This picturesque country boasts some of the most beautiful landscapes in Europe and features some of the most extraordinary attractions. If you are interested in learning about the history of this beautiful land, you’ll get a chance to do so in full should you decide to visit its exquisite landmarks. These include numerous castles, monasteries and natural wonders, but some are definitely more impressive than others, which is why we decided to create a top 5 of the most amazing places to visit in Romania, so that you may pick your favorite one with great ease.
1. The Peles Castle
The extraordinary Peles Castle is nestled in the Carpathian Mountains, right next to Sinaia in Prahova County. This Neo-Renaissance masterpiece was built between 1873 and 1914 under the commission of King Carol I of Romania. As such, a grand statue of King Carol I made by Raffaello Romanelli can be observed at the main entrance, but there are also numerous other statues that can be found on the castle’s neo-Renaissance terrace gardens.
As a tourist attraction, the Peles Castle now operates as a museum, and visitors are able to admire its majestic beauty up close via guided tours. There are 3 tours available in total. The first one includes the single floor of the castle exclusively, while the second one also includes the first floor. The third tour encompasses all floors of the castle and ensures the most comprehensive exploration of this extraordinary landmark.
Some of the most impressive attractions at Peles Castle include The Florentine Room with its superb bronze doors, The Moorish Saloon with its Oriental weapons and armor as well as the Turkish Parlor that was once used as a smoking room for gentlemen. Other rooms of note include the lavish Imperial Suite or the impressive Grand Armory.
Things you should know:
- The castle can be found northwest of the town of Sinaia, about 37 miles away from the city of Brasov and 84 miles away from the country’s capital, Bucharest.
- The castle complex includes a total of 3 main attractions: the castle itself, the Pelisor Chateau and the Foisor Castle.
2. Voronet Monastery
The Voronet Monastery represents a perfect example of 15th century Moldavian architecture, and it can be found in the Village of Voronet, just 2.4 miles away from Gura Humorului in Suceava County. The monastery was founded by Stephen the Great of Moldavia in 1488, and it is well known for its unique “Voronet Blue” color, which is just as famous as “Veronese Green”, for example. The building was complete in just 3 months and 3 weeks, which was a true record at the time.
The exterior paint job of the monastery was themed on powerful religious symbols such as “Judgment Day” and “Adam’s Sin”, while the interior represents numerous biblical scenes such as “The Last Supper”. Because of these exceptional representations, the Voronet Monastery is also known as the “Sistine Chapel of the East”. Its surrounding landscapes are equally impressive, while the locals themselves are welcoming and kind hearted – always ready to give a helping hand to visitors should they require it.
Things you should know:
- You can also visit other nearby museums and monasteries either personally in your own car or with the help of a traveling agency.
- If you would like to sample a taste of life at the monastery, you’ll be glad to know that many of them offer accommodation options for visitors, which are cheaper and sometimes more adequate that those you would find at nearby cabins.
3. Palace of the Parliament
If you find yourself in Romania’s capital, Bucharest, then you simply must take the time to visit the Palace of the Parliament. Also known as the Palace of the People, this monolithic building is the second largest building in the world after the Pentagon, and it was mentioned 3 times by the World Records Academy as the world’s heaviest building, the world’s most expensive administrative building and the world’s largest civilian building with an administrative function.
This huge Palace was designed by skilled architect Anca Petrescu, and it was finished in 1997 after 13 years of hard work. The estimated costs for constructing the palace amount to $4 billion, which is quite record-breaking as well. The building is 282 feet high and features a 302-foot underground. It is 12 stories tall and includes a total of 1,100 rooms as well as 2 underground parking garages, while its floor space measures no less than 3,700,000 square feet. The construction of this enormous landmark demanded the demolishing of a great part of Bucharest’s historic district. This means that as many as 19 orthodox churches and 30,000 residences had to be removed in order to make room for this giant building.
Things you should know:
- The Palace of the Parliament is open for visitors each day between 10AM and 4PM. The entry fee is approximately $4.5.
- A few times a year, the Palace can be visited free of charge.
4. Sighisoara Citadel
The Sighisoara Citadel can be found in the city of the same name in Mures County, Romania. What makes this particular landmark special is that it appears impervious to the passage of time, since it appears to renounce the concept of modernism altogether. As one of the last inhabited citadels in the world, Sighisoara is also one of the oldest, its origins dating back as far as the year 1,280, when it was officially mentioned in several documents.
The citadel has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999, and it attracts a wide array of visitors each year, most of them interested in its authentic medieval architecture and rich historical heritage. Once inside, visitors are able to explore and witness the beauty of numerous attractions, including the Blacksmith’s Tower, the Butcher’s Tower, the House of Vlad Dracul and the Venetian House.
Things you should know:
- Every year in July, Sighisoara is the host of a superb Medieval Festival.
- Other nearby attractions include the Church on the Hill with its crypt and frescoes as well as the Weapon Museum that features a wide selection of medieval weapons such as swords and arrows.
5. Toplita Waterfall
On a general basis, when we choose a tourist destination, we look for a general mix of uniqueness and natural beauty, and the exquisite Toplita Waterfall is definitely such a destination. Being the only one of its kind in Romania, this stunning waterfall impresses with its own thermal water reserve, and as its name suggests, it can be found in the town of Toplita, in Harghita County.
The thermal water of Toplita originates in the springs of the nearby Bradul Resort. The Toplita Waterfall is impressive for 2 main reasons. First of all, the waterfall never freezes, since it maintains a temperature between 77 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit. Secondly, the color of its waters shifts from white to brown because of numerous rock deposits. Those that enjoy exploring and hiking could also take the time to visit the nearby mountains of Giurgeului and Calimani, which boast lush forests and fresh, clean air. There is also a ski slope nearby that can be used by fans of the sport.
Things you should know:
- During your stay in Toplita, you might want to visit other points of interest such as the World War Monument or the Lazar Mansion.
- Make sure to pack winter clothing as well as bathing suits so that you might enjoy a soak in the warm thermal waters.
Madalina Salceanu
