State of Romania

Romania- a state in southeastern Europe. In the north it borders with Ukraine, in the east - with Moldova, in the south - with Bulgaria, in the southwest - with Serbia, in the west - with Hungary. In the southeast it is washed by the Black Sea.

The name of the country comes from the Latin romanus - “Roman”.

Capital

Bucharest.

Square

Population

22364 thousand people

Administrative division

39 counties. The capital of the country is separated into an independent administrative-territorial unit.

Form of government

Republic.

Head of State

President, term of office - 4 years.

Supreme legislative body

Parliament, consisting of the Assembly of Deputies and the Senate, elected for a term of 4 years.

Supreme executive body

Government.

Big cities

Constanta, Iasi, Timisoara, Cluj-Napoca, Ploiesti.

Official language

Romanian.

Religion

70% are Orthodox, 6% are Catholics, 6% are Protestants.

Ethnic composition

89% are Romanians, 9% are Hungarians, 0.4% are Germans, as well as Ukrainians, Jews, Russians, Serbs, Gypsies, Croats, Turks, Bulgarians, Tatars, Slovaks.

Currency

Lei = 100 banam.

Climate

Romania has a temperate, continental climate. The Transylvanian Basin, the Carpathians and the western valleys have warm summers and cold winters. In Wallachia, Moldavia and Dobra, summers are warmer and winters are not so severe. Average temperatures in January on the plains range from 0°C to - 5°C, in July - from + 20°C to + 23°C, in the mountains - lower. Precipitation is 300-700 mm per year (in the mountains - 1500 mm).

Flora

In the Moldavian and Wallachian steppes, vegetation is sparse, only fruit trees grow on the hillsides. At the foot of the mountains there are deciduous forests, dominated by oak, birch, and beech. Above are coniferous forests, mainly pine and spruce.
fauna. On the territory of the country there are wild boar, wolf, lynx, fox, bear, chamois, mountain goat, and deer. The valleys are inhabited by squirrels, hare, badgers, ferrets, and a large number of birds.

Rivers and lakes

The largest river is the Danube, its tributaries are the Prut, Olt, Siret, as well as Mures, a tributary of the Tisza. The largest lake is Razelm.

Attractions

In Bucharest - Romanian Art Museum, National Historical Museum, Palace of Justice (1864), Stirbei Palace, Presidential Palace, Royal Palace (1935), Antim Monasteries, Patriarchal Church. In Cluj-Napoca - the Church of St. Michael of the 14th-19th centuries, the Reformed Church, the Ethnographic Museum. In mountainous areas, medieval castles and fortifications have been preserved.

Useful information for tourists

The climatic and balneo-mud resorts of Romania are widely known - Mangalia, Constanta, Eforia, etc. on the Black Sea, as well as Sinaya, Poiana Brangov, etc. in Transylvania. Traditional purchases include plum tincture, embroidered blouses and handicrafts, unique Romanian drugs that slow down the aging process, and cosmetics.
In a restaurant, even if the cost of service is included in the order amount, the bill is slightly rounded up.

The area of ​​Romania is 238,391 sq km, approximately the same as the UK. Romania ranks 80th in the world by area and 12th in Europe. Romania has an oval shape, extending 735 km from west to east and 530 km from north to south.

Romania is located in the south-east of Europe, occupies the northern part of the Balkan Peninsula and borders the Black Sea in the south. Neighboring countries of Romania: in the east and northeast are Moldova and Ukraine, in the north are Hungary, in the west and southwest are Serbia and Bulgaria.

Relief - Romania

Nature has generously gifted Romania; in this country the relief is varied and harmoniously distributed.

Between the Moldavian Plateau and the Transylvanian Plain rise the Eastern Carpathians of Romania, and the Romanian Plain and the Transylvanian Plain are separated by the Southern Carpathians

Mountains, Carpathians cover 31% of the country's area, hills and plateaus 36% and plains about 33%.

The lowest point of Romania is the Black Sea, 0 m

The highest point in Romania is Mount Moldoveanu, 2544 m, Southern Carpathians

Natural resources: oil, timber, natural gas, coal, gold, iron ore, salt, hydroelectricity, agricultural land.

Arable land in Romania 41%

Permanent land for sowing 3%

Permanent pastures 24%

Other lands 6% (1993 data)

Rivers - Romania

98% of rivers originate in the Carpathians and spill directly or with the help of other rivers in Danube. The Danube, the second largest river in Europe (2860 km, of which 1075 is in Romania), flows into the Black Sea through 3 branches: Chilia, Sulina and St. Gorgias, forming the Danube Delta.

The main rivers of Romania: Mures (761 km), Prut (742 km in Romanian territories), Olt (615 km), Siret (559 km), Ialomita (417 km), Somes (376 km) and Arges (350 km).

Lakes - Romania.

There are 3,500 lakes in this country, but only 0.9% of them have an area of ​​more than 1 sq. km. The most significant are the lakes that were formed from the former lagoons of the Black Sea (Razim, 425 sq km), Sinoye 171 sq km) and lakes formed along the banks of the Danube River: Oltenia (22 sq km), Bratesh (21 sq km). Glacial lakes are found in the Carpathians, Lake Bukura, with an area of ​​10.8 hectares, is the largest of them. In addition, there are reservoirs that are very important from the point of view of electricity, for example on the Danube River Iron Gate 2 (40,000 ha) and Iron Gate 1 (10,000 ha) as well as Stanca Costesti on the Prut River and Izvoru Muntelui on the Bicaz River.

Climate - Romania.

The climate of Romania certainly depends on the country’s location on the globe. Romania is located halfway between the Pole and the Equator, crossed by the 45th parallel. It is approximately 2000 km from the Atlantic Ocean, 1000 km from the Baltic Sea, about 400 km from the Adriatic Sea and is adjacent to the Black Sea. These factors give the climate of Romania a temperate continental character.

IN Romania long and cold winter (December-March), hot summer (April-first half of August) and warm, long autumn (late August-November). Romania has a very fast transition from spring to summer.

In winter the average temperature is -3 °C and in summer between 22 °C and 24 °C. The average annual temperature in the south of Romania is 11°C, in the north 8°C. The lowest temperature was observed in Bod, -38.5 °C, the maximum was +44.5 on the Baragan plain.

The average annual precipitation is 637 mm, about 1400-1000 mm in the mountainous areas and about 500 mm in the Baragan plain, Dobruja and the Danube Delta.

Vegetation - Romania.

In ancient times, forests covered almost the entire territory of Romania, except for the southeastern part. Gradually, the percentage of forest decreased in favor of arable land. Currently, forests occupy only about 26% of the country's area and consist of beech forests (about 2 million hectares), oak forests (1.1 million hectares), spruce forests (1.9 million hectares). There are also other types of trees: hornbeam, poplar, ash, linden. Alpine meadows cover large areas in mountainous areas above 1800 m and are intended mainly for sheep breeding.

Fauna – Romania.

The fauna of Romania is one of the richest and most diverse in Europe, containing some very rare or even unique species. Black goat, brown bear, Carpathian deer, wolf, lynx, marten, black grouse are the species of animals living in the Carpathians, hares, foxes, wild boars, roe deer, partridges are found both in hilly areas and on the plain.

The Danube Delta, with an area of ​​5050 sq km of which 4340 sq km in Romanian territory, is a sanctuary for wild birds and fish (carp, pike, pike perch, catfish, etc.). Sturgeon is found on downstream Danube River and dolphins, seahorse, mullet in the Black Sea.

Population – Romania

According to the 2011 census, the population of Romania is 20,121,641 inhabitants. The main ethnic group is Romanians, 88.9% of the total population. After the Romanians, the next ethnic group is the Magyars (Hungarians) – 6.5%, about 1,300,000 inhabitants. According to official data, there are about 700,000 Roma (Roma) in Romania. Also living in Romania are Germans (about 60,000), Ukrainians, Lipovians (Russian Old Believers), Turks, Tatars, Armenians, Serbs, Slovaks, Bulgars, Jews, Poles.

51.4% women, 48.6% men

Romania population density 84.4 inhabitants/sq km

Urban population - 55%

Rural population -45%

Birth rate - 9.9%

Mortality rate - 12.1%

Average life expectancy – men 68.69 years, women 75.89 years (2008)

Romania - faith

During the 2011 survey, 86.5% of believers declared themselves Orthodox, 4.6% Roman Catholics,

3.2% Reformed, 1.9% Penticostals, 0.8% Greek Catholics, 0.6% Baptists

Geographical position.

The capital of Romania is Bucharest.

Administratively, the country is divided into counties (counties), cities and communes. On the territory of Romania there are 40 counties, with the rights of a county and Bucharest (the area of ​​the county is on average 6074 sq. km with a population of over 530 thousand people), 236 cities, 2705 communes (a commune includes one or more villages, it has an average of 4500 inhabitants), 47 cities in the country - municipia.

The Republic of Romania is located in the southeast of Central Europe, in the Lower Danube basin. Its borders are determined by the peace treaty of 1947, their total length is 3190.3 km.

In the east, Romania is washed by the Black Sea, the length of its maritime borders is 244 km. In the north and northeast it borders with Moldova (1325.9 km), in the northwest - with Hungary (444.8 km), in the southeast - with Yugoslavia (544.3 km), in the south - with Bulgaria (631.3 km). Territory Romania - 237.5 thousand. sq. km. About 30% of the total area is mountains, 37% are hills and plateaus, 33% are plains. The climate is moderate continental.

Prevailing relief, climate, Natural resources.

Relief of Romania:

The territory of Romania is included within the northern branch of the Alpine geosynclinal (folded) region. Most of the country (north and east) is occupied by the Carpathian mountain system. In the southern part stretch the Transylvanian Alps. On the western outskirts of Romania is the Pannonian median massif, buried under a layer of mainly Neogene sediments of the Middle Danube Plain. The highest point in Romania is the city of Moldoveanu (2543 m).

Romania is a mysterious country. Once, being the northernmost edge of the Holy Roman Empire, Dacia. Since then, it has been subject to constant raids by the tribes of the Goths, Huns, and Bulgars. While under the rule of Bulgaria, she was baptized into Orthodoxy, having become dependent on the Hungarian and Polish kings, she was freed by the Turks, who immediately established their power by appointing Greeks as rulers, and Greek became the state language for many decades.

Geography

The country is located in southeastern Europe. It borders on the north with Ukraine, on the west on Hungary, on the southwest on Serbia, on the south on Bulgaria, on the east on the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine.

The border with Bulgaria, Serbia and Montenegro is formed by the Danube River, which forms a vast delta when it flows into the Black Sea. In the southeast the country is washed by the Black Sea. The total area of ​​the country is 237.5 thousand square meters. km.

Length of borders:

Bulgaria - 608 km, Hungary - 443 km, Moldova - 450 km, Serbia - 476 km, Ukraine - 531 km.

The main feature of Romania is the Carpathian mountain system. This complex chain of mountains runs across the country from the Ukrainian border in the north to the Yugoslav border in the southwest in a horseshoe shape, ending west of the Apuseni Mountains, and consists of the curving line of the Eastern Carpathians and the east-west line of the Southern Carpathians (Transylvanian Alps). .In central and northern Romania there are the Carpathian Mountains (Mount Moldoveanu, 2544 m) with dense forests and mountain pastures; the hilly Transylvanian plain with orchards and vineyards and the Moldavian plain, planted with grain and grass crops. On the outer side of this mountain arc there are historical areas Moldavia (to the east) and Wallachia (south of the Transylvanian Alps up to the Danube). Both are rolling plains with fertile and intensively cultivated lands. Inside the mountain arc of the Carpathians lies Transylvania (called Erdelyi by the Hungarians) - a hilly, highly fertile and very beautiful territory.

Time

Lags behind Moscow by 1 hour

Climate

The climate is temperate continental; in the east, on the Black Sea coast, it is predominantly maritime. Winters are cool, especially in the mountains. The average January temperature is about 0°C on the coast, up to -5°C on the plains, up to -10°C (in some places lower) in the mountains. Summer is sunny and warm. The average July temperature is from +20 °C to +23 °C, in the mountains from +8 °C to +16 °C. Precipitation falls about 300-400 mm per year on the coast, 400-700 mm on the plains and foothills, and greatest number precipitation - 1200-1500 mm per year - on the western slopes of the highest mountains.

Warmest month: July

Coldest month: January

Average annual rainfall: 26 inches

Language

Official language - Romanian

Religion

Believers are predominantly Orthodox Christians (70% of the population), the rest of the population professes Protestantism, Catholicism, etc. During the rule of the Communist Party, freedom of religion was officially recognized, but in practice, religious organizations functioned only with the full support of the regime. 15 varieties of religion had the right to practice their faith. Along with the dominant Romanian Orthodox Church the most influential were also the Romanian Catholic, Calvinist and Lutheran churches. There were small communities of churches of Old Believer Christians, Baptists, Seventh-day Adventists, Evangelists, and Pentecostals. The Jewish, Armenian-Gregorian and Muslim religious communities were under strict regime supervision.

Population

At the end of the 1930s, the population of Romania exceeded 19 million people. After the reduction of the country's territory after World War II (minus Northern Bukovina and Bessarabia, annexed by the USSR, and Southern Dobruja, transferred to Bulgaria), its population in 1930 was 14.2 million people. By 1997, it totaled about 22.5 million people.

In 2008, Romania's population was 22.2 million.

National composition according to 2002 data:

Total - 21,680,974 people.

Romanians - 19,399,597 people. (89.5%)

Hungarians - 1,431,807 people. (6.6%)

Gypsies - 535,140 people. (2.5%)

Ukrainians - 61,098 people. (0.3%)

Germans - 59,764 people. (0.3%)

Russians - 35,791 people. (0.2%)

Turks - 32,098 people. (0.2%)

Crimean Tatars - 23,935 people.

Serbs - 22,561 people.

Slovaks - 17,226 people.

Electricity

Mains voltage 220 V, 50 Hz

Emergency numbers

Ambulance - 961

Police - 955

Fire protection - 981

Telephone network helpline - 931

International negotiations - 971

Information for tourists - 951

Connection

Main city codes: Bucharest - 1, Suceava - 30, Botosani - 31, Iasi - 32, Roman - 33, Bacau, Moinesti - 34, Galati - 36, Tulcea - 40, Constanta, Mangalia, Neptune, Olympus - 41, Fetesti - 43, Campina, Ploiesti - 44, Targovishte - 45, Pitesti, Stefanesti - 48, Slatina - 49, Craiova - 51, Targu Jiu - 53, Deva, Hunedoara - 54, Resita - 55, Lugoj, Timisoara - 56, Arad, Lipova, Sebis - 57, Alba Iulia - 58, Oradea - 59, Satu Mare - 61, Dej, Cluj-Napoca, Floresti - 64, Sighisoara, Targu Mures - 65, Brasov, Fagaras - 68, Sibiu - 69. The international country code is 40.

Mobile communications use the GSM-900/1800 standard. Operators Cosmorom, Orange and Connex for last years provided almost complete coverage of the country, with the exception of mountainous areas where cellular communications are still practically unavailable.

Currency exchange

On July 1, 2005, a new leu (plural "lei", international designation - RON), equal to 100 bani, was introduced into circulation. Banknotes in circulation are 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 200, 500 lei. Coins - 1, 5, 10, 50 bani.

Foreign currency can be exchanged at banks or at specialized exchange offices (casa de schimb) located in hotels, train stations, airports, some supermarkets and on the main streets of cities. Exchange receipts should be retained until leaving the country. It is not recommended to exchange currency on the black market, as all kinds of fraud and fraud are quite common in this sector.

Most major hotels and restaurants accept American Express, MasterCard, Dinners Club and Visa credit cards. In large banks in the capital you can cash traveler's checks (preference is given to checks in euros). It is almost impossible to pay by bank transfer in the province. The exception is coastal resorts and ski resorts. ATMs are becoming an increasingly common means of exchanging currency, but they are found only in the capital and in large resort areas.

Visa

In order to enter Romania, you need to obtain a visa.

You can import local currency only with a special license; export of local currency is prohibited. Foreign currency can be imported and exported in any quantity, however, the export of foreign currency is limited to the imported amount.

When crossing the border, customs officers may require proof of sufficient funds at the rate of 30 US dollars per person per day, but not less than 300 US dollars for the entire stay in the country.

Citizens of Russia and the CIS require a visa to enter Romania. Romania is part of the EU, but is not currently a member country of the Schengen agreement, therefore entry into the Schengen area with a Romanian visa is prohibited.

Types of visas

Category C - short-term (up to 90 days) entry visa. This type of visa is issued to persons whose purpose of visit is tourism, medical treatment, visiting friends or relatives, business meetings (if their purpose is not to earn income in Romania).

Visa-free transit through the territory of Romania is permitted if you have a valid Schengen visa or a valid Bulgarian visa. In this case, the maximum period of stay in Romania is five days (for each entry).

Visa-free transit through the airside of the airport is allowed if you do not plan to leave it, and the transfer to the next flight will be carried out within the next 24 hours.

In all other cases, a transit visa must be obtained in advance.

Customs regulations

You can import duty-free goods worth up to 1 thousand US dollars, 4 liters of wine, up to 1 liter of spirits, 200 cigarettes, 200 grams each. coffee and cocoa.

The import and export of firearms, ammunition and explosives, drugs, radioactive, psychotropic and toxic substances, pornographic materials, uncanned meat and dairy products is prohibited.

The import of local currency is not limited, but licensing is required. The export of local currency is prohibited. The import of foreign currency is not limited (amounts over $1 thousand must be declared), export is allowed within the amount that was declared upon entering the country.

Since May 1, 2009, it is prohibited to import products containing meat or milk into the territory of the European Union, including sausage, canned food, lard and even chocolates. The ban does not apply to baby food and special medications necessary for people with certain disabilities. chronic diseases(in this case, the products must be carefully packaged and their weight should not exceed 2 kilograms). If meat and dairy products are found, they will be confiscated and the passenger will have to pay a fine.

Tourists can export from the country (with payment of customs duties) items and goods purchased with lei received through legal currency exchange and on the basis of supporting documents. Valuable goods (jewelry, works of art, video and photographic equipment, etc.) must be declared upon entering the country. The customs declaration should be kept until leaving the country, since it is on them that the return export of goods and things will be carried out.

Holidays and non-working days

March-April – Easter Monday

In summer, a large number of festivals take place on the coast. One of the most famous is the August festival in Tulcea. In the fall, numerous music festivals are held in Transylvania: Cibinium in Sibiu (September), Cerbu de Aur in Brasov (September), "Musical Autumn" in Cluj-Napoca (October).

Transport

Air transportation, due to the relatively small size of the country and low standard of living, is quite rare. The airports (26 in total) serve mainly international flights. Bucharest Otopeni Airport is approximately 15 km away. from the capital. Communication with the city is provided by modern buses, which are much cheaper than taxis. The cost of a taxi from the airport to Bucharest is approximately $12-15.

Public transport in large and medium-sized cities public transport fairly well organized, but often crowded (usually open from 05.00 to 23.00). Tickets are sold at specialized or tobacco kiosks and are composted after boarding. In Bucharest, transport is quite modern and inexpensive. Buses, trolleybuses and trams are usually crowded, but cheap (tickets valid for one trip cost about 6 thousand lei and are purchased before boarding at a kiosk and then punched at the salon). Controllers often work along the routes. Traveling on express buses requires the purchase of a special magnetic card at RATB kiosks. Intercity buses are mostly quite old. The fare is slightly higher than by train. Tickets can be purchased at the bus station ticket office or (along the route) from the driver.

The railways are quite extensive (in total there are about 11.4 thousand km in the country railways), but quite outdated both in terms of rolling stock and traffic organization. But this is the main and most convenient form of long-distance transport in the country. Intercity trains Sageti Albatsre ("Blue Arrow") connect most of the country's major cities and are relatively comfortable. However, there are few such trains. There are currently four types of trains operating in Romania, each with 1st and 2nd class carriages. P ("Personal" - passenger), travel over distances of up to 300 km, stopping at all stations. Moreover, this is the cheapest, but slow and overcrowded type of train. A (“Acelerat” - fast) - travel long distances and are somewhat faster than passenger ones. R ("Rapid" - fast) - almost the same speed as express trains, but noticeably cleaner and more expensive (they stop only in main cities). I ("InterCity" - intercity, including "VA" and "Blue Arrow") - the fastest and most modern type of trains in the country. Even those that do not fall under the Blue Arrow category are still noticeably faster and more modern than other types. Intercity trains serve only the main cities.

Seats and tickets must be reserved in advance (at least one day before departure) at SNCFR agencies or by telephone. Sleeping berths on night trains must also be reserved in advance. Many A and R trains only run in summer. Access to trains is permitted only with tickets.

Magnetic cards for the metro (Bucharest, three lines) are sold at kiosks at the entrance (12 thousand lei for 2 trips). The metro operates from 05.00 to 23.30 with an average interval between trains of 5-8 minutes. Station names are not always clearly visible, as they are usually written on a separate sign in a frame and placed in rather inconvenient places.

Car rentals are not subject to the same conditions as in most European countries. Almost all major international car rental companies have their offices in the capital of the country and in major cities. You can order a car directly at the airport or at a large hotel. To rent you must be over 21 years of age and have an international credit card. Usually the daily insurance fee is paid separately. When paying in cash, a deposit is required.

Tips

In a restaurant, even if the cost of service is included in the bill, the bill is slightly rounded up. Tipping is not required in taxis. Porters, maids, hotel receptionists - 2 euros (equivalent) per bag or suitcase. If there are a lot of things, add more. Wardrobe - 1 dollar or euro. Hairdressers and maids - 5-10% of the invoice amount.

The shops

Shops in Romania are open from Monday to Friday from 9.00 to 18.00 with a lunch break from 12.00 to 15.00 in different stores. In large cities there are stores with 24-hour opening hours. The day off is usually Saturday and Sunday, but some retail outlets are open on these days, albeit on a shorter schedule.

The Unirea department store is the largest department store in Bucharest. There you can buy and print color films in the Kodak Express department. Calea Victoriei is considered the most fashionable shopping street in Bucharest, but it is much more interesting to stroll along Strada Lipscani, a street in the old town with many small shops and gypsy street vendors. Visit Romarta and Muzic stores and you won't leave empty-handed. In the store, to avoid misunderstandings with money, count your change.

From Romania they bring plum tincture “Tsuica” (55-60°), embroidered blouses and handicrafts, ceramic dolls, pottery, and wooden boxes.

National cuisine

Romanian cuisine was influenced first by the Turks and then by the French. The basis of Romanian cuisine is corn and vegetables, and the favorite dish of Romanians is mamaliga (porridge made from corn flour cooked in boiling water). They eat it either with flatbreads - malai, or with feta cheese and herbs, or with meat.

For the first course, various versions of thick soup “chorbe” are usually served; it is acidified with kvass, brine, kefir or other fermented milk products; soup with cumin; white cabbage soup with sour cream; goulash; sour soup made from infusion of bran and corn flour - “barsh”; soup with meat balls and vegetables; tripe soup; chicken dumpling soup; as well as tomato and garlic soup.

Among vegetable dishes, we can highlight cabbage and grape leaves “sarmale”, stuffed with meat, cheese and rice; stuffed mushrooms, “yofka” (a dish of homemade noodles, vegetables and dairy products); green onion stew; beans with smoked lard and bean puree. All kinds of salads with the addition of eggs, cheese or sour cream are very popular.

Meat dishes are also very varied. Be sure to try lamb stuffed with garlic, giblet stew "tokitura", smoked goat meat, charcoal-fried sausages "patrichieni", chicken stewed in a cast iron, cabbage stewed in layers with meat, roast meat and vegetables "tokane", liver shish kebab “frigerui”, veal stew “chulama”, lamb offal dish “drob”, charcoal-fried cutlets with mustard “mititei”, beef with red pepper and flour dumplings “paprikash de vintel”, Moldovan jellied poultry and pork, lamb on a spit and kebab.

For dessert, a semi-circular filled pie, a variety of sponge cakes with fruit, brioche, baklava, saralia, Turkish delight and thousands of types of jam are typical.

Romanian wines and local brandy “vinars” are famous for their excellent quality, among which the best brands are considered to be “Vasconi”, “Pietroasa”, “Jidvey”, “Dorobants” and “Murfatlar”. The country also produces good strong drinks, including the traditional Romanian plum liqueur “Tsuika” (55-60°) and the Hungarian “Palinka”. Local beer also has an excellent reputation; Ursus is considered its best variety.

Attractions

Palace of Parliament(Romanian: Palatul Parlamentului) is a palace in the capital of Romania, Bucharest.

The palace is the world's largest civil administrative building, the largest parliament building (with an area of ​​350,000 m² and a volume of 2,550,000 m³), ​​and the heaviest building in the world. For a long time, the Palace of Parliament was the second largest building in the world in terms of area after the Pentagon. This huge building was built in 1984-1989. Its construction required the destruction of one quarter of Bucharest's historic center, which sparked numerous international protests. The Palace of Parliament is the largest administrative building in Europe and the second largest in the world in terms of area (after the Pentagon). It has 6,000 rooms and halls, hundreds of office spaces, dozens of reception rooms and conference rooms. The building is constructed entirely from materials of Romanian origin; It is reported that during the last years of construction of the Palace and Civic Center, such a huge demand for marble arose in Romania that tombstones throughout the country had to be made from other materials. Indeed, thanks to its enormous size, the building divides the city into two parts. Construction of the Palace and Civic Center required the demolition of one fifth of the historical districts Bucharest. Two nearby areas with 19 Orthodox Christian churches, 6 synagogues and Jewish temples and 3 Protestant churches (plus 8 displaced churches) were leveled to make way for the construction of this giant.

Romanian Athenaeum building

In the very center of the capital of Romania in 1886-1888, according to the plan of the architect Albert Galleron, the building of the Romanian Athenaeum was built. This is one of the most popular, but most eclectic buildings in Bucharest: six Ionic columns and a formal pediment of a Greek temple coexist with the huge dome of a Byzantine church, decorated with numerous decorative elements. The height of the Athenaeum is 41 m. There is a square in front of the entrance, creating a perspective when approaching this huge building. Now the Athenaeum houses the George Enescu Philharmonic. Enescu, Ravel, Menuhin, Pablo Casales and many Soviet performers performed here, including David Oistrakh and Svyatoslav Richter. But at the time when they began to build the Athenaeum, it was intended for other purposes. After Romania became independent, among the leading people of the country the idea arose of creating a big center culture. The Athenaeum was supposed to be built for the literary society created in 1863. Construction was carried out mainly through donations. All segments of the population, even the poor, responded to the call: “Give one lei for the Athenaeum.”

Triumphal Arch

One of the symbols of Bucharest is the Arc de Triomphe, installed in the northern part of the capital of Romania. It is located near the largest park on one of the most important arteries of the capital, which bears the name of the Russian general and diplomat, Count Pavel Kiselev (1788-1872).

In 1922, the Arc de Triomphe was installed - a strict monumental structure built in memory of the battles of the Romanian army in 1916-1918. Made of wood, it was replaced in 1935-1936 by an arch made of reinforced concrete and granite. This 25 m high building is designed in a neoclassical style; The reliefs decorating the arch were created by famous Romanian sculptors Ion Jala, Constantin Baraschi, Cornel Medrea, Mac Constantinescu. The Arc de Triomphe in Bucharest is closely connected with Romanian national traditions. One of the customs of the Roman ancestors of the Romanian people was to receive the victors under arches of fir trees, decorated with flowers, which symbolized the joy of victory on the battlefields. Therefore, in honor of those who participated in the battles during the War of Independence of 1877, an impressive Triumphal Arch. It was built as a tribute to: "To the defenders of independence - from the city of Bucharest."

Stavropoleos Church

The church is a true pearl of Romanian architecture of the 18th century. It was built in 1724 by order of the monk Ioaniky, who soon became Metropolitan of Stavropol. The portico of the church is supported by six columns of carved stone, and the facades are divided into two horizontal registers by garlands of flowers and leaves. The upper register is decorated with colored medallions.

Resorts

The oldest and largest resort of the Romanian Riviera - Mamaia is located 5 km from Constanta and is rightfully called the pearl of the coast. Offers hotels of any category. The beach is more than 8 km long and 100-200 m wide and is known for its fine golden sand. An excellent place for family and children's holidays.

The resort is located on a spit between the Black Sea and the endless Lake Syutgiol. Vacationers can take advantage of the infrastructure, both lake and sea, including heading to Ovidiu Island in the center of Siutghiol to retire to its beach and visit the famous Pirates' Inn restaurant. There is a water park, an Entertainment Village, a casino, discos, bars, restaurants with folklore programs, and there are inexpensive self-service restaurants.

Recently, health centers were opened at the Savoy and Yaki hotels based on the mud of Lake Techirghiol. Physiotherapy, cosmetics and rejuvenation programs are offered.

The Eforie Nord resort is located between Lake Techirghiol and the Black Sea coast. Since the beginning of the 20th century it has become a famous and popular medical resort in Europe. Main natural healing factors - sapropel mud, concentrated salty water Lake Techirghiol (which is six times more dense than sea ​​water) and marine bioclimate. There are baths on the lake where you can independently take a mud bath, swim in the healing lake water, or take a shower. Massage for an additional fee.

Several hotels have modern medical facilities that allow treating diseases of the musculoskeletal system, skin (including psoriasis), gynecological and neurological.

Discos, restaurants, including self-service. Particularly popular are the folk restaurant "Zemfira's Wedding", the self-service restaurant "Imperial" and the fish restaurant "Kirkhana".

Predeal is a cozy resort town located in picturesque place on the Bucegi Mountain pass and which has more than six centuries of history. The place under this name was mentioned for the first time in an ancient document in 1368, as a mountain pass between Wallachia and Transylvania, which served as a border point. In the 18th century, the first taverns and inns appeared here. In 1892, a group of German skiers skied down the snowy slopes of Clabuchet for the first time, and already in 1921 the first national ski championships were held here. In 1930, Predeal was declared a city.

Predeal is the highest mountain town in the country (1060 m). The resort is conveniently located in a natural and well-protected valley between the Bucegi, Baju, Piatra Mare and Postavarul mountains. Therefore, the climate here is very favorable - the average temperature in July is +14°C, in January -5°C. Snow storms are very rare here; snow cover reaches several meters and lasts more than 100 days. This is the last of a chain of resorts located in the Prahova Valley, along the river of the same name, 25 km from the city of Brasov and 147 km from Bucharest. In Romania, Predeal is known as a resort for all seasons: the slopes of the surrounding mountains provide excellent ski slopes in winter (one of the best in the country), and in summer you can walk along well-marked hiking trails and enjoy clean, ozone-rich air and breathtaking mountain scenery.

The infrastructure is well developed, hotels and villas are open throughout the year and offer a wide choice of accommodation at the 1*-5* level.

There is a restaurant with Romanian and international cuisine in every hotel or villa, but if you prefer to eat in the city we recommend Cabana Vanatorilor (hunting restaurant), Cioplea Vechi, restaurant at the Rozmarin hotel, Lebanese and Romanian restaurants at the Predial Comfort Suites, Bella Italia, Mama Maria, Marcostil et al.

Despite the fact that the resort is small, there are quite a lot of entertainment opportunities here. Bars, discos, billiards, bowling, swimming pool, saunas, cabarets, internet cafes and even a casino - all at your service.

The main ski slopes of the Predeal resort:

Subteleferik (difficult), length - 1200 m, height difference - 350 m

Klebuchet (medium), length - 2400 m, elevation difference - 400 m

Clabuchet Alternative (medium), length - 700 m, height difference - 90 m

Gyrbova (light), length - 900 m, height difference - 180 m

Trey Braz (light), length - 300 m, height difference - 50 m

Choplya (light), length - 200 m, height difference - 20 m

Orizont (light), length - 100 m, height difference - 30 m

Polishtoache (light), length - 2500 m, elevation difference - 900 m

One of the variants of the Clabuchet route has night lighting and artificial snow cannons. Most hotels rent ski equipment. For lovers of mountain hikes, Predeal is an ideal place, the town is located at a high altitude and is the starting point for many marked routes (to the tourist centers Trei Braz - 1128 m, Clabuchet Sosire - 1050 m, Clabucet Plecare - 1450 m, Girbova - 1350 m, Piatra Mare - 1630 m, Susay - 1350 m, Poiana Sequilor - 1070 m).

Beaches in Romania

Black Sea coast

The beaches are wide, sandy, gently sloping into the sea. The sand itself is always velvety, golden, clean and fine. The bottom is smooth, without cliffs. The shore faces east, so you can comfortably swim here early in the morning, minimizing the dose of harmful ultraviolet radiation. The widest beaches are located in Mangalia and Techirghiol, where their width reaches 250 m, and in other resorts - from 50 to 200 meters. The sea is calm everywhere, without strong tides.

Resort Jupiter is located 40 km from Constanta, its wonderful sandy beach about a kilometer long stretches along a picturesque bay.

Resort Venus is located 39 km from Constanta. Situated on a cape, it slopes down to the sea in a natural amphitheater. Like other Romanian resorts, Venus is characterized by sea breezes, fine sandy beaches and an abundance of greenery.

Mangalia

The width of the beach here reaches 250 m, this is one of the widest beaches on the coast.

Romania is a country with a rich past, interesting culture and charming nature. Hundreds of tribes that swept through this territory during the era of the Great Migration of Peoples passed on their culture and their original traditions to this land. There are long beaches of the Black Sea, the picturesque Carpathian Mountains, the unique Danube Delta, and many historical places that attract thousands of tourists to the country.

The capital of the country, Bucharest, lies on the land of ancient Wallachia, in the very south of the country. Founded in 1459, the city became the capital of Romania in 1862, and is currently the country's largest cultural and industrial center. Bucharest leaves a rather ambivalent impression. On the one hand, it is an interesting historical center, with rich architecture and many historical monuments. On the other hand, hundreds of buildings of faceless architecture, widespread desolation and unkemptness largely characterize the unenviable economic situation the whole country. The main attraction of the city is “Old Bucharest” with its narrow streets, small squares and a large number of historical monuments. Interesting are the Palace of Justice (1864), the presidential palace in the building of the Cotroceni Palace (1893-1895), the Konstacudilo Palace (1900), the Royal Palace (1937), the Arc de Triomphe (1920), the building of the National Bank (1885), Piazza Repubblica, Athenaeum, University Square, Curtea Veche (Old Courtyard), Hanul-lui-Manuk caravanserai, Karul-ku-Bere courtyard (“Wagon of Beer”, 1879), buildings University and Architectural Institute. The huge Palace of Parliament, which ranks second in area in the world, deserves special attention.

Many old churches have been preserved - the Cathedral of the Patriarchate (XVII century), the Cathedral of St. George the Old (XIX century), the churches of St. Aron (XV century), Stavropoleos (1724), Patriarchal (1665) and Krotsulescu , as well as the monasteries of Plumbuita (1559-1568), Antim (1715) and Mihai Voda. The best way To get acquainted with the history and culture of the country - these are its museums. In Bucharest you can visit the Art Museum of Romania in the Royal Palace, the National Historical Museum in the building of the Palace of the Post (1889), the National Museum of Cotroceni, the Village Museum (17 hectares, one of the world's first ethnographic open-air museums) on Lake Herăstrău, B in the vicinity of the city, among dozens of lakes, there are many equally interesting historical monuments - the palaces of Stirbei (1835-1849, now a comfortable hotel) and Mogosoaia (1702), the monasteries of Chernika (XVII century), Tsigenesti (1780). ), Caldarusani (1632-1654), Paseria (1847), Buftea, the famous Snagov monastery (1408) on an island in the middle of the lake of the same name, the Heresti estate (1644) and the zoo in Banyas.

In the counties of Muntenia close to the capital, it is worth seeing the Lord's Court, Biserica-Domneasca ("Lord's Church") and the Curtea de Arges monastery in the city of the same name, the ruins of the castle of Vlad the Impaler (Dracula), the ruins of the Zhidov castle (193-211) about Campulunga, the reserves "Mud Volcanoes" (fumarole fields) and "Minzalesti" (34 salt caves) in Buzau county, Cozia monastery (XIV century) near Calimanesti, Comana monastery (1461) in the village of the same name, Romanescu park and monastery Bukovets (1506-1512) in Craiova (1900-1903), the Kindia Tower (XVIII century) in Targovishte, the magnificent monasteries of Hurez (1690-1697), Dintr un Lemn (XVI-XVII centuries. ) and Govora (XIII century) in Valcea County, the picturesque foothill town of Targu Jiu, Fort Cornoiu (XVIII century) and the most ancient monastery of the country - Tismana (XII century) in Gorj County, or relax at the resorts of Laku-Serat ( "Salt Lake"), Market or Baia de Fer. 126 km. East of Bucharest lies the Amara resort, famous for its healing mud and mineral waters.

Between the Danube Delta and the Carpathians stretches the Danube Valley, ancient Dacia, which is both the breadbasket of the country and the location of the most interesting monuments. Business card This area is the Iron Gate hydroelectric complex with its network of reservoirs. The historical monuments discovered during the design of the complex are now on display in the Iron Gate Museum. But the land of Dacia still contains a huge amount of evidence of bygone eras - the ruins of the Roman camp of Drobeta (2nd-5th centuries AD), the island of Shimyan (outbuildings were moved here Turkish period and a mosque of the 18th century, which were located on now flooded lands), a fortified Gotodak settlement in Sprynchenata (II century BC), the ruins of a Byzantine fortress in Suchidava with the famous “Secret Well”, the ruins of the Roman city of Romulus north of Caracal, a wooden the church in Peroš-Lelaska and the ruins of a fortress from the time of Emperor Trajan in Turnu Magurel.

In the Southern Carpathians, at the foot of the Bucegi massif, there is the famous Prahova Valley with numerous resort areas. And the Bucegi plateau itself is famous for its erosional forms - winds and rains over the millennia have “carved” amazing sculptures from the local rocks - the Sphinx, the Harp, the Old Man, etc.

On the very shore of the Black Sea lies the port city of Constanta - the ancient polis of Tomis (VI century BC). The city is rich in historical monuments - a Roman wall with the “Butchers’ Tower” (VI century AD), a monument to Ovid (he was exiled here and buried here), a Roman mosaic (III-VI centuries AD), Genoese lighthouse (XIII century, still functioning today), Mahmud II Mosque (1910), Orthodox Cathedral(1898) and Church (1908). You can visit the Museum of Natural History and the Archaeological Museum, the Museum of Navigation, Ethnography, the Museum of Astronomy, a casino, an aquarium, a dolphinarium, music and drama theaters.

In the vicinity of Constanta, the fortress of Histria (the oldest Greek settlement in the country, 657 BC), the triumphal arch of Trajan (106-109 AD), the fortresses of Tomis, Kalatis, Istria, Bala, Babadag are interesting and Kapidava, the famous monastery and cave of Derwent, as well as the Roman monuments at Adamklisi. A whole series of first-class resorts stretches along the coast.

The Danube Delta region, located 70 km north of Constanta, deserves special attention. The second longest river in Europe, when it flows into the sea, forms a dense network of channels and oxbow lakes, making up a huge (about 6 thousand sq. km.) swampy area, transformed through the efforts of Romanian ecologists into a UNESCO biosphere reserve. There are more than 280 species of birds, of which about 180 species nest in this region, while the rest fly here from all over Europe. Steamboats run along the “braculas” (Danube branches) Chilia, Sulina and St. George from Tulcea, and numerous excursions to places are organized mass gathering birds, rafting and kayaking, special areas for sport fishing and swimming. Of no less interest are the Museum of the Delta in Tulcea, the Basilica of Nikulitsel (370 AD, the oldest Christian building in the country), the Lethea spit, the island of Sakhalin, numerous monasteries, Lake Ialomica, as well as the forests of Letea, Kayafele and Moroi - real natural ones reserves.

The northwestern part of the country - the famous Transylvania - looks completely different. “The cradle of the Romanian people”, this land is famous for its huge number of historical sites, original culture and magnificent nature of the Carpathians. In Alba Iulia it is worth visiting the oldest museum in Romania (opened in 1794), the Citadel (1716-1735), the magnificent cathedral (13th century, rebuilt in the 15th century) and the princely palace (13th-18th centuries). In the vicinity of Alba Iulia, one of the oldest city fortifications in Transylvania in Ayuda, the church in Sebes, the Museum of Gold Mines in Roscia Montana, the only one in Eastern Europe glacier cave in Scarisoara, ancient churches, monasteries and castles of Arad County.

The northern counties bordering Hungary can offer tourists, along with their original culture, such attractions as the Oradea Fortress (11th century), the Tsara Krishurilor Museum, the Evangelical Church in Bistrica (15th century), a cave complex in Bihor County, balneological resorts Singeorz Bay, Piatra Fintinelor, Moneasa, Baile Felix, Stina de Vale, etc.

Brasov, the ancient center of Transylvania, is worth a visit to see the monuments of the feudal era. The main attractions of the city are the remains of the citadel (1395-1553), the Church of St. Nicholas (1495), one of the religious places of the country - Biserica-Neagra (Black Church, XIV-XV centuries), the Church of St. Bartholomew (XIII century), a historical museum in a building of the 15th century, the town hall (1420) and many colorful houses of the 17th-18th centuries. Just 15 km. from Brasov lies the famous Bran Castle (1377-1382), although it has nothing to do with Dracula, it is quite interesting in itself - now the Museum of Feudal Art is located here. 8 km. from Brasov there are no less impressive Risnov Castle and the fortress church in Prejmer.

Cluj-Napoca and Cluj County are one of the most interesting tourist areas in the country. In Cluj-Napoca, interesting are the Church of St. Michael (1396-1532), the Reformed Church (1486), the Banfi Palace (1774-1785) - the former residence of the Transylvanian princes (now the Museum of Art), the City Museum, ethnographic Museum of Transylvania with an ethnographic village on Mount Hoya, Botanical Garden(founded in 1872) and more than a hundred old buildings and structures.

Maramures County deserves special attention - one of the most mountainous and mineral-rich areas of the country. The visiting card of the area is Cimitirul-Vesel (“Merry Cemetery”) in Sepynets - the only memorial building in the world where death and all the rituals associated with it are presented in a humorous way - painted crosses, funny epitaphs and original carved monuments. But the main attraction of the area is the rich culture of the local population and the excellent craftsmanship of the artisans. Maramures wood carving and ancient wooden churches scattered throughout the county are famous throughout the country.

The ancient Transylvanian city of Sighisoara, the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler and one of the most colorful cities in the country, is located in Mures County. The old city is surrounded by a wall, which turns it into a real fortress. More than a hundred medieval houses, the Mountain Church (XIV century) with a unique wooden staircase and clock tower with unique chimes. In the surrounding area there are the castles of Bethlen (XV-XVII centuries), Cris (XVI century), Teleki (XVIII century), Dumbrevioara (XVII century), as well as the fortress and the Reformed Church (1316-1442) in Targu- Mures.

Timisoara, capital of Timis County - another well-preserved Old city. It is worth visiting the Khuniyazov Castle (1443-1447), fragments of the Bastion, the Cathedral of the Orthodox Metropolis (1934-1946, now the Museum of Medieval Art), and see the pseudo-Gothic column in the city center, erected in 1851 by the Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph I , Catholic Cathedral (1744-1748), Municipality (1734), Piazza Victoria, Banat Museum, Banat Village Museum and many green parks and squares. Sources of medicinal mineral waters Buziash, Kalacha and Ivanda provide excellent opportunities for recreation and treatment.

Moldova is the most northeastern region of the country. This ancient land with impressive cultural monuments, many of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The most interesting monuments of Moldova are the Borzesti Church (1494), the Cosula Monastery (1535), the Church of St. John the Baptist (1490) in Vaslui, the Prechista Fortress Church (1647) in Galati, the Cotnari Castle, the chapel Stephen the Great (1499) and the Bytka Doamnei fortress in Piatra Neamt, the Neamt fortress (XIV century), the Varatic monastery (XVIII century), the monasteries of Voronets (1488), Humor (1530) and Moldovica ( 1584) in Suceava County, De Skown fortress, St. John's monastery, St. Demetrius, St. Resurrection and Mirauti churches in Suceava, monasteries of the Neamts zone - Neamts, Agapia, Varatek, Seku, Gothic fortress (VI-III centuries . BC) in Stancesti, the ruins of a Gothic-Dacian fortress (IV-III centuries BC) in Braheshesti, the Tudora reserve and the unique bison reserve in Vinatori.

Iasi, the capital of Moldova since 1564, is considered the most romantic city in Romania. Each of the numerous rulers of Moldova left a trace of themselves in the city in the form of some kind of monument. The most famous are the Church of Trey-Ierach (1635), the Metropolitan Church (1833-1839) - one of the centers of pilgrimage (the relics of St. Paraskeva are located here), the Argesha Monastery (1512-1521), the Church of St. Nicholas The Miracle Worker (1492), the Palace of Culture, the Reunification Museum in Iasi Castle (1806), the house of Metropolitan Dosoftheus with the first printing installation in the country, the University building and the Ioan Cuza Palace in Ruginoas.

Romania is a state in southeastern Europe, according to the constitution it is a democratic republic. The capital is Bucharest. The name of the country comes from Lat. romanus- “Roman”. The head of the republic is the president, the highest legislative body is the bicameral parliament. Member of the UN since 1955, EU since 2007 and NATO since 2004.

In the north and east the country borders with Ukraine, in the northeast with Moldova, in the south with Bulgaria (the border mainly runs along the Danube River), and in the west with Serbia and Hungary. In the southeast, Romania is washed by the Black Sea.

In Russian-language XIX literature centuries, the territory of modern Romania without Transylvania was often called Moldo-Wallachia.

The territory of Romania is characterized by an approximately equal combination of mountainous, hilly and flat terrain. The Carpathian Mountains, which dominate the center of Romania, with 14 mountain ranges, run through the entire territory of the country, from the border with Ukraine to the border with Serbia. The highest point in Romania is Mount Moldoveanu (2544 m).

Romania is located in a continental climate zone characterized by cold winters and warm summer. The average annual temperature varies from 11 °C in the south to 8 °C in the north.

Spring is characterized by cool nights and warm days. Summers are generally warm, the average maximum temperature in summer in Bucharest is 28 °C, the average minimum is 16 °C. Winters are cold, with average maximum temperatures ranging from 2 °C on the plains to -15 °C in the mountains. The absolute maximum is 44.5 °C and was recorded in 1951, the absolute minimum is 38.5 °C - in 1942.

On average there is 750 mm of precipitation per year, with most of the precipitation falling in summer. At the same time, there are significant differences between different regions - in the mountains up to 1500 mm of precipitation falls per year, in the south and center in the Bucharest region - about 600 mm, in the Danube Delta - about 370 mm.

Forests cover 13% of the country's territory, with Romania having one of the largest areas of undisturbed forest in Europe. The forests are home to a large number of wild animals, including bears, wolves and others; on the plains there are foxes, hares, squirrels and badgers. On the territory of the country, 400 species of unique mammals (among which the most famous is the Carpathian chamois), birds and reptiles have been identified. The fauna of Romania consists of 33,792 animal species, including 33,085 invertebrates and 707 vertebrates.

Main article: Population of Romania

The population of Romania is 21,498,616. The birth rate is 10.6 per 1000 people. Mortality - 11.8 per 1000 people.

Population dynamics:

• · 1940 - 13.0 million people.
• · 1955 - 17.0 million people.
• · 1997 - 22.4 million people.
• · 2002 - 21.7 million people.

National composition according to 2002 data:

• · Total - 21,498,616 people.
• · Romanians - 19,399,597 people. (89.5%)
• · Hungarians - 1,431,807 people. (6.6%)
• · Gypsies - 535,140 people. (2.5%) (see Gypsies in Romania)
• · Ukrainians - 61,098 people. (0.3%)
• · Germans - 59,764 people. (0.3%)
• · Russians - 35,791 people. (0.2%)
• · Turks - 32,098 people. (0.2%)
• · Serbs - 22,561 people. (0.1%)
• · Slovaks - 17,226 people. (0.08%)

Holidays: January 1, 2 ( New Year), March-April (Easter Monday), December 1 (National Unity Day), December 25, 26 (Christmas).

Holidays in Romania

New Year

New Year in Romania- this is a wonderful vacation that your family will remember for a long time. A real tourism boom is expected during the New Year holidays in the Romanian town of Praid. Both Romanian and foreign tourists gather to celebrate the New Year 2007 and spend New Year's Eve in Praida. Interestingly, the most expensive rooms in hotels were sold out first.

In some places in Romania, the New Year is called “small Christmas” (Craciunul mic) or “Brothers of Craciun” (Fratele Craciunului). New Year's Eve is especially solemn - the evening on St. Vasily. As soon as the sun went down, in every house a candle made of pure wax was lit in front of the icon of Christ, which had to burn all night, “so that happiness could come into the house.” Doors and thresholds in the house, in the premises for livestock, in grain storage facilities were coated with garlic and various types of melted fat. The same composition was used to put the sign of the cross on pets and, finally, to anoint themselves and all family members. According to popular beliefs, in this way one could protect oneself from the machinations of the devil and strigoi, who wander near the house that night and try to milk cows or cause some harm to a person.

As you know, the Romanian Santa Claus is called Mosh Craciun. According to legend, the family of the shepherd Krechun sheltered the Virgin Mary. The Virgin Mary gave birth and Mosh Krechun presented the Virgin Mary and the child with milk, sour cream and cheese. Since then, Saint Mosh Kraciun has been giving gifts to children on Christmas Day.

According to Romanian New Year's traditions, on New Year's morning, children from 3 to 12 years old go home with a green branch of an apple or pear tree, decorated with colorful paper, glitter, gilding and artificial flowers. These branches are collected on St. Andrew's Day (November 30) and kept fresh until the New Year. Children enter the house with wishes of happiness and for long years. They touch each family member with a twig. Children do the same with everyone passing on the street. For this they are given threads, yarn, a sieve of apples, and sometimes money. According to Romanian beliefs, on New Year's Eve, Christmas, Epiphany and Easter, the heavens open for a moment. Anyone who saw this could ask God for whatever he wanted. One of the most ancient and colorful New Year's customs among the Romanians was plugusorul.

It is interesting to note that in the areas where it was performed, only poor people and smaller boys took part in caroling, i.e. those who were most occupied with plowing as plowmen and teamsters. On New Year's Eve, as soon as it got dark, the guys went from house to house and caroled. The most talkative of them, standing near the house, read a plowman's carol (plugushorul). During caroling, the first furrow was made in the snow. After reciting the carol and congratulating the owners of the house, the latter presented the plowurash, as at Christmas: rolls, nuts, apples, money, etc. So they walked from house to house until midnight. And then, having divided the gifts like brothers and wished each other happiness in the new year, they dispersed.

Among the folk holidays, of which there are many, an interesting ritual is “plugoshor”, timed to coincide with the first day of the New Year and aimed at bewitching a good harvest. According to custom, guys with a plow walk around the yards and in song form talk about the upcoming agricultural work.

culture landmark holiday architectural