Romania is strewn with ruins of castles, rubble from the centuries of its existence. Castles are tangible relics of a remarkable past, a lengthy heritage etched in stone, as well as with the blood and sweat of those who built, labored, fought, and died in their shadow. Ruins stir up in us a profound awareness of those past lives. Castles have a timelessness that is awe-inspiring. That they have endured centuries of warfare and the effects of weather is a testimony to the creativity and power of their medieval owners.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Curtea de Arges. The town of Curtea de Arges lies 38 km northwest of Pitesti, at the foot of the Fagaras mountains, in the Arges river valley. Written documents give evidence of the fortified town of Arges since 1330, whereas during the Middle Ages, it was the second capital of Wallachia after Câmpulung and before Târgoviste. The Court of Arges stronghold consists of a set of ruins among which the basements of two princely residences within a wall made of boulders taken from the river, together with the oldest church in Wallachia, the Princely Church.
Poienari Fortress was built in14th century, on the Cetatuia Mountain by Vlad the Impaler. You have to climb to the ruins of Poienari Fortress (1456 steps ascend steeply through the forest) high above the Arges gorge before entering Transylvania at the Rucar-Bran pass. There is the outline of the castle perched on the top of a rocky outcrop, seeming to grow out of the mountain itself.
- Departure from Bucharest - Curtea de Arges (2h)
- Visit the Monastery from Curtea de Arges – the royal romanian necropola
- Visit Poenari Foertress – the real castle of Vlad the Impaler in Arefu village
- Accommodation in Posada Hotel 3* in Curtea de Arges
Day 2: Sarmizegetusa. It is located in the sacred Orastie Mountains, consists of the remains of a Fortified City and Sacred Area. The city dates from 82 BC since the reign of Decebal, the last of the Dacian kings. It was the capital of Dacia during this period. The archaeological ruins clearly illustrate the importance of geometry in designing the city; rectangular and polygonal structures were common along with circular sacred spaces. The most important remnant of the Sacred Area is Sarmizegetusa Regia, a large nearly circular astronomical temple. What remains of the temple are a horseshoe-shaped wooden structure surrounded by a stone circle, making it a combined wood henge and stone henge. The temple opens towards the south-east with a fireplace facing the direction of sunrise at winter solstice.
Huniazilor Castle - Built in the 14th century, on the place of an old fortification, on a rock at which bottom flows the little river Zlasti, the castle is a great building, with high and diversely colored roofs, towers, windows and balconies adorned with laces from carvings in stone. Being one of the most important properties of Iancu de Hunedoara, the castle was transformed during his ruling. It becomes a sumptuous home, not only a strategically enforced point. With the passing of the years, the masters of the castle had modified its look, adding towers, halls and guest rooms. The gallery and the donjon - the last defense tower (the tower "Ne boisa" = Do not be afraid), remain unchanged from Iancu de Hunedoara's time, as the Capistrano Tower (named after the famous monk from the castle court) are some of the most significant parts of the construction.
- Breakfast at Posada Hotel
- Transfer Curtea de Arges – Sarmizegetusa (4h)
- Visit The Ancient Dacian Fortress Sarmizegetusa - the capital of Dacia located in the sacred Orastie Mountains
- Transfer Sarmizegetusa – Hunedoara
- Visit Huniazilor Castle in Hunedoara - the most complex pile of the Middle Ages civil fortification architecture in Romania
- Transfer Hunedoara – Deva
- Accommodation in Deva Hotel 3* in Deva
Day 3: Deva. Deva is a beautiful and modern city with a rich historical background. It was an ancient Thracian stronghold named Dava, from where the name of Deva possibly originates from. The major attraction in Deva is the citadel built a top of a mountain, a natural volcanic truncated cone, dominating the surroundings.
Sibiu - Brukenthal Museum: Founded in 1870, it is the oldest museum in our country. Its name comes from its founder - Samuel Brukenthal, a former governor of Transylvania and one of the most famous collectors of antiques. Evangelical Church built in several stages between 14th-15th centuries in Gothic style, it contains a commanding tower, where you can view the entire city.
- Visit Deva Fortress - built a top of a mountain, a natural volcanic truncated cone, dominating the surroundings
- Transfer Deva – Alba Iulia (1h15’)
- Visit The Castle from Alba Iulia
- Transfer Alba Iulia – Sibiu (1h)
- Visit Sibiu old center, the walls of the fortress and The Evangelical Church
- Accommodation in Imparatul Romanilor Hotel 3* in Sibiu
Day 4: The Fagaras Fortress. It was initially built of wood in 1310 at the orders of Ladislau Kán. In 1539 Stefan Mailath restored a part of the construction. Along the time the fortress entered in the possession of several princes: Baltazar Báthori, Mihai Viteazu, Stefan Csáki, Gabriel Bethlen, Gheorghe Rákóczi I, Mihail Apáfi. The fortress was built in Transylvanian Renaissance style, it presents defense towers at the corners and from the outside it is protected by defense walls and a water fosse.
The Black Church - This Gothic cathedral is located next to the Council Square in the old part of the city of Brasov. Built between 1384-1477, this is the largest construction in Gothic style in Romania, having 89 m length and 38 m wide. Its name comes from the great fire in 1689 that provoked some serious damages and turned its walls black. The church is remarkable for its decorative elements of Renaissance and Baroque influence, a great number of statues, one of the oldest organ in our country (with 4000 tubes on 75 registers) and a very valuable collection of old oriental rugs/carpets from the 16th - 17th c.
- Breakfast at Imparatul Romanilor Hotel
- Transfer Sibiu – Fagaras (1h20’)
- Visit The Forteress from Fagaras - built in Transylvanian Renaissance style
- Transfer Fagaras – Brasov (1h)
- Tour of Brasov citadel and visit the Black Church
- Accommodation in Alpin Hotel 4* in Poiana Brasov
Day 5: The Peasant Fortress at Rasnov. Belonging to the larger family of fortified Saxon strongholds, Rasnov is a hilltop fort, the most representative of this kind in Romania. The Peasant Fortress at Rasnov is placed on a steep-sloped hill, partially forested, which overlooks the town from its 150 m height. It is accessible only from its eastern side. Built in stone and brick, it was erected in several stages starting with the 14th century (in 1335 it was mentioned in connection with the Tartar invasion in the Barsei country), and ending in the 17th century. The Fortress has got two precincts. The lower one, in ruins today, is surrounded by walls, and has an irregular polygonal shape, given by the relief. The rectangular Tower (about 120 x 100 m in size) is the oldest part of the Fortress.
Bran Castle - Was originally a wooden fortress raised by the Knights of the Teutonic Order on the top of a cliff. The castle was built afterwards in 1378 on the same place and served as a custom check-point between Wallachia and Transylvania and also had a strategic role in protecting the pass. Nowadays, the castle is a museum and it is included in most 'Dracula' tours, as its legend was linked with the image of the ruler prince Vlad The Impaler, the inspiring figure for the Bram Stocker's Victorian novel character.
- Breakfast at Casa Viorel
- Transfer Poiana Brasov – Rasnov (30’)
- Visit Rasnov Peasant's Fortress
- Transfer Rasnov – Bran (15’)
- Visit Bran castle – Dracula’s castle from Bram Stocker novel
- Transfer Bran - Sighisoara (2h15’)
- Accommodation in Hotel Sighisoara 3* in Sighisoara citadel
Day 6: Sighisoara citadel. This medieval citadel, still inhabited, was built in several steps between 14th - 17th centuries. It appears as a nucleus of massive houses painted in different colors and placed on small streets, surrounded by the defense wall, 7 km length and 14 towers.
Sighisoara City Museum - It is a real guide of Sighisoara’s history, including: The Clock Tower of 64 m height, representing the oldest monument in Austrian Baroque style in Transylvania and, in the same time, the oldest monumental medieval tower, today the symbol of the town. The Museum of Medieval Weapons, containing a collection of medieval weapons and a complete description of Vlad the Impaler Dracula's genealogical tree.
The Covered Stairs passage - This 175 step-stair with a wooden cover was built in 1656 to make easier the access to the school and to the church. The Church from the Hill (Biserica din Deal) Built in 1345, this is one of the oldest churches in Romania. It contains beautiful decorative elements in Gothic style and dominates the town with its massiveness.
- Breakfast at Hotel Sighisoara
- City tour of Sighisoara citadel with The Clock Tower, The Museum of Medieval Weapons, The Covered Stairs
- Transfer Sighisoara – Piatra Neamt trough Bicaz Gorge or visit Praid Salt Mine
- Accommodation in Ceahlau Hotel 3* in Piatra Neamt
Day 7: Neamt Fortress. The fortress was built during Petru I Musat ruling (1375-1391), in the period of the consolidation of the Moldavian feudal state. First document about the fortress is from 1395, the year in which the King of Hungary, Sigismund de Luxemburg, before was defeated by the army of Petru I Musat at Hindau, emits an office act ante castrum nempch.
Suceava - Once the capital of Moldavia and today the largest town in the area, Suceava is the gateway to visiting the painted monasteries of Southern Bucovina. There are a couple of places of interest in town, including old medieval churches, the Bucovina History Museum and its main tourist site, the Schaun Citadel, a fortress built to hold off Mehmed II in 1476.
Cetatea de Scaun (The Royal Court) - It was first built by Prince Petru Musat I in 1388, and fortified by Stephen the Great to defend against Mehmed II in 1476 The oldest Moldavian fortresses are mentioned in documents in the second half of the 14th century or early 15th century, as follows: Suceava, Neamt, Hotin, Cetatea Alba. It is generally known that in order to strengthen up his state, Petru I at built above all powerful fortresses, at first out of earth, but by the end of the 14th century, out of stone, such as Neamt; and Suceava, where, as a matter of fact, he moved his residence from Siret. Steven the Great is the one who paid special importance to fortresses, building up the Moldavian defense system a whole one, and adapting the old fortresses to the military technique program.
- Breakfast at Ceahlau Hotel
- Transfer from Piatra Neamt – Targu Neamt (45’)
- Visit Neamt Fortress
- Optional lunch in Oglinzi resort
- Transfer Targu Neamt – Suceava (1h)
- Visit The Royal Citadel and Princely Court of Suceava
- Transfer Suceava – Gura Humorului (1h)
- Accommodation in Best Western Bucovina Club de Munte Hotel 4* in Gura Humorului
Day 8: Voronet Monastery. Voronet Monastery, nicknamed the 'Sixtine Chapel of the East' was built by Stephen the Great in 1488 and the vibrant colors of its frescoes were added later. An interesting point is that the archangels’ trumpets take the shape of the local shepherds’ horn or 'bucium' and the souls doomed to hellfire wear the turbans of the Turkish enemy.
Panciu vineyard - This is the only place in Romania where the wine is processed after Champagne method. Panciu vineyard, with an area of 8.100 hectares, was and remains a permanent attraction for those who want to know the wealthiest, beauties and traces of these places. In the past, the vineyard was famous for its traditional wines like Plavaie, Galbena, Babeasca Neagra, Feteasca Alba and Feteasca Neagra. Subsequently, other wines have taken the lead like: Feteasca Regala, Italian Riesling, Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon; that allowed obtaining wines with controlled origin names and the birth of sparkling wines, who made the vineyard famous.
The Odobesti vineyard is one of the largest and oldest in Romania. Vine-growers in the area have drawn old distillates of varieties like Mustoasa de Maderat, Feteasca regala and Galbena de Odobesti. It is renowned for its table wines. Odobesti vineyard, with an area of almost 7.000 hectares is the oldest vineyard in our country, being considered a Dacian vineyard.
- Breakfast at Best Western Bucovina Club de Munte Hotel
- Visit Voronet painted Monastery – UNESCO monument
- Transfer Gura Humorului – Focsani (4h)
- Wine tasting in Odobesti or Panciu Vineyard
- Accommodation in Vrancea Hotel 3* in Focsani
Day 9: Sinaia Monastery. The name of the monastery and, afterwards, the name of the resort come from the biblical Mount Sinai because the old church inside the monastery walls was built between 1690 – 1695 by the sword bearer Mihail Cantacuzino as a copy of St. Catherine Monastery from Mount Sinai, after he visit it on a pilgrimage in Egypt. There is also the bigger, alternative red brick, new church, built by monks under the supervision of Abbot Ioasaf from 1842-1846. It is a perfect example of Romanian religious architecture which blends certain stylistic elements from Moldavia and Wallachia. This amazing house of worship displays ornately carved oak objects and beautiful Neo-Byzantine gold leaf murals.
Peles Castle - This chateaus was the summer – residence of the royal family of Romania. Built mainly between 1873-1883 and finished in 1914 according to the strict program king Carol 1st initiated, this hunting castle is a mixture of many architectural styles, but dominant is the German Neo-Renaissance one. The building is placed in the middle of a splendid park with beautiful terraces and it includes 160 rooms with valuables decorative elements, as: the Turkish Saloon, the Moorish Hall, the Florentine Room.
- Breakfast at Vrancea Hotel
- Transfer from Focsani – Sinaia (3h40’)
- Visit The Monastery and Peles Palace – the summer residence of the royal Romanian family in Sinaia
- Accommodation in Palace Hotel 3* in Sinaia
Day 10: Targoviste. A princely seat and capital over 1393-1714, Targoviste held, for more than three centuries, the status of Walachia’s most important economic, political, military and cultural-artistic center. The archaeological diggings made on the territory and surroundings of the town, proved that this area was inhabited as early as the Neolithic. The Museum of Archeology treasures vestiges of the cultures from those times and subsequently from the Bronze and Iron Ages. Richly illustrated in the museum are Geto-Dacian ornaments and tools from the times of Burebista and Decebal, kings of Dacia, and also from the Byzantine period. The town was first mentioned in 1396, by the Bavarian crusader Johann Schiltberger.
- Breakfast at Palace Hotel
- Transfer from Sinaia – Targoviste (1h)
- Visit Princely Court of Targoviste and Chindiei Tower
- Transfer Targovgiste – Bucharest (1h40’)
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Car/van/bus transportation
- Accommodation in 3* hotel in double rooms on B&B basis
- English speaking guide/driver
- Entrance fees at the museums
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