Yekaterina’s Gate
Yekaterina’s Gate Once the Saxon settlers from present-day Germany had fortified Braşov against attack from the Turks and Tatars in the 15th century, they built a series of protected gates at various points in the city walls. Yekaterina’s Gate (also called Katalin Gate) and its fairy-tale spiky to
Wailing Waterfall
Wailing Waterfall Known in Romania as the Urlatoarea Cascada, the Wailing Waterfall is one of the most spectacular waterfalls, and one of the most impressive tourist sights, in the country. Located in the Bucegi Mountains at an altitude of about 1,100 meters, it stands nearly 15 meters high and ge
Victoriei Street
Victoriei Street Running for almost 3km through the heart of central Bucharest, Victoriei Street (Calea Victoriei, or ‘Victory’ street) is the capital’s main thoroughfare and the obvious starting point for a walking tour. First laid out in the 16th century, the historic boulevard is one of the old
University Palace
University Palace Founded in 1864 by Prince Alexander John Cuza, who ruled over the Romanian United Principalities of Walachia and Moldova, the University of Bucharest is located on Piata Universitatii, a buzzing square snarled with traffic and popular with Bucharest locals as a meeting place. The
Turda Salt Mine (Salina Turda)
Turda Salt Mine (Salina Turda) Rarely does a mineral mine top the list of national attractions, but thanks to well-preserved machinery and spa-like features, the Turda Salt Mine has become a major destination for travelers to Romania. Visitors can venture into the mine’s depths and learn about the
Turda Gorge (Cheile Turzii)
Turda Gorge (Cheile Turzii) With its towering limestone cliffs looming 300 meters over the river valley below and the gorge itself dotted with caves, gurgling streams and rocky trails, the Turda Gorge (Cheile Turzii) offers a dramatic backdrop for an outdoor adventure. The protected conservation a
Transfagarasan Highway
Transfagarasan Highway Travelers looking to explore the Romanian countryside on four wheels and an open road will find no better place to do so than the much-storied Transfagarasan Highway. This winding pass weaves over the Fagaras Mountains and taunts travelers with its ruthless curves and sheer
Stavropoleos Church (Biserica Stravrapoleos)
Stavropoleos Church (Biserica Stravrapoleos) The cute little Stavropoleos Church started life in 1724 as an Orthodox monastery and inn, commissioned by the Greek monk Ioanichie Stratonikeas. It has an ornate exterior adorned with patterned frescoes, a colonnaded portal, elaborate carved wooden ent
Rope Street (Strada Sforii)
Rope Street (Strada Sforii) Reputedly the narrowest street in Europe and certainly the narrowest in Romania, Rope Street (Strada Sforii) connects Cerbului with Poarta Schei in Braşov’s Old Town. It is 262.5 feet (80 meters) long and just 3.5 to 4.5 feet (1.10–1.35 meters) wide, making it almost im
Revolution Square (Piata Revolutiei)
Revolution Square (Piata Revolutiei) Taking centerstage in Bucharest’s Old Town, Revolution Square (Piata Revolutiei) is located along the central boulevard of Victoriei Street and has long been at the forefront of the city’s historic events. Originally named Palace Square (Piața Palatului), Revol
Piatra Craiului National Park
Piatra Craiului National Park This vast national park is one of Romania’s most important protected land areas. Home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, including the Garofita Pietrei Craiului—a purple flower found only in Piatra Craiului—the open spaces, majestic mountains and towering trees her
Palace of Parliament
Palace of Parliament Romania’s most controversial building sits like a megalith in the middle of Bucharest, a monument to the folly and ego of fallen Communist dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu, who conceived his grandiose idea after visiting another dictator, Kim II-sung, in North Korea. Started in 1984
National Museum of Art of Romania
National Museum of Art of Romania Housed in the majestic former Royal Palace, which stands on Revolution Square and dates from 1812, the National Museum of Art of Romania opened in 1947; it was subsequently badly damaged in the Romanian Revolution of 1989, which saw the downfall and death of Commu
National History Museum of Romania
National History Museum of Romania Standing almost opposite the Beaux-Arts CEC Palace on Calea Victoriei and just as architecturally impressive, Romania’s history museum is a majestic piece of Neo-classical styling, with a colonnaded façade flanked by two symmetrical side wings. It is the work of
Lutheran Cathedral
Lutheran Cathedral With its striking pointed roofs, gothic façade and 73-meter turreted steeple looming over Piața Huet, the Lutheran Cathedral is not only one of Sibiu’s most distinctive buildings, but the highest cathedral in Romania. Built in the 14th century on the site of an earlier church, t
Lipscani
Lipscani The district of Lipscani is the lively, beating heart of Bucharest and virtually the only part of the city that remains following the aerial bombardments of World War II and moves to flatten the city and rebuild it to Nicolae Ceaușescu’s grandiose designs under Communism. Fringed by the g
Fortified Church of Prejmer
Fortified Church of Prejmer Located in the Transylvania region of Romania, the Fortified Church of Prejmer is the largest fortified church in southeastern Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Not far from Brasov, it makes a good day trip, combined with a visit to the Fortified Church of Harman
Fortified Church of Harman
Fortified Church of Harman The Fortified Church of Harman is located in the heart of Harman village in the Transylvania region of Romania. A visit makes a great day trip from Brasov and is often combined with a visit to the Fortified Church of Prejmer. The church, which dates to 1240, is one of ne
Domogled-Valea Cernei National Park
Domogled-Valea Cernei National Park Tucked away in the foothills of the Carpathians in southwest Romania and close to the ancient spa town of Băile Herculane, the Domogled-Valea Cernei National Park is the country’s largest at 61.211hectares, and incorporates a geographically rare valley squashed
Council Square (Piata Sfatului)
Council Square (Piata Sfatului) The triangular expanse of Council Square (Piata Sfatului) has been the focus of life in Braşov since medieval times; at the heart of the city’s Saxon, medieval Old Town, it can rival the Rynek in Krakow for sheer beauty. The piazza is lined with a jumble of stately
