Wallachia
Wallachia (Muntenia in Romanian) is one of the most extensive regions of Romania and also the land that includes the capital of the country, Bucharest. Wallachia extends from the Danube to the south to the Southern Carpathians (Transylvanian Alps) in the north, the Delta Dobrogea in the east and Oltenia in the west.
Remarkable Places
The Peleş Castle is the royal jewel of the Prahova Valley. Lonely Planet places Peleş Castle in the top 10 of Europe’s castles worth visiting.
The summer residence of the royal family, it is the artistic creation of King Carol I of Romania (1866 – 1914) and executed by the architects Johannes Schultz and Karel Liman. It also made use of the craftsmanship of some prestigious designers like JD Heymann Hamburg, and thus can be considered the most important building of its kind in Romania.
The architectural complex, which constitutes the beautiful vision of Carol, and later of Queen Mary (granddaughter of Queen Victoria of England and Tsar Alexander of Russia), attracts and invites through good taste, through the unique architecture and its highly inspired location.
The summer residence of the royal family, it is the artistic creation of King Carol I of Romania (1866 – 1914) and executed by the architects Johannes Schultz and Karel Liman. It also made use of the craftsmanship of some prestigious designers like JD Heymann Hamburg, and thus can be considered the most important building of its kind in Romania.
The architectural complex, which constitutes the beautiful vision of Carol, and later of Queen Mary (granddaughter of Queen Victoria of England and Tsar Alexander of Russia), attracts and invites through good taste, through the unique architecture and its highly inspired location.
The Complex Curtea Domnească from Târgovişte comprises a total of 13 memorial houses and museums. The Painting of the Royal Church has an exceptional value, being preserved intact since 1686.
The Argeş Monastery is a marvel of architecture that can only be described as superb and stunning. The beautiful monastery is located in Curtea de Argeş, a town located 150 km away from Bucharest. It was founded in 1547 under the rule of voivode Neagoe Basarab. Nearby, you can find Master Builder’s Manole fountain, named after the famous architect of the monastery. The legend says that this place was built through his and his wife Anna’s sacrifice, whom Manole had to build in the church walls in order for the foundation to last.
The Argeş Monastery is a marvel of architecture that can only be described as superb and stunning. The beautiful monastery is located in Curtea de Argeş, a town located 150 km away from Bucharest. It was founded in 1547 under the rule of voivode Neagoe Basarab. Nearby, you can find Master Builder’s Manole fountain, named after the famous architect of the monastery. The legend says that this place was built through his and his wife Anna’s sacrifice, whom Manole had to build in the church walls in order for the foundation to last.
The Monastery Negru Vodă from Câmpulung was built in 1215 by Prince Radu Negru, founder of the Wallachia state.
Bucegi National Park includes tourist attractions, such as the Sphinx and Babele, rocks which were shaped by nature, over a long time, in these unusual and stunning. The Bucegi Sphinx has the same size as the Sphinx in Egypt, which has led some experts to claim that it has been man-made and that it depicts a deity. Within the park, you will have the amazing opportunity to see rare plant species, edelweiss or carnation and animals specific to the region, such as the brown bear and the chamois.
Bucegi National Park includes tourist attractions, such as the Sphinx and Babele, rocks which were shaped by nature, over a long time, in these unusual and stunning. The Bucegi Sphinx has the same size as the Sphinx in Egypt, which has led some experts to claim that it has been man-made and that it depicts a deity. Within the park, you will have the amazing opportunity to see rare plant species, edelweiss or carnation and animals specific to the region, such as the brown bear and the chamois.
Prahova Valley, is one of the most visited mountain areas in Romania, spanning the length of the river Prahova, and has a great number of mountain resorts.
The Mountain resort Sinaia, situated at an altitude of 800m, is nicknamed the “City of Kings” due to the summer residence of the royal family.
The Mountain Resort Buşteni, is a resort you should especially visit in winter time and take advantage of the new ski slope Kalinderu, equipped with the most modern installation of cable transport from Romania.
The Mountain resort Sinaia, situated at an altitude of 800m, is nicknamed the “City of Kings” due to the summer residence of the royal family.
The Mountain Resort Buşteni, is a resort you should especially visit in winter time and take advantage of the new ski slope Kalinderu, equipped with the most modern installation of cable transport from Romania.
The Mountain Resort Predeal, located at 1035m above sea level, is the highest resort in Romania.
You can enjoy cable car rides, unique views, constructions with impressive architecture and the unique flora and fauna riches throughout the year in all these resorts. You also have a very varied accommodations offer, from two-star pensions to five-star hotels. Prahova Valley is the heart of the Romanian tourism both in winter and in summer, being an absolute heaven for those who want to spend a few days in the fresh air mountain and escape the big cities’ noise and cram.
The Mountain Resort Azuga is a young resort, relatively new on the tourist market in our country. Although it is located on the Prahova Valley, 6 km away from Buşteni and 7 km from Predeal, Azuga is now one of the most famous resorts for practicing winter sports; it has several ski slopes served by a modern gondola, three ski lifts and three baby-skis.
You can enjoy cable car rides, unique views, constructions with impressive architecture and the unique flora and fauna riches throughout the year in all these resorts. You also have a very varied accommodations offer, from two-star pensions to five-star hotels. Prahova Valley is the heart of the Romanian tourism both in winter and in summer, being an absolute heaven for those who want to spend a few days in the fresh air mountain and escape the big cities’ noise and cram.
The Mountain Resort Azuga is a young resort, relatively new on the tourist market in our country. Although it is located on the Prahova Valley, 6 km away from Buşteni and 7 km from Predeal, Azuga is now one of the most famous resorts for practicing winter sports; it has several ski slopes served by a modern gondola, three ski lifts and three baby-skis.
The Resort Baile Olăneşti, also known as the Golden Springs, is one of the few places in the country that has two naturally occurring health boosting: favorable climate and mineral waters. The Olănești mineral waters are first mentioned in a charter in 1760 where they were called healing waters.
The Resort Călimăneşti-Căciulata is considered the pearl of resorts in the Olt Valley, due to wonderful landscapes which can be admired in this region of Romania. Almost half of the resort is covered by extensive forests of hardwood and softwood. This spa resort was first documented in 1386 and is internationally renowned. On the recommendation of Dr. Carol Davila, Napoleon III of France (1808-1873) was treated with mineral water from the springs here.
The Resort Călimăneşti-Căciulata is considered the pearl of resorts in the Olt Valley, due to wonderful landscapes which can be admired in this region of Romania. Almost half of the resort is covered by extensive forests of hardwood and softwood. This spa resort was first documented in 1386 and is internationally renowned. On the recommendation of Dr. Carol Davila, Napoleon III of France (1808-1873) was treated with mineral water from the springs here.
The Natural Park Comana is located in southern Romania, halfway between Giurgiu and Bucharest. In the natural park we can find the Comana Pond, which is the third wetland of the country after the Small Pond of Brăila and Delta Danube, being second as biodiversity after the Delta. This over time, this has become home of 141 bird species and 13 fish species, of which two – the glossy ibis and chub of Comana – are found only in this area.
Those who visit Comana, have the opportunity of taking a boat on the lake to make this a memorable experience and enjoy the impressive landscapes. Another must-see attraction is the Comana Monastery, which was built during Radu Serban’s reign (1588), on the ruins of a monastery constructed by the famous Vlad Ţepeş (1431-1476). You can also find an adventure park which contains four child routes and three adult routes, tennis courts and paragliders.
Those who visit Comana, have the opportunity of taking a boat on the lake to make this a memorable experience and enjoy the impressive landscapes. Another must-see attraction is the Comana Monastery, which was built during Radu Serban’s reign (1588), on the ruins of a monastery constructed by the famous Vlad Ţepeş (1431-1476). You can also find an adventure park which contains four child routes and three adult routes, tennis courts and paragliders.
The Eagle Lake (also called Bottomless Lake) is a periglacial lake in the Siriului mountains at an altitude of 1,420 m, near the village of Gura Sirului, from Buzău county.
The two names of this lake come from two legends. It is called Eagles Lake because here, according to the legend, was the place where eagles came in the spring to teach their chicks how to fly. The name of Bottomless Lake comes from a legend that tells a tale of a shepherd who abandoning his flock of sheep, threw a stick in the lake and left. After a year of wandering, the legend says that the shepherd found his stick in the Danube waters. That determined him to return to his sheep and homeland.
The two names of this lake come from two legends. It is called Eagles Lake because here, according to the legend, was the place where eagles came in the spring to teach their chicks how to fly. The name of Bottomless Lake comes from a legend that tells a tale of a shepherd who abandoning his flock of sheep, threw a stick in the lake and left. After a year of wandering, the legend says that the shepherd found his stick in the Danube waters. That determined him to return to his sheep and homeland.
The Heroes’ Cross is a monument built between 1926-1928 on Mount Caraiman, at an altitude of 2291 m, in the memory of the heroes who fell in the First World War. It is located in the saddle massif of Caraiman, at an altitude of 2291 m, it is unique in the world through its location and its size: the cross itself has a height of 28 m and two arms of 7 m each.This monument was designated by Guinness World Records as the tallest cross in the world located on a mountain peak.
The Sculptural Ensemble Constantin Brâncuși from Târgu Jiu, also known as the monumental ensemble Calea Eroilor from Târgu Jiu, is a tribute to the fallen heroes of World War I, designed and built by Constantin Brâncuşi. The four sculptural components – Table of Silence, Alley seats, Gate Kiss and Endless Column – are disposed on the same axis, oriented from west to east, with a length of 1275 m.
The Sculptural Ensemble Constantin Brâncuși from Târgu Jiu, also known as the monumental ensemble Calea Eroilor from Târgu Jiu, is a tribute to the fallen heroes of World War I, designed and built by Constantin Brâncuşi. The four sculptural components – Table of Silence, Alley seats, Gate Kiss and Endless Column – are disposed on the same axis, oriented from west to east, with a length of 1275 m.
The Mud Volcanoes from the Pâclele Mari and Pâclele Mici are natural phenomena rarely seen in the world. The mud volcanoes, located in the Curve Subcarpathians from Buzău county, are a unique natural reserve in Europe. The dimension of the volcanoes’ circumference can range from several centimeters to several meters. Some craters are quiet, while others are muttering and pouring torrents of mud. The landscape of the area is lunar, particularly arid, with numerous rifts of soil that suggest drought.
The Living Fire from Lăptari is a remarkable natural phenomenon, namely a flame springing from the earth, which is due to continuous gas emanations that ignite due to the pressure and friction of rock. The area was declared a geological reserve in 1995 and is a very popular location; this is a rare phenomenon throughout Europe and even worldwide. The flames that burst from the earth rise in the wind, reaching heights up to half a meter, which constitute a real show for viewers.
The Living Fire from Lăptari is a remarkable natural phenomenon, namely a flame springing from the earth, which is due to continuous gas emanations that ignite due to the pressure and friction of rock. The area was declared a geological reserve in 1995 and is a very popular location; this is a rare phenomenon throughout Europe and even worldwide. The flames that burst from the earth rise in the wind, reaching heights up to half a meter, which constitute a real show for viewers.
Vineyards
Muntenia and Oltenia have a combined area of nearly 104,000 hectares of vineyards. The vines are located mostly here in the hills, the last ramifications of the mountains to the plains – Dealu-Mare, is Romania’s most famous area for red wines. One of the most important wine realm are the domains Oenoterra Dealu-Mare, which have an exceptional southern exposure. The characteristics of the soil, the ideal microclimate, the high position on the hill, make this an ideal area to grow grapes which will turn into wines of great quality.
Ştefăneşti, first mentioned in writing by the Greek historian Diodorus Siculus, in the year 330 BC and in the Wallachian chronicles in 1388, is situated at 10 km from the city of Piteşti. Ştefăneşti cellars predominantly white wines of superior quality, such as: Feteasca Albă, Sauvignon and Italian Riesling, and red wines such as: Feteasca Neagră, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot or Burgund Mare, but also aromatic white wines, such as: Tămâioasa Românească and Muscat Ottonel.
Ştefăneşti, first mentioned in writing by the Greek historian Diodorus Siculus, in the year 330 BC and in the Wallachian chronicles in 1388, is situated at 10 km from the city of Piteşti. Ştefăneşti cellars predominantly white wines of superior quality, such as: Feteasca Albă, Sauvignon and Italian Riesling, and red wines such as: Feteasca Neagră, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot or Burgund Mare, but also aromatic white wines, such as: Tămâioasa Românească and Muscat Ottonel.
Sâmbureşti, is attested since the reign of Michael the Brave and throughout history, has belonged to various important noble families. The soil from Sâmbureşti contains many minerals and as such is favorable for strong, red wines. Other factors which positively influence the wine quality are an ideal sun exposure, and suitable temperatures, the region being sheltered from extreme temperatures by the Olt and Carpathians. Sâmburești domains also created a blend of noble French wines, which they named Rouge de Roumanie – a delicate blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
The Vineyard Drăgăşani lies between the Getic Subcarpathians to the north and the Romanian Plain to the south and south-east. Drăgăşani wines were highly appreciated in national and international wine exhibitions and competitions. A remarkable success was achieved at the International Exhibition of 1887. J. Roi Chevier, in his book Ampélographie (Paris, 1903), points out that “wine Cramposie of Dragasani was tried for aeration at Stuttgart by N. Benger, giving the happiest results.” The varieties Italian Riesling and Pinot Gris are also well appreciated. The Drăgăşani vineyard also produces aromatic wines of high quality such as Tămîioasă albă of Drăgăşani, Muscat Ottonel and Sauvignon.
The Vineyard Drăgăşani lies between the Getic Subcarpathians to the north and the Romanian Plain to the south and south-east. Drăgăşani wines were highly appreciated in national and international wine exhibitions and competitions. A remarkable success was achieved at the International Exhibition of 1887. J. Roi Chevier, in his book Ampélographie (Paris, 1903), points out that “wine Cramposie of Dragasani was tried for aeration at Stuttgart by N. Benger, giving the happiest results.” The varieties Italian Riesling and Pinot Gris are also well appreciated. The Drăgăşani vineyard also produces aromatic wines of high quality such as Tămîioasă albă of Drăgăşani, Muscat Ottonel and Sauvignon.
If you visit Wallachia, you must also go visit Romania’s capital city, Bucharest, a vibrant city with many interesting cultural, historical and architectural landmarks, which invites to exploration, relaxation and fun.