Local Transylvania

These are personal photos of places I've personally been to (at least for now) and also some info about Transylvania, a beautiful region part of Romania. Feel free to ask me anything; if you want any photos or info about any places that I've posted about, I'd be happy to help. Also, there are no vampires here :)

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One of the towers of the fortified church in Biertan

Biertan is located in the Sibiu county and its Evangelical fortified church was built in the XIIIth century. This tower is part of the fortification.

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Traditional houses from Țara Moților (Moților country), on the road between the villages of Bucium and Rimetea in Alba county.

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Traditional wooden gate from Maramureș

in Vadul Izei, Maramureș county

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One afternoon in Oradea

Last Saturday I had the pleasure to walk around Oradea city center. I've never been to Oradea besides passing it on the way to Budapest, but I really liked what I saw this time. I knew the river Crișul Repede passed right through it, but I never realised the river was actually integrated in the landscape, so to say. For example, in Cluj and Bistrița the space along the rivers is rather bleak, and not used to its potential. In Oradea, I thought the Crișul Repede gave it a majestic aspect and also there were lots of green spaces along the water. I liked the architecture a lot, from what I saw the buildings were pretty well preserved and some were in the process of being renovated. My favorite was the Black Eagle Palace, but walking around smaller streets I spotted a lot of interesting buildings. I don't really know much about the nightlife, cafes, restaurants and such, but I found the Lactobar Retro-Bistro, which I thought was really interesting. It had a 60s-70s feel but very colorful, you could sit and eat in a classic Dacia 1300 cabrio; I haven't eaten there but I'm sure the food is good and the prices were more then reasonable. I'm glad I got to see this city, I didn't think much of it until now, but at least architecturally, it impressed me. Wish I had time to contact some locals so they could show me all the good places :-) 

[local-transylvania]

Detail of Vulturul Negru Palace, Oradea (Black Eagle Palace)

It was built in 1907-1908 in the secession style. When it was inaugurated, it contained a casino, a hotel, a restaurant and many offices. Today you can find there a cinema, a bank, a hotel and a few clubs, cafes and restaurants.

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Sheep in the Călimani Mountains, Bistrița-Năsăud county

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The Mining Museum in Roșia Montană. Entrance to the Roman galleries.  

Roșia Montană is one of the oldest mining establishments in Europe. It was known even before the Romans conquered the Dacians and its latin name was Alburnus Maior. The Roman mining galleries can be visited with a guide as part of the Mining Museum. Although this village became known only recently due to a controversial mining project, it is an area of great historical and cultural significance. 

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Cranberries in the Apuseni Mountains

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Padiș hike

This weekend I took a little trip to the Padiș area in the Apuseni Mountains. Unfortunately I didn't get to go on as many hikes as I would have wanted, but I did get to finally see the impressive Cetățile Ponorului, one of the biggest karst complexes in Romania. The hike was not very difficult, only took about 2 hours 30 mins (from the Glăvoi campsite) and it's really great: you go through two of the sinkholes and get to see the gigantic entrance to the cave and the tall vertical walls of the 3rd sinkhole. Then the marked path takes you up to the 'balconies' where you can see all the sinkholes from above. It was really really great to finally get here, the Padiș area is so interesting as it has a lot of caves, sinkholes, pit caves, canyons, and they're all pretty close to each other and no hard to get to. If you have the chance, you should definetly plan a trip there!

[local-transylvania]

Entrance to the Cetățile Ponorului Cave, in the Apuseni Mountains

Cetățile Ponorului is one of the biggest karst complexes in Romania, located in the Padiș area. This entrance is 70 metres high and 30 metres wide and it perforates the wall of the first sinkhole which is 300 metres deep and 1 kilometer in diameter.

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Detail from the facade of the building on 42, Eroilor Boulevard in Cluj-Napoca

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The Orthodox Cathedral from Cluj-Napoca

Its construction began in 1923, after the unification of Transylvania and Romania, and finalized in 1930. The architectural style is Byzantine and the height of its tallest tower is 64 meters. 

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Glaciar lakes viewed from Șaua Bucurei in the Retezat Mountains

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Sugălete Gallery in Bistriţa

Sugălete is a complex made out of 13 buildings with gothic portals dating from the XVth and XVIth century. It is one of the best preserved examples of medieval architecture from Transylvania.

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Cows enjoying the sun near Bucura lake in the Retezat Mountains

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View over Colibiţa lake and Căsaru Peak (1580 m)

Colibiţa is an artificial lake formed after the completion of the Colibiţa dam in 1991. Its is located in the Călimani mountains in the Bistriţa-Năsăud county at an altitude of 900 m. 

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ASTRA Cultural Palace in Sighetu Marmaţiei

Built in 1913 at the initiative of the Association for Romanian Culture from Maramureş. There was a restaurant on the ground floor, a casino on the first floor and the museum was on the second floor. Today it houses the municipal library, the Art School and the House of Culture.