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Wonders of Romania

Caraiman Waterfall, Bucegi Mountains
Caraiman Waterfall, Bucegi Mountains / xulescu_g, Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0

WorldBlue  Highlights

This large country has a very diverse landscape and has been a cradle for several prehistoric and ancient cultures. People here created distinct styles of architecture and built many amazing structures. The most amazing wonders of Romania are:

  • Historical cities and towns. Many towns and cities in Romania have well-preserved historical centers with hundreds of valuable buildings. Especially beautiful are Brașov, Sibiu, and Sighişoara which belong to the most impressive old cities in Europe.
  • "Painted" monasteries – a group of very unusual medieval monasteries whose walls have been covered with beautiful frescoes… outside (and also inside)!
  • Castles – Romania has the famous Bran Castle – which in pop culture is seen as Dracula’s palace. Even more impressive is the giant Corvin Castle and there are other great castles and castle ruins.

Map with the described wonders

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WorldViolet Top 25 wonders of Romania

Geological wonders

Peștera Vântului

Bihor

The longest known cave in Romania, almost 52 km long.

Turda Gorge

Cluj

Spectacular gorge with up to 300 m tall vertical walls, 2.9 km long. Gorge contains a huge wealth of plant and animal life.

Biological wonders

Peştera Urşilor (Bears’ Cave)

Bihor

Beautiful cave with remnants of some 140 cave bears (Ursus spelaeus) trapped by rock slide more than 15,000 years ago.

Remnants of cave bear in Peştera Urşilor
Remnants of cave bear in Peştera Urşilor. / Zátonyi Sándor, Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0
Movile Cave

Constanța

Unique cave ecosystem consisting of 48 species. 33 species are found only in this cave. The ecosystem of this cave was isolated from the outer world for 5.5 million years and the air inside the cave has a different chemical composition.

Archaeological wonders

Sarmizegetusa Regia

Hunedoara

Ruins of the former capital of Dacia that was built on the top of a 1,200 m high hill. The capital was protected with a system of six fortresses around it. The megalithic walls of fortifications are built from enormous stone blocks. Here are located also remnants of Dacian shrines including an enormous platform – sundial. The city was inhabited in the 1st century BC – 1st century AD.

Dacian shrines in Sarmizegetusa Regia, Romania
Dacian shrines in Sarmizegetusa Regia / Oroles, Wikimedia Commons / public domain

Architecture wonders

Corvin Castle (Hunedoara Castle)

Hunedoara

One of the largest castles in Europe, well preserved and visually very impressive. Castle was constructed in many phases from 1440 – 19th century. Site of legends with purported sightings of paranormal phenomena.

Corvin Castle
Corvin Castle./ Albert Dobrin, Flickr / CC BY-ND 2.0
Palace of the Parliament in Bucharest

Bucharest

The largest parliament building in the world, the second-largest administrative building in the world after The Pentagon (United States), and the third-largest building in the world by volume and the largest – by weight. This giant structure was built in a Neo-Classical style in 1984 – 1997.

Voronet Monastery (Voroneţ) and Saint George Church

Suceava

One of the best so-called "painted monasteries" of the region, constructed in 1488 in local style – a unique fusion of Gothic, Renaissance, and Byzantines styles. Sometimes the painted Church of Saint George here is nicknamed the "Sistine Chapel of the East".

Nun in Voroneţ Monastery, Romania
Nun in Voroneţ Monastery, Romania / , Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
Sighişoara Old City

Mureș

Exceptionally well preserved fortified medieval city with city walls and numerous watchtowers. Sighişoara was founded by German craftsmen who lived in this region until the middle of the 20th century. This fortified settlement was founded in the late 12th century and was an important trade center in the following centuries. It was a rich city and many great structures were built here.

Brașov Old City

Brașov

One of the most beautiful historical cities in this part of Europe: a medieval city that was built by the Saxons of Transilvania. Beautiful views open to the city from the surrounding mountains.

The extensive Brașov Old City, Romania
The extensive Brașov Old City / pozek, Flickr / CC BY 2.0
St. Nicholas Church in Bogdana Monastery

Suceava

The oldest standing church in Romania, built around 1360. The church is adorned with frescoes that were created in different time periods.

Biserica Neagră (Black Church of Brașov)

Brașov

This is the largest Gothic structure in Romania. The church was constructed sometime around the 1380ies – 1470ies.

Biserica Neagră, Romania
Biserica Neagră / Troy, Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
Sibiu Old City

Sibiu

A beautiful medieval city that was built by the Saxons of Transilvania. Much of the city walls have been preserved. Impressive is the enormous Grand Square and other squares with ornate buildings around them.

Bran Castle

Brașov

Legendary and very impressive castle. Although it is not linked to Vlad the Impaler or any known legends about vampires, since the issuing of Bram Stoker’s book “Dracula” it is announced to be the legendary abode of Count Dracula. This is well preserved and picturesque castle on the top of the mountain. Constructed in the 14th century.

Bran Castle, Romania
Bran Castle / Mennowijnen, Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
Râșnov Citadel

Brașov

Medieval fortification and settlement that was built for the protection of local people. Fortifications on the top of this hill have been built since prehistoric times.

Râșnov Citadel
Rupea Citadel

Brașov

Massive hilltop fortification that was built in the Middle Ages over the site that was inhabited since the Paleolithic and fortified by Dacians.

Prejmer fortified church

Brașov

Old Gothic church, built in 1211 – 1240. In the 15th – 16th century around the church were built massive walls – almost 12 m tall and 5 m wide, with 5 towers. Inside the walls are more than 270 rooms that could provide shelter for some 1600 people.

St. Nicholas Church in Probota Monastery

Suceava

A gorgeous church that was built in 1530 and covered with colorful frescoes.

Mălâncrav church

Sibiu

The historical church of Transylvanian Saxons, built in the Gothic style in the early 14th century. The interior of the church is very impressive as it is covered with frescoes and adorned with a multitude of artworks.

Biertan fortified church

Sibiu

An impressive complex of buildings – a church in Late Gothic-Renaissance style that was built in 1486 – 1524. Church has sophisticated vaults. Later around the church were built several fortification walls and part of these walls persist up to this day.

Neamț Monastery

Neamț

One of the oldest monasteries in Romania where the first structures were built around 1371-175. Especially beautiful is the church that was constructed in 1497.

Resurrection Church in Sucevița Monastery

Suceava

Beautiful, very impressive “painted” church that was built in 1585. The church is covered with frescoes inside and outside. Sucevița Monastery itself is an impressive complex of buildings with a fortification wall and four watchtowers.

St. George Church in Saint John the New Monastery

Suceava

Beautiful church with frescoes covering its walls. Built in 1514 – 1522.

Densuș Church

Hunedoara

A very old church building that was constructed in the 7th century on the site of an ancient Roman temple and even a possible Dacian temple. This is the first church in the lands of Dacians. The interior is adorned with frescoes that were made in the 15th century.

Trei Ierarhi Monastery Church

Iasi (Iași)

Church with impressive, unusual architecture. Constructed in 1637 – 1639. Facades and other parts of the church are adorned with stone lacery of very diverse ornamentation.

WorldYellow Recommended books

Romania – Culture Smart!: the essential guide to customs & culture


Culture Smart! provides essential information on attitudes, beliefs, and behavior in different countries, ensuring that you arrive at your destination aware of basic manners, common courtesies, and sensitive issues. These concise guides tell you what to expect, how to behave, and how to establish a rapport with your hosts.

Never Mind the Balkans, Here’s Romania


‘Never Mind the Balkans, Here’s Romania’ is often described as one of the best books about life in modern Romania. If you want to discover this fascinating country with someone who knows it well, Mike Ormsby’s travel writing is for you.


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