandru loan Cuza” Memorial House - the prince of
the 1859 Union; the Episcopal Church of the Lower Danube; the River Boat Terminal and the
head office of NAVROM Galati built after the plans of Anghel Saligny; the Drama Theatre
of Galati; the V.A. Urechia Library

Iasi

The town is like a natural amphitheatre lying on seven hills being known also as the Little
Rome.
Those who talk about 1a~i inevitably think of its high level of education, of its important role
in research, of its rich cultural and architectural heritage. As a matter of fact, the town is
known as Romania’s spiritual capital.
Iasi ranks second after Bucharest in point of number of students but it is the oldest university
centre of the country. The first Academy - Academia Vasiliana - was set up in 1640 its
courses being attended also by foreign students. Now in Iasi there are 12 universities, three of
them being the oldest in the country: the “Alexandu loan Cuza” University, the “Gh. Asachi”
Technical University and the “George Enescu” Art University.
The status of important cultural centre is renddered by numerous cultural establishments:
three theatres among which the “Vasile Alecsandri” National Theatre dating bak to 1894-
1896, 16 museums and memorial houses, including the oldest in the country: Ion Creanga’s
Hovel, 267 libraries. Three foreign cultural centers add to the cultural heritageof the town
founded as early as 1484-1493: French, German and Chilean; Greek, Polish and Austrian
chairs and the American library and the British Council.
Iasi stands out in the field of inventions housing the National Centre of Inventions. The only
Romanian holder Nobel Prize - George Emil Palade - was born in Iasi.
Iasi is also considered to be the first “museum-town” of Romania boasting 120 places of
tourist interest among which the oldest religious monument: the Princely St. Nicholas Church
founded by Stephen the Great (1491-1492) and the famous “Trei Ierarh i(Three Hierarchs)
Church”, entirely carved in stone, founded by Vasile Lupu between 1638 and 1639. The
Dosoftei House is the oldest lay monument. The first printing house in Moldavia functioned
there in 1679.
Renowned palaces like the Palace of Culture, the Rosetti, Roznovanu, Bals, Sturza and Ghica
palaces just as building with a distinct architecture which preserved their initial destination,
add beauty to the tourist heritage of the town besides its parks, gardens and recreation areas.

Lugoj

The second municipality of the Timis county has a population of 54,000 inhabitants, It is
situated in a hilly region with vineyards and orchards on the banks of the river Timis. At the
beginning there was a Roman. fortress in this place. Then, in 1369, it was mentioned as an
urban center under the authority of the “ban” of Severin. Lugoj is fairly considered the
spiritual center of Banat. It gave to world science and to culture personalities such as Eftimie
Murgu, Traian Vuia, Traian Grozdvescu, Ion Vidu, Tiberiu Brediceanu.
Nowadays the most important tourist attractions are the Assumption of the Virgin Mary
Orthodox Chiurch which is 300 years old, the Post Office Inn (a baroque monument dating
back to the 16th century), the Sf. Ntcolae Tower (the 14th century), the Sephardic Synagogue
(the 18th century), the galleries of contemporary painting and sculpture which are well-
known all over Europe due to the Lugoj Art School.
Oradea

Situated on the banks of the Crişul Repede River with a population of 200,000,
ORADEA is close to the site of Biharea - capital of a Vlach voivode Menumorut, who
resisted Hungarian claims on the region during the tenth century and bears the stamp of
its subsequent rulers. Founded around a monastery, the medieval town of Nagyvárad (as
bc Magyars still call it) prospered dining the reign of Mátyás Corvinus, who was raised at
the Bishop's court here, and later acquired a mammoth Vauban-style citadel and the
wealth of stately neoclassical, Baroque and Secession piles which constitute Oradea’s
most characteristic feature.
Oradea is the capital of Bihor county, known as the "Land of Hot Waters" for its
profusion of thermal springs, which have been exploited to create spas, of which Baile
Felix, 8 km from the city, is the most developed.
The city’s most, famous sights are in the north of town, just west of the train station.
Countless serfs toiled from 1752 to 1780 to build what is the largest Baroque building in
Romania, the Roman Catholic Cathedral, decorated with gold leaf and marble, with a
huge organ. Their labour was also doubtless exploited to build the vast U-shaped
Bishop’s Palace in the same leafy park; built by Franz Anton Hhllebrandt in 1762-77, it
was modeled on Lucas von Hildebrandt’s Belvedere Palace in Vienna.

Pascani

Lying in the Siret Valley, the town has been known for a long time as an important
railway junction and rolling stock repairing centre. In time, it became famous in the
country and abroad for its textile and curtain manufacturing enterprises. Pascani is a place
of tourist interest owing to its heritage. Worth mentioning are the Sf. Voievod Church
(1664), the Cantacuzino Pascanu House(the 17th century) with richly carved decorations.

Petrosani

The easy access to places of historical and tourist interest, the villas, hotels, motels inns
tourist complexes, mountain and forest chalets, the cable transportation and the ski slopes
alongside the traditional hospitality of the locals are only a few arguments making the
traveler visit this part of the country.
-The Museum of Mining.
-Mountaineering in the Parang and Valcan (Straja) Mountains and winter sports using
cable transportation.

Piatra-Olt

This town is known as an important junction of Pitesti - Bucharest, Craiova-Timisoara,

The county town was mentioned for the first time in a written document on 20 May 1388,
namely in a muniment signed by Prince Mircea the Old. The continuity of life on these
lands is attested by archaeological findings.
With its more than 200,000 inhabitants, Pitesti is 120 km far from Bucharest and only 20
km south of parallel 45 being crossed by the rivers Arges and Doamnei.
The employed population works in the numerous trading companies specializing in
machine building, petrochemical, woodworking, rubber, food, footwear, textile and other
industries.
While strolling through the town, the visitor is tempted to spend some quiet moments in
one of its many parks and gardens (strand, expo-park, Public Gardens, the Trivale forest
and park) which render it a specific charm. In spring the tawn is crowded with the tourists
who come for the annual feast of flowers called the “Tulip Symphony”, Pitesti being now
known as the Town of Tulips.
Art lovers can visit the County and Fine Arts Museums, the Naive Art Gallery,
monuments of mediaeval architecture, memorial houses, art galleries.
Sports fans have the modem Olympic swimming pool a stadium for 25,000 and another
for 5,000, a sports hall with modern facilities so as various sports can be practiced all the
year round, a lawn tennis club.
The inhabitants of the town extend an invitation to all those who want to see picturesque
places where tradition goes hand in hand with modernism

Ploiesti

The county town lies 60 km north of Bucharest and 40km (30 minutes by car) from the
International Otopeni Airport on the modern highway linking it to the country’s capital.
Founded by the ruling prince Mihai Viteazu (Michael the Brave) in 1597, the town
celebrated 400 years of recorded history. Since then the town has developed due to its
favorable geographical location, at the crossroads of important commercial routes, and to
the biggest oil reserves in the country (the first refinery started operating here in 1857).
The traditions of a major oil centre are eloquently presented in the National Oil Museum,
unique in Romania and among the very few in the world.
Another unique museum is that of “Clocks along the time” displaying clocks from
various epochs, exhibits of great historical value. In Ploiesti there are many other
museums, monuments and art galleries highly attractive for tourists.

Radauti

It is situated on the plain between the rivers Suceava and Sucevita, 37 km from Suceava
being one of the oldest Moldavian settlements, known from the 14th century. In this town
travelers discover the Bogdan monument of Mediaeval Architecture (on the BogdanVoda
Boulevard), built by Bogdan I (1359-1365) and they will also discover the Museum of
Bucovina Folk Techniques (in Republicii Square).
Founded in 1934, it presents objects reflecting the traditional occupations of the
inhabitants, as well as collections of ceramics of Radauti, Marginea, Kuty etc.

Ramnicu Valcea
Occupying an area of almost 9,000 hectares, Râmnicu Vâlcea has 120,000 inhabitants
within its boundaries. As many as 610 years passed since Mircea eel Batran/Mircea the
Old gave “the mill in Ramnic built by the grace of Dan Voevod” to the town where he
ruled, to Cozia. Mircea eel Batran signed on 20 May 1388 a deed offering the mill to his
town, which would become the first document mentioning the name of The seat of the
county. For over six centuries, the land between the Capela and Cetatuia Hills in the west
and the River Olt in the east the land between Transylvania and Tara Olteniei has kept
developing. Nowadays Ramnicu Valcea is a town having its own identity and keeps
developing from all points of view.
Tourism adds to the other advantages of Ramnicu Valcea, so that the town has what to
show to its guests. In the south, there is the “General Gheorghe Magheru Museum
Complex”, where the revolutionaries of 1848 had their military camp 150 years ago. In
the north there are the Cetatuia Hill audits monastery, built in 1677 on the site where
Radu de la Afumati and his son had been killed by discontented noblemen in 1529.
Therefore Ramnicu Valcea has enough reasons to be considered a really interesting
tourist sight. There are a few things that must be mentioned: the “Ramnic Bishopric”
(built between the 17th and 19th centuries, its walls being painted by Gheorghe
Tattarescu and Grigore Zugravu), the “Independence Monument” (made by the sculptor
I.Iordanescu in 1915), the “Capela Hill” (it offers a wonderful bird’s eye view of the
entire town) the “Sf. Paraschiva Church” (Patrascu cel Bun, the father of Mihai
Viteazul/Michael the Brave, started building it) or the peaceful oasis of the “Zavoi Park”.
In this park, on 29 July 1848, the anthem “Awake, Ye, Romanian!”) was for the first time
associated with the oath of allegiance on the fundamental law of the county.
The County Museum of History has exhibits of priceless value. There are over 50,000
proofs which speak about the existence of the Romanians here from very ancient times.
The artistic life is also one of the attractions of Ranmicu Valcea: the “Ion Dumitrescu”
Philharmonic Orchestra, the “Anton Pann” Theatre, the “Arid” Youth Theatre, the branch
of the Plastic Artists Union.

Resita

The town of Resita (Reschitz, Reschitza) is situated on the River Birzava in the Banat
Mountains, and has been an industrial centre for centuries. Between 1742 and 1880 a
smelting industry established itself here and steel was produced in the latter half of the
Nineteenth Century; the first rails were rolled as early as 1851. The Austrian StEG
locomotive works founded a subsidiary in Resita in the 1870s; this later became better
known as the Rcsta locomotive works.
The first tramway was opened in 1988-89. It is 9.5km long and consists of two lines.
When it was opened, 22 trains were available for use - today not one is operable!
The town also has an interesting locomotive open air museum. In addition to various
industrial laces, it also has on display some locos from forestry railways, from Anina
(700mm) and Curtea de Arges (760mm). The most notable CFR loco is undoubtedly
142.072 - a large 2-8-4 derived from the Austrian 214 class. The oldest loco exhibited is
“Szekul”, a 948mm gauge works locomotive, the first loco built at Resita.

Rosiori de Vede

It is one of the oldest market towns of Romania dating back to the 14th century. A former
seat of the county, the town is now a powerful commercial centre owing to its railway
connections. Here there is one of the biggest rolling stock repairing works, knitwear
curtain and textile factories, farm machinery manufacturing enterprises, as well as units
of the food industry (beer, edible oil, biscuits, milk etc.). The Museum, or close by, at
Silistea-Gumesti, the “Marin Preda” Memorial House, or at Didesti the “Gala Galaction”
Memorial Exhibition are points of interest to those who travel in the area.

Satu Mare

The northernmost urban settlement on the river Somes Satu Mare municipality came into
being more than one thousand years ago round one of the defense strongholds (castrum
Zotmar) of Prince Menumorut. The fortress and town of Satu Mare located at the
crossroads of old merchant routes played throughout the Middle Ages an important
economic, political and military role. In the 18th century, after it had been destroyed and
rebuild several times, the citadel of Satmar disappeared, the century marking the ever
more powerful urbanization of the settlement
A few places of attraction - the Roman Catholic Cathedral begun in 1786, the Firemen’s
Tower in the centre of the town built in 1904, the Museum with its archaeology history,
ethnography and art sections (the latter being hosted by a building erected in the 18th
century in a neo-Gothic and baroque style and declared historical monument - attest to
the history and civilization of the region.

Sibiu

Sibiu - its former German name was Hermannstadt - was once the capital of
Siebenbürgen. Despite the name change this 800 year-old town still retains some of its
German character. In the old town in the centre we can find a medieval square and
narrow, twisty alleyways.
The Piata Republicii, the true centre of Sibiu, is surrounded by historical buildings. The
Brukenthal Museum, once the palace of the Governors of Siebenburgen, contains one of
greatest collections of art in all Romania. Of equal interest are the fourteenth century
town hail tower and the Bishop’s Palace. In the “Piata 6 Martie” old guild houses can be
seen, as can the Old Pharmacy. The Protestant Church is in the Piata Grivita.

Sighetu Marmatiei

The second largest town of the county, Sighetu Marmatiei is an important tourist and
cultural centre. Worth mentioning is the Ethnography and Folk Art Museum, with an
outdoor section, an already famous Festival of Winter Folk Customs and Traditions is
hosted by Sighet every year at the end of December. Also here one may visit the former
prison now called “Memorial to Arrested Thought” and arranged as museum.

Sighisoara

Sighioara lies at 425m above sea-level and has 30,000 inhabitants. It is one of the
architectural jewels of Romania and the uniquely attractive old town has over l50listed
buildings all dating from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.
The best preserved castle in Transylvania rises over the centre of the town. It was built in
1191 on the ruins of a Roman camp. In the Middle Ages the castle wall had 16
watchtowers, each maintained and defended by a different guild. A tour of the town
should begin at the clock tower, 64 metres high and dating from the 14th century. Small
figures indicate the time and days of the week. The tower is host to the oldest pharmacy
in Romania and contains many old medical instruments. There is also a museum in the
tower, which displays finds and documents from the Dacian and Roman times. The tower
can be climbed and offers wonderful views over the town. The “school steps”, with its
178 steps and protected. by a wooden roof takes us from the clock tower to the castle
school, from where the nine surviving watchtowers can be viewed. Near the school, built
in 1607, is the late gothic castle church with a collection of memorial slabs and guild
banners. Opposite the tower is the House of Vlad Tepes - the original “Count Dracula”. A
plaque on the wall attests to this being the birthplace of The Count and the building itself
contains a collection of medieval weapons and an excellent restaurant. In addition
mention should be made of the 13th century church of the former Dominican monastery
with its collection of oriental carpets.

Suceava

The administrative and political centre of the county, a genuine value for tourism in
Bucovina, is situated on the European Road E 20, 433 km from Bucharest (one hour by
plane).
Mentioned in documents for the first time in 1388, under the rule of Petru I Musat,
Suceava was for a long time the capital of Moldavia. It developed under the rule of
Stefan cel Mare and Petru Rares.
The capital of the county has developed economically and culturally by capitalizing on
the resources of wood, metal and glass, the farm raw materials and the spiritual creation
as well.
A series of cultural events taking place all year round contribute to familiarizing tourists
with traditions, customs and folk costumes. It is worth mentioning “Voronetiana”, “Lira
de aur” (The Gold Lyre), the National Contest of Poems “Nicolae Labis”, “The Festival
of Winter Customs”.
Suceava is accessible by car, by train or by plane. The municipality is penetrated by E85
and E537, by the international railway Bucharest-Cernäuti-Lvov, having the stations
Suceava and North Suceava. The Salcea Airport may get international flights with all
necessary customs services.
Suceava shelters numberless tourist objectives: The Throne Fortress. It is situated in the
east of the town built by the voievode Petru I Musat, mentioned as early as 1388.It has
walls of over 10 meters in height and 4 meters in thickness. The Scheia Fortress - at 384
m altitude, built in the 14th century situated in the north-west of the town. It is rhomboid.
TheSf.Ioan cel Nou Monastery (Petru Rares1532). Keeps the relics of St.John the New
and it is a bishopric. The Sf. Dumitru Church (Petru Rares, 1535),the Sf.Neculai Church,
the Resurrection Church (1643, Vasile Lupu), the Zamca Church (built by Armenians
around 1600), the Teodoreni Monastery and many other mediaeval buildings.
The Equestrian Statue of Stephen the Great is masterpiece of the sculptor Eftimie
Bârleanu, unveiled in 1977 where the Throne Fortress dominates the, town.
Other attractive sites are the National Museum of Bucovina (founded in 1900, the Throne
Hall reconstituting the atmosphere at the Court of Stephan the Great, the Museum of
Natural Science.

Targu Jiu

The name of the county town comes from the fair once held on the banks of the Jiu
(“târg” meaning fair in Romanian) The settlement dates back to the Dacian age but it is
for the first time mentioned in a document in 1406 during the rule of Mircea the Old. It is
mentioned as a town at the middle of the 16th century when Mircea Ciobanul declared it
a bazaar. The town, just as the county, is linked to two well-known names of the
Romanian history: Tudor Vladimirescu (leader of a peasant uprising) and Ecaterina
Teodoroiu (heroine of World WarI).
Târgu Jiu has the privilege of hosting Brancusi’s monumental works: the Table of
Silence, the Gate of the Kiss and the Endless Column - symbol of the Gorj spirituality, of
the Romanian genius.

Targu Mures

Târgu Mures (Neumarkt) is the district town of Mures. The town itself lies on the left
bank of the river Mures at 332 metres above sea-level; it has 152,000 inhabitants. The
town has become an important industrial centre in recent years with many new buildings
and an enormous chemical works and its character has greatly changed - not always to its
advantage.
Nevertheless it can still offer some interesting sights. The most noteworthy building is the
Teleki Library, built by Count Samuel Teleki in the 18th century; its interiors have been
astonishingly well preserved. Today the Library contains 40,000 old prints, 80,000
antiquarian books amongst a total collection of 200,000 items. Since 1902 it has also
served as a public library.
Other important buildings include the Culture Palace, a castle dating from 1653, the
historic art museum and the Reformed Church constructed between 1316 and 1412.

Tecuci

Some researchers are of the opinion that the name of the town is of Slavic origin - “TEK-
UCIU” which means flowing water - others say that it comes from TEHEK-UCIU which
would mean the border of the country.
The town was first mentioned in a document on 1 September 1435 when Ilias Voievod
tells the King of Poland that he “made it up with his brother Stefan and received Lower
Moldavia as land which included the town of Tecuci with its surroundings
The development of the town is linked to its geographical location being crossed by the
“Siret road” which linked Northern Moldavia and Central Moldavia with Schela Galati
and the “salt mine road” on which the salt extracted from the salt mines of Târgu Ocna
was carried to Galati.

Timisoara
Timisoara, Temesvár in Hungarian and Temeschburg in German, was first mentioned in
1212. The most-important building is the baroque cathedral built between 1736 and 1754.
Also well-preserved is the 14th century Hunyade Castle, which was renovated a century
later. Today it is home to a part of the Banat Museum. In the town centre remains of the
old ramparts are still to be seen, as are the State Theatre, the Prince Eugene House and
the Town Hall.
A wagon repairs works was opened in Timisoara in 1897.
Today 325,000 people live in Timisoara, which is also the capital of the district of Timis.
Recently the town became known throughout the world as the centre of resistance to the
Ceausescu regime. It was here in December 1989 that the uprising which eventually led
to the dictator’s downfall began.
Vatra-Dornei

It is situated at the confluence of the Dorna and the Bistrita, 112 km from Suceava and 40
km from Câmpulung Moldovenesc, on the national road DN17, in the Dorna Depression
(800 m altitude). Vatra-Dornei, settlement founded in the 16th century, it is well-known
as an important spa resort.