Romania May 2014

Friday, May 23

Return to Romania from the northern border with Hungary in "Petea"

The check by the Romanians, typical, the customs were happy and even say "good morning" in Greek...

The first stop is "Baia Mare", directly to the centre where easy parking was found at the palace "administrative palace"

47 47' 20'' 22 52' 23''

500 meters from Freedom square, where the old town is. It worth seeing.

. 

Unfortunately, I did not catch the tour desk open, so I walked blindly by a couple of highlights from the internet. The purpose of the tour was to visit the wooden churches of "Muramares" from the Unesco list. This round, I had to break it into two, due to the geographical location of the villages.

Saturday 24 May

I discovered that the tourism agencies around the country do not work weekends ...

It was the worst road that I drove on this trip, especially the "Baia Sprie" - "Desesti" and "Lapus" - Budesti". Back to "Baia Mare" I should not go back. Pity that I did not spend the night at the Watermill outside "Desesti"

the fan is that I must drive with 25 or 30 km as the car will not be destroyed and I see a sign - this one for the rough road - and along with a 50km limit, smiling I say "now they remember it" how to imagine that it could be even worse. as about 50km, not even with a military jeep... Anyway. I managed to get back to the planned villages. I missed two of the churches (Plopis & Capalinic- manastor) and the "necropolis at Lapus" due to poor, to non-existent marking. Eventually, those that really were worth it were

“Surdesti”
47 35.852, 23 45.801 

and “Budesti”.
47 43.905 23 56.682  

I was lucky and found it open - both of the girls who have the key speak English too - otherwise, you have to call and wait for them to come. You do not pay entrance.
 Advice to non-fanatics of Unesco or religion, see a couple and you have seen them all ... Do not break your car!

the road

Sunday, May 25

"Sapanta" a Visit to one of the world's most famous and multi- pictured cemeteries! Here, with a lot of humour refer to faces and professions and much more, on the cross !!!

After that a visit to the monastery "Barsana"  amazing as a location and as a construction

and the church at "Poienile Izei"

47 41.986, 24 06.719

Overnight in "Campulung Moldovenesk"

on a side street by the central square.

47 31.830, 25 33.543

on the way to Suceava for the round of "external hagiographies" of the churches of the monasteries in Bucovina.
 Unrepeatable artwork. In the monasteries, you are paying entry! Tariff 5 Lei per person and 15 Lei for photographs, only outside the temples !!!  20 Lei /4,5 €

Monday 26 May

the first monastery on the route "Voronet"

47 31.238, 25 51.933

Second "Humor"

47 55.655, 25 51.424

Finally, it was decided to spend two nights at ACSI approved "Cristina" Pension / Camping, although with 2 toilets and 1 shower !!! 1 km from the monastery.

47 36.170, 25 51.124

I give you the coordinates because, if not all, as well as the wooden churches, directions are incomplete or marked wrong!!!

Tuesday, May 27

Around with a visit to the "Arbore" church.

47. 44.029, 25 55.881

In the monasteries "Sucevita"

47. 46.977, 25 44.185

and “Moldovita”
47. 39.366, 25. 34.328 

and return to the "campsite" for the date with the storm! Sunny in the mornings but the afternoon rain every day and at the same time!

Wednesday 28 May

Departure, after Haras riverside ride at the back of the camp, for "Suceava" big city 350 thousand people, with a monument of UNESCO, the monastery "Saint John New Monastery" (you do not pay) ...

47 38.536, 26 15.760

and a castle - that we did not visit ...

Continue from a small road next to a river, through small villages with countless photo subjects! The wells, the crucibles, the doors! A lot of wagons, tools of their everyday life and with plates!!!

Each and every house has a bench by the gates where they sit and stare or talk with the passers-by or neighbours.

The rural life is calm with no more than two cows, goats, chickens and one or two horses with the necessary wagon!
 I have seen in the fields the work to be done by the whole family. Young people as they came from another stage - students or young people who helped...

They dug with the hoe, they were reaping with the swath and till with the plow! And I'm not talking about small fields, huge areas!

In the afternoon we arrived in Iasi,

350,000 souls and with the help of GPS we parked after two rounds and a little luck 300 meters from the heart of the city.

47 09.643, 27 35.711

There is also a huge shopping centre next to the palace with common squares. Although parking in the palace - a huge parking lot with bars - costs 2 lei per hour / 0.45 € we talk for 10,80 € a day and you do not have to worry... The round at Iasi does not last long. All the sights-10 in number- according to the tour guide and the shopping centre...

The palace

The Church of St. Nicholas

the monastery of the Three Hierarchs

and a little history ...

the cathedral (metropolis)

the TOWN HALL

the national theatre

we did not go to the university library and park "copou" 

The sun is burning, Ford boils at 16:00 h... I hang out with Hara, we drink beers (1,10 €) at the edge of the park in the shade in visual contact with the "house" ...."Free WiFi" in the cafe and here we were.

Thursday 29 May

Second day in Iasi.

The parking at daytime

strolling through the downtown, food, and maunder in the huge shopping mall.

Afternoon at the café for internet and an unexpected invitation for the evening at a Russian-Romanian party there. In the evening, well, what a night!!!

I do not sit somewhere and they are not up somehow! They were huge! We dance "Zorba" in honour of Greece and the Greek !!!

Friday, 30 May

Up at noon and driving to "Galati" - Fortunately, a few kilometres drive.

and the mess...

There we park on the bank of the Danube, just at the point with the floating restaurants. On the main street by the Danube, but without heavy traffic.

45 25.740, 28 03.252

We walked by the flooded shore, where is the passage as well and on an amazing pedestrian street that starts from there - next to our parking lot - with huge trees that provide a dense shadow all day.

"Galati" has lost its glory as one of the largest Danube ports. The scattered mansions left to fall down, fill me in with sadness. Very few things left to visit.The oldest monument, the church 'Precista' (just opposite our parking lot).

The cathedral,

on "Domneasca" street is like the "Calea Victoriei" in Bucharest, where the representative buildings of old Romania have been left.

The theater

the "administrative Palace"

The University of the Danube

and at the harbours. station

Saturday 31 May

at noon on the way to "Constanta". On the only road, I paid tolls in Romania!

And I did not understand why !!!

Constanţa is the largest port and the second-largest city in Romania. 380,000 inhabitants. The tourist office closed (Saturday) and so I was pleased with an old guide I had ...We park in the central - about - square with a beautiful park and a cafe for "Free WiFi" "Cafe do Brasil" on "Tomis" boulevard.

44 10.833 28 38.985

only a few interesting places in Constanta. The Roman ruins are scattered in the central square "Ovidiu" next to the archaeological museum.

The casino in the harbour, on the redesigned street of the waterfront, ruins now! A beautiful imposing building that I remember "alive" on my first visit in 1990

the lighthouse, the mosque "Mahmudiye"

the lion's house right next to it gives an idea of the old glamour…

And the beach of "Mamaia" with the infinite hotels and the slightest free access! A narrow strip of land about 10 kilometres and no more than half kilometre width between the "Black Sea" and the Lake "Siutghiol". wilderness at the moment but in the summer I think it's going to be overcrowded…

Sunday, 1 Jun

Bucharest by a pretty good motorway (it had patches)

and parking at the borders of the old city - where all the attractions except- Herastrau Park, on the road that passes in front of the majestic palace built by Ceausescu "Palatul Parlamentului" and now Romanian parliament.

In the corner, the municipal police headquarters, on the opposite side of us employees parked their cars. No charge and absolutely safe.

44.25.867,  26.05.466

At the entrance of the park, a place for Hara with dog-sports toys.

The park is under security and not only that but also a couple of others I visited- some people with a red uniform- to stand out in the green...

It impresses me that during the day a mini-cistern truck was passing through and discharged chemicals WC.

They even left toilet paper !!!

Bucharest, I knew from previous, several, visits from the Ceausescu period yet. No comparison of course ...

Today it is a modern western capital. The centre is always clear- for the suburbs, I just have no opinion- with a lively nightlife, especially in the old city, in the heart of Bucharest.

there is also the church of Stavropoleos, built by a Greek monk. it is a monument of Unesco.

There's the "Manuc Hanul" where you're making a stop for a beer with meze in the inner courtyard - make sure you're there at the end of the walk...

Most remarkable buildings are located along Calea Victorei Street.

National Historical Museum

a Bank

the central bank

the house of the army

in the Piata Revolutiei (Piata Revolutiei)

Biserica Cretulescu 

The National Art Museum (formerly Royal Palace)

The seat of the Senate

the concert room "Ateneul Roman"

The Central University Library

Stroll with Hara in Gradina Cismigiu Park, the oldest of the city, with a boating lake and refreshments cafe, only 5 minutes walk from our "house".

Monday, 2 June

And of course, a hall morning, in the huge Herastrau Park and in the Village Museum, “Muzeul Satului”, a Village with 300 churches and wooden cottages of the natural size that have been transported here from all over Romania!

It is worth a walk and up the hill next to "Unirli" where the Patriarchal Cathedral and the Patriarchal Palace.

Tuesday 3 June

A Visit at "Sinaia" on the way to "Brasov"

for a while

and later

and our pot …

It is one of the most "in" ski destinations with luxury hotels, boarding houses and private residences. For those who are not interested or happening to go in June, like me, three things have to offer. Upgrading to Cota at 2000m by cable car,

a visit to the castle "Peles", next to it the small palace "Pelisor"

and a visit to the Sinaia monastery - by Mount Sinai the name - with two amazing temples and a museum.

back on the road …

At noon we arrived at "Brasov", whereby chance and after some unsuccessful attempts to park- not even "Smart" can park-, we found ourselves in a plot rather than a parking place, 10 min from the central tourist square, 5 'from the town hall ... One courteous employee of the municipality responsible for the parking in a laughing smiling and speaking Romanian, left us without paying! It was only 6 Lei / nor 1.5 € for the remaining 6 hours - until 18:00 I thought it was a very nice place for an overnight stay but...

The youths and youngsters of "Brasov" used it after 22:00, the empty parking space for other reasons ... Strong music, car spins and more.

Then I moved 300 meters to the central square next to the town hall, on the empty parking lot, along the wonderfully planted square

 45. 38.673, 25 ° 35.25

"Brasov" is a city of 300,000 inhabitants, we saw the Baroque Square "Piata Sfatului"

and rain-rain...

'Romanian Orthodox Cathedral'

“strada Republicil” street"

The ”Biserica Negra”  is a black-by fire not by its evil- church

"Shei Gate"

and the neighbour gate

St. Nicholas

Fortress of Textile

"Cetatea Brasov" the Acropolis, we did not go up ...

"Roman Catholic Cathedral"

the TOWN HALL

"white tower" and the view from above.

the ”Biserica Negra”

It was a cable car on the opposite slope, but we did not climb 

Wednesday, 4 June

Early the morning, with a hoar-frost beautifully covered the medieval city centre, after the walk of Hara, we started for "Bran"

At Romania without visiting the Dracula's castle is not meant to be, even if never Wlad step its foot there ...Due to thick fog, we crossed the "Poiana Brasov" and "Rasnov" as we would have the opportunity to visit them on the return.

wise movement!

We were in the castle just at 9:00 time that opens for the public and I enjoyed it alone ... parking 1 € per hour !!!

A tour of the 57 (!) Rooms with the furniture just as it was (worthy of 25 Lei / 4 €), coming out I face a crowd of tourists! How they will walk, take a look in the small rooms, unknown...

next to it an open-air museum, village, not of course at the size of that of Bucharest

A few kilometres behind is the castle or rather the acropolis of "Rasnov" a village on the top of a hill with ruins of medieval dwellings. What has been restored is "souvenir shop"

However, it is worth visiting - the tedious climb it can be by a train for 0.80 € - only for the 380 ° view of the plateau. Do not forget that we are always up at 500 ~ 600 meters.

Continue to the amazing beauty of Poiana Brasov valley with luxurious hotels, infinite lifts and ski slopes! the weather gets better.

Infinitely better in my opinion than "Sinaia", even with classical music being heard by invisible speakers in the centre of the park ...eating and short resting, before continuing to "Sighisoara". Passing, again from "Brasov" and seeing the first relative inscription "Biserica fortificata" translated into a "castle-church" I remembered that I was in its prime geographical area of fortified churches! So a visit to "Celeata Rupea"

in "Bunesti"

and "Evangelica Sascis" (Unesco)

which was on our way. Closed due to time ...

heading in the storm …

the afternoon arrival at "Sighisoara" and the camping "Aquaris"

No way to find it because of the wrong coordinates ...

the right...

46t.13.358, 24. 46.750

Here it came the help of a municipal police patrol who thought that I had a problem with a taxi driver, I was asking for the place. Nicely and with impeccable English, joined me up to camping.

 A pool! (was not working), 2 male toilets, 2 extra-long showers - clean ...

The only (+) that is 5 min from the heart of "Sighisoara" and the stairs for the Acropolis - a pedestrian bridge separates it

- and "free WiFi" ...

cost of one person, 220v. 50 Lei / 11,38 €

in the Aquaris campsite.

For one night only- next day, it was "reserve" of a group of Italian campers …

Eventually, they were French, 5 motorhomes ... for my good luck, When I was going to pay I met the owner who disagreed vertically with the employee and assured me that there was no problem of space so I stayed. On a sunny day, we happily walk around the castle-town.

From 17:30 the rain consistent with our daily appointment closed us in the "house"

after the arrival of the french. camping look like parking...

Thursday, 5 June

"Sighisoara" The walk in the fortified medieval city is something else! 11 towers are saved along with the walls!

Apart from the many souvenirs, restaurants, cafes, there are houses inhabited, a school and a "theoretical high school" at the top of the hill! These students have to climb this hill - 172 Sheltered stair from the square - during hard winter...

So what did we see in the medieval streets

Clock Tower "Turnul cu Ceas"

with a clock, dancing dolls at 12:00

a government building

The father's of Vlad Ţepeş or otherwise Dracula home! Today a restaurant!

The Sheltered School stair “Scara Scolarilor”  build in 1642!

the high school

the "church on the hill"

The square

and because life for local kids goes out of the tourist market…

lessons! Boys always slow... 

the city from above and the "cathedrala of Orthodoxa Sfanta Treime" The Orthodox cathedral just opposite the entrance of the campsite.

I also see it from my place in the camping.

Friday 06 June

Relaxing in the campsite, a short ride in the city with Hara, general cleaning and reorganization of our "home"

Saturday 07 June

we started for "Sibiu".

The road is very good - for the Romanian data.

we have also entered a part of the new under-construction highway - an amazing job with European specifications.

A Visit to the fortified church in "Biertan" we turn left 25 km from "Sighisoara" and drive about 12 km in a narrow but easy rural road (paved).

and the necessary crucified Jesus

Surrounded by the picturesque streets and vineyards of the 15th century, the fortified church is high up on a hill in the middle of the village. Three rows of high defensive walls, connected with towers and gates, encircle the complex, making it impossible to conquer during the Middle Ages.

the entrance

The precursor of the security door ... is locked on all four sides of the frame.

The door, a real miracle of engineering (for that time), has a locking mechanism with 15 pins that can be activated at the same time with a key. The mechanism also triggered interest in the Paris World Expo in 1900.

another fortified church on our way

A stop in the town "Medias" stroll to the medieval centre

Another visit at "Viilor".

"Valea Viilor" Fortified Church situated in a valley with vineyards, this fortified church was built in 1263 in Gothic style and was extended and fortified in the 15th and 16th centuries with the addition of an 8m high and 2m thick walls.

But it was closed and so we were pleased with the external observation.

and Jesus crucified with a skirt ... A real skirt!

From the route

A new wooden church.

another fortified at "Axente Sever"

Afternoon at the "Sibiu"

parking - again by chance - in the Park "Parcul Tineretului 5" Excellent location, next to a children's playground with children play until late at night!

45.796860, 24.157455

and in the evening

absolutely safe and 500 meters from the central square of the old town "Piata Mare" (Great Square). UNESCO monument and the tower of the council, the Town Hall and more.

The "Piata Mica" (small square), joined by two small arcades, passes to the North.

From there you go downstairs by passing through the iron bridge of the liar (Podul Minciunilor), he would drop- according to the tradition- if he was lying the time he was passing it ...(Pasajul Scarilor) twin stairs and arches, connecting the Upper Town and the Lower City.

Two parts. the Upper Town, where most of the historical sights of "Sibiu", and the Lower Town, with colourful houses in cobbled streets and bounded by the imposing city walls and defence towers overlooking the river "Cibin".

and the third square, "Huet" with the "Biserica Evangelica" (Evangelical Church). 

The WC clean as everywhere else

the Roman Catholic Church

Council Tower The tower of the old town hall and entrance to the second row of walls.

And "goulash" on bread instead of a plate! You also eat the plate - literally …

Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral of St. Trinity

At Address: Str. Metropolitan Church 35.

Built between 1902-1906 in the area of the former Greek church, it shares a similar style with the Cathedral of St. Sophia in Constantinople. The interior is dominated by a huge gold chandelier and features neo-Byzantine décor. This is the second-largest orthodox temple in Romania (the largest is located in Iasi).

(Manastirea Ursulinelor) Ursuline monastery and Greek-Catholic temple

The passage

Many happenings in the squares, I also fell into an open international theatre week ...

The park on the walls of "Parcul Cetăţii" with its towers.

and its culture

And next to the garden of the Natural History Museum

Beautiful "Sibiu" is more beautiful and more interesting than "Brasov" - in my view, it is more of a medieval city.

Sunday, 08 June

walks and walks again …

the rain, rain, every day on time...

Monday, 9 June

Sibiu - Baile Herculane

On the way, we visited a pretty interesting castle in the city "Hunedoara"

the "Corvinesti Castle"

The largest gothic castle in Romania, "Corvinesti" was built by the Anjou family at the site of the former Roman camp. The castle served as a fortress until the middle of the 14th century when it became the residence of the Transylvanian ruler, "Iancu de Hunedoara". This was the reason for upgrading the fort and turning it into the most impressive castle in Transylvania.

it has a rich "Knights' Hall", an impressive suspension bridge, high buttresses, courtyards, a chapel and about 50 medieval rooms

maybe Gypsies do not want a permanent residence... But if they decide it...

and a stop for supplies and coffee in "Carasenbes" short rest in shade due to lunchtime sleep …

Throughout the beautiful route a lot of trucks !!! for the first time on a route such a "convoy" moving opposite me to North. In my own direction a minimum of traffic even from cars

Arriving in Baile Herculane Baths

Baile Herculane is embedded in the National Park "Domogled Cerna Valley National Park,"

On the main road before we reach the junction for the baths there is a small clean camping

Campsite Hercules

Nat. Road (DN) 6, km 382

327270 / Mehadia / Baile Herculane Romania

44 ° 52'8 "N 22 ° 23'15" E

the plan was to look at the baths and go back to sleep. we did not ...

The small picturesque (?) Resort in a valley surrounded by mountains, on the banks of the Cerna River. foul on the right and left of the street with coffee, fast food, souvenir shops and huge sprawling hotels or pension...

Disappointment !!!

I decided to continue - on a road that always squeezes.

I was rewarded two, three km later when I arrived and parked comfortably (!) In the old baths square,

44 ° 53.316 22 ° 25.436

There is a Roman Document for the resort that dates back to 153 AD, in 1718 begins the history of modern Herculane during the Austrian Empire.

A place of ruined buildings of a certain age, today, which gave the old glory of this place ... With visitors over time great personalities such as Emperor Joseph. ll, Emperor Francis I and Empress Charlotte, Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elizabeth (Sissy), etc.

the ghost town...

In live two hotels, one with the bath complex.

At the sunset, the last cars were left and I was alone in a local snack café-grocery store like the old ones in our villages with a group of

 7 ~ 8 local children around the age of 25 who did not like the area of the "fast-food" and souvenir shops.

So we started drinking beers with "mitsch" (some kind of small kebab, typical Romanian, you can find it everywhere) baked in a small barbecue by the owner and chatting about their problems, the region and the world in general till 2: 30 in the morning ...

After confirming that there is no safer place for an overnight stay and that I would not bother or nobody would bother me. I stayed.

What a pity that the time for being in a marriage in Serbia was too sort. They were willing to show me the little secrets and beautiful parts even the "free" baths...

I'm still soaking up myself that I did not stay another day …

Tuesday, 10 June

Baile Herculane-Nis

A beautiful 25-kilometre- a lot of trucks- up to the border with Serbia. The road was good till the dam (border with Serbia) - immediately after "Orsova" - with tanks of level change.

Lots of materials and delay due to collection operations about 45 minutes between the borders …

Riverside beautiful route that continues up to the Serbian "Kladovo" the first town after the border. At the borders just looking at my photo the Serbs seal it (entry-exit). After an easy mountain drive to "Nis"

But the road …

This is the GPS trace within Romania

with more detail, if you link to "everytrail.com"

www.alltrails.com//2014-romania

According to the GPS, 4,033 kilometres were travelled within Romania in 5 days - obviously, it means 120 hours driving ...

I spent 8 ~ 8.5 litres of fuel per 100 km because of low speeds. I was not scared or threatened bad anywhere. I have often digressed the streets and their conservators. I did not feel the presence of the police more than in my country and I was not bothered by anyone. In my opinion, Romania, despite the absence of camping - A few Campings exists only in very touristic places, although camping serving some of the abundant pensions - is an easy destination and compensates anyone who decides it.

As for the people, Better than many "civilized Europeans"...