Visit Romania

Locations related to the distant past

Welcome, traveler, at the presentation of The Quest’s 1^st Element. Oh, never heard of it? Warp here to learn more. Long story short, we challenge you to embark on a quest to visit Romania and discover its hidden gems, through our trademark concept of Time Travel Tourism – a revolutionary way of travelling.

Go “back in time” and Unveil Romania beyond its natural wonders, ancient or medieval monuments and also beyond its modern thrills. Your future Quest is based on 3 Elements: Past locations, Present ones and Hidden History. Each one will unveil beautiful places but only when the 3 of them combine, you will get closer to the purpose of The Quest and becoming a “time traveler”.

In any case, rushing onto unfamiliar ground can be dangerous, traveler! First, you ought to know the terrain! Visualize the background of the locations you might be passing through, starting with the ones related to Romania’s distant past:

Sarmizegetusa Regia (UNESCO) – ancient marvel and capital of the Dacian Kingdom

Built more than 2,000 years ago, the complex contains 6 defensive fortresses, 1 citadel, a sanctuary similar to the one at Stonehenge, a sundial, artificial terraces and a network of underground tunnels. At its apex, the Dacian kingdom covered significant parts of central, eastern and southeastern Europe. During the reign of king Decebal, Dacia defeated the Roman invasion lead by Emperor Domitian and forced him to pay tribute.

Over 190 castles and palaces – a medieval kingdom carved in stone

Sighisoara (UNESCO) – fully preserved, inhabited medieval city

Mocanita - the time travelling train

Citadels of Ponor – a karstic phenomenon in the heart of a mountain

Retezat Reservation – a huge natural park on the roof of the Carpathian Mountains

The Wooden Churches of Maramures (UNESCO) – the world's highest wooden structures (78 m)

Venture in Maramures, a fairy tale land, and admire superb landscapes, traditions locked in time and most of all – The 8 UNESCO Wooden Churches. Sapanta is the tallest wooden structure in the world, but the others are just as tall and each has a beauty of its own. One of them in particular, Barsana, is actually built on top of a plateau in the middle of an entire complex of monasteries. Simply being there feels like touching the sky.

A Saxon cultural and architectural heritage at the heart of a Latin speaking country

And many more…

Biertan - saxon fortified church. Credits: Unveil Romania

Rasnov - the impregnable Citadel. Photo by Daniel Necula, www.flickr.com/dannynecula

The Saxon Heritage of the Transylvanian countryside. Credits: Unveil Romania

Peles Castle - the first European castle entirely lit by electrical current. Photo by Adrian Petrisor, www.adrianpetrisor.ro

Mocanita - the time travelling train. Photo by Werner & Hansjörg Brutzer

Bran Castle - home of Dracula. Photo by Daniel Necula, www.flickr.com/dannynecula

Corvin Castle. Photo by Salvador Busquets, www.flickr.com/7455207@N05

Putna Monastery. by Constantin Florea, www.flickr.com/costiflorea

Danube Delta. Photo by Costel Slincu, www.flickr.com/cost3l

Sarmisegetuza Regia - the capital of the ancient Dacian Kingodom. Credits: unknown

Sighisoara - fully preserved & inhabited medieval town. Photo by George Nutulescu, www.flickr.com/nutulescug

Barsana wooden Monastery. Photo by János Rusiczki, www.rusiczki.net

Brasov - a fairytale jewel of the Carpathians. Photo by George Nutulescu, www.flickr.com/nutulescug

Statue of Decebal - King of Dacia, the man who stopped the invasion of Emperor Domitian and forced Rome into paying tribute. Credits: James Hynes

The list can go on and on as you trek through pristine forests or wander through the magic of endless meadows. It may follow you as you gaze upon remote highland villages whose people live and thrive of the land or as you follow mountain roads dating from back in the time of the Romans….

“It’s the last corner of Europe where you see true sustainability and complete resilience’’ (Prince Charles of Wales).

You may now exit the time machine. We’re living in the present. Remember that what you’ve seen above is just a tiny fraction of the past related locations. The Quest has 3 Elements and, naturally, past is always followed by present. Continue your journey by going to the 2^nd Element, representing the locations in Romania that are closer to the present day.