If you’d like to explore Southern Romania with one of our private tours, contact us via www.uncover-romania-tours.com
Location: Southern Romania
Bordered by the Southern Carpathians and the Danube, this historical province was known throughout history as Wallachia, the name linked to its ancient inhabitants. This is the region of Romania most influenced by the culture of the nearby Balkan Peninsula, Bucharest being in the medieval centuries less than 100 km away from the border with the Ottoman Empire.
Peles Castle, Sinaia
Short history
Wallachia or Southern Romania appeared as a self-governing province during the 13th century, some of the oldest monuments in Romania being built by the princes from the Basarab dynasty who ruled for generations this region. Similarly to Moldavia, during medieval times, Wallachia often fought the Ottoman Empire to keep its autonomy, a goal it finally achieved in exchange for an annual tax paid to the Sultan. The Ottoman influence had, nonetheless, disastrous consequences for the politics and economy of this historical province.
Chindia Tower, Targoviste Princely Court
In 1859, the representatives of Wallachia and Moldavia chose the same prince and managed to realize the union of the two Romanian provinces. The newly formed state entered a fast process of modernization by the end of the 19th century, empowered by the enthroning of a German prince, Carol I of Hohenzollern Sigmaringen, in 1866.
Southern Romania is today the main political center of the country with all major political institutions located in the capital of the country, Bucharest.
Balkan culture
This part of Romania was influenced by the Byzantine, Ottoman and even Greek culture for most of its history until the 19th century when younger boyards began studying in Western Europe. The occidental cultural impact accelerated at the beginning of the 20th century, being highly visible during the ‘Belle Epoque’ period of Bucharest when the monumental landmarks of the capital were built in a style that resembled substantially French architecture.
Tourism in Southern Romania
Tourism is mainly focused in the capital of the country, Bucharest, the most visited city in Romania. An interesting and budget-friendly weekend break destination in all seasons, the city is also the best departing point for most must-see attractions from the region.
Cultural and historical attractions: Bucharest, castles and palaces, old churches and monasteries (Curtea de Arges, Snagov, Cozia, Horezu, Govora, Polovragi, Bistrita, Arnota, Sinaia), the fortresses of Targoviste and Poenari, Constantin Brancusi’s sculptures from Targu Jiu
Nature attractions: Bucegi Mountains, Buila Vanturarita National Park, Cozia National Park, Berca Mud Volcanoes
Sports: skiing, hiking, cycling
Not to miss: the fortresses of Poenari and Targoviste, the UNESCO Heritage Site from Horezu, Peles Castle, Cantacuzino Castle, the Mud Volcanoes from Berca, the sculptures of Constantin Brancusi from Targu Jiu
If you’d like to explore Southern Romania with one of our private tours, contact us via www.uncover-romania-tours.com