Romania: facts you didn’t know + bonus map

Romania is a country that managed to surprise us at every turn. From the ancient history of the Dacians through the Dracula legends (yes, only legends!), the natural wonders of the Carpathians all the way to Ceaușescu’s megalomaniac buildings. If you want to know what facts about Romania are hiding out there, brace yourself – this country conceals far more than the usual guidebooks show.

Romania and its ancient history

Romania’s roots run deep into the past.

• One of the oldest modern human fossils in Europe (40,000 years) was found in the Peștera cu Oase cave.
  
• The whole area was home to the Dacians, feared warriors who worshipped the god Zalmoxis and carried dragon-headed standards into battle.
  
• Their important wealth was salt and gold – the Dacians already considered them their most precious treasures.

The Middle Ages and legends

After the fall of Rome, Romania split into three principalities: Wallachia, Moldavia and Transylvania.

• In the 15th century Vlad III Țepeș ruled – famous for his cruelty and the legend of impaling his enemies on stakes. His reputation became the template for the Dracula legend.
  
• The Moldavian ruler Ștefan cel Mare, by contrast, was a hero – he won dozens of battles against the Ottomans and had monasteries built that are now UNESCO listed.
  
• In the Orăștie mountains the remains of Dacian fortresses still stand, where legend says unimaginable treasure was hidden.

Romania’s treasures and riches

If you’re looking for stories about wealth, Romania won’t let you down.

• Roșia Montană: the oldest documented gold mines in Europe. The underground tunnels dug by the Romans are open to visitors today.
  
• The Pietroasele treasure: a 5th-century Visigothic gold hoard discovered in 1837. You’ll find the originals in the National History Museum in Bucharest.
  
• Salt – white gold: the salt mines at Turda, Slănic and Praid now serve as fascinating tourist attractions. Definitely a must-have!
  
• Wine: Romania is among the 10 largest wine producers in the world. Vines have been grown here since Roman times. We visited a winery ourselves and the experience was fantastic! We slept right on the vineyard, tasted and feasted for great money.

Facts about Romania’s natural side

Romanian nature is wild and authentic.

• The Danube Delta: the second-largest delta in Europe, UNESCO listed. Home to hundreds of bird species, including pelicans. Another fantastic full-day experience from the town of Tulcea.
  
• The Carpathian mountains: they cover 60 % of the country and are home to the largest brown bear population in Europe. That’s the sticking point, and it significantly affects not just tourism but above all people’s lives.
  
• The Bicaz gorge: high limestone walls and hairpin bends, often nicknamed the “Romanian Grand Canyon”.
  
• The thermal springs of Băile Herculane: a spa with a tradition going back to Roman times.

Iconic buildings and architecture

Romania is full of landmarks that will floor you.

• The Palace of the Parliament in Bucharest: the second-largest administrative building in the world, Ceaușescu’s megalomaniac project. It has over 1,000 rooms.
  
• Hunedoara (Corvin) Castle: one of the largest Gothic castles in Europe, full of legends and medieval atmosphere. We wrote about it in a previous article – definitely swap out a visit to “Dracula’s Bran Castle” for this one.
  
• The painted monasteries of Bukovina: eight unique monasteries with frescoes on their exterior walls; Voroneț is the famous one, with its iconic blue.
  
• The Merry Cemetery at Săpânța: a cemetery where death is treated with humour – the gravestones are decorated with cheerful inscriptions and paintings from the lives of the deceased.

The Transfăgărășan: the road over the Făgăraș mountains

One of the most famous roads in Europe, whether you’re a biker or a mountain lover. Built between 1970 and 1974 on Ceaușescu’s orders. It had a strategic purpose – to allow rapid army movement in the event of a Soviet invasion after 1968.

Construction was extremely demanding and official casualty figures were never published. Today the road winds through the mountains up to 2,042 m. In 2009 Top Gear called it “the best road in the world”.

Present-day facts

The Banat Czechs: around 3,000 Czechs live in the Banat region and still preserve their language and traditions. Definitely worth a visit. It rained on us for almost 60 % of our whole time in Romania. But the local people lifted our mood so much that we left completely thrilled despite the weather.

I’d think twice about the Banát festival – too many people.

Romanian: even though Romania is surrounded by Slavic languages, Romanian is a Romance language. It’s close to Italian and has preserved some Latin forms.

The statue of Decebalus: a 55-metre statue of the Dacian king on the bank of the Danube – the largest rock sculpture in Europe.

Romania: the facts you can go and see today

The best thing about Romania is that its riches aren’t only in textbooks.

• Roșia Montană – the Roman gold mines.
  
• Salina Turda – an underground salt cathedral with a Ferris wheel.
  
• The Transfăgărășan and the Transalpina – mountain roads with breathtaking views.
  
• Băile Herculane – natural thermal baths.
  
• The Dealu Mare and Târnave vineyards – tastings and accommodation among the vines.

Safety in Romania

When planning what to visit in Romania, keep safety in mind too – it’s been talked about a great deal lately, mainly because of bears in the southern Carpathians. Always check the current situation for bear activity in the area before you travel.

Bears are unfortunately the biggest worry for locals as well, and they’re calling for the number of culls to be increased.

As for nights in the big cities, you certainly don’t need to fear vampires, or any great level of crime. Just follow the general rules – don’t walk down empty alleys (not even to save time), don’t flash large amounts of cash and don’t leave things on your car seat.

We regularly filmed stories and posted about Romania, which you can watch in our highlights on our IG profile. We’d love it if you followed us too! 🙂

Is Romania cheap or expensive?

For me this was a closed case long before we left for Romania – it’s cheap there! The sobering up came a few hours after landing. Honestly, I’d say Romania is even pricier than back home.

• Fuel about 10 % more,
• lunch in a normal restaurant or kiosk around 150 CZK (8 $) a portion,
• a night for two in a hostel around 600-1,000 CZK (up to 50 $),
• entry to monuments 200-500 CZK (10-25 $) per person
• a draught beer 50-70 CZK (around 3-5 $) a half-litre

It’s obviously cheaper to shop in the usual chains (Lidl, Kaufland, Carrefour), though the situation doesn’t always allow for it. So I’d be prepared for the possibility that you’ll spend more than you originally planned.

Want more? There’s plenty more inspiring adventure to find on our blog or don’t miss out our other posts The seven wonders of Romania: discover the country’s hidden treasures or 11 best things to see in Romania + Map