Romania: Explore The UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Romania

1. Churches of Moldavia

The Churches of Moldavia are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. They feature the rich artworks and frescoes of 15th and 16th century Romania. The churches are filled with Orthodox monks and nuns who practice the Christian faith. UNESCO has inscribed seven churches in the region.

The eight churches are spread over an area of 250 km, making it difficult to visit them all. However, Chip Dawson has devised a route to see four of them, as well as the beautiful church of Voronet. The journey can take several days. If you’re travelling on a tight budget, consider hiring a car to get around.

The Monastery of Probota is a great place to see painted St Nicholas Churches. It is situated in the south-east of Suceava. It was built by Petru Rares in 1530. He was also the architect of the Vatra Moldovitei and Humor Monastery. The architecture is typical of the local monasteries, with strong fortifications surrounding the main gate.

The eight painted churches of Moldavia have a UNESCO World Heritage Site status. These churches were built from different periods of Romania’s history and display exquisite craftsmanship. The frescoes cover the interior and exterior of the churches and are remarkably well-preserved. They feature biblical scenes and are very detailed.

2. Dacian Fortresses of the Orastie Mountains in Romania

The Dacian Fortresses of the Oratistie Mountains are one of the most impressive examples of military architecture from this ancient time. They were built using the murus dacicus technique on five terraces that covered an area of 30,000 square meters. The construction of the fortresses required significant work.

The earliest written mention of these fortresses comes from the late sixteenth century, when historians talked about the presence of stone walls in the Orastie Mountains. Since then, the ancient ruins have continued to pique the interest of researchers. The Orastie Mountains boast six fortresses that were built by the Dacians between the 1st and 2nd centuries B.C. and are now part of the UNESCO World Heritage.

The fortresses were built on terraces to be defended against attack by enemy forces. In addition, they feature sanctuaries and workshops. UNESCO has recognized these fortresses as a unique testament to the civilization of the Dacians. The ancient Dacians lived in a range of places throughout Romania and Moldova. In the 1st century BC, King Burebista united these tribes and established a capital city at Sarmizegetusa, in the Orastie Mountains.

The subsequent rulers of the Dacians built a large empire that threatened the Roman Empire. During this period, Julius Caesar was already planning a military campaign against the Dacians. The only remaining Dacian fortresses that were not conquered by the Romans are Blidaru and Banita. These fortresses were constructed to protect the southern road to Sarmisegetuza.

3. UNESCO’s Historic Centre of Sighioara

Historic Centre of Sighioara is the old historic center of the city. It was originally built in the 12th century by Saxon settlers. It features a variety of medieval and Renaissance buildings and a great number of museums. Today, it is one of Romania’s most popular tourist destinations.

Visitors can experience Romanian history at the city’s citadel and visit Vlad the Impaler’s birthplace. This historical figure was the inspiration for the famous Dracula story. The citadel contains many medieval buildings, including the former palace of Vlad the Impaler, who is said to have been born in Sighisoara.

UNESCO has designated this historic site a World Heritage Site. The citadel was originally known as Castrum Sex (Civitas), and was the second national political entity of Transylvania. The Saxons had a thriving medieval town, and the city is still home to a medieval festival every year. Craft blends, stage plays, and rock music are common during this festival. During the medieval era, Sighisoara was one of the largest commercial centers in central Europe.

Founded by Saxon merchants in the 13th century, the town was the home of some of the finest craftsmen in the region. Today, the citadel remains a relic of Transylvania’s culture, and is one of the few surviving citadels. You can also visit the Church on the Hill and experience the Count Dracula Experience.

4. The Monastery of Horezu in Romania

The Horezu Monastery is located in Romania and was founded in 1690 by Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu. The town of Horezu is situated in the region of Wallachia. The monastery has been a center for spirituality for centuries and is well worth a visit. Visitors can visit the monastery on foot. It is about 45 minutes uphill from the city center.

Alternatively, they can catch the DN65 bus to Horezu. Getting there from the bus station is relatively easy. There is a small trail and car road that can take you to the monastery. Horezu is located in southern Romania. Since 1993, it is part of the UNESCO patrimony. The monastery houses a collection of ceramics that are a testament to the history of Romanian art.

The Horezu ceramics have been included in UNESCO’s patrimony. Horezu is a historic monastery that is located at the foot of the Capatanii Mountains. It was built by Prince Constantin Brancoveanu, who let the monastery be embellished with rich decorations. Its interior was painted by the Greek artist Constantinos, who later established an acclaimed school of painting in the area.

Visitors can view some of the best examples of Romanian art at the Monastery of Horezu. It is located in Wallachia, Romania, and is only two hours’ drive from Sibiu. The monastery was built in 1690 under the commission of a wealthy Greek, who was willing to allow the addition of rich decorations and wall paintings. The famous Greek painter Constantinos, who worked with the monks, designed the monastery’s portal and murals.

5. The Roia Montan Mining Landscape in Romania

The Roia Montan Mining Landscape in Romania is a protected site that is in danger of being destroyed. The proposed $1.5 billion mine project threatens the community, and local residents have fought to save their homes.

Local conservationists have revealed that the project’s plans for the site were untransparent and would destroy three villages and four mountain tops. It would also expose the community to the risk of cyanide release. The Social Democratic government was forced to backtrack on an election promise to protect the site. The Roia Montan Mining Landscape consists of a vast and technically diverse underground Roman gold mining complex.

The site was used for gold mining over a two-millennium period. The precious metals were used to fund trade and military forces, and even the creation of empires. The mining landscape represents an interesting example of the relationship between man and the environment. Romania’s Rosia Montana Mining Landscape is a World Heritage site.

The mines here were once used to extract gold from the earth, which is why the site has been classified as an important cultural heritage site by UNESCO. This heritage site is threatened by modern mining operations, which is why it is listed as a “World Heritage in Danger” by UNESCO. The Romanian Ministry of Culture put an end to the mining project in December 2015.

In February 2016, it was announced that the town of Rosia Montana would be added to Romania’s Tentative List of sites for UNESCO World Heritage inscription. The Tentative List was officially inscribed in October 2016, and the nomination dossier for World Heritage inscription was submitted in January 2017. UNESCO’s World Heritage inscription would significantly increase Romania’s protection of the area.

6. Fortified Churches in Transylvania

The history of the Transylvanian fortified churches dates back several centuries. These buildings were built in order to protect the villages from attack by invading armies. Historically, Transylvania was a frontier province of the Holy Roman Empire and was thus subject to many threats.

The area’s villagers, lacking the resources to build massive castles and city walls, had to find other ways to protect themselves. Fortified churches were their best solution. The village church was originally built on a hill overlooking the village. By the 16th century, over 300 fortified churches had been built in Transylvania, but today only seven have survived.

One of the best preserved churches is the Biertan Fortified Church, a Gothic church dedicated to the Virgin Mary. This is one of the last fortified churches built in Transylvania. The Saxons who settled in Transylvania built fortified churches in order to protect themselves and their communities. The fortified churches were often situated on hilltops and formed the heart of a complex defensive system.

These buildings contained watchtowers and drawbridges. They also included large storage rooms so that the community could store goods without fear of being attacked. At one time, there were about 300 fortified churches in Transylvania, but only 150 remain. Of these, seven were awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 1993.

Viscri has a UNESCO-listed fortified church, which is part of the town’s heritage. Its altar is comprised of 28 painted panels and dates back to the late 15th century. You can also see the town’s restored houses and medieval architecture.

7. Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe

The Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of Europe are a global asset. They consist of 94 individual components in 18 countries. Each represents a different piece of the region’s history. The trees were adapted to the climate, forming distinct forest communities in different regions.

The region’s primeval beech forests are a world heritage site. The first list was in 2007, then expanded in 2011 and 2017. The site now covers 78 regions in twelve countries and is made up of forests in the Carpathians and other parts of Europe. These forests are home to many species, including rare birds and brown bears.

Today, the Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of Europe are the largest virgin beech forest in Europe, and are home to some of the world’s tallest beech trees. The forests span the Carpathians, Ukraine, and other regions of Europe. These ancient beech forests are neat and small, and contain about 96 hectares of up to 500-year-old trees.

This unique ecosystem allows scientists to explore the effects of climate change on the ecosystem, and provides an interesting insight into the evolution of these trees. There are guided mountain tours available, but you will need some mountain experience to get the most out of your visit.

A UNESCO listing came as a shock to many. Before the listing, the forest was still a quiet backwater. But now it is heavily advertised by the local tourist boards. There are now even banners in the trees protesting the listing. They link to a Web page with more background information.

8. The Wooden Churches of Maramure

The Maramures region is home to eight wood churches which have been designated World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. These churches were built before the 20th century and are characterized by their traditional timber architecture. These churches are scattered throughout the entire county of Maramures, Plopis and individeali.

The wooden church at Mararnures, with its 54-meter high bell tower, is considered the tallest historical monument in Romania. It is built on oak wood and combines all the features of wooden churches in Maramure at the height of their development.

Visitors to the Maramure region should make time to explore these unique churches. One of the most striking churches in Maramure is the one in Ieud. This wooden church was constructed around 1620 and features a unique architectural style. It is the largest wooden church in the region. It is 18 meters long, 8 meters wide and 26 meters high. The church is also home to the mail shirt of a famous local outlaw.

One of the oldest wooden churches in Europe is the Church of Ieud, which was built by the local noble family in 1628. It is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The interior of this church displays a typical Maramures Wooden Churches style, with an ornate Gothic tower and significant Orthodox influences.