Romania has long been known as one of the most isolated countries in Europe. The band of the Carpathian Mountains that dissects the nation hides communities that have retained their traditional ways of life more successfully than most other parts of the continent. Romania's wild central and northern regions famously include Transylvania, and in an otherworldly landscape of castles peeping out of inaccesible-looking crags it is easy to see how vampire legends have persisted here down the centuries. Tourists come here principally to follow in the footsteps of the area's Dracula connections but the characterful buildings, traditional crafts and festivals that live on in the villages here have a magic of their own.
Maramures villages of Barasana, Sacel and Oncesti
The villages of the Maramures region of extreme northern Romania are known for their elaborately carved wooden gates, at the entrances to village houses. Motifs to look out for on the gates include pieces of twisted rope and the sun, symbolic of long life. Barasana has the most beautiful gates, along with one of the traditional Romanian wooden churches. Nearby Oncesti also sports plenty of gates and a 17th century church. Both villages are reached along highway 186 from the small town of Sâcel, to the east of Baia Mare.
Marginimea Sibiului Villages
Best known of the traditional Romanian communities due to their relative ease of access, the Marginimea Sibiului villages lie immediately west, south and east of the city of Sibiu. A trip here is like a step back in time to another century. Tourist guides will say there are 18 villages although in reality these are merely 18 of the prettiest of many villages worth visiting in the valleys here. Of particular note are Saliste (with the oldest church), Rasinari (the oldest village), Poiana Sibiuili (with a beautiful wooden church) and Sibiel (with a museum of iconography and a castle). The villages of the area have continued many traditional crafts such as leather making.
Sibiu has its own airport with flights to Munich and Viena, and two trains daily to Cluj, from where there are cheap flights to most European cities.
Apuseni Mountains Villages of Albec, Manastirini and Garda
In Western Romania the Aries River cuts deep, dramatic gorges through the time-trapped Apuseni Mountains, in many ways as cut off from modern Europe as they ever were. It is a land of wild meadows, lazy fields of livestock and tiny communities clustered in turn below steep forested ridges. The mountains contain some of Eastern Europe's greatest cave systems. Sheep and shepherding are so important that they are venerated in legend. Cheesemaking and embroidery are still popular crafts in the remote villages like Albec and Garda, whilst at Manastirini is one of the best remaining examples of the traditional steep-roofed Romanian church. The villages lie on Highway 75 south-west of Cluj.
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Bargau Valley and Borgo Pass Villages
The villages of the Bargau Valley leading up to Borgo Pass (known as Tihuta Pass) are brimming with beauty and tradition, with communities like Livezile, which boasts an intriguing museum of Saxon artefacts. This is the heart of Dracula country, with Bram Stoker setting Dracula in this part of Transylvania. The road to the villages climbs from the town of Bistrita up to the pass, then on to the stunning painted monasteries of Bucovina, some of Romania's most beautiful buildings. Bistrita is accessed by train from Cluj (about three hours) or Bucharest (overnight).
Marginea — Romania Pottery Capital
One of the best souvenirs of a visit to North Romania is the pottery produced at villages like Marginea, which makes its own distinctive black ceramic. The village is north-west of Suceava, in the extreme north-east of Romania.
All of these villages, particularly the Maramures villages, come alive with folk and music festivals throughout the summer months, which make for the best time to experience Romania's traditional side. To enjoy the charm of these isolated places however, it is necessary to have one's own vehicle, or to join a tour, as public transport is poor.
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Maramures villages of Barasana, Sacel and Oncesti
The villages of the Maramures region of extreme northern Romania are known for their elaborately carved wooden gates, at the entrances to village houses. Motifs to look out for on the gates include pieces of twisted rope and the sun, symbolic of long life. Barasana has the most beautiful gates, along with one of the traditional Romanian wooden churches. Nearby Oncesti also sports plenty of gates and a 17th century church. Both villages are reached along highway 186 from the small town of Sâcel, to the east of Baia Mare.
Marginimea Sibiului Villages
Best known of the traditional Romanian communities due to their relative ease of access, the Marginimea Sibiului villages lie immediately west, south and east of the city of Sibiu. A trip here is like a step back in time to another century. Tourist guides will say there are 18 villages although in reality these are merely 18 of the prettiest of many villages worth visiting in the valleys here. Of particular note are Saliste (with the oldest church), Rasinari (the oldest village), Poiana Sibiuili (with a beautiful wooden church) and Sibiel (with a museum of iconography and a castle). The villages of the area have continued many traditional crafts such as leather making.
Sibiu has its own airport with flights to Munich and Viena, and two trains daily to Cluj, from where there are cheap flights to most European cities.
Apuseni Mountains Villages of Albec, Manastirini and Garda
In Western Romania the Aries River cuts deep, dramatic gorges through the time-trapped Apuseni Mountains, in many ways as cut off from modern Europe as they ever were. It is a land of wild meadows, lazy fields of livestock and tiny communities clustered in turn below steep forested ridges. The mountains contain some of Eastern Europe's greatest cave systems. Sheep and shepherding are so important that they are venerated in legend. Cheesemaking and embroidery are still popular crafts in the remote villages like Albec and Garda, whilst at Manastirini is one of the best remaining examples of the traditional steep-roofed Romanian church. The villages lie on Highway 75 south-west of Cluj.
Booking.com
Bargau Valley and Borgo Pass Villages
The villages of the Bargau Valley leading up to Borgo Pass (known as Tihuta Pass) are brimming with beauty and tradition, with communities like Livezile, which boasts an intriguing museum of Saxon artefacts. This is the heart of Dracula country, with Bram Stoker setting Dracula in this part of Transylvania. The road to the villages climbs from the town of Bistrita up to the pass, then on to the stunning painted monasteries of Bucovina, some of Romania's most beautiful buildings. Bistrita is accessed by train from Cluj (about three hours) or Bucharest (overnight).
Marginea — Romania Pottery Capital
One of the best souvenirs of a visit to North Romania is the pottery produced at villages like Marginea, which makes its own distinctive black ceramic. The village is north-west of Suceava, in the extreme north-east of Romania.
All of these villages, particularly the Maramures villages, come alive with folk and music festivals throughout the summer months, which make for the best time to experience Romania's traditional side. To enjoy the charm of these isolated places however, it is necessary to have one's own vehicle, or to join a tour, as public transport is poor.
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