General information

Geographical position. Romania is a country in the southeast of Europe. In the north it borders with Ukraine, in the east - with Moldova, in the south - with Bulgaria, in the southwest - with Serbia, in the west - with Hungary. In the southeast it is washed by the Black Sea.

Square. The territory of Romania is 237,500 sq. km.

Main cities, administrative divisions. The capital is Bucharest. Largest cities: Bucharest (2,090 thousand people), Constanta (350 thousand people), Iasi (343 thousand people), Timisoara (334 thousand people), Cluj-Napoca (328 thousand people) , Ploiesti (252 thousand people).

Administratively, Romania is divided into 39 counties; the capital of the country is singled out as an independent administrative-territorial unit.

Political system

Romania is a republic. The head of state is the president, the head of government is the prime minister. The legislature is a bicameral parliament consisting of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies).

Relief. The central part of the country is occupied by the Transylvanian basin, almost completely surrounded by mountains: in the north and east, by the Carpathians; in the south - the Transylvanian Alps, where the highest point of the country is located - Mount Moldoveanul (2544 m), in the west - the small mountains Vikhor. The rest of the territory of Romania is mostly flat. The most extensive plains are located on the border with Serbia - the Tisha Valley; between the Transylvanian Alps and Bulgaria - Wallachia; to the east from the Carpathians-Moldavia and on the Black Sea coast-Dobruzh.

Geological structure and minerals. On the territory of Romania there are deposits of oil, natural gas, coal, iron ore, non-ferrous metals.

Climate. The Transylvanian basin, the Carpathians and the western valleys have warm summers and cold winters. The temperature in summer sometimes reaches +38°C, and in winter it drops to -32°C. In Wallachia, Moldavia and Dobruja, summers are warmer and winters are not so cold.

Inland waters. The main river of Romania is the Danube, which forms part of the border with Serbia and almost entirely the border with Bulgaria. The Mures, Prut, Olt and Siresh rivers are part of the Danube system and are its tributaries. There are many small freshwater lakes in Romania, but the largest are the salt lakes-lagoons of the Black Sea, the largest of them is Lake Razelm.

Soils and vegetation. Vegetation is sparse in the Moldavian and Wallachian steppes, only fruit trees grow on the slopes of the hills. At the foot of the mountains there are deciduous forests dominated by oak, birch and beech. Above are coniferous forests, mostly pine and spruce.

Animal world. Large wild animals - wild boar, wolf, lynx, fox, bear, chamois, mountain goat and deer - live in the Carpathian mountains. Squirrel, hare, badger and ferret live in the valleys. There are many birds in Romania, and migratory birds stop in the Danube Valley, which is partly a nature reserve. There are a lot of fish in the rivers (pike, sturgeon, salmon, perch, eel).

Population and language

The population of the country is about 22.396 million people, the average population density is about 94 people per 1 sq. km. km. Ethnic groups: Romanians - 89%, Hungarians - 9%o, Germans - 0.4%, Ukrainians, Jews, Russians, Serbs, Gypsies, Croats, Turks, Bulgarians, Tatars, Slovaks. Languages: Romanian (state), German, Hungarian, Turkish, Serbo-Croatian, Yiddish.

Religion

Romanian Orthodox Church - 70%, Catholic Church - 6%, Protestants - 6%, Jews, Muslims.

Brief historical outline

In 106, the territory of modern Romania was conquered by the Roman emperor Trajan and annexed to the Roman Empire as the province of Dacia.

Starting from the III century. the territory of Dacia was subjected to constant raids by neighboring tribes of Goths, Huns and Bulgars.

In the ninth century Romania was under Bulgarian rule and was baptized into Orthodoxy.

In the XIII century. two Romanian principalities were formed - Wallachia and Moldavia, which are in vassal dependence on the Hungarian and Polish kings.

In 1526 Hungary was defeated by the Ottoman Turks; Wallachia and Moldavia came under the rule of the Ottoman Empire.

At the end of the XVI century. after an unsuccessful attempt to free themselves from the power of the Ottoman Empire in Wallachia and Moldavia, the system of government of the Phanariots was established, where the Greek rulers, appointed by the Turks, ruled. At this time, Greek became the official language of Romania.

In the middle of the XVIII century. as a result of the Russian-Turkish wars, the influence of the Ottoman Empire was significantly weakened, and the Phanariot system was abolished, Moldavia and Wallachia received greater autonomy, and Russia became the de facto overlord of these states. After the defeat of Russia in the Crimean War (1853-1856), its influence on Wallachia and Moldavia weakened.

In 1859, both states crowned a common prince, and in 1861 they united and were recognized by the Turkish sultan as an autonomous principality of Romania.

In 1878 Romania declared independence.

In 1881 the Kingdom of Romania was proclaimed.

In the 30s of the XX century. in Romania, a pro-fascist regime was established, led by Corneliu Gelea-Codreanu, the leader of the Iron Guard, and later Antonescu. In 1947 a republic was proclaimed in Romania.

April 13, 1948 adopted a new constitution based on the constitution of the USSR. The communist regime of Ceausescu was in power in the country until December 1989.

On December 22, 1989, power in the country passed to the National Salvation Council, and on December 25, Ceausescu and his wife Elena were executed.

Brief economic essay

Romania is an industrial-agrarian country. Extraction of coal, oil, natural and associated gas. Leading industries: mechanical engineering (transport, agricultural, electrical engineering, production of industrial equipment) and metalworking, ferrous and non-ferrous (aluminum, zinc, lead, copper smelting), metallurgy, chemical (production of acids, alkalis, mineral fertilizers, etc.) and petrochemical. The woodworking, pulp and paper, furniture, textile, clothing, and food industries are well developed. In agriculture, crop production of the grain direction prevails, the main grain crops are corn and wheat, technical ones are sugar beet, sunflower; vegetable growing, viticulture, fruit growing. In livestock breeding cattle, pigs, sheep, poultry. Beekeeping. Export: machinery and equipment, vehicles, chemical products.

The monetary unit is the lei.

A Brief Outline of Culture

Art and architecture. Bucharest. the Art Museum of Romania with a fine collection of Romanian, Western and Eastern art; National Historical Museum; Palace of Justice (1864); the palace of Stirbay (1835); building of the National Bank (1885); the presidential palace in the building of the 17th century; Konstakudilo Palace (1900); royal palace (1935); Arc de Triomphe (1920); the monasteries of Antim (1715); Patriarchal Church (1665). Cluj-Napoca. Church of St. Michael (1396-1432); Reformed Church 1486; the palace of Batanui, the former residence of the Transylvanian princes; Ethnographic Museum, located in the house where in the XV century. King Matt Corvinus of Hungary was born. Alba Julia. The citadel built by the Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI in 1716-1735; Cathedral of the 11th century, rebuilt in the 15th century. in the Gothic style; the oldest museum in Romania (opened in 1794). Brothers. Remains of the citadel of 1553, church of the XIV century. in the Gothic style; church of st. Bartholomew (XIII century); town hall 1420; Historical Museum in the building of the XV century. Iasi. Cathedral and two churches of the XV century. Oradea. The parish church in which the Hungarian king Laszlo the Holy is buried. Targu Mures. Gothic church of the 15th century; Teleki Palace. Timi Shoara. 18th century castle; Orthodox Cathedral; a pseudo-Gothic column in the center of the city, erected in 1851 by the Austrian emperor Franz Joseph I as a sign of the tenacity of the Timisoars who held out for 107 days against the army of the Hungarian revolutionaries in 1849

The science. D. Cantemir (1673-1723) - scientist, writer and politician, author of works on the history and geography of Moldova, the Ottoman Empire, etc.; V. Babesh (1854-1926) - microbiologist, one of the founders of serotherapy and vaccination.

Literature. Y. Agyrbiceanu (1882-1963) - writer, in whose work

realistic depiction of life in Transylvania in the 1st half of the 20th century. combined

with the Affirmation of Christian morality (the novels "Archangels", "Sectarians", "The Law of the Flesh").

Mysterious Romania attracts tourists with its history and beauty of natural places. Many of them believe that all the medieval castles of this country are inhabited by vampires. The legends of Count Dracula excite the imagination of travelers. Gothic castles in the forests, with their spiers in the sky, seem to be a reflection of national myths.

However, most tourists know Romania as a classic European country. There are many majestic buildings in the capital. The rich and diverse culture of the country is represented in ethnographic museums. Dense forests are most often the territory of a nature reserve or national park. The charm of the cozy atmosphere of small towns in Europe can be found in Brasov, Sibiu or Sighisoara. Each historical region of Romania is attractive in its own way and has its own flavor.

The best hotels and hostels at affordable prices.

from 500 rubles/day

What to see in Romania?

The most interesting and beautiful places, photos and a brief description.

1. Bran Castle

Also known as Dracula's castle, as during the campaigns the voivode Vlad Tepes-Dracula often stopped here for the night. It was he who was the prototype of the hero of Stoker's novel. Bran Castle was built in the 14th century as a defensive fortress. Subsequently, two defensive towers were added to it. Long labyrinth corridors lead through the premises of the castle, and from the well there is a passage to the underground premises.

2. Palace of Parliament (Bucharest)

3. Park of King Mihai I (Bucharest)

Founded in 1936. It is located next to Place Charles de Gaulle in an area where there were marshes in the past. Most of the park is occupied by Lake Herestrau. The attractions of the park are the royal residence "Elizabeth's Palace" and the Museum of the Romanian Village. Part of the park is occupied by a recreational area designed for recreation of city residents and travelers. In this part of the park there are paths and benches.

4. Alba Carolina Fortress (Alba Iulia)

An ancient fortress, built in 1715-1738. It is interesting for its unusual heptagonal shape for buildings of this type. Some believe that the architects built it in the form of a star. The fortress was built as a defensive structure during the invasion of the Turks, but it participated in only one battle - against the Hungarians. The walls of the fortress are well preserved, in one of them a hotel was built in the "Middle Ages" style.

5. Sfatului Square (Brasov)

Also called City Council Square. The oldest square in the city of Brasov, a large number of medieval historical buildings and architectural monuments are concentrated on it. Including the interesting building of the town hall of the XV century, which now houses the historical museum. A large number of excursion routes pass through the noisy and crowded square; fairs or mass festivities often take place on it.

6. Historic center of Sibiu

Sibiu is a city in Transylvania, a historical region of Romania. The center of this city is a contender for protection as a UNESCO site. Conventionally, it is divided into two parts. Architectural monuments are concentrated in the Upper Town, where wealthy segments of the population lived. The lower city will show tourists the life of workshops and artisans. The narrow cozy streets of the center turn into squares, where, as a rule, a church is located.

7. Historic center of Sighisoara

The city itself was founded in the XIII century by settlers from Saxony. They built a fortress on a hill, which later formed one of the most beautiful cities preserved from the Middle Ages in Europe. The historic center of Sighisoara is rightfully included in the UNESCO heritage list. Its symbol is the Clock Tower 64 meters high. It was built at the same time as the fortress. Costumed processions and tournaments are held on the square of the center.

8. Lipscany Street (Bucharest)

The street is called the heart of the old city. In the past, fairs and auctions were held on it, and even now there are many different shops on it - souvenir, book, wine, tea. In the evening, bars and restaurants begin to work, and the active nightlife of this street begins. Many buildings in this part of the city were damaged during World War II. And now the most fashionable boutiques of the city are located in the restored buildings.

9. Botanical Garden in Cluj-Napoca

It is the botanical garden of the Babes-Bolyai University. The garden bears the name of the Romanian botanist of this university - Alexander Borza. Research activities are carried out in this popular place among tourists. More than 10,000 plants brought from all over the world grow on 14 hectares of the garden. Some areas are decorated with themed landscapes. A pagoda was built in the Japanese Garden, and ancient Roman artifacts were installed in the Roman Garden.

10. Peles Castle (Sinai)

The ancient castle in the Carpathian region is an architectural monument. After construction in 1914, it was a royal residence. The luxury of the interiors is amazing. Decorations are wall painting, stained-glass windows, carvings. In the park around the palace there is a garden with many sculptures. Currently, the castle houses the Historical Museum. In it you can see a collection of weapons and armor of the Middle Ages, works of art.

11. Corvin Castle (Hunedoara)

An ancient castle of the Hunyadi family, built in the 15th century on the site of a small fort with a single defensive tower. During its existence, the castle has changed more than 20 owners, each of which rebuilt and completed it to his taste. As a result, the architecture represents different styles from the Renaissance to the Gothic Revival. Now the castle houses a museum. The road to it passes through a gigantic bridge.

12. Rasnov Fortress

Built by the Knights of the Teutonic Order back in 1215. Its main purpose was to protect the local civilian population. When threatened with an attack, the villagers took refuge behind the walls of the citadel, which had everything necessary for life - houses, a school, a chapel. In the middle of the fortress there is a well 146 meters deep. According to legend, Turkish prisoners of war dug it in an attempt to save their lives.

13. Black Church (Brasov)

Lutheran ancient church, built in the XIV century. Located in Transylvania. The height of this building in the Gothic style is 65 meters. The church got its name after the fire of the Great Turkish War. The fire covered the walls of the church with soot. The temple is active. But tourists are allowed to go inside and see the ancient artful frescoes, sculptures, as well as magnificent carpets that adorn the interior.

14. Stavropol Church (Bucharest)

A sacred place for many pilgrims. Believers from all over Europe come to the church to see the unique religious artifacts. For example, particles of the relics of the apostles Peter and Andrew. Travelers admire the design of the church. The best traditions of Byzantine and Romanian architecture intertwined in its appearance. The peculiarities of the interior are the exquisite subtlety of the design of frescoes and paintings, as well as the altar.

15. Horezu Monastery

Located in the historical place of Romania - Valahau. Built in 1690. The architecture of the monastery is a magnificent example of the Brynkovyan style, which originated in this area. The internal painting of the church at the monastery was made by the invited master Konstantin. Many of his drawings have survived to this day. The monastery is protected by UNESCO as an object of world cultural and historical value.

16. Churches of the historical region of Moldova

Moldova is a region in the northeast of the country. 8 churches of this area are under the protection of UNESCO. The years of church construction are between 1487 and 1532. Churches differ in different styles of decoration and architecture, they are painted in different colors. Excursion tours to the churches of Moldova are popular with travelers, even those who are not related to religion. One does not need to be an expert to appreciate the architectural and spiritual value of these churches.

17. Romanian Ateneum (Bucharest)

A magnificent concert hall in the capital of Romania. Built in 1888 on the initiative of Romanian artists. The Concert Hall is the main venue for the George Enescu Orchestra of the Bucharest Philharmonic. The building was built in the neoclassical style with elements of romanticism. Its architecture contains both columns and a dome with a spire, as well as rich external and internal decor. There is a park around the concert hall.

18. National Museum of Art of Romania (Bucharest)

It is located in the center of Bucharest and occupies the building of the former royal palace. The museum's exhibitions feature exhibits of various subjects - weapons, coins, books, antique clothes and furniture. Particular attention is paid to art objects. The works of local masters are united in the Gallery of Modern Romanian Art and there is a separate exposition of works by masters of painting and sculpture from abroad.

19. Palace of Culture (Iasi)

Under the roof of the Palace of Culture, four museums of the national complex of Moldova and the Center for the Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage are united. 298 rooms of the palace were provided for their needs. The central hall is decorated with mosaics on the floor depicting animals from the Bestiary. The entrance to the Palace of Culture is through the Clock Tower. The building has survived 14 fires and several extensive renovations.

20. Museum of the Romanian Village (Bucharest)

One of the oldest museums of ethnography in the world. Founded in 1936. The open-air museum is located by Lake Herestrau. On its vast territory there are more than 300 buildings brought from different parts of Romania. They are united in 76 complexes. All types of architecture of villages in the country are represented. The oldest buildings of the museum date back to the 15th century. Wooden and water mills are especially interesting for inspection.

21. ASTRA (Sibiu)

The theme of the complex is devoted to the Romanian civilization. The open-air exposition is a large platform that presents the life and culture of Romanians. Among the exhibits there are such buildings as farmers' houses, schools, religious buildings. Life is shown clearly - many men and women dressed in national costumes show how the household work is done. It will take about 4 hours to visit this complex.

22. Merry Cemetery

Located in the village of Sepyntsa. A unique feature is the attitude to the death of local residents, they do not regard the death as a gloomy and tragic event. And the tombstones of the graves at the Merry Cemetery are bright and colorful, with original drawings and poems. Often they depict the life of a deceased person, its most striking episodes. The cemetery is accessible to visitors at any time, thousands of tourists come here every year.

23. Salt mine in the city of Turda

Salt springs in this area have been known for a long time. The first mention of them dates back to 1075. In 1992, tourists were allowed inside the mine, and the object quickly gained popularity among travelers. In addition to visiting the salt "palace" - as the cave is often called, a wellness center was founded in it. There are gyms and treatment rooms. Excursions to the underground lake are popular; you can sail on it by boat.

24. Southern Carpathians

This part of the Carpathian mountain system is called the Transylvanian Alps. The highest mountain is Moldoveanu - 2544 meters. It is located on the Fagaras mountain range. The slopes of the mountains are covered with forests, and at the beginning of summer there is still snow on their peaks, there are large glacial lakes. More accessible for hiking is Mount Tympa near the city of Brasov. The tourist infrastructure is well developed on its slopes.

25. Scarisoara Cave

Large ice cave in the Apuseni mountains. Romanians call it a natural wonder of their country. The cave was formed about 3500 years ago, its exploration began at the beginning of the 20th century. Even now, access is not open everywhere for tourists, as scientists continue to work in it. For visitors, the descents and ascents are equipped with stairs. The total length of the cave is over 700 meters. The temperature in it does not exceed 0 degrees.

26. Mud volcanoes in Buzau

They are located on the territory of a natural reserve. Appeared as a result of an earthquake in 1977. 4 craters almost daily erupt streams of mud containing many chemical elements. Mud flows, drying up, form unusual landscapes with deep cracks, similar to the surface of the moon. For tourists on the territory of the reserve there are several hotels and sites for setting up tents.

27. Bucegi Sphinx and Bebele

Rock formations that are included in the list of natural wonders of Romania. Located on the territory of the Buchedgi Natural Park at an altitude of more than 2000 above sea level. The unusual shape of the rocks is due to erosion and wind. The figure of the Sphinx from a certain angle really resembles the figure of a mythological animal. Babel is Romanian for "old women", but it's a little more difficult to see the outlines of old women.

28. Retezat

National park, UNESCO protected area. Located in the mountains, the highest point is Mount Peleaga - 2509 meters. The landscape of the park is diverse - mountain peaks and alpine meadows, rocks and pine groves. Among the rich alpine flora there are many large predators - a wolf, a brown bear, a lynx. Of the birds in the park, 120 species are represented, including golden eagles, eagle owls, and vultures. Reptiles are represented by poisonous vipers.

29. Iron Gate Nature Park

The park got its name because of the area in the Danube valley, where the Carpathian and Staro Planina mountains converge. Near this territory are the borders of Romania, and. The fast flow of the Danube in this area is used by the hydropower complex, dams have been built. The territory of the national park is more than 60,000 hectares. More than 1000 different plant species grow here, including relict ones.

30. Monument to King Decebalus

The bas-relief of the king and the great commander was carved into the coastal rock. It is one of the highest of its kind in Europe. The sculpture is 40 meters high and 25 meters wide. 12 sculptors-alpinists, as well as auxiliary workers, worked on the creation of the monument. The initiator of the creation of the monument was the historian Joseph Draganu. The creation of the monument took 10 years and cost about a million dollars.

31. Sarmizegetusa

This place was the residence of the kings of Dacia - an ancient state. It also combined the functions of a military and religious center and was one of the defensive fortresses of King Decebalus. The entire complex of fortresses is a UNESCO heritage site. The fortress is located in the mountains of Transylvania at an altitude of 1200 meters. Sanctuaries are an important part of Sarmizegetuz. But during the raids of the Romans, almost all the temples were destroyed.

32. Transfagaras Highway

Alpine road, laid between Wallachia and Transylvania in 1974. About 6000 tons of dynamite were spent to pave the way in the rocks. It is currently considered one of the most beautiful roads in the world. It leads through beech groves and a waterfall with mountains in the background. Near the highway is the "residence of Vlad Dracula" - the fortress of Poenari. For travelers, the road is open only for a few warm months of the year.

33. Bicaz Gorge

Located in the Eastern Carpathians. Between the high rocks of the gorge flows a mountain river, in which trout is found. In Romania, the Bicaz Gorge is the longest and deepest. Part of the road along it is a serpentine. On one side there are steep cliffs, on the other side there is a sheer cliff. Near the gorge you can see Lake Krasnoe, formed as a result of the blocking of the river bed after a collapse.

34. Danube Delta

It is the second largest in Europe. Most of it is located on the territory of Romania, and it is she who is recognized by UNESCO as a natural heritage site and taken under protection. This area is protected. The landscape of the delta is diverse - there are sand dunes, thickets of reeds and willows, and swamps. Many small rivers and streams flow through the wetlands of the reserve. There are many animals of the Red Book.

35. Mamaia Beach (Constanta)

The Mamaia resort is considered the most expensive and famous resort in Romania. Luxury hotels and health centers have been built near the beach coastal zone. The beach is 8 km long and 200 meters wide. The sand is soft and velvety, golden in color. The beach infrastructure is well developed. There is a rental of jet skis and water skis, mini-football and volleyball courts are equipped. Thanks to the breeze on Mamaia Beach, there is no sweltering heat.

Romania is a land with an ancient history; Dacians, Saxons and Turks fought for this territory at different times. Ancient cities that have preserved medieval architecture, mysterious castles, magnificent palaces, ancient monasteries, churches and many other historical sights keep Romania on its lands.

The Carpathians occupy a third of the territory of Romania. The mountain peaks of the Carpathians reach almost 2600 meters, and the ski slopes rise to a height of 2150 meters. The extremely convenient location on the same axis of the country's most famous ski centers (Sinaia, Busteni, Azuga, Predeal, Poiana Brasov) provides tourists with an excellent opportunity to diversify their skiing. At all resorts there are equipment rental points, ski schools are open for beginners.

Balneological tourism is the main component of the Romanian tourist offer and is addressed not only to people with medical problems, but also to those who want to relax, restore vitality and good physical, mental and spiritual condition.

Romania has such a large number of churches and monasteries that it is not surprising that there are many holy places in the country, which are the center of Orthodox spirituality for pilgrims, intended for prayer and repentance of the soul in order to achieve unity with God.

Romania is a godsend for nature lovers. One of the best places for hiking and conquering mountain peaks in all of Romania is the Retezat National Park. The landscapes and landscapes of the park are truly amazing, and rest on its mountain slopes brings maximum pleasure to any lover of hiking and a healthy lifestyle. A modern biosphere reserve - the Danube Delta - is also considered a popular place for ecotourists.

Romania: visit Dracula

Picturesque Carpathian landscapes, wonderful Black Sea beaches, ski resorts, ancient cities with original architecture, and also many medieval castles, whose history is covered with mysterious legends.. And all this is Romania.

Most often, knowledge about Romania is limited to stories about hominy - the hallmark of Romanian cuisine, the Ceausescu regime and, undoubtedly, Bram Stoker's novel Dracula read in his youth. A simple invention of an Irish writer gave the world a vampire aristocrat, Count Dracula, whose name instantly became the main brand of the country.

Many travelers, finding themselves in the mysterious lands of Transylvania, admit that the invisible presence of Mr. Dracula is felt everywhere. Especially in ancient Sighisoara, where, according to historical sources, the prototype of the literary vampire was born, as well as in the legendary Bran, known as Dracula's castle, but never owned by Vlad the Impaler.

But not only ominous legends are rich in Romania. This country is original and unique. Not a single reference book or even the most comprehensive guide will reveal everything that lurks in the folds of its mountains and in the narrow winding streets of cities, each of which has its own history.

Across the country lies the Carpathian mountain range with completely wild areas. Rare animals live here, which you will not find anywhere else in Europe. The Danube Delta is rich in dozens of species of unique plants, fish and birds - it is not for nothing that this region was declared a biosphere reserve and taken under the protection of UNESCO. The Danube Biosphere Reserve is the largest and least damaged wetland complex in Europe.

In addition, Romania has an outstanding balneological fund: 1/3 of the thermal and mineral waters on the continent are located here. Balneological resorts in Romania are located both on the Black Sea coast and on the shores of lakes and in the mountains. These springs have incomparable healing properties.

It is easy to see that Romania today, like many countries of the former Eastern Bloc, is undergoing rapid change. The modern rhythm of life is easy to feel when you are in Bucharest.

The Romanian capital is a city of contrasts, where ancient buildings flock to skyscrapers of glass and metal, where the lifeless streets of Ceausescu's past architectural plans give way to picturesque neighborhoods of French-style villas, modernist tenements and miniature neo-Romanian castles with vine-twined turrets. Bucharest never ceases to amaze and indulge tourists with an incredible variety of bars, colorful local cafes, shops and nightclubs.

Decided to organize a holiday in Romania? Looking for the best hotels in Romania, hot tours, resorts and last minute deals? Interested in the weather in Romania, prices, the cost of a tour, do I need a visa to Romania and would a detailed map be useful? Would you like to see what Romania looks like in photos and videos? What are the excursions and attractions in Romania? What are the stars and reviews of hotels in Romania?

Romania is located in the southeast of Europe, washed by the Black Sea, borders on Ukraine, Moldova, Bulgaria, Serbia and Hungary. All Romania, with the exception of the Black Sea coast, is included in the Danube basin.

Romania covers an area of ​​238.391 km² and is the largest country in Southeast Europe and the 12th largest country in all of Europe.

Airports in Romania

Bucharest Baneasa - Aurel Vlaicu International Airport

Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport

Cluj-Napoca International Airport

Timisoara Traian Vuia International Airport

Romania hotels 1 - 5 stars

Romania weather

The climate is continental, temperate. The coast in the spring, summer and autumn months is characterized by warm mild weather with a long swimming season from May to October. Snow in the Carpathians lies from December to April.

Average air temperature in Bucharest t°C

Language of Romania

Official language: Romanian

Hungarian and German are widely used. In the tourism industry, French and English are common.

Currency of Romania

International name: RON

The Romanian leu is equal to 100 bani. Banknotes of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 200, 500 lei are in circulation. Coins - 1, 5, 10, 50 bani.

Foreign currency can be exchanged at banks or at specialized exchange offices (casa de schimb) located in hotels, train stations, airports, some of the supermarkets and on the main streets of cities. Exchange receipts should be kept until leaving the country.

Most major hotels and restaurants accept American Express, MasterCard, Dinners Club and Visa credit cards. Traveler's checks can be cashed in major banks in the capital (cheques in euros are preferred). It is almost impossible to pay with non-cash funds in the province. The exceptions are coastal resorts and ski resorts. ATMs are becoming an increasingly common means of currency exchange, but they are found only in the capital and large resort areas.

Visa

Types of visas:
- Category B - transit visa. The visa is issued to persons whose purpose of visit is transit through the territory of Romania to third countries.
- Category C - short-term (up to 90 days) entry visa. This type of visa is issued to persons whose purpose of visit is tourism, medical treatment, visiting friends or relatives, business meetings (if their purpose is not to generate income in Romania).
- Category D - long-term multiple entry visa (stay over 90 days). The purpose of the visit can be both business and private.

Customs restrictions

Officially, it is allowed to import currency up to $50,000 into the country, but amounts over $1,000 require declaration upon entry. It is allowed to export 5,000 lei in Romanian currency, and only banknotes of 1,000 lei or less. Gifts worth up to $100 can be imported duty-free. You can import duty-free: 4 l. wine, 1 l. strong liquor, 200 cigarettes, 200 gr. coffee and cocoa, (for personal use).

Tourists can take out of the country (with payment of customs duties) things and goods purchased for lei, obtained through legal currency exchange and on the basis of supporting documents. Valuable goods (jewelry, works of art, video and photographic equipment, etc.) must be declared upon entry into the country.

Mains voltage

Tips

Tipping is not accepted. You can leave 5-10% in a first-class restaurant or, if the cost of service is included in the bill, round the bill up. Tips are not required in taxis.

Office Hours

Banks are open on weekdays from 9 am to 12 pm, currency exchange offices - from 9 am to 12 pm and from 1 pm to 3 pm. In large resort areas, opening hours are usually extended until 4 pm.

Shops are open on weekdays from 9 am to 6 pm with a lunch break from 12 am to 3 pm in different stores. In large cities there are shops with a round-the-clock work schedule. Day off is usually Saturday and Sunday.

Photo and video shooting

Photographing military installations, bridges and ports is prohibited. In some places (mainly most of the palaces and some churches) you will need to pay about 2 thousand lei for permission to take pictures.

Traditions

Smoking is prohibited in public transport and public places.

Safety

Petty theft, currency and credit card fraud are very common, sometimes scammers dress up in the uniform of a policeman or taxi driver. Drug use is prosecuted with particular severity - even a foreigner can be convicted of drug-related offenses for up to 7 years.

Code of the country: +40

First level geographic domain name:.ro

Medicine

From time to time, outbreaks of anthrax in the Danube Delta, viral meningitis in the northern and eastern regions, typhus, hepatitis and rabies in rural areas are recorded. International health insurance is required. Medical care is rather poor.

Emergency Phones

Ambulance - 961
Emergency Hospital - 962
Police - 955
Fire assistance - 981

Holidays in Romania compared to many EU countries is considered not very expensive. Prices for most services, goods and food are 50% lower than in Western Europe.

In every city, purchases can be made in huge supermarkets, markets, as well as in numerous small private shops, where the owner himself often stands behind the counter.

Among Romanian souvenirs, the most popular among tourists are:

• handmade leather products;
• silver jewelry;
• embroidery;
• clay and porcelain products;
• colorful warm blankets;
• wool sweaters;
• silk blouses and dresses;
• all kinds of "Dracula" souvenirs (from mugs and T-shirts to aspen stakes).

Credit cards are accepted in all major hotels, restaurants, gas stations and supermarkets, but you should always have cash with you.

Transport

Traveling in Romania, you can use road, rail, river and air transport.

The quality of roads in Romania has improved significantly in recent years. In mountainous regions, the quality of coverage is slightly worse than on the flat territory of the country, which is primarily due to heavy rainfall in the Carpathians, so certain sections of mountain roads are constantly being repaired. For travel on national roads, you must pay a road tax - rovignette.

Romania has a large rail network, but this mode of transport is not very popular with tourists and the public due to the limited speed of movement (the average train speed is approximately 43 km/h). Most of the trains are outdated, with little comfort.

River transport is represented by ferries carrying passengers and cargo across the Danube. There is also (as a type of ecological tourism) travel by boat or small ship on the Danube.

Those who value time spent on the road should use air transport. There are 17 airports in Romania, including 5 international ones. Air transportation in the country is well developed. From Bucharest you can get to all the largest cities in the country. On the most popular destinations, planes fly 4-5 times a day. This type of transport is very popular with local residents. Aircraft in excellent condition, with polite qualified personnel.

Urban public transport is well organized in all large and medium-sized cities in Romania (cost 1–2 lei, or 25–50 euro cents). Recently, double-decker buses have appeared in Bucharest, plying along the tourist route inside the city. The capital also has the only metro in the country. Taxis are metered. If they are not available, then the cost of the trip should be agreed in advance (most taxi drivers have basic knowledge of English).

Connection

Phone calls abroad can be made both from specialized pay phones (they work with cards that can be purchased at kiosks of printed materials), from public telephone offices at post offices, and from hotel rooms, but this will be 10–20% more expensive.

Mobile communication in Romania is provided by 4 GSM operators - Connex Vodafon, Orange, Cosmte and DigiMobil - and one CDMA operator - Zapp. Today, the coverage area includes almost the entire territory of the country, with the exception of remote, hard-to-reach mountainous areas. Orange and Vodafone are leaders in terms of coverage, occupying 98-99% of the area of ​​Romania.

Access to Internet resources is provided in Romania by more than 200 providers. Most hotels and hostels offer free Wi-Fi.

Safety

Recent studies of the criminal situation in different countries of the world have shown that Romania occupies a leading position in terms of security among European countries. In the northern and northeastern regions, near the Ukrainian and Moldovan borders, the situation is slightly worse than in the rest of the country: there are gypsy beggars, there are pickpockets. Here you should be careful with your valuables - keep money, mobile phones, cameras with you.

There are no gypsies in the resort areas at all, public order is monitored by city police patrols.

Business

Membership in the European Union has led Romania to implement a series of free market reforms that have resulted in the liberalization of foreign trade, the modernization of the tax and banking systems, and the active development of the private sector.

Today, investing in the Romanian economy is considered promising and profitable.

The fixed income tax rate is 16%, and for small enterprises with no more than 10 employees and a total annual income not exceeding 100,000 € - 3%.

The cities and resorts of Romania are attracting more and more attention, acting as objects of business tourism. Affordability and the availability of modern, well-equipped conference rooms make Romania an attractive place for business seminars, meetings, exhibitions and conferences of various levels.

Real estate

The unique nature, favorable climate and the proximity of world-famous medical resorts attract many who want to buy real estate in Romania.

Here, foreigners have the same rights to purchase real estate as local residents. There are minor restrictions due to international treaties, as well as restrictions on the purchase of agricultural and strategic land, national park land, as well as real estate objects of historical and cultural value.

Foreigners are most interested in real estate on the Black Sea coast, in the capital and in ski resorts. Here, the minimum cost per 1 m² is about 800 €.

To avoid any misunderstandings during your stay in Romania and enjoy your vacation, tourists should follow some rules of conduct adopted in the country. The basic rule, as in many European countries, is a ban on smoking in public places and transport, including railways.

Fans of photographic art should remember that in Romania bridges and ports are strategic objects, so they should never be photographed.

In restaurants and cafes, it is customary to leave a tip in the amount of 10% of the cost of the check.

Chemicals such as bleach are used as a disinfectant for tap water. Such water, of course, cannot be poisoned, but it is unsuitable for drinking, and can also cause allergic reactions on sensitive skin when washing. But water in mountain springs and wells in the Carpathians is not only safe and tasty, but also healthy.

Visa Information

To visit Romania, citizens of Russia and other CIS countries will need a visa that does not give the right to enter the Schengen countries, despite the fact that Romania is a member of the European Union.

There are 3 types of visas: transit (B), short-term for a period of less than 90 days (C) and multiple long-term (D). To obtain a visa to the embassy, ​​you must provide a passport valid for at least 3 months from the end of the trip to Romania, plus photocopies of the pages of the passport with the personal data of the owner, photographs (2 pcs.), A completed application form, medical insurance and a certificate of employment indicating salary and position. The consular fee is 35 € for processing within 5-10 days, 70 € for an urgent visa.

The Romanian Embassy in Moscow is located at 119285, Moscow, st. Mosfilmovskaya, 64 (tel.: (+7 495) 143-04-24; 143-04-27).

Consulates:

St. Petersburg, Gorokhovaya st., 4 (tel.: (+7 812) 312-61-41, 335-08-44 344019,
Rostov-on-Don, st. 7th Line, 18/39 (tel: (+7 863) 253-08-61, 230-29-15, 227-59-25). If you have a Schengen visa, you can make transit trips through the territory of Romania for 5 days without issuing a transit Romanian visa.

culture

Over the centuries, Romanians have been exposed to various cultures, each of which has contributed to the formation of modern Romanian culture. The influence of the ancient Romans was replaced after a few centuries by the influence of the culture of the Slavs, Greeks, Turks and Hungarians. In the Middle Ages, Romanians were strongly influenced by Byzantium, especially in terms of church rituals, architecture, iconography and frescoes. In the 16th and 17th centuries many works of church literature were written in Romanian. Modern Romanian culture is a synthesis of these medieval influences, ancient folklore and music (which was important for maintaining ethnic unity) and various foreign influences.

Romanian literature and art reached their maturity at the end of the 19th century. Among the outstanding writers of that time were M. Eminescu, the talented storyteller I. Creanga, the playwright I. L. Caragiale, literary critics T. Maiorescu and C. Dobrodzhanu-Gherea. The most famous artists were the portrait painter T.Aman, the landscape painters N.Grigorescu and I.Andreascu, as well as the painter S.Lucian.

The best writers of the interwar period are the poet T. Arghezi and the novelists M. Sadoveanu, L. Rebryanu and C. Petrescu.

Post-war Romanian literature is still influenced by the writers who became famous during the interwar period. Patriotic, democratic and pro-peasant inclinations in literature were developed already before the First World War by the literary movement "Semenatorul" ("The Sower"). These writers argued that the development of art should be ideologically driven, and easily adapted to the philosophy and goals of the communist regime. The non-communist T. Arghezi was recognized by the authorities as the most outstanding Romanian poet, and M. Sadoveanu, without any effort, was able to become the patriarch of post-war Romanian literature. Argesi, known even before the Second World War for his deeply original poems, began to write optimistic poems about peasant uprisings. Sadoveanu, an imaginative writer and creator of a broad historical panorama, added to his historical novels new works on the awakening of the proletariat; his Return tells of the achievements of the communist regime. However, after 1965, the regime also began to patronize nationalist writers.

Among the post-war writers, one should note such poets as M. Benyuk, E. Zhebelianu, V. Porumbaku, A. Toma, C. Teodorescu, M. Dragomir, D. Deshliu. The novelists E. Kamilar, A. Zhar, Z. Stanku gained fame; playwrights - A. Baranga, R. Boureanu, M. Davidoglu, L. Demetrius and M. Banush (also a poetess). A feature of post-war literature was the publication of books and magazines in the languages ​​of national minorities, especially in Hungarian. Among the Hungarian writers, I. Horvath and I. Astalos are the most famous.

Before the First World War, there were several notable works in the Romanian visual arts. In the interwar period, one can hardly note any outstanding achievements in this area, with the exception of the work of artists who were under strong Western, mainly French, influence. These include such artists as S. Petrescu, G. Petrashka, C. Ressu, J. Steriade, Iser. The most famous artists of the communist period were P. Atanasiou, Sh. Barabas, L. Agricola, G. Lazar.

In music, most state prizes were awarded to such works as the National Festival of Sabina Dragoy. In the 1960s and 1970s, the regime began to encourage the revival of the Romanian classics, including the works of D. Enescu, and the imitation of classical Romanian and modern Western works.

Story

Ancient Romania was inhabited by Thracian tribes. In the 1st century BC. Greece founded the state of Dacia to defend itself against Rome. Dacia passed to Rome in 106 AD, becoming a province of the Roman Empire. As a result of attacks from the Goths in 271, Emperor Aurelius recalled the Roman legionnaires back to the south of the Danube, but the Wallachian peasants remained in Dacia, forming the Romanian people. By the 10th century, small Romanian lands had formed, and their unification led to the creation of the principalities of Moldavia, Wallachia, and Transylvania. From the 10th century, the Magyars came to Transylvania, and by the 12th century it became an autonomous principality under the rule of the Hungarian authorities. In the 14th century, Hungarian troops unsuccessfully tried to capture Wallachia and Moldavia.

During the XIV-XV centuries, Wallachia and Moldavia resisted the expansion of the Ottoman Empire. During the struggle, Prince Vlad Tepes of Wallachia (known as the "Impaler" because he rarely ate without a writhing, impaled Turk) became a hero, later associated with Dracula. In the XVI century, Transylvania passed to the Ottoman Empire, at the same time, Wallachia and Moldavia submitted to the Turks, but retained their autonomous position. In 1600, all three Romanian provinces were united by Prince Mihai Vitazul of Wallachia after he joined forces with the ruling princes of Moldavia and Transylvania against the Turks. The unification lasted only a year, then Mihai was defeated by the combined Habsburg-Transylvanian troops, after which he was captured and beheaded. Transylvania passed to the Habsburg Empire, while Wallachia and Moldavia remained Turkish suzerainties almost until the end of the 19th century. In 1775, the northern part of Moldavia, Bukovina, was annexed by Austria-Hungary. Further, in 1812, the eastern territory, Bessarabia, passed to Russia. After the Russo-Turkish War (1828-1829), the Ottoman possession of the principalities ended.

After 1848, Transylvania fell under the rule of Austria-Hungary and "Magyarization" began. In 1859 Alexandru Ioan Cuza was crowned on the thrones of Moldavia and Wallachia, who created a new state, which was named Romania in 1862. Charles I succeeded to the throne in 1866 and in 1877 Dobruya became part of Romania. In 1881, Romania became known as a kingdom, and Charles I became its king. He died at the start of the First World War. His nephew Ferdinand I inherited the throne and entered the war in 1916 on the side of the "Triple Agreement" (Entente). His goal was the liberation of Transylvania from Austria-Hungary. In 1918, Bessarabia, Bukovina and Transylvania became part of Romania.

Numerous political parties appeared in Romania after the First World War, including the Legion of the Archangel Michael, better known as the fascist "Iron Guard". The party, led by Cornelius Codreanu, dominated the political arena by 1935. Charles II, who inherited the throne after the death of his father Ferdinand I, declared the state a royal dictatorship in 1938 and liquidated all political parties. In 1939, he pacified the Iron Guard, which he had previously supported, by executing Codreana and other legionnaires. In 1940, the USSR occupied Bessarabia, and Romania was forced to transfer northern Transylvania to Hungary on the orders of Germany and Italy. Southern Dobruya was transferred to Bulgaria. Based on all this, numerous rallies broke out, so the king called Generalissimo Ion Antonescu to pacify discontent. Antonescu forced Charles to abdicate, handing over power to Charles's 19-year-old son Michael, and then introduced a fascist dictatorship, proclaiming himself ruler. In 1941 he joined Hitler's anti-Soviet war. With the approach of the Soviet Army to the Romanian border in 1944, Romania went over to the side of Russia.

The Soviet transfer of Transylvania to Romania helped the communists, supported by Moscow, win the elections in 1946. A year later, King Michael was forced to abdicate and the Romanian People's Republic was formed. A period of state intimidation began, when pre-war leaders, prominent intellectuals and suspicious dissidents were rounded up and sent to prison camps. In the late 1950s, Romania began to move away from Moscow, seeking an independent foreign policy under the leadership of Gheorghe Georgiou-Dej (1952-1965) and Nicolae Ceausescu (1965-1989). Ceausescu denounced the Soviet intervention in Czechoslovakia in 1968, which earned him respect and economic aid from the West. Most of his great projects (the construction of the "deadly" Danube-Black Sea Canal, the pompous and expensive House of Nations in Bucharest). His secret militia suppressed the population and had a huge network of informants.

The rise to power of Mikhail Gorbachev in the late 1980s meant that the US no longer needed Romania and removed its status as "the most beloved nation." Ceausescu decided to export the Romanian food supply in order to pay off the country's huge debt. While Ceausescu and his wife Elena (his first deputy prime minister) lived in luxury, the people struggled to survive as the rationing of bread, eggs, flour, butter, salt, sugar, beef, potatoes was mocking, and by the mid-1980s there was no meat at all. In 1987, riots began in Brasov, which were brutally suppressed. After regime after regime began to crumble in Eastern Europe, on December 15, 1989, the priest Lazlo Tox preached against Ceausescu in a church in the city of Timisoara. That same evening, a group of people gathered at his house to protest the decision of the Reformed Church of Romania to remove Toks from office. The clashes between the protesters, the police and the army continued for 4 days. On December 19, the army joined the protesters. On December 21, Bucharest workers loudly protested against Ceausescu during a mass rally and street clashes between protesters, police and the army. The next day, the Ceausescu family tried to flee Romania, but was arrested, convicted by an anonymous court, and shot on Christmas Day.

It is now believed that the members of the National Salvation Front who seized power after Ceausescu's death planned his overthrow months before December 1989, but premature rallies forced them to act earlier. A provisional government came to power, headed by Ion Iliescu.

In 1992, Iliescu and the National Salvation Front were re-elected, but uncontrolled inflation, unemployment, suspicion of government corruption led to the fact that in 1996 Iliescu was replaced by Emil Constantinescu, leader of the Romanian Democratic Convention. Iliescu returned to power in December 2000 as president. Romanians probably thought Iliescu was the better of two evils compared to the extremist Cornelius Vadim Tudor of the right-wing Romanian Party.

Economy

One of the largest sectors of the economy is oil production, Rompetrol occupies a significant market share, but oil reserves are insignificant and its production is constantly decreasing.

Since the mid-2000s, Romania's oil consumption has been roughly double its own production, and this ratio also applies to oil imports and exports.

Romania has natural gas reserves and production, but in recent years the country has had to import gas to meet its needs.

The distribution of the labor force is about 30% in agriculture, 23% in industry, 47% in the service sector (2006).

The main partners in foreign trade are Germany, Italy, France (2006).

Policy

The bicameral parliament consists of the Senate (Senate, 137 seats) and the Chamber of Deputies (Camera Deputaţilor, 332 seats).

Senators are elected by proportional representation.

The 314 members of the Chamber of Deputies are elected by proportional representation with a 5% threshold for political parties and an 8% threshold for blocs, with the remaining seats reserved for representatives of national minorities.

The term of office of MPs is 4 years.

According to the constitution adopted by the parliament in November 1991 and approved in December of the same year at a national referendum, Romania is a national, unitary, legal, democratic and social state with a republican form of government. The head of state is the president, elected by the population for a term of 4 years. He has broad powers in political matters, comparable to those of the President of the French Republic.