Romania seen through volunteers eyes

1
Romania seen through volunteers eyes
Romania seen through volunteers eyes
2

All of us came here in Romania with the first
motivation of discovering something new,
something interesting, meet new people, different
ways of thinking, different culture, something to
add to our experience.What we have discovered
here, well let you find out. I. Bucharest-the
biggest city The first impression in Bucharest
is that this is a city with so many contrast.
Poverty and wealth, a mixture between old and
new, between classic and modern, an interesting
European capital. And because we are from the
west part of the Europe, we are so pleased to see
the cultural diversity and another way of
life. We want to share with you our experience
in the little Paris, the way that Romanians
like to call it sometimes Good discovery.
3

-Parks to relax after a long day. For chilling,
reading, laying on the grass, drinking,
laughing! Also in the night!
Cismigiu its in the centre of the city! You can
lay on the grass with a couple of beers, have a
walk, or rent a boat for cross the little lake.
4

Herastrau its in the nord, but its easy to go
taking the tram 41 near the Chance for Life
office.Theres a big lake and you can walk around
in 2 hours. Very close to it is Piata Presei
Libere (Free Press House). You can also walk in
Bd-ul Primaverii where there are one of
Ceausescus villas and rich politicians houses.
You can continue the tour going to Piata Charles
de Gaules and Calea Dorobantilor, the richest
part of Bucharest. You will finish at Piata
Romana.
Ceausescus villa
5

Tineretului Big, with a lake, really peaceful.
Next there is a huge cemetery, to see also! You
can get out at the metro stations of Tineretului
or of Costantin Brancovean and walk around the
park in a circle or cross the park. Gradina
Icoanei and Parcul Ioanid Nice zone for young
people! Nice buildings and street. Sometimes
there are also festivals with stands selling old
book and staff, vintage clothes. Concert of
alternative music! Near the cross with B.dul
General Magheru there is a great library in witch
you can drink a good teas. Gradina Botanica
Nice and peaceful place! Lots of roses and
variety of trees! Take a book and read it
peacefully!
Gradina Botanica
6

The best bar Terrassa motoare, ate the top of
the National Theatre. Open air bar, a meeting
point for young people. Sometimes they offer some
cultural activities like cinema, art crafts,
theater, break dance, music
It is also a place where they host festivals. For
example EVS volunteers of another project
organized one festival about volunteering. Was
full of art activities and everybody who wanted
could participate.
7

The most important buildings The House of
Parliament This building is the biggest of
Europe. The second biggest in the
world. Ceausescu wanted to centralize all the
political global system in the building. The
construction was never ended, has more of 1000
rooms... The bigger rooms are renting for
political events, business meetings and
parties. Nowadays 5000 people work in offices
inside of the building, one of the architect who
made the planes of it is still working in one of
the offices.
View from the parliament
The tourist visits are always with a guide...
otherwise you can loose yourself!!!
8

National Museum of Contemporary Art, you can find
iti in the Parliaments building and you can
reache by a long clockwise walk to the entrance
on the north side of the building and a ride up
in the external glass lift.
Muzeul Taranului Roman (Romanian Peasant Museum)
You can find it in a giant 1912 palace made of
red brick, this eclectic collection of peasant
relics won 1996's European Museum of the Year
award and it is easy to see why. Handmade rugs,
pottery, tools and painted eggs rub shoulders
with rosaries, icons and woodcuts, while the
intimate style of a fairly recent peasant kitchen
and school room celebrates the aesthetics of
simplicity. Upstairs, a group of mannequins in
peasant costumes looks like they are about to
wake up at any moment and march across the room.
This museum is a gem for lovers of both folk and
contemporary art and also has an excellent gift
shop, which sells antique clothing and fabrics.
9

Muzeul Satului (Village Museum) A few peasant
homes, barns, churches and mills, representing
vernacular rural architecture, were transported
from all over Romania, to a park on the west side
of Herastrau Lake in north Bucharest. Built to
show the pride of Romanian peasants in their work
and homes, the open-air museum is recovering from
past fires, with newly relocated homes and pieces
- many from the 19th century - replacing
fire-damaged ones.
10

Historic Centre The cobblestone streets between
Calea Victoriei, Bulevardul Bratianu, Bulevardul
Regina Elisabeta and the River Dîmbovita still
comprise Bucharest's most atmospheric area and
increasingly are home to an alternative culture
of clubs, bars, trendy coffee houses and
restaurants - most lively when they spill onto
the cobbled streets (or overtake empty lots)
during summer. At its heart is the 15th-century
Curtea Veche (Old Court), attributed to Vlad
Tepes, which contains a few walls, arches,
tombstones and one restored Corinthian column.
Next door is Bucharest's oldest church, the
16th-century Biserica Curtea Veche. Just east of
here is the oldest inn, Hanul lui Manuc, Strada
Franceza 62-64, which is still an inexpensive
hotel with a basement restaurant and courtyard
cafe-bar.
11

North of here is Strada Lipscani, an old merchant
street where everything from bridal gowns and
handmade hats to cheap jeans are sold. Near its
east end is a small alley called Hanul cu Tei,
filled with antique shops. A block south of
Strada Lipscani to the west is Strada
Stavropoleos where the remarkable Biserica
Stavropoleos can be visited. This church,
completed in 1724, could easily qualify as the
city's most beautiful, not least because its
frescoes and icons have recently been restored
and it is surrounded by a peaceful cloister
garden filled with various antiquities and
19th-century tombstones. The church was designed
by Constantin Brancoveanu (1688-1714), a
Wallachian prince known for his religious
architectural achievements.

Lipscani street
Stavropoleos church
12


II. Out of Bucharest
5.Vama Veche 6.Sinaia 7.Biscoa (Buzau)
1.Brasov 2.Targoviste 3.Eforie Sud
4.Sibiu
13

Brasov Its an ancient city full of charm. You
can enjoy characteristic streets and bars, old
buildings and the beautiful black church, you
might go inside even if you have to pay a ticket.
There are also castles and towers and all the
city looks very medieval.

Targoviste Its also an ancient city and there
are lots of ancient buildings and churches and
ruins. Its smaller than Brasov. Theres a museum
about Vlad Tepes the cruel count that inspired
Stokers tale Dracula.
14

Eforie Sud The Black Sea is everything else but
black. In Eforie the sea is an amazing light blue
expanse of water. Even if the place is pretty
famous, the nature is well preserved and the city
is very nice and welcoming. There are many
restaurants, shops and hotels for any pockets.
The coastline is quite long and is possible to
walk on the seaside and enjoy the sunset drinking
something on the beach. It's easy to get there by
train from Bucharest or Constanta.

15

Sibiu Under the Carpati mountains lays this
untouched beauty. Sibiu is known as one of the
most beautiful cities in Romania and is not
difficult to understand why if you visit the
city. The centre is on the top of an hill and is
totally preserved. It seems a medieval
Transylvanian city moved in an another time.
There are many ( different) churches and from the
top of the tower of the Evangelical Church you
can see all the city the valley and even the
mountains if you're lucky with the weather.

16

There are also wonderful churches as the Catholic
in Piata Mare and the huge Biserica Ortodoxa.
There are also many museums arts, history,
science, there's also an original Egyptian
mummie! Do not miss the Brukenthal Museum, in the
collection of paintings of Samuel Von Brukenthal
there are many masterpieces. In 2007
Sibiu was the European Cultural Capital. There
are many good restaurants and bars especially on
the "Corso" and on the two squares Piata Mare
and Piata Mica. It is very easy to explore also
outskirts and enjoy the famous fortified churches
and the nature of Transylvania.

17

Vama Veche Beach in the extreme south. At half an
hour from Bulgaria. Very nice atmosphere, hippie
influence. Big and beautiful beaches and great
clubs. Around you can also admire nice landscape.

18

Sinaia Fabulous and well-known palace of
Ceausecu. The village is quiet but nice. You have
the opportunity to climb the top of the mountain
next to the village. You can also take the
elevator and you have a wonderful view of Sinaia.

19

Bisoca (Buzau) Little village in the mountains.
Wonderful walks to do. Nature is so present.
People are so warm. Authentic lifestyle.

20


The end
Hope you enjoyed it!