Virtual Meeting Place Romania

This region is situated in the Southern part of the country, containing the most developed industrial and agricultural places in Romania. In this region there are many natural resources as petroleum, natural gases and coal. While visiting Wallachia, you may find growing corn, wheat and other cereals on large fields as well as vineyards and orchards. The climate is different depending on the zone: in the plain winter is rough and summer is torrid, in the hilly region and in the mountains winter is cold and full of snow, summer is cool and rain is abundant. Valea Prahovei (Prahova Valley) is famous for its beauty all over the world.

Take a look at the beautiful saline found at Slanic Prahova. It will impress you very much, we assure you of that!

The Principate of Wallachia united together in a single independent country all the state formations that existed in this area. The founder of Wallachia was Basarab I (1324-1352) but one of its famous rulers was Vlad the Impaler (also named Dracula) who played an important role in Romanian history between 1456-1462.

People living here are both hardworking and interested in keeping alive their traditions. You may visit Comana Monastery built by Vlad the Impaler, Dealu Monastery (where is Michael the Brave's tomb), Curtea de Arges Monastery and many other old beautiful monuments. To take only one example, Curtea De Arges. Monastery was built by Neagoe Basarab (1512-1521) and it was always referred as one of the "wonders of the world" because its special architecture. Its construction has stone from Albesti, marble and mosaic brought from Constantinople and valuable painting inside (finished in 1526). You will be amazed by this white monastery considered to be a symbol of Romanian universe.

Today Wallachia has two important regions called Oltenia (24,095 km²) and Muntenia (52,486 km²). Muntenia is bordered by Danube river in the South, Olt river in the West, Southern Carpathians and Moldavia in the North and Dobrudja in the East. Main counties found here are: Arges, Teleorman, Dimbovita, Ilfov - Bucharest, Giurgiu, Prahova, Ialomita, Calarasi, Buzau and Braila. This chapter will be dedicated only to Muntenia region but we will continue to call it in the text "Wallachia".

Bucharest

The Romanian capital is the biggest city and the most important administrative, political, cultural, industrial and communication junction in the country. It has a population of 2,3 million (1999). Bucharest is crossed by Dimbovita and Colentina river but you may find lovely its lakes (as Herastrau and Snagov) and its forests that are opened for entertainment (Baneasa, Pantelimon, Branesti).

The settlement was first mentioned in documents of 1459 as Vlad the Impaler's residence. The history of this place began much earlier when a shepherd called Bucur was attracted by the beauty of the landscape and decided to settle down here. Legend says that Bucur became the founder of this city, so this is the explanation of its name Bucuresti. Archeological finds show the humanly presence during Paleolithic, Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age, Dacian period and great migrations (3^rd -13^th centuries). In the 15^th century Bucharest was already called "town" and from this period it started to have an impetuous development. Today you may see a Princely Court dating from that time. In the 16^th century Bucharest turned into the most important center of Wallachia but it was temporarily occupied by the Turks in the autumn of 1595 when it was damaged and the Princely Court was burnt. Rebuilt after 1626, Bucharest became again a powerful economic city where all kind of handicrafts and trades flourished.

Revolution against communist regime 1989

Under the reign of Constantin Brancoveanu (1688 - 1714) were built the Palace of Mogosoaia and the Mogosoaia Bridge (where is today one the most important boulevards in Bucharest: Calea Victoriei). Also this great ruler of Wallachia set up a printing press and sponsored the Princely Academy of Sf. Sava that became well known in the whole Balkan Peninsula. The continuous modernization of Bucharest determined that in 1814 its main streets to be lit by lamp posts - it is the first town in the world having a street petroleum lighting! Most of the 19^th century events which lead Romanians to unity and modernization took place in Bucharest. So in 1862 this city became the capital of Romania and since then Bucharest remained the capital of the country. Many changes were made, many monuments were built and on its streets the majority of the Romanian personalities walked during the time. Here was accomplished the Revolution against the Communist Regime (December 22^nd, 1989) and here were taken all the important decisions for Romanian transition to the democratic lifestyle.

Nowadays Bucharest is the main tourist attraction in the whole country. You may stay over night in one of the most beautiful hotels in Romania: Athenee Palace Bucharest Hilton which is a five star hotel. It has 272 guest rooms and suites. Today image and facilities are completely different from its beginning (1914). For example the "English bar" is perfect for your business meetings. If you want to swim or practice aerobic the "Health Club" is ideal (sauna, massage, aerobic equipment and a modern swimming pool). If you want something less expensive, you may choose another hotel from the list : Sofitel, Intercontinental, Majestic, Bucuresti, Continental, Capitol, Helvetia, Dorobanti, Ambasador, Flora, Parc and Lido. Serving your lunch or dinner is not a problem in Bucharest; there are many fancy restaurants (Capsa, Select, Viena to name a few) but also you will find many fast-foods, McDonalds, Pizza Hut and other small places.

The tourists can spend many days in Bucharest trying to visit its museums. To name just a few: National Art Museum, Arts Collection Museum, National History Museum of Romania, National Cotroceni Museum, "Grigore Antipa" Museum of Natural History, National Military Museum, Village Museum and Museum of Romanian Peasant. Village Museum is the first and the biggest museum in open air of Europe (like Bokrijk in Belgium but much better) which includes over 200 authentic peasant houses, old churches and other specific buildings brought here from all Romanian regions. Each museum is talking in its way about Romanian history, art, traditions and scientific works. You will be astonished by meeting the Romanian creativity. For example The National Military Museum of Bucharest preserves important things. Among them you will discover the aircraft "Coanda I" at full scale model. By the way, the Romanian Henri Coanda built the first Turbopropelled Plane in the world. He was born in Bucharest in 1886 and graduated High School of Aeronautics in Paris (1910). The French government ordered planes designed by Henri Coanda between 1914 and 1918 because he was already famous in this country after the Bristol-Coanda plane won the International Aeronautic contest in Britain.

Bucharest still preserves many places that remember a long gone world. Visiting Bucharest by foot you will discover amazing green parks excellent for rest : the Cismigiu Garden (created in 1850), the Liberty Park (arranged in 1906), the Herastrau Park and the Botanical Garden (set up in 1884). If you love animals, you can visit the largest zoological garden of Romania (in Baneasa forest). Also you will see many old houses, villas, monuments and palaces. Looking around the capital it is impossible not to admire the Romanian Atheneum (1885-1888), the Lahovary House, the Central Girls' School, the Justice Palace (1890-1895), the Central Post Office (1894-1900), the Cantacuzino Palace, the Cotroceni Palace and many other jewels of Romanian architecture. As in Paris, here you may discover an impressive Triumph Arch that will remember to the next generations about their brave ancestors died on the battle fields.

It was a time when Bucharest was called "Little Paris" due to its wonderful atmosphere and opulence. Those times, rich women bought their clothes, furniture, crystal, jewels and many other expensive things directly from Paris, Vienna, London or Rome. You may visit the beautiful mansion called "Ghica Gradisteanu" which is a real proof why this city was named "Little Paris". The mansion is placed between Calea Victoriei and N. Iorga Street. Making the first step in the building will lead you in a forgotten atmosphere. It consists of a high basement, ground floor, first floor and attic. From the vestibule you pass a big hall having a charming ceiling decorated with mythological characters. An imposing marble stairs led upstairs. You will find many mirrors and valuable things spread all over. No other details - taste the pleasure of this view by yourself and you will be delighted. Once Lipscani street was the heart of commerce in Bucharest (first mentioned in 1589). It still exists but it lost its glamour - it is placed very close to the "0 km" point of the capital.

Bucharesti International Airport Otopeni

Bucharest is a lovely city where you will find the urban aspect specific to the Western metropolis - given by the modern buildings as World Trade Center, Union International Center, Bucharest Financial Plaza and the Parliament Palace. There are future plans for its development taking in consideration shopping malls, multiplex cinemas and leisure facilities spread all over the city. In Bucharest-Otopeni is placed the most biggest and modern Romanian International Airport. On July 20^th, 1998 it was the official opening of the new Departure Terminal. This investment program for modernization of the infrastructure allowed Tarom to increase its services provided to clients. Process capacity is around 1,000 passengers per peak hour. In conclusion, you may choose to reach Bucharest by plane, by train or by car. Every option you will take is good because you will have the possibility to spend a wonderful time in a beautiful city.

Tirgoviste

At 31 km far from Bucharest you can visit Tirgoviste. This city is placed in a beautiful landscape: Ialomita valley. It was recorded as the second capital of Wallachia in 1396. Its development determined to be chosen as the permanent capital of this historic Romanian region. You can visit here a Princely Court; the Chindia Tower was built by Vlad the Impaler but there are several extensions of the court that were carried out under the reign of the next princes. After 1459 some rulers decided to move their capital to Bucharest but Tirgoviste still remained a capital till the 17^th century when the Phanariot princes (coming from Greece) abandoned it. Situated near the oil-field district, this city became an important railway junction of the whole Romania. During the World War II here was placed a big military arsenal which was many times a target. The Archaeology Museum is an interesting place to visit because you will see with your own eyes things discovered in this area dating from the Neolithic period till the Middle Ages. Today this city is powerful economic and cultural center of Romania. Starting from here you can reach easily Sinaia (if you want to practice winter sports or visit the Peles Palace), Dealu Monastery (founded between 1449-1501), Viforita Monastery (1532), Vulcana Baths (a health resort where you can find highly iodinated waters), Moreni (one of the oldest oil fields in Romania) and the memorial house of the Romanian writer Ion Luca Caragiale (in a village which has his name).

Peles Castle

King Carol I (coming to the Romanian throne in 1866 from the famous house Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen) wanted to build a summer residence. In 1873 he started the Peles Palace after the drawings of the architect Wilhelm Doderer of the German school of architecture. He chose to place his Royal residence in a wonderful region at the outskirts of Bucegi mountains (Sinaia was only a village that time). The building was finished in two stages within 1875 and 1914. The official inauguration took place in October 1883. Between 1893-1914 at Peles Palace were carried out extensions and transformations by the architect Karel Liman who finished the works in the German neo-Renaissance style. Today this charming palace can be visited. Inside you may find also baroque, rococo and Hispanic elements and decorations. It has a valuable collection of European arms from 15^th and 19^th centuries, Oriental carpets, porcelains and paintings. If you are an admirer of French tapestries, you will be astonished finding some in this palace.

The Muddy Volcanoes

Visiting Buzau county - at the curvature of the Carpathian mountains - you will find a very strange place looking like the surface of the Moon. They are called The Muddy Volcanoes and they are famous all over Europe. Here hot gases from underneath escape to the surface and form these particular small mountains. But also the underground water and minerals create geysers and boiling pools of mud. It is a very interesting area, maybe bizarre but full of mystery. People living nearby always say that here there are "the gates of hell". . .

But Buzau county is also famous for the valuable treasure found in Pietroasa in 1837 called "The Hen with golden chickens" which is now preserved at The National History Museum of Romania (Bucharest). This old treasure is well known in the entire world due to its remarkable artistic beauty. There are 12 golden pieces representing different things but the most famous is the Hen - a symbol of the Phoenix bird which appeared on the Wallachian official emblem too.