Places worth to visit in Romania

Romania’s highest mountain range are Fagaras. Compact mountain range stretches over 70 km between the Red Towerbreakthrough (Tornu Roşu) and Curmâtura Foii pass which separates it from the chain of Piatra Craiului mountains. Any amateur of mountain excursions will find something for himself in Fagaras Mountains. Western and Central part resembles the Tatra Mountains. With the highest mountains of Romania (Moldoveanu 2544 meters and Negoiu 2535 meters) it is the highest mountain range in the Southern Carpathian Mountains. The Eastern massif has a milder sculpture and that is why it is perfect solution for less demanding adventurers. A characteristic element of Fagaras Mountains scenery are about 50 glacial lakes surrounded by high rocky walls. Also, you can often find pastoral meadows, which sometimes are placed deep into valleys. Especially during summer when they are covered with herds of sheep they present beautifully. Despite such a unique landscape and wildlife Fagaras Mountains area is not protected by law. Only on the Southern slopes there is Godula Alpin Fagaras park located. There are also three nature reserves, including one located next to a big tourist complex Balea Lac. Although mountain shelters in Fagaras Mountains are numerous (especially on the Northern side) only three of them are located quite high and close to the main ridge. So if you choose to visit the Fagaras Mountains take your own tent!

Retezat range, one of the highest ranges of the Carpathians mountains, is characterized by rocky landscapes and massive cliffs. You can see there many glacial lakes and the cows that graze at an altitude of over 2000 meters. These mountains are very scenically gorgeous, relatively easily accessible and well (as for Romania) developed. Higher peaks of “Mountains Cut” (as it can be directly translated from the Romanian name) are covered or by grassy meadows or by rocky rubble. Under the peaks, in the deep valleys, you can find a lot of small hidden lakes. However, ponds are usually located at the end of the valleys and they are as well the result of glacier action. Due to the height Retezat is the third among the mountain ranges of Romania (after Fogaraszach and Parangu) with the highest peak of Peleagą (2509 m). The next peaks aren’t much lower and of course they are equally interesting – Papus (2508 m), Retezat (2482m) and Varful Mare (2463 m). By the way ‘varful’ in Romanian means peak. Nature in Retezat is so rich that its area since
1935 is declared as national park. Since 1979 Retezat is on the UNESCO biosphere reserves list. The animal world represents bears and marmots, which are difficult to see due to the large number of tourists in the mountains. The only strictly protected nature reserve is in part of Gemenele.

Romania is inseparably associated with the literary figure of Count Dracula. Everyone who wants to visit places associated with him should go to Bran Castle and the Poenari fortress. Castles are distant from each other for about 60 km. Bran Castle appearance corresponds to the description of the literary establishment Carpathian vampire but the
relationship to the original Dracula Vlad the Impaler was not confirmed. In the case of the Poenari castle it was proved that it was occupied by Vlad Tepes also associated with Count Dracula. The building is located just 6 km from the Romanian village Arefu. Fortress is situated on a rock above the valley and you have to overcome a 1440 stairs to reach it. In 1888 much of the building collapsed and fell down the slope. There are many people willing to visit this place because of its history. It was erected by the boyars arrested by Vlad Tepes. During this work many of them died. The Lord changed the castle into a fortress and prison. To this day, this building is famous of cruelty and torture that took place in the dungeons. According to legend Vlad Tepes’ wife committed suicide. She jumped from the tower to protect herself from Turkish captivity. Each vampire lover should visit these castles.