Romanian Architecture

Romania has some breathtaking archeticture.

Romania is an European country rich in history and culture. It is full of fascinating architecture and buildings that remain largely undiscovered by tourists and backpackers. Romania enjoys a diverse mixture of architectural styles, ranging from Gothic castles and churches in Transylvania to the traditional folk style homes found in small rural villages.

Gothic

Romania enjoys some of the finest Gothic architecture in Europe, including many churches and castles that are renowned for their design.

The famous and breathtaking Bran Castle in Transylvania, original home to the Dracula legend, is a magnificent example of a European Gothic castle. The castle was built in 1370 as a defense against the Turks. It remains in good condition after years of painstaking restoration.

The haunting Black Church in Brasov is also very impressive. The largest Gothic church between Vienna and Istanbul, it was built between 1385 and 1477 and takes its name from a devastating fire that destroyed part of it in 1689.

Communist Era

What is most striking about traveling in Romania are the huge gray concrete blocks that dominate every major city. Built during the 1970s and 1980s in the final decades of communism, the buildings were designed to provide mass housing for the Romanian population. Sadly, the Communist government destroyed traditional family houses, including medieval buildings, to make way for the rollout of tower block communal living where every family could have their own small apartment.

The architectural highlight of the Romanian Communist era is "The Palace of the Parliaments" in Bucharest. Construction started in 1984, and in contrast to the standard gray housing blocks built for the population, the palace was to showcase the strength and power of the Romanian dictatorship. Built in a grand neoclassical architectural style, it is the second-largest building in the world, covering 333,000 square meters, with 1,100 rooms over 12 floors. It demonstrates both the style and ambition of late 20th century Communist architecture. Although the exterior of the building and a number of rooms were complete in 1989 when the revolution began, it was not completed until 1997.

Bucovina Painted Monasteries

Bucovina, located in northeast Romania, contains some of the most beautiful orthodox churches and monasteries in Europe. Many of these were painted in the 15th and 16th centuries with elaborate-colored frescoes, which covered the walls with tales from the Bible and images of heaven and hell. One of the most striking of these is the Voronet monastery, constructed in 1487 and known as the "the Sistine chapel of the East." These churches are classic examples of the architecture and strong religious views of the time.

Traditional Homes

Some architectural treasures are to be found in small villages scattered throughout Romania. Many of these contain buildings and churches that date back to the 13th century, with picturesque little houses and wooden churches. These villages and buildings have changed little throughout the years. Northern Romania, in particular Maramures, is home to some fascinating traditional architecture, with hand-crafted sketches in small wooden houses.

References

• "Romania"; Lief Pettersen et al; 2010
• "The Rough Guide to Romania"; Tim Burford et al; 2011
• Brasov Travel Guide: The Black Church
• Romanian Tourism: The Painted Monasteries of Bucovina