Moldoveanu is the highest mountain peak in the Southern Carpathians and Romania. It is located in the Făgăraş Mountains and is 8,346 feet high. 1)
Telemea cheese can be made from cow's or sheep's milk. It is similar in appearance to Greek feta, lightly salted and enriched in flavor with herbs. It is stored in wooden barrels called “putini”. It can be served as a snack, as well as an ingredient of salads and in addition to omelets or other cakes. 2)
The Pindus area has been disputed between Albania, Romania, and Greece since the early 20th century, especially after the incorporation of the Arumun lands into Greece in 1912. In 1918 the Arumun nationalists declared in Konitsa the creation of the Principality of Pindus, but it lasted only one day. Again the Principality of Pindus was created by the Arumu nationalists in Italian-occupied Greece in 1941 and included Macedonia, Epirus, and Thessaly. It was dissolved in 1944. 3)
Popescu is the most common of all surnames in Romania. This surname may have been passed on to the next generation or assigned to children only in the Orthodox Church, where priests establish families. 4)
The Dacian state was located in what is now Romania and was conquered in the early 2nd century AD by Emperor Trajan (98-117), who defeated the Dacian king Decebal and captured his capital Sarmizegetusa. 5)
According to 2013 data, the country has a population of 19.96 million people - with 1.913 million living in Bucharest alone. 6)
Romania regained its independence from the Ottoman Empire on May 9, 1877. 7)
Romania does not celebrate the Day of the Dead as we know it. Instead, everyone remembers the graves of their loved ones on the day they see fit - usually the date of the burial or another important date associated with the deceased. On this day, the family gathers for a service at the church, during which food is blessed. Afterward, everyone visits the grave of the deceased, where they share the blessed food. 8)
Every year on the first day of March, there is a special atmosphere throughout the country. It is all because of Martisor, the “Festival of Spring”. On this day, Romanians are exceptionally friendly, with each other well, smile at people they don't know and give each other presents. The symbol of this holiday is a red and white bow made of strings. Men wear it pinned to their clothes at the level of the left breast, while women tie it around their wrists. On this day it is mainly men who give gifts to women. 9)
Tanjaua is the festival of the first plough of the year. This tradition is celebrated mainly in the villages, where a procession of residents in ceremonial costumes passes through its streets. 10)
Sâmbra Oilor, or the festival of the first shepherds' departure with their flock of sheep into the mountains. It takes place every year in May on the hill of Huta-Certeze. 11)
According to the Guinness Book of Records, in 1917 Romania's Ministry of Finance issued the world's smallest banknote, worth 10 bani. 12)
According to the Guinness Book of Records, in 1917 Romania's Ministry of Finance issued the world's smallest banknote, worth 10 bani. 13)
In a small village of Biertan located in the central part of Romania, there is a church with a rather peculiar room. It functioned for nearly three centuries, starting from the 15th century. Married couples who wanted to divorce were locked in it, hence the name “room of reconciliation”. In this room, there was one small bed, one chair, one spoon, and a bowl. According to sources, after such “detention” one couple decided to divorce. 14)
On May 27, 2013, Romanians broke the record for the largest flag in the world. 15)
On Romanian store shelves, you can find vodka in a box. The packaging of “Scandic Pop Vodka” resembles a box of juice for children. In addition, it comes with a straw. However, the strength is slightly lower than the traditional vodka - 37.5%. 16)