Tourist Attractions & Monuments Romania

Romania's very first botanical garden, created in 1856 by naturalist Anastasie Fătu, is also one of the country's largest: it covers an area of 80 ha, on Copou Hill. It is divided into twelve sections, dedicated to roses, Romanian flora, world flora and useful plants (medicinal, melliferous, aromatic, etc.). It also includes twelve greenhouses, housing tropical, subtropical and equatorial plants. The Iași Botanical Garden is part of the Alexandru Ioan Cuza University.

10 km south of Târgu Neamț, in the village of Târpești, here's a lively, colorful museum well worth a stop. In a superb traditional carved wooden house, a variety of objects are on display: New Year masks, sculptures, naive paintings and also a few archaeological pieces, objects produced or collected by Neculai Popa, an artist and collector with a passion for folklore. Passed away in 2010, this much-loved local figure shared his passion with his son, himself an artist, and his daughter, who can give you a tour in French.

This "Roman square" is an important crossroads for roads and urban transport, served by metro lines 1 and 2. The long boulevard Dacia runs right through it, and the boulevards Magheru and Lascăr Catargiu end here. It is surrounded by several fine buildings, such as the palace of the Commercial Academy, occupied by the Academy of Economic Sciences, to the north. Several facades are adorned with advertising. The most notable, emblematic of the premises, is the huge bottle of a well-known soda, which lights up at night.

Opposite the National Museum of Art, this superb 1895 building is the work of French architect Paul Gottereau. Built by King Carol ^I, it houses the city's oldest central university library. Seriously damaged during the 1989 revolution, the three-building structure was renovated. In 2010, an equestrian statue of Carol ^I was installed in front of the Foundation Palace, the original structure.

In front of the imposing Colţea Hospital building stands a statue of Mihai Cantacuzino, built in 1869. It was he who, in 1704, decided to build this hospital, the first in the city. It was rebuilt twice. The Colţea church was also founded by Mihai Cantacuzino, in 1702. It underwent numerous renovations after a fire (1739) and an earthquake (1838). You'll notice its unique portico, Italian Baroque style and floral ornamentation. The interior features paintings by Tattarescu dating from 1871.

Connecting Piața Universității and Piața Romană, they are one of the city's most important roads and commercial thoroughfares, making them busy and often congested. Built at the beginning of the ^20th century, these rectilinear axes stand in stark contrast to the surrounding winding streets. Many of their buildings date from the interwar period, in Art Deco or modern styles. Among the most noteworthy are the Ambasador and Lido hotels, and the astonishing Ciclop garage (no. 6).

Close to Piaţa Ovidiu, this elegant reinforced concrete mosque is the main Muslim place of worship in Romania. It was built in 1910 in Arab-Byzantine style, with elements of Romanian architecture. It was a gift from King Carol I to the Muslim community in the region. The interior houses the largest oriental carpet in Romania: with an area of 144 square metres, it is over two hundred years old and weighs almost 500 kg. You can climb the approximately 140 steps of the 47-metre high minaret: from there, the view of the city is superb.

The National Theater and the Romanian Opera, founded in 1919, are housed in a Baroque and Rococo building constructed between 1904 and 1906. Cluj is one of the few cities in the world to boast a second operatic institution: the Hungarian Opera, founded in 1948, which shares the same building as the Hungarian Theatre, strada Emil Isac. Close to the National Theatre stands the Tailors' Bastion(bastionul Croitorilor), part of the ^15th-century fortifications.

Dominated by the Grand Hotel (formerly the Intercontinental), University Square is one of the emblematic sites of the 1989 revolution and the mini-mergerades of the 1990s, as witnessed by the many crosses, plaques and mausoleums that pay tribute to their victims. At its center stands the equestrian statue of national hero Mihai Viteazul (Michael the Brave), erected in 1876. Today, the square and its surroundings are a lively place where local youth gather around a small fountain. It also remains a focal point for demonstrators.

It's one of the most beautiful and impressive in the country. The massive late Gothic church dates from 1516. The interior is sober. Note the earthenware fireplace decorated with blue flowers, as well as the sacristy door, with its lock featuring nineteen latches that close simultaneously! This remarkable ensemble served as a residence for Lutheran bishops in the ^16th and ^17th centuries. It has never been conquered, so impressive is its defensive system: three fortified enclosures 12 m high, with six towers and three bastions.

Dominating the town, the Church of the Hill(biserica din Deal) was built in the ^15th century in Gothic style, on the site of a ^13th-century Romanesque church. Its ^15th-century interior paintings are of great value, and its Romanesque crypt is unique in the region. The old German cemetery opposite is a moving and pleasant place to visit. The top of the hill is reached by a surprising covered wooden staircase, built in the ^17th century for the pupils of the school next to the church. At the time, it had 300 steps, compared with 175 after restoration in 1849.

With a roof with coloured motifs, it was erected in the 14th century on the site of a 12th century church. It is very representative of the Transylvanian Gothic style, with its three naves and transept. Inside, its 60 or so tombstones of local personalities, 15th century frescoes and its 6,000-pipe organ are remarkable. You can also climb the bell tower, which peaks at 73 m: after 192 steps, at a height of 55 m, the view is breathtaking.

The salt mine(salina) was modernized in 2008-2010 and now offers excellent conditions for visits and treatments. Mining ceased in 1932, and today it's possible to visit the galleries and chambers where salt has been mined since 1690. We recommend visiting the Franz Joseph transport gallery, the Joseph (currently under construction), Thérèse, Gisèle and Rudolf mines. The impressive Rudolf and Thérèse mines are the largest man-made underground cavities in Europe, almost surreal in their dimensions. Treatments include halotherapy(halos means salt in Greek), known since Antiquity as a natural remedy that is highly effective and has no side effects. A session in a salt mine helps you recover, revitalize and boost your body's immunity. Sessions last from 30 to 60 minutes, and there's plenty to do: a sports field, miniature golf course, two bowling lanes, billiard and table tennis tables, Ferris wheel, children's play area and rowing boats for strolling on the underground lake are all at your disposal. In summer, two natural lakes with high concentrations of salt and healing properties are open to the public. In the ^16th century, the town of Turda was one of the most prosperous in the principality of Transylvania, thanks to the trade in this commodity so precious in the Middle Ages. In fact, it seems that salt mining in Turda predates the Roman conquest.

Colorful and surrounded by pleasant terraces, the Place de la Citadelle(piața Cetății) is the heart of the old town. It was here that markets were held, judgments handed down and executions carried out. Note the stag house(casa cu Cerb), with its animal fresco topped by a trophy. This ^17th-century residence, a perfect example of the Transylvanian Renaissance style, is one of the city's most beautiful. Recently renovated, it is now occupied by a pension-restaurant.

Other houses in the area are well worth a look. A little further down, on the way back down to the Clock Tower, you'll see the yellow casa Vlad Dracul on your right, named after the father of the man who inspired the character of Dracula, the voivode Vlad Țepeș. This is the house where the aforementioned Țepeș is said to have been born and raised, between 1431 and 1435. Today, it houses a medieval restaurant with, upstairs, a very kitschy attraction for tourists in search of the vampire (admission €2). If you eat there, you can also see a beautiful ^15th-century fresco depicting Vlad Dracul. A little further down, opposite the monastery church, the Venetian House, built in the ^17th century and renovated in a neo-Gothic Venetian style in the ^19th century, is easily identifiable, with its window frames imitating the Venetian style.

At the end of Strada Bastionului, you'll find the Catholic church. Dating from 1894, its style is eclectic, both neo-Gothic and neo-Romanesque.

The heart of the city, it's a good place to start your exploration. In addition to the Catholic cathedral and the statue of Matei Corvin, you'll find pleasant terraces to contemplate the local entertainment. You can reach Avram Iancu and Ștefan cel Mare squares via strada Iuliu Maniu, also known as rue Miroir because the two buildings that mark the beginning of the street on either side are perfectly identical. They date back to 1899. Attractive side streets include strada Dávid Ferenc and strada Tipografiei.

One of the most photographed monasteries in the region, this convent, a complex of churches and wooden houses, impresses with its position in the green hills of Maramureş. The entrance to the Twelve Apostles monastery is done by a magnificent sculpted portal. Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, the Church of the Virgin Mary is one of the highest in the region. The site, dating back to 1720, impresses with its architectural unity.

A masterpiece of architecture, this Byzantine-style church with its twisted towers was erected in 1517 by Prince Neagoe Basarab on the site of a former 14th-century monastery. The work of master mason Manole, it has been redesigned and restored several times. Its present appearance is due to the French architect André Lecomte du Nouÿ who, from 1875, restored it to its former beauty. At that time, the building was practically in a state of ruin, following earthquakes and fires at the beginning of the 19th century. The interior is superb, with its gilded oil paintings. The original frescoes have been largely replaced and fragments can be seen in the Bucharest History Museum. The church also houses the tombs of its founder as well as those in white marble of the royal couples Carol I (1866-1914) and his wife Elisabeth, and Ferdinand (1914-1927) and Queen Mary. They were joined in 2003 by King Carol II, who died in exile. The exterior is incredibly rich, the stone is chiseled to the extreme with oriental motifs, representing plants or birds. Opposite the church, the episcopal palace, all in red brick, dates from 1890.

Legend has it that Manole had his wife walled up in the church, in the hope of breaking the curse that had struck the building site. He himself was sequestered there and, trying to escape, he crashed to the ground, causing a fountain to gush forth, visible at the entrance to the park that bears his name.

First of all, you will be surrounded by the large and interesting buildings of the outbuildings, which are interesting and arranged in a bar, villas, post, hotel, souvenir shop… The park on the terrace is in Italian Renaissance style and puts the castle in value.

It occupies an entire section of the Grande Place, along with the adjoining parish church. Built between 1726 and 1733, the richly decorated church is in the Viennese Baroque style. Masses are still held here in German, even though the Saxon community is now very small. The parish house once housed the Jesuit seminary. Above the tabernacle, the fresco of Mary and the Divine Child is a fine example of local Baroque painting. The patio houses the statue of the martyred Catholic priest Jean Népomucène, which was removed from the main square during the Communist era.

This church perched on a mound is an important monument of the Romanian faith. Founded in 1658 by the voivode Constantin Șerban, it became the church of the Metropolitan of Wallachia a few years later, and the cathedral of the patriarchate in 1925. The building is rather massive, with an arcaded façade and three bell towers, added in 1698 by Constantin Brâncoveanu. The interior ornamentation is impressive, but perhaps most fascinating of all is the fervor displayed within. Next door, the Patriarchate Palace houses the headquarters of the Romanian Orthodox Church.

At the entrance to the historic center, at the junction of Strada Lipscani and Bulevardul Brătianu, stands the Lupoaicei statue, a reproduction of the famous Roman she-wolf suckling Romulus and Remus. It was donated to the city by the Municipality of Rome in 1906, to mark the Latinity of Romanian culture. Similar replicas can be seen in other cities around the country, such as Timișoara, Alba Iulia or Târgu Mureș, donated by various Italian municipalities. In Bucharest, the she-wolf has changed location several times.

Slightly higher than the royal palace, Pelișor (literally "little Peleș", which nonetheless has 70 rooms) bears the same German Renaissance touch as its big brother. It was built between 1899 and 1903 by Carol ^I, who presented it as a gift to his nephew Ferdinand and his wife Marie, heirs to the Romanian throne. It was she who designed the interior decoration, in the Art Nouveau style she was so fond of. The small palace reveals the romantic, avant-garde personality of this aesthete queen, who died here in 1938.

It is divided into four historical sections: ancient, medieval, modern and contemporary. You'll see old amphorae, all kinds of weapons, medals, uniforms, navigational instruments, old maps... Not forgetting the hundred or so ship models from all eras: ancient merchant ships, Ottoman galleys, Moldavian warships, ^20th-century boats and submarines. The park offers a breathtaking view of the harbour.

Built in the ^14th century on the site of a Roman fortress, this impressive monument to local Gothic architecture is a must-see if you're in the area. Originally a princely residence, its function was defensive. In 1390, Emperor Sigismund of Luxembourg, King of Hungary, donated it and the forty surrounding villages to the Romanian prince(cneaz) Voicu, in gratitude for his feats of arms. Between 1446 and 1453, Voicu's son Iancu de Hunedoara (Hungarian: János Hunyadi) transformed it into a castle for military purposes. Renaissance and Baroque elements were subsequently added to create a sumptuous residence.

Among the castle's highlights are the gallery, the Knights' Hall (west wing), the Diet Hall (west wing) with its medallions of the reigning princes painted on the walls, the White Bastion (food store), the chapel and over fifty rooms with numerous murals. The north wing is known as the Matei wing, named after Iancu de Hunedoara's son, the famous Matthias (Matei) Corvin, King of Hungary. Here you'll see a column bearing the Corvin family coat of arms, with a raven holding a ring in its beak. The Corvins take their name from the Latin corbea, meaning "raven". The towers bear evocative names such as Tour des Massues or Tour Neboisa ("don't be afraid"). The balconies, with their wood and stone ornamentation, are remarkable.

A museum displays historical and ethnographic collections.

This beautiful park with its lush vegetation was founded in 1860 by the famous physician Carol Davila. Its 18 hectares are divided into several sectors, dedicated to rare plants, Dobrogea flora and Mediterranean plants. There's also the grandmother's garden, the Italian garden, the medicinal garden, the rose garden... The greenhouses (please note reduced opening hours) house tropical and subtropical plants, cacti and palms. In all, over 5,000 varieties, not counting the 500,000 specimens in the herbarium.

Less impressive than Prejmer, but interesting nonetheless. The fortifications were built between the ^15th and ^17th centuries by the local Saxons. Its 50-metre-high tower and seven square bastions give it a massive appearance. The round enclosure is made up of houses adjoining the church, which was originally Romanesque but has been remodeled in Gothic style. It contains interesting frescoes. The interior of the fortress is lined with small houses along the wall, in which the inhabitants took refuge during sieges.

Colorful, lively and picturesque, the lower part of Sibiu(orașul de jos) is well worth a visit. It includes buildings that have preserved medieval features, mostly located on May 9th and Ocnei streets. You can get there by taking one of the medieval staircases, notably from Piața Huet or Piața Mică.

Place Dragoner, considered the center of the lower town, dates back to the ^12th and ^13th centuries, making it the oldest in the city. The surrounding houses were built between the ^15th and ^19th centuries. Until 1976, a Baroque and neoclassical building dating from 1800 stood in its middle, housing the headquarters of the Austrian dragoons.

Rue du 9 Mai is Sibiu's oldest street. It features seven listed buildings, including a ^16th-century house at no. 43. The architecture is typical of Transylvanian Saxon towns, with low, tiled-roofed houses. Unfortunately, heavy traffic spoils its charm.

Goldsmiths' Square (Piața Aurarilor) is one of Sibiu's most romantic squares. This small, cobbled square is surrounded by a number of colorful ^16th-century houses, some with German inscriptions. As its name suggests, silversmiths had their workshops here. The stairway leading up to it from Piața Mică is lined with beautiful houses. The oldest date back to the end of the ^15th century.

In Piața Cibin, on the banks of the river of the same name, a market is held, much appreciated for the quality of its produce and its popular atmosphere.

Built between 1902 and 1906, the cathedral bears a certain resemblance to Saint Sophia in Istanbul. Its architects, Naghy and Konemer, were originally from Budapest. It is the seat of the Orthodox metropolis of Transylvania. Renovated and repainted in 1964, it is pleasantly luminous. Its beautiful murals, like those on the iconostasis, were painted by Octavian Smighelschi, a Hungarian from the village of Ludoș, not far from Sibiu.

It occupies the former Sibiu Town Hall (1545-1948), also known as Casa Altemberger, the family whose coat of arms adorns the façade. This 15th-century building and its pretty courtyard are Gothic in style. It is one of the last remaining civil buildings from this period. The small bell at the top of the tower is known as the "condemned man's bell", because it was used to announce the execution of a prisoner. The exhibition traces local history back to the Paleolithic period.

In the heart of the Schei district, this wooden church built in 1292, rebuilt in stone in the 15th century and enlarged in the 18th, blends Gothic and Baroque styles. With its main tower and the four others flanked at the corners of the building, it looks like a castle! At the time, it played a very important cultural and religious role for the Romanian communities in the surrounding area. Inside, you will see beautiful icons, some of which date back to the 15th century.

This large edifice, on the banks of the Târnava Mare river, was built in 1937 in neo-Byzantine style. Another religious building of note in the lower town, located a little further west, between the river and the railway line (strada Ștefan cel Mare, 34): the Church of the Lepers(biserica Leproșilor, called Kirche am Siechhof in German). This small Gothic Lutheran church dates back to the 15th century and was the asylum church for lepers from the 16th to the 19th century. Today, it is used by the Greek-Catholic community.

Located at the southern exit of the city, about 3 km from the center, this open-air museum which spreads out on the hill of Dobăieș benefits from a very pretty wooded setting, which provides superb panoramas of the surroundings. It mainly presents different types of village buildings, farms, houses, carved doors, but also mills, oil presses, traditional washhouses ... The oldest pieces date from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. You will also see a wooden church dating from 1621, brought back from the village of Oncești.

A very friendly center where English, German and a little French are spoken. This organization can provide you with a wealth of documentation and organize themed tours of the citadels, as well as meetings with the villagers (tastings, cart rides, etc.). If you don't find what you're looking for (which can happen depending on the time of day or the season), you can visit the Adept Foundation, just across the street, which will be happy to help.

This is the last remaining forest railroad in Europe. Put into service in the 1930s, this narrow-gauge railway runs for 50 km through the magnificent Vaser valley, accessible only by this means. Customs officers and lumberjacks use it to get to their places of work, and on the return journey, to bring the wood back to Vișeu. Tourists can also take the 21.6 km route, aboard vintage wagons pulled by a steam(mocăniță) or diesel locomotive. Enjoy spectacular views of the valley, punctuated by gorges, ridges, tunnels and waterfalls. Several stops are planned. At Paltin, the last stop, you'll stay for 1 to 2 hours. Here you can enjoy a picnic or barbecue lunch and a short walk through the forest. The train runs from late March to mid-November (Thursday to Sunday; daily from June to late September): departure is at 9am, returning around 3pm. The mocăniță also runs around Christmas and New Year. With the snow, the atmosphere is magical!

In the station parking lot you can admire a group of traditional Maramureș houses(Satul Maramureșean Mocănița). Local produce is sold here, and folklore events are sometimes held.

The station is also home to a small café called Elefant, in a traditional Jewish house that doubles as a museum.

Caravans and motorhomes can also park here for a fee.

It is one of the most pleasant places in the city to rest and contemplate nature. Known as one of the most beautiful botanical gardens in Eastern Europe, this unique place on the heights of the city was designed by Alexandru Borza in 1920. Its 11,000 varieties of plants from all over the world, spread over 14 hectares, are used for research, conservation and public education. Thus, important research on edible plants is carried out here and the scientists in charge of this garden are in contact with colleagues from many countries. Outdoors, you will visit a Gyo-no-niwa-style Japanese garden with bridges and gates, and a beautiful rose garden surrounded by other ornamental plants from all over the world and from all walks of life. A section of ancient cultures allows you to rediscover plants that are nowadays neglected. A section of medicinal plants, coastal flora and real forests will complete your walk. Some of the plants are sheltered under gigantic greenhouses. One is a collection of large palm trees, banana and cocoa trees. Another is devoted to cacti of all sizes and origins. Yet another is home to more than 50 species of orchids. Mediterranean and Australian plants grow side-by-side, while olive, fig and eucalyptus trees grow elsewhere. Finally, the most impressive is in the aquarium greenhouse, with its giant Amazon lotus, almost 1.5 m in diameter, carnivorous plants and papyrus.

The monastery is named after the hermit Agapie, who retired to the area in the ^14th century. Built between 1642 and 1647 on the initiative of Gavril, brother of the Prince of Moldavia Vasile Lupu, the monastery has undergone numerous alterations that have modified its original structure. The church has often been damaged, most recently by the earthquake of 1977. Its interior frescoes, dating from 1861, are the work of the famous Romanian painter Nicolae Grigorescu. He also signed some superb icons, presented in the museum, among other remarkable works.

Arriving in Brașov in the early ^19th century, the Jewish community built a synagogue here, completed in 1901. Concealed at the far end of a courtyard, this elegant building of red brick and white stone is in the neo-Moorish style. Its size reflects the importance of the community until the Second World War. The immaculately white interior walls are finely sculpted. The synagogue features interesting stained-glass windows, notably the geometric motifs above the entrance porch. It also houses a small memorial to the victims of the Holocaust.

It occupies the former prison, infamous for having housed many opponents of the communist regime in the 1950s. Some 200 politicians, clerics and intellectuals were imprisoned and tortured here. 54 died. Photographs in the cells show the horror of this repression and retrace the history of communism and dissidence. The inner courtyard is home to the Cortege of the Sacrificed, a moving group of bronze statues.

Just on the outskirts of the town, this open-air museum, created in 1971, exhibits typical 19th century farm buildings and houses, but also tools from all corners of Banat, as well as a farm and water and windmills. The complex, organised in accordance with the layout of the villages at the time, includes all the traditional institutions: town hall, school, church... To get there, take bus n° 46 from the Bastion station.

In a pleasant neighborhood off boulevard Lascăr Catargiu, this striking 1911 red house houses a fine collection by sculptor Frédéric Storck, a leading figure in Romanian modern art, as well as paintings by his wife Cecilia Cuțescu-Storck and works by Storck's father and grandfather, both sculptors as well. The collection also includes ink and charcoal drawings, pastels, watercolors, gouaches and bronze plaques, as well as collectibles such as icons and antique coins.

They bear witness to the importance of the site during the Roman period. What remains of the walls of the castrum, which must have been 3 m high and 1.5 m thick, allows us to guess the rooms and the four towers. This fortress was used to control the river and the bridge that spanned it. Of this Trajan Bridge (Podul Traian), named after the Roman Emperor who decided to build it, only one pillar remains. An architectural feat for the time, it was built between 103 and 105 to facilitate the invasion of Dacia by the Romans. Upstream, there are ruins of thermal baths.

Perched on a Carpathian ridge at the foot of the Făgărăș mountains, this ruined citadel is considered the real castle of Vlad Țepeș, the Vlach voivode who inspired the character of Dracula. Built in the ^14th century by Prince Negru Vodă to protect against Ottoman invasions, it has undergone numerous transformations, with the addition of towers and a keep. Vlad Țepeș, in particular, undertook an extension of the fortress during his reign, making it his second home. Legend has it that he took refuge here from the Turks in 1462, when they invaded the region. His wife is said to have thrown herself into the void to avoid ending up in their hands. Falling into the river below, she gave it its name: râul Doamnei, the river of the Princess. The Poienari citadel occupies a strategic position, at the entrance to the Argeș valley. It's reached by climbing a staircase of some 1,400 steps. Up there, you'll enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of the Argeș valley, the Vidraru lake dam and the surrounding mountains.

You'll reach the citadel from the north, via the mythical Transfăgărașan road, or from Curtea de Argeș, some 25 km further south. In winter, as the Transfăgărașan is closed, access is only from Curtea de Argeș. Find out in advance whether the rehabilitation work has been completed and whether the citadel is open to the public again (www.muzeul-judetean-arges.ro/cetatea-poienari/).

The Princely Court(Curtea domnească) is a large complex of buildings with orange brick walls, set in a very pleasant park. It was built in the ^14th century by Mircea cel Bătrân (Mircea the Elder) and became the residence of the princes and the capital of Wallachia from 1415 to 1659. Vlad Ţepeş, who inspired the character of Dracula, lived here. His bust can be seen not far from the entrance to the complex. All that remains of the princely residence are the high ruins, where the square-shaped cellars are clearly visible. Resting on a pyramidal base, the Chindiei tower, 27 metres high and 9 metres in diameter, is the emblem of the city it dominates. It was from here that the closing of the city gates was announced at sunset, hence its name, which means "twilight tower". Later, it was used as an observation tower and then as a prison. Its current form (notably its windows) and neo-Gothic style date back to the ^19th century. You can climb to the top via a narrow staircase. On each floor, a small exhibition presents the history of the building and its princely dynasties. The view of the city and region from the roof is remarkable, but above all it allows you to appreciate the structure of the residence and imagine it as it was when it housed the princes. The complex also boasts two churches. The large princely church was built in 1583, and its Greek cross plan is a fine example of ^15th-century Byzantine architecture. The carved limewood iconostasis dates from 1697. The western wall features portraits of the greatest princes of the time. Although their names are written in Cyrillic, you may recognize Matei Basarab, Constantin Brâncoveanu or Mihai Viteazul. The large church bell dating from 1669 is on display in the gallery. The little princely church (Sfânta Vineri), further away, dates back to the ^15th century and is characterized by its cloverleaf shape. The Bălaşa house (^17th century) opposite takes its name from a princess, wife of Prince Constantin Şerban. At first, it housed the most destitute, then became a school. The site is particularly popular with Romanian tourists and schools, as the residence represents a symbol of the country's glorious past. For French-speaking visitors, a short guide in French is on sale at the ticket office. A map and text, displayed after the entrance, also provide some explanations.

Founded in 1645, the Moldavian-style church, reminiscent of the one in Iași, boasts well-preserved interior paintings. The monks' living quarters are charming, with flower-filled corridors and low white walls. You'll find a short explanatory text in French. Another interesting religious monument, the Sfântu Dumitru church, located strada Bărăției, was founded in 1639 by Dumitru Buzinca, one of Wallachia's most important boyars at the time.

The cave-monastery of Saint Andrew(peșterea Sfântul Andrei) lies 80 km west of Constanța, shortly after Adamclisi, in the village of Ion Corvin. Nestled in a forest of lime trees is a cave where, according to legend, the apostle Andrei took refuge. Arriving in the region around 60 A.D., he is said to have built a church here, where he and his followers celebrated the first Christian masses in what is now Romania. In the 1990s, a monastery was built next door.

This wine-growing region is the most famous in Dobrogea. It extends around the town of Basarabi. Located 20 km from Constanţa, the east-facing hillsides are particularly well-suited to vine-growing. This estate was extended in the 1950s, following a major planting campaign. A variety of grape varieties are grown here, producing wines that are often sweet and fruity, which, especially for red wines, may be a little disconcerting for French tourists. Guided tours are available, with tastings of course.

The Sucevița monastery was founded by the Movilă family in 1581 (church) and completed in 1601 (enclosure). Flanked by towers with pointed roofs, the 6-meter-high, 3-meter-thick surrounding walls form an almost perfect quadrilateral (100 x 104 meters). The central church is entirely covered with exterior frescoes (the best preserved in Bucovina), dominated by green and red. Executed by the brothers Ion and Sofronie in 1596, they feature an impressive number of biblical characters. Saints, prophets, chroniclers and martyrs number in the hundreds, and their expressions are so elaborate and varied that they deserve to be viewed face by face, the succession of scenes giving the impression of reading a book. The fresco known as the Ladder of St. John Climacus (or Ladder of Virtues and Vices) is considered one of the most beautiful. It represents the 32 stages one must pass through after death. Only those who have never sinned reach the top of the ladder, paradise.

The Museum of Religious Art, housed in a small house, boasts one of the country's richest collections of medieval art. It contains superb ^15th-16th century wood and stone carvings, paintings and manuscripts donated to the monastery by the founders and their descendants. In particular, you'll see superb embroidery in gold, silver, silk and pearls, including precious embroidered portraits of the brothers Ieremia and Simion Movilă, who ruled Moldavia.

It lies 6 km north of Gura Humorului, in the village of Mănăstirea Humorului. Built in the ^16th century, this monastery is renowned for its frescoes attributed to Toma de Suceava, where red and gold dominate. The church, modest in size, is in classic Moldavian style. Its carved and gilded wooden iconostasis is an exceptional piece; the four icons in the first register date from the time of Petru Rareș. Interiors (superb superimposed arches) and exteriors (Moldavia's first open veranda) of the building are decorated with traditional Orthodox paintings, in Byzantine style. The interior paintings are among the finest in Moldavia.
The main themes of the exterior paintings are the Tree of Jesse, the Prodigal Son and the Siege of Constantinople (on the south façade, which is very well preserved). The frescoes on the north and west walls, on the other hand, are badly damaged. Near the entrance, the twenty-four stanzas of the hymn to the Virgin still retain their vivid colors and fine drawing.

The site was once fortified, but since its destruction by the Austrians in 1785, all that remains are a few sections of the surrounding walls and an imposing, pointed watchtower (1641), later transformed into a bell tower.

At the time of its foundation, the monastery was occupied by monks. In 1785, when Bucovina was annexed to the Habsburg Empire, it was dismantled, like most of the monasteries in the region, and only regained its function as a monastery in 1992, becoming a convent for nuns.

15 km from Cacica and Rădăuți, in the village of Arbore, this modest steepleless church was built in 1502 by Luca Arbore, governor of Suceava, who is buried here. The interior and exterior paintings were done in 1541 by Dragoș Coman, who favored all shades of green, especially blue-green. The frescoes, original in their more secular character, show a succession of small scenes, such as Genesis. You'll also see a beautiful iconostasis. A less imposing site than the neighboring monasteries, but more authentic.

The country's largest Gothic church, it was built between 1385 and 1447, alongside an earlier one destroyed by the Tatars. In the fire that ravaged the city in 1689, part of the church was destroyed and its walls turned black, hence its name. Restored, it has been remodeled many times. Its 4,000-pipe organ dates from 1839. The stained glass windows are superb, as are the 119 oriental carpets (15th-18th centuries), statues and paintings in the Italian Renaissance style. Concerts are held here on a regular basis; see the website.