World Heritage Sites in Romania

7/27/2019 World Heritage Sites in Romania

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World Heritage Sites in Romania

Medieval towns, fortified churches, painted monasteries, wooden masterpieces and ancient Dacian ruins are just some of the

attractions that make up Romanias exceptional cultural heritage.

25 of its beautifully preserved architectural gems have been included by

UNESCO in the World Cultural Heritage in acknowledgement of their natural, scenic and monumental appeal. A tour of these sites

is a good way to discover Romanias history, artistic wealth and popular traditions.

Each and every stop on this route will reveal a unique and stunning location.

The western half of Walachia (Southern Romania) is endowed with spectacular monasteries, thermal-spring spas, and charming

villages set at the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains. Continue your trip along the Olt River Valley and discover Transylvanias

forest-covered slopes, unspoiled landscapes, quaint villages, and fortified churches. In northeastern Romania, make time for

Bucovinas painted monasteries, with their magnificent 15th-century frescoes, which are unique in the world. Cross the Prislop

Pass into Maramures, famous for its hand-hewn wooden architecture and its unique tall-spire churches with double roofs.

Images of Romania's World Heritage Sites (UNESCO), courtesy ofCosmin Danila,

are available at:www.PatrimoniuRomanesc.ro

Romanias UNESCO World Heritage Sites:

Monastery of Horezu Medieval fortified churches of Transylvania Historic centre of Sighisoara Painted Monasteries of Bucovina Wooden Churches of Maramures Dacian Fortresses of the Orastie Mountains
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The Monastery of Horezu

Location: Walachia Southern Romania

Nearby large town: Ramnicu Valcea (27 miles east)

Nearest train station: Ramnicu Valcea

Telephone: (250) 860.071

Founded in 1690 by Prince Constantine Brancoveanu, the monastery of Horezu is a masterpiece of the 'Brancovenesti'style.

Renown for the richness of its sculptural detail, the treatment of its religious compositions and its painted decorative works, the

monastery houses precious collections of frescos and icons dating

from the end of the 17th century and beginning of the 18th century.

The Hurezi School of mural and icon painting established at the

monastery in the 18th century had a profound influence on religious art and architecture in the Balkan region.

The monastery museum, housed in the princely residence, features masterpieces of Brancovenesti art: icons, books,

embroideries, silver collections and an interesting library of old books containing approximately 4,000 volumes. Overnight

accommodation available.

The Medieval Fortified Churches of Transylvania
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Transylvania is home to nearly two hundred villages with fortified

churchesbuilt by the Saxons between the 13th and 15th centuries. Having to withstand constant invaders, the villages central

areas, where the church was located most of the time, were fortified with defense walls, having the capacity to shelter a large

number of people. Seven of the fortified churches have been designated by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites. A visit to these

quaint villages, placed amidst lush farmland and green rolling hills, will give travelers a taste of the long-gone medieval times.

Biertan Fortified Church

Location: Transylvania Central Romania

Nearby large town: Sighisora (18 miles east)

Nearest train station: Dumbraveni

www.RomaniaTourism.com/Castles-Fortresses.html#Biertan

Calnic Fortified Church


Nearby large town: Sibiu (30 miles southeast)

Nearest train station: Miercurea Sibiului

www.RomaniaTourism.com/Castles-Fortresses.html#Calnic

Darjiu Fortified Church


Nearby large town: Sighisoara (20 miles west)

Nearest train stations: Saschiz, Sighisoara

www.RomaniaTourism.com/Castles-Fortresses.html#Darjiu

Prejmer Fortified Church


Nearby large towns: Brasov (11 miles southwest)

Nearest train station: Prejmer

www.RomaniaTourism.com/Castles-Fortresses.html#Prejmer

Saschiz Fortified Church


Nearby large town: Sighisoara (10 miles west)

Nearest train station: Saschiz

www.RomaniaTourism.com/Castles-Fortresses.html#Saschiz

Valea Viilor Fortified Church
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Nearby large town: Medias (8.5 miles northwest)

Nearest train station: Copsa Mica

www.RomaniaTourism.com/Castles-Fortresses.html#ValeaViilor

Viscri Fortified Church


Nearby large town: Sighisoara (25 miles northwest)

Nearest train station: Rupea

www.RomaniaTourism.com/Castles-Fortresses.html#Viscri

Historic Centre of Sighisoara

Location: Transylvania - CentralRomania

Nearest train station: Sighisoara

www.RomaniaTourism.com/Sighisoara.html

Founded by German craftsmen and merchants known as theSaxons of Transylvania, Sighisoara is a fine example of a small,

fortified medieval town which played an important strategic and commercial role on the fringes of central Europe for several

centuries.

Sighisoara, one of the most beautiful towns in the heart ofTransylvania, looks today much as it did 500 years ago. This medieval

town was also the birthplace ofVlad Dracula- nicknamed Vlad Tepes (Vlad the Impaler) - ruler of Walachia from 1456 to 1462. It

was he who inspired Bram Stoker's fictional creation,

Count Dracula. His house is just one of the many attractions here. Others include the Church on the Hill, with its 500 year old

frescos; the Church of the Dominican Monastery, renown for its Renaissance carved altarpiece, baroque painted pulpit, Oriental

carpets and 17th-century organ; and the Venetian House, built in the 13th century.
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Among the most striking attractions is the 210-feet highClock Tower(Council Tower), built in the 14th century, where each day

a different wooden figure emerges from the belfry on the stroke of midnight. The tower was raised in the 13th and 14th

centuries when Sighisoara became a free town controlled by craft guilds, each of which had to finance the construction of a

bastion and defend it during wartime. The fortification walls, built in the 14th and 15th centuries, were up to 50-feet high and

featured 14 defense towers. Most of the old structure and 9 of the defense towers can still be admired today(more details)

The Painted Monasteries of Bucovina

Among the most picturesque treasures of Romania are the Painted Churches of Bucovina(northeastern Romania). With their

painted exterior walls, decorated with 15th and 16th century elaborate frescoes (featuring portraits of saints and prophets,

scenes from the life of Jesus, images of angels and demons, heaven and hell), deemed as masterpieces of Byzantine art, these

churches are one-of-a-kind architectural sites in Europe. Far from being merely wall decorations, the paintings represent

complete cycles of religious murals. The purpose of the frescoes was to make the story of the Bible and the lives of the most

important orthodox saints known to the villagers, by the use of images. Their outstanding composition, elegant outline and

harmonious colors blend perfectly with the surrounding landscape. Whether you are interested in religion, history, art or

architecture, you will be intrigued by the construction and decor exterior and interior of these edifices. The best preserved

are part of monasteries inHumor, Moldovita, Patrauti, Probota, Suceava, Sucevita, and Voronet. Another, a small church, islocated in the village ofArbore. Seven of the churches were placed on UNESCOs Word Heritage list in 1993. The eight

one,Sucevita, is awaiting sanction to be added soon.

Arbore Church

Location: Bucovina Northeastern Romania

Nearby large town: Suceava (20 miles southeast)

Access: car, bus (from Gura Humorului or Radauti)

Nearest train stations: Darmanesti, Radauti

www. RomaniaTourism.com/Painted-Monasteries.html#Arbore

Humor Monastery


Nearby large town: Suceava (25 miles east)

Access: car, bus (from Suceva), train

Nearest train stations: Gura Humorului

www. RomaniaTourism.com/Painted-Monasteries.html#Humor

Moldovita Monastery
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6/10



Access: car, train (from Suceava to Vama, 1 hours, and from Vama to Vatra

Moldovitei, 35min)

Nearest train stations: Vatra Moldovitei

www. RomaniaTourism.com/Painted-Monasteries.html#Moldovita

Patrauti Church



Access: car, bus from Suceava

Nearest train stations: Darmanesti, Suceava

www. RomaniaTourism.com/Painted-Monasteries.html#Patrauti

Probota Monastery


Nearby large town: Suceava (31 miles northwest)Access: car

Nearest train stations: Dolhasca

www. RomaniaTourism.com/Painted-Monasteries.html#Probota

Saint Georges Church / Saint John the New Monastery

(Biserica Sfantul Gheorghe / Manastirea Sfantul Ioan cel Nou)

Location: Suceava Northeastern Romania

Address: Str. Ioan Voda Viteazul 2

Nearest train stations: Suceava

www. RomaniaTourism.com/Painted-Monasteries.html#StGeorge

Voronet Monastery


Nearby large town: Suceava (20 miles east)

Access: car, bus (from Gura Humorului), 3 -mile walk from Gura Humorului

Nearest train stations: Gura Humorului

www. RomaniaTourism.com/Painted-Monasteries.html#Voronet

The Wooden Churches of Maramures
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There is a strong tradition of building wooden churches across Eastern Europe, from Karelia

and northern Russia all the way to the Adriatic,

but in terms of both quality and quantity the

richest examples are in Maramures. The Wooden Churches of Maramures are unique in shape and

ornamentation and eight of them in Barsana,Budesti, Desesti, Ieud, Plopis,Poienile Izei,

Rogoz and Surdesti, have been recognized

by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites.

The characteristic high roofs and tall, narrow, pointed steeples are often collectively described

as the Gothic Style of Maramures. The primary wood material used by the artisans was local oak, which has survived theelements with sturdy elegance until today. The interior walls of the churches were painted by local artists, with

biblical scenes often juxtaposed against the

familiar landscape of the village. Most of these houses of worship have stood proudly since the 17th and 18th centuries some

even longer. The oldest wooden church in Maramures is the Church on the Hill

in Ieud, which dates from 1364.

Barsana Village

(Biserica Intrarea Maicii Domnului in Biserica)

Location: Iza Valley, Maramures Northern Romania

Nearby large town: Sighetu Marmatiei (10 miles northwest)

Nearest train station: Sighetu Marmatiei

Built in 1720, the wooden church in the village of Barsana (tracing its name

to barsani, the local shepherds who breed long-haired sheep) features some impressive interior frescoes with baroque and rococo

influences painted by Toader Hodor in 1806. Originally part of a monastic complex closed down in

1791, the church was moved to its present location at the beginning of the

19th century. This outstanding church boasts an impressive collection of

icons painted on glass and old religious books.


8/10

Budesti Village

(Biserica Sfantul Nicolae)

Location: Maramures Northern Romania

Nearby large town: Sighetu Marmatiei (20 miles north)


Laid out the foothills around the Cosau Valley, the beautiful church in Budesti (1643) is home to a valuable collection of icons

painted on glass depicting folkloric scenes; the church also houses a unique collection of 15th century wooden icons painted on

both sides. The outstanding Last Judgment fresco, painted by Alexandru Ponehalski in 1760s, has been preserved in it entirety.

The influence of the Western Gothic style can be seen in the arrangement of the main belfry, which is surrounded by four smaller

turrets.

Desesti Saint Parascheva Church

(Biserica Cuvioasa Paraschiva)


Nearby large town: Sighetu Marmatiei (15 miles north)


The beautiful wooden church with a tall spire and steep, low-reaching,

double-skirted roof in Desesti was built in 1770 in traditional Maramures style

and painted by the renowned post-Byzantine fresco painter Radu Munteanu.

Of significant interest are the Genesis, depicting the creation of Adam and Eve, and the Last Judgment scenes.

Ieud

(Biserica Nasterea Maicii Domnului)



Nearest train station: Viseu de Sus

Built in 1364, the Church on the Hill is the oldest church in Maramures. Built of pine and fir with small windows, a double roof

and a single, impressive steeple,

it features 15th century primitive Byzantine-style murals. Fourteen icons, illustrating moments from the Judgment to

the Crucifixion biblical scenes are placed along the path leading up to the church to recall The Way to the Crossthat Jesus Christ

walked to Golgotha.

Plopis

(Biserica Sfintii Arhangheli Mihail si Gavril)


Nearby large town: Sighetu Marmatiei (25 miles northeast)


Built between 1796-1798 and painted in 1811, this churchs construction combines architectural elements from both the

Maramures and Transylvania regions. High walls endowed with two rows of windows increase interior illumination and add to the

distinctive style of the church, the only one in Maramures with a vaulted roof.

Poienile Izei


9/10

(Biserica Cuvioasa Paraschiva)




The church at Poienile Izie, built on fir logs between 1604 and 1632, is one of the most beautiful and best-preserved

architectural monuments in Maramures. The churchs interior frescoes, painted in 1794 by Gheorghe din Dragomiresti, feature

some of the most dramatic depictions of hell, illustrated in the Last Judgement scene. An interesting element is the metal

horned moon under

the cross, considered a means of protection against the Tartars.

Rogoz



Nearby large town:Baia Mare (30 miles northwest)

Nearest train station: Baia Mare

Built in 1663 and painted in 1785, the wooden church in Rogoz features an asymmetrical roof with the northern side larger andlowered to protect the people standing outside during important religious celebrations.

The overhanging roof protects the stylized horse-head carvings, believed to

keep evil spirits away. Unlike the typical churches in Maramures, this church

has a much smaller interior space, with walls no higher than 10 feet.

Surdesti



Nearby large town: Baia Mare (20 miles west)

Nearest train station: Baia Mare

Dating from 1767, the famous wooden church in Surdesti, built of oak beams skillfully intertwined, displays well-preserved

interior watercolor canvases and

a remarkable 175-feet tall belfry. Surdesti is known to be one of the highest oak buildings in the world with an overall height

from ground level to the top of the steeple of 235 feet. Remarkably, no metal was used to erect the belfry as even the fastenings

are made entirely from wood.

Dacian Fortresses of the Orastie Mountains


Nearby large town: Hunedoara (15 miles northeast)

Dating from the 1st centuries B.C. and A.D. and strewn from Orastie to Retezat Mountains, the Dacian and Roman fortresses

recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites are an archeologists delight. Built as a defense ring around the capital of the

Dacian kingdom, Sarmizegetusa, they include the ruins of the fortresses at Banita, Capalna, Costesti - Blidaru, Costesti

Cetatuie, Luncani - Piatra Rosie, as well as pre-Roman Dacian capital (Sarmisegetuza).
http://www.romaniatourism.com/world-heritage-sites.html


10/10

The fortresses show an unusual fusion of military and religious architectural

techniques and concepts from the classical world and the late European Iron Age. The six defensive sites,

the nucleus of the Dacian Kingdom,

were conquered by the Romans at the beginning of the 2nd century A.D.;

their extensive and well-preserved remains stand in spectacular natural surroundings and give a dramatic picture of a vigorousand innovative civilization. At Sarmisegetuza you can still see the remains of the forum and the elliptical brick and stone

amphitheatre where gladiator shows were held.

Hiking enthusiasts can enjoy the trails in the nearby Retezat National Park, the oldest in Romania (established 1935). Covering

95,000 acres of pristine forests, alpine meadows, peaks, and some 80 glacial lakes, the area was designated as a UNESCO

Biosphere Reservation and provides unforgettable hiking experiences among its peaks, valleys, rivers and gorges.

Note: The area is best explored during the summer season with proper hiking equipment and directions.
http://www.romaniatourism.com/images/castles-fortresses/sarmisegetuza1-image.html

World Heritage Sites in Romania

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