MIHAI _ ANDRITOIU / SHUTTERSTOCK . COM
GRAFVISION / SHUTTERSTOCK . COM
Transfagarasan Road is a scenic mountain road , famous for its wildlife sightings .
The Merry Cemetery features bright mosaic tombstones and cheerful paintings . home to the largest underground glacier on Earth . Of course , Romania ’ s east coast , with its access to sparkling blue waters and powder-soft sand , is an ideal spot for sun lovers who can kick back and unwind alongside the Black Sea .
INTRIGUING HISTORY Home to the only castle to fit author Bram Stoker ’ s description of Count Dracula ’ s dwelling ( high above a valley , overlooking a flowing river somewhere in Transylvania ), Romania ’ s Bran Castle is perhaps the region ’ s most well-known historical haunt . However , while pointy-toothed souvenirs and depictions of the ghoulish figure are commonplace , the site never acted as host to a fearsome vampire — or Vlad the Impaler for that matter . Instead , Bran Castle was the official palace of the Romanian Royal Family , including the famous Queen Marie who played a pivotal role in the building ’ s restoration after it suffered attacks from the Ottoman Empire in 1441 . However , while it steals much of the spotlight , Bran Castle isn ’ t Romania ’ s only notable site . History buffs will love visiting other significant landmarks like Peleș Castle , a former property of the Royal Family ; Histria , the first Greek colony west of the Black Sea ; Hunedoara Castle , a gorgeous Gothic-Renaissance castle ; Prejmer Fortified Church , a UNESCO World
ECSTK22 / SHUTTERSTOCK . COM
Heritage Site ; Fagaras Fortress , an ancient fortress in Transylvania , and more .
RICH CULTURE Whether they ’ re looking to explore countryside villages and medieval towns or a modern metropolitan city , travelers can find it all in this exciting European destination . For a journey back in time , places like Sibiu , Sighisoara and Sinaia charm with their impressive architecture , brightly colored façades and historical offerings .
Colorful homes line the streets of Sighisoara , Romania .
A perhaps unexpected Romanian attraction are the region ’ s monasteries , synagogues and cathedrals , which wow visitors with their intricate stonework and towering chapels . A few places of note include the Merry Cemetery , with its mosaic tombstones and joyful paintings ; the Choral Temple , a Jewish synagogue with a striking exterior ; the Painted Monasteries of Bucovina , a collection of ancient churches with a story to tell , and The Black Church , a moody structure dating back to 481 .
WINTER 2023 / THE COMPASS / 85