Interesting Facts About Romania That Will Make Your Jaw Drop!

Transylvania and Count Dracula! That’s the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of Romania. But if you read some interesting facts about Romania, you’ll quickly find out that there is much more to discover about this country.

To start with, it’s a great place to travel to. The lovely River Danube that starts in Germany empties itself in Romania’s Danube Delta. Majestic Carpathian mountains have Europe’s largest virgin forests.

The Romanian Athenaeum showcases neoclassical architecture with a romantic flare. Beautiful museums, great food, and amazing culture are just some of the reasons to visit Romania.

It is a country bordered by the Black Sea and has a temperate climate. The best time to visit Romania is in spring or early summer from March to July when the weather is good and the costs are affordable. You can either organize a trip on your own or choose an accessible tour with the scheduled itinerary. No matter which option do you choose, read these fun facts about Romania that will encourage your decision to visit.

Romania Has One Of The Most Beautiful Waterfalls In The World

Water flying off cliffs and pounding the rocks below, the gushing pounding waves thundering in the applause of nature and its beauty – waterfalls hold a special place among nature’s attractions.

There are many lists of the best waterfalls on the planet, and right up there on that list with the Niagara Falls in Canada, Plitvice Falls in Croatia, Dettifoss in Iceland, and more are the Bigar Cascade Falls in Caras-Severin. This beautiful liquid veil is called the “miracle from the Minis Canyon” by locals. A must add to your list of Romania tourist spots!

Romanian Is A Romance Language

90% of Romanians speak a romance language. Did you know that? An interesting fact about Romania is that the 1700-year-old Romanian language is part of the Eastern branch of romance languages along with Aromanian, Istro-Romanian, and Megleno-Romanian.

The Western branch includes French, Italian, Spanish, Catalan, and Portuguese. So next time you hear someone talking in Romanian, remember they’re speaking in the language of love.

Romanians “Steal The Bride” At Weddings

Romanian wedding customs include stealing the bride at weddings. One of the fun facts about Romania is that in Romanian culture, marriage celebrations include kidnapping the bride during the wedding ceremony.

Romanian traditions dictate that a few of the guests steal the bride for a ransom of candy or booze or in exchange for small gifts. Most guests end up taking the bride to a popular club or pub to dance for a short while.

Romani People Are NOT Romanians

Some people still have a problem with seeing a difference between Romani people (Roma, gypsies) and Romanians.

The first live in diaspora in many countries in the world. The second are the citizens of Romania and they have nothing in common except for the similar name of their nations.

Sarmale Is Considered The National Dish Of Romania

The cuisine in Romania is rich and varied. Sarmale or sarmalute is considered the Romania national dish. It is one of the traditional Romanian dishes made from cabbage rolls stuffed with spicy pork and rice.

Other famous dishes are the mici, tochitură and mămăligă. Romanian Christmas dishes include sarmale – the cabbage rolls, ciorba de perisoare – roast gammon and pork chops, and cozonac – rich fruit bread.

Famous Romanian sweets include the papanaşi, gogosi and covrigi. Ţuică is a local plum brandy that is will always be famous than wine and beer.

The World’s Famous Summer Song Is Actually In Romanian

Have you heard “Dragostea Din Tei” song? I bet you did! The famous Maya hi, Maya ho took over the world in 2003-2004.

It’s a summer hit that everybody was singing a few years ago but no one had any idea what it’s all about.

Numa Numa song was written by a Moldavian band O-Zone that moved from their home country to Romania. Easy to guess, the song is about love.

The band actually released the cover of their own song in 2018 featuring Marley Waters. It was filmed in Uganda and it may be actually better than the original version. Check it out on YouTube.

Romania Has An Extensive Rail Network

The system for transport in Romania is amazing. Romania’s rail network is 22,298 km long.

That’s the 15th largest on the planet. Isn’t that a fun fact about Romania, since it’s only the 81st largest country in the world?

The Hand Painted Voronet Monastery Is A World Heritage Site

Any Romania tour guide will tell you this; Romania has 7 World Heritage sites. And the churches are some of the best Romanian tourist attractions.

One of these is the Voronet Monastery, a medieval monastery in Gura Humorului that has been hand-painted. It has beautiful blue frescoes painted in a color that’s known in Romania as Voronet blue. You can’t miss visiting the Voronet Monastery and gazing at these frescoes.

Romania Has An Answer To Mount Rushmore

The rock sculpture of Decebalus, the last king of Dacia is cut into the rock of the Danube’s Iron Gates. It was made between 1994 and 2004 and looks like Romania’s answer to Mount Rushmore. 

The sculpture is located on the border with Serbia, so if you are taking a road trip through Eastern European countries, you may have a chance to see it.

Romania Has The World’s Heaviest Building

One of the best cities in Romania to visit is the capital, Bucharest. And an interesting fact about the capital of Romania is that the Palace of the Parliament located here is the heaviest building in the world.

Completed in 1997 and costing 3 billion Euros, the building is second in size only to the Pentagon in the US. At 2.55 million square meters, the volume of the building is more than the Great Pyramid of Giza. The decadent interiors of the Palace make it one of the most beautiful places in Romania.

Romania Has One Of The Happiest Cemeteries In The World

This absolutely has to go on the Romania interesting facts list! In a little village of Sapanta in the Maramures region of Romania, there is a cemetery that’s turned into a tourist attraction for many. It’s the Cimitirul Vesel or Merry Cemetery.

Local woodcarver and sculptor named Stan Ioan Pătraș began designing the beautiful Voronet blue cemetery was designed in 1935; a tradition that is continued by locals.

The wooden crosses on the tombstones are painted with scenes from the deceased individual’s life and have witty epitaphs to go with them. There are over 800 of these oak crosses in the cemetery. 

Romania Is A Perfect Destination To Relax

Romania has one of the most remarkable networks of spa resorts in all Europe. One-third of the continent’s thermal and mineral waters are located there!

The most famous spa towns in Romania are Amara, Baile Felix, Baile Govora, Baile Herculane, Baile Govora, Borsec, Calimanesti, Eforie, Voineasa, Vatra Dornea, Sinaia, and Sangeorz Bai.

The First Road Built In Romania Was Called The Wooden Road

The first road built in Romania used to be called Podul Mogoșoaiei or the Mogoșoaia Wood-Paved Road because it was paved with tree trunks. The ruler Constantin Brâncoveanu commissioned the road in 1692 to run from Splaiul Independenței to Piața Victoriei. 

The road was initially called Ulita Mare or Large Street, but got nicknamed The Wooden Road. Because the road connected Bucharest with the city of Brasov, it was also called the Drumul Brașovului or Brasov Road. 

On a related note, the first street paved using cobblestones in Romania was the Calea Mosilor in 1825.

The Transfagarasan Is Spectacular!

The Transfagarasan is the second-highest road in Romania after the Transalpina, but at 152 km long it’s 4 km longer than the Transalpina. The road is only open from June to October, but if you visit Romania, driving along the Transfagarasan is a must! The views are spectacular. 

Sighisoara Is Still Inhabited!

Founded by German colonists in the 12th century, Sighisoara Castle is the only medieval fortress in South-Eastern Europe that’s still lived in. A UNESCO Heritage site since 1999, the Citadel of Sighisoara is filled with narrow cobblestone lanes and colorful houses. 

Vlad Tepes, the real character on who Count Dracula was based was born in Sighisoara. How’s that for an interesting fact about Romania?

Bucharest Is Called Little Paris Of The East

Bucharest has been inhabited since 500 BC and is currently home to more than 2.2 million people. The Capital of Romania since 1862 AD, Bucharest had a lot of new buildings built in the first half of the 20th century. The elegant architecture led to it being called ‘Little Paris of The East’ or ‘Micul Paris”.

There’s also an Arcul de Triumf that resembles the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. You’ll find it on the Kiseleff Road near Herastrau Park. 

Another fun fact about Romania’s capital is that Bucharest was the first city in the world to use oil lamps for street lighting in 1895.

Romania Has More Gold Per Person Than The Rest Of Europe

Here’s an interesting fact about Romania that you won’t forget. Romania has the richest resources of gold in Europe.

Also, the only Gold Museum in Europe is in the Romanian city of Brad! It holds over 2000 pieces of gold from all over the planet on exhibit.

You Don’t Have To Go To Hollywood To See The Sign!

Hollywood’s big sign on the Santa Monica Mountains in California are famous. You’ve seen them in a dozen photos! But if you can’t get to Hollywood, why not head over to Brasov and Rasnov.

They have signs that look just like the famous Hollywood sign. The Brasov sign is at Mount Tampa! Rasnov’s sign is near the castle!

The Podul Bisetz In Romania Was The World’s First Curved Bridge

The first curved bridge in Europe, the Podul Bisetz was built in Romania in 1905.

Although it’s now a pedestrian-only bridge, at the time it was designed by Anghel Saligny and Ion Ionescu Bisetz in Giurgiu in 1905, it was the first curved bridge in Europe. 

Romanian’s Love Alcohol

Romanians drink around 14 litres of alcohol a year. That’s well over the British average of 11 liters per year. And that’s just talking about the consumption of pure alcohol! 

There Are Many Amazing Romanian Inventions That We Use!

This fun facts about Romania post won’t be complete without mentioning the best Romanian inventions.

Here are some of them:

• jet engine (invented by Henri Coanda)
• insulin (discovered by Nicolae Paulescu)
• Illy brand of coffee (its creator, Francisco Illy, was born in Romania)
• 3D movies (invented by Theodor Ionescu)
• the parachuted chair (invented by Anastase Dragomir)
• the ribosomes (discovered by George Emil Palade)

Romania Has More Brown Bears Than Other Countries In Europe

Romania has Europe’s largest population of brown bears. That’s over 60% of the bear population in Europe!

The Hoia Forest Is A Hotspot Of Paranormal Activity

The Hoia Forest near Cluj-Napoca has been the hotspot for many paranormal activities and sightings; so much so that it’s become a tourist hotspot. Only go there if you’re open to the eerie.

Romania Has The World’s Oldest Oven

Romania has the world’s largest oven. Used over 6500 years ago, it was found in Campeni by archaeologists. All those centuries ago, it was used for cooking food, heating water, and warming the home. 

Romania Has The Church With The Largest Organ In Europe

The most important among the interesting facts about Romania is that the Biserica Neagra is in Romania.

The Black Church as it is called has the largest pipe organ in Europe. It has 4000 pipes! Built by Carl August Buccholz in 1839 the pipe organ is still used at events and gatherings. 

Romania Is As Close To The North Pole As It Is To The Equator

Romania is located in the earth’s Northern hemisphere. But here’s an interesting fact about Romania! Romania is equidistant between the North Pole and the Equator! Isn’t that amazing?

Other Fun Romania Facts For Everyone

• Romania is derived from the Latin word ‘Romanus’ meaning ‘Citizen of the Roman empire’.
• The Romanian mentality is to complain about politics and work, but they still love their country.
• Timisoara in Romania was the first city in Europe to have electric street lights in 1889.
• The world’s first oil refinery was opened in Romania in 1857.
• The tallest wooden church in the world called Peri Monastery is in Romania.
• Prince Charles is a fan of Transylvania and owns land there that he visits often.
• Romania’s national coin is the Leu or Lion. 
• The first Tarzan actor ever, Johnny Weismuller, that yummy guy, was Romanian. Did you know that?
• The Scarisoara cave is the second largest in Europe and aged over 3500 years. 
• The Astra Open-Air Museum in Sibiu is the second-largest on the planet.

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