This Unesco protected nature reserve is Europe’s largest marshland area. Flora and fauna – fish and over 400 bird species, both resident and migratory – make up 25 different ecosystems in the delta. Join a delta “cruise” at Tulcea to see the Sulina ..

Incorporating arabesques and volutes, the rich organic decoration of this little church’s façade – a veritable “herbarium in stone” – is its most striking feature. Built a few years after the death of Constantin Brâncoveanu (1688-1714), it nonethel..

Owing its current aspect largely to one of the fathers of “Little Paris”, Paul Gottereau (1843-1904), the Royal palace has since 1948 housed the prestigious collections of the national museum of arts. After the upheaval of 1989 in which over a thou..

Under communism, numerous church buildings were destroyed. The treasures they once housed are now displayed in this museum. Unique and superb items from the 14C to the 19C; note the wooden door from Sganov church (16C), the wall paintings from Curtea..

Inaugurated in 1834, this collection of Romanian modern art became the national picture gallery in 1864. With acquisitions from Bucharest’s museums, the national bank, the Romanian academy and private bequests, it today comprises of more than 8 600 p..

This vast neo-Romanian building (1912-1939) was the Romanian communist museum from 1966 to 1990. Remodelled to focus on the riches of rural life, it is one of the country’s most interesting museums, winning the European Museum of the Year award in 19..

Crossing the Carpathians on the Transfagarasan is an unforgettable experience for thrill seekers. Decreed by Ceausescu, the construction of this vertiginous route was a remarkable feat of engineering. It carves a narrow path through the heart of a be..

A Unesco World Heritage site, this is Oltania’s most important monastery, the masterpiece of Constantin Brâncoveanu, the “golden prince”. A magnificent architectural ensemble, it incorporates Byzantine, Italian, Serbian and Macedonian influences, as ..

This vast fortified complex is a fine example of the “rural fortresses” of the Saxon territories. Within its imposing perimeter walls are two enclosed courtyards, linked by a vaulted passage. The mid-13C church stands in the second courtyard. The loc..

Covering 96ha, this is the largest open-air museum in Romania and indeed Europe. In shaded parkland stand nearly 350 buildings perfectly reconstructed in situ , illustrating the nation’s built heritage. Stroll among watermills, windmills, workshops,..

It is impossible not to be impressed by this region distinguished by its bygone pastoral traditions. In the northwest of Romania, Maramures offers a splendid landscape of untamed forest and hillsides tilled by man, rich architectural heritage (notabl..

Bukovina lies in northwestern Moldavia. This upland region has been home to Turks, Jews, Germans, Roma... all of whom have left their mark. It has splendid medieval monasteries , representing Romania’s finest architectural heritage, and recognised a..

Founded in 1415, this monastery formerly had a school teaching calligraphy and miniature painting. Its church (1530) has extraordinary wall paintings by Toma de la Suceava, in which a distinctive brick-red hue predominates. In this instructive cycl..

Known as the “Sistine Chapel of the East”, Voronet Monastery’s church is one of the Orthodox Christian world’s most beautiful buildings. It is covered in frescoes in which blue predominates (the famous and inimitable “Voronet blue”). Painted on the o..

Retaining part of its thick ramparts and three of its five towers, this monastery still has the aura of a fortress. Like the nearby monasteries of Voronet and Humor , the church is covered in frescoes, undoubtedly by Toma de la Suceava: on the so..

Green is the predominant colour in the frescoes of the monastery church, which is also encircled by ramparts. The paintings are later than others in Bukovina (late 16C, by the brothers Ioan and Sofronie Zugravul). The most famous is the fine Ladde..

With its thick ramparts and square towers, this early-17C monastery is a veritable fortress, and differs from other such buildings in the region on account of the lack of fresco decoration on its stone walls. Its scale is also striking, especially it..

Before flowing into the Black Sea at the end of its 2 850km journey, the Danube opens out into Europe’s largest and best-preserved delta, composed of three main branches, explored by rowing boat ( lotca ) from Tulcea : to the north lies Chilia , th..

This is an up-and-coming district where antique dealers, chic boutiques and trendy cafés are gradually edging out the old stalls and inns (like Hanul lui Manuc ) once used by merchants and artisans, but a stroll through its network of little streets..

Bucharest’s inns bear witness to the city’s merchant past, especially that of the Lipscani district . Today a hotel, Hanul lui Manuc retains its original hospitality role. It takes its name from Armenian merchant Emanuel Mârzoian (1769-1817), alias..