The jewel of “Little Paris”, the Romanian Athenaeum was originally dedicated to literature but now houses the national philharmonic orchestra. In the neo-Classical style, it is topped by an imposing dome. Beneath the peristyle, five medallions bear t..

A fascinating insight into the architecture of rural Romania, this open-air village museum comprises of some 300 buildings (houses, barns, workshops, churches). They were rescued from around the country or are reconstructions using original methods a..

Built in brick by Constantin Brâncoveanu in 1702, this palace incorporates the entire vocabulary of Brancovian architecture: Byzantine arches, twisted Venetian columns, organic and zoomorphic ornamentation… It is laid out around a courtyard, where st..

Begun in 1884, Carol I’s summer residence was not finished until 1914, several years after the king’s death. The architecture shows neo-Renaissance German influence. Wood, stone and precious materials abound in the castle’s 160 rooms. The décor is su..

Of the original 14C monumental fortified complex, only vestiges remain so it is hard to visualise this place’s full splendour during the days of Wallachia’s voivods, who resided here until 1714. Among the impressive survivors are the princely church..

A fine example of the Byzantine influence that is so prominent in Wallachian architecture, this Brancovian-style church naturally includes traditional cable moulding in its façade. Resplendent with frescoes, the interior is also clearly of Brancovian..

A legend attaches to the building of this monastery: to prevent a further collapse of its walls, the master mason sacrificed his wife by walling her up alive… before jumping off the roof. Oriental touches are evident (geometric motifs on the facade, ..

The region’s oldest Orthodox church (14C) is striking primarily for its stone and brick façade. Inside, the well-preserved wall paintings (1364-1384) are believed to be the oldest surviving examples of Romanian painting. Although influenced by Byzant..

This is the home territory of Romania’s most famous artist, Constantin Brâncusi , who drew inspiration from the domestic architecture and crafts of the region. Head into this verdant landscape punctuated by rocky outcrops to discover some of the cou..

The harmonious church of this monastery founded in 1387 by voivod Mircea cel Batrân shows primitive Byzantine influences (soaring domes, geometric motifs…), although it was remodelled four centuries later under Constantin Brâncoveanu. Among its fresc..

Like many religious buildings of the period, this little 17C monastery bears the mark of the cultural reawakening unleashed under Constantin Brâncoveanu (notably the addition of a narthex) a century later. Its founder, the Wallachian prince Matei Bas..

Known as the “star of Orthodoxy”, this focal point of Orthodox Christian worship was built between 1376 and 1386. The monks who lived here founded a school of copyists and sculptors. Today it is home to textile workshops preserving the purest traditi..

Always lively on account of its café terraces and restaurants, Brasov’s main square is named after the old town hall which is its centrepiece. Of harmonious proportions, it was the scene in the Middle Ages of great fairs. It retains traces of its ric..

Called the “black church” on account of the fire that ravaged Brasov in 1689 and blackened its walls, this basilica (1472) is one of the greatest Gothic churches in eastern Europe. Inside, the pews bearing guilds’ coats of arms and sumptuous oriental..

Following this spectacular route through the Carpathians to Wallachia is an ideal way to discover the pastoral traditions (feast, crafts, cheese) of a region with colourful folkloric heritage, while simultaneously taking in its natural beauty. Such a..

Here it is easy to see why Sibiu, nicknamed “Little Vienna”, is considered to be Romania’s prettiest town. The well-proportioned square is lined by a colourful ensemble of Baroque houses like the Weidner-Reussner-Czekelius house , the blue house a..

The Brukenthal national museum is sited in the fine Baroque palace built by Samuel von Brukenthal, the only Saxon to have been governor of Transylvania under Austrian rule. A keen art lover, he amassed a good collection of Renaissance and Baroque pic..

Historically the centre of all craft and mercantile activity; furriers, pelt dealers, tanners and goldworkers traded from here. Its 15C-16C arcaded houses give it a distinctive charm. Have a seat at one of its many ground-floor café terraces and watc..

Standing on Huet Square , this Gothic church (1320-1520) is Sibiu’s tallest building. In the chancel, note the fine Crucifixion painted around 1445 by a follower of Flemish master Roger van der Weyden. The church also has an interesting selection ..

In order to protect themselves from Tartars and Turks, the Saxons built over 300 fortified churches in the region; this is the largest of them, with a double perimeter wall and five towers added in 1450, including the curiously slanted trumpets towe..