Epic tours of Craiova with the local myths and legends

It is said in Romania (popular joke) that the people of Oltenia (the area around Craiova) are very similar with the Scotsman, thinking to their pride and hot blood (but they are not so tight with the money, even on the contrary. If they adopt you and give their friendship, they will give everything what they possess, starting with the suits).

Thus, we could say that Craiova would be the Romanian Glasgow, forcing the comparison. The fact is, that the city of Craiova has a lot to offer and to say to any traveler, mainly in downtown. I propose you to discover Craiova starting with its churches, there are many, and I've made a selection.

The impressive Curch madona Dudu has an interesting legend

Most of Craiova churches have been build in the Romanian Brancovan style, meaning rich decorations, which are nevertheless not so charged like the rococo. First mention for Church Madona Dudu. According to the legend, the place was chosen after finding an icon of Holly Jesus' Mother (Madona) in a mulberry tree on this place (Dudu=mulberry tree, btw how far are you with the Romanian courses?). This icon had miraculous powers, and the priests used to carry it to the sick people, and if the the icon weighted heavy, there were no chances anymore for the pacient on  this world! On the contrary, if the icon was light, the suffering was supposed to recover! Admire in Madona Dudu Church the quality of the  painting, it is made by a notorious Romanian painter, Gh. Tattarescu. Visit further and compare other interesting churches, The St Ilie Church and and Holly Third Church. Finish your spiritual church tour of Craiova with the St Dumitru church, and its amazing icon of the St. Dumitru, made in Venice mosaic, which is really a masterpiece.

In a plain city, subject to drought periods, a fountain is a very important issue. Here  the Jianu fountain

Another landmark of Craiova, a plain city subject to long periods with no rains, are the fountains (Maybe similar to Bucharest). The fountains here are not so many, or so spectacular, but have a special touch and a big history.
The Jianu fountain was build by the local aristocrat Hagi Stan Jianu. From this fountain used to drink water another Jianu, Iancu Jianu (which was an outlaw and a local legend). 17 years long he has lived as an outlaw, escaped twice from the escort, and succeed to escape a death conviction, because a noble virgin wished to marry him. He was convicted and worked in the salt mines, but died very peacefully in his home from Caracal. He was short, using to carry always gun and knife. Other important fountains: the pig merchant' and the Popova.

The Romanescu park from Craiova  is a must for every visitor!

But after this long walk, you can relax in a wonderful place: Romanescu Park, also named Bibescu park, which is renowned in the all Romania. It was designed by the French architect E.Redont at 1900, which won an important award and recognition for this work. Redont strove himself for the park to seduce through its elaborated wildness, which was so appreciated in those times.. The works lasted 3 years long, and had a serious budget. Walk on the alleys, cross the bridge, look the ruins of the castle, the shelters and kiosks, the swan island. The park 96 hectars of vegetation, a big lake of 4 hectars, and a botanical garden! You need some time to discover this wonderful park!

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The romantic secrets of Varatec Monastery

The Romanian people have for sure a religious vocation, I think that the number of churches and monasteries is bigger than what you can find in other countries. Please correct me if I am wrong!

Making donations for a monastery, or much better, building a monastery, was for any wealthy Romanian the best way to gain social recognition, and most of them kept long time alive this tradition. Thus, many of the monasteries are rich, have lands, forests, art works etc. For a good cause, because the Orthodox church has a pregnant social mission, when not turning in a concern, due all its properties.

The Agapia monastery is a bigger, richer sister of Varatec

Only 40 km away from Piatra Meamt and 8 km from Targu Neamt, on the road leading between these towns, you can the wonderful monastery of Varatec, which is nice, sunny and only 200 years old. It was grounded by the daughter of a priest from Iasi. Entering the monastery you will be charmed by the richness of flowers and the tidiness. The nuns must be very aplicate, and they have also an efficient management.

Veronica Micle has been for years the inspiring lover of the Romanian national poet, Mihai Eminescu

The Church of the Monastery is a worship with two towers, whose roof is bell formed. From a strictly administrative point of vue, Varatec has the same management with the nearly Agapia, which is much bigger and better renowned due to the original painting made by Nicolae Grigorescu, the most important Romanian painter, whose masterpieces are very expansive nowadays (an excellent investment).

In Varatec the painting was made at 1840 and remade 40 years latter. The golden rood screen is simply breathtaking, beyond the religion matters. Simply a masterpiece, I hope you will agree! The Museum of the monastery mirrors the richness of the administration ( at 1850 the monastery possessed 4 churches, 17 bells, 700 nuns and an important yearly earning). Thus, the museum will proudly show you rare books and short editions, priceless icons, church suits etc ( only a part are donations, the monastery owned many workshops).

Spending vacations in isolation at Varatec was very frequent among the  local  aristocracy in the XIXth century

Discover further a smaller church, carrying the name of St John The Baptizer. Besides, a small white grave stone hides a very romantic tragedy, ending at 1889. Inside the grave rests Veronica Micle, the inspiring lover of Mihai Eminescu, the most important Romanian poet. After Eminescu died at 1889, Veronica Micle searched in Varatec shelter, silence, trying to forget all disappointments. He didn't succeed, and died in the same year, committing suicide with overdose of arsenic!

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Prominent Romanians

I don't think that may of you, or even at least one, think about Romania when using a fountain pen. But the history fact is this: the inventor and patent holder is a Romanian, namely Petrache Poenaru, not very well known even among Romanians.

The Roman Emperor Traian is the ancestor of the today Romania

I also started this blog thinking to Romanian wines, and then expanded to all Romania in its aspects. And I did this to show to all the people, that neither, nor the other Romanians, or my foreign tourists are addicted, not at all. On the contrary, but a glass of wine is a wonderful thing for everyone who really loves and enjoys life.

The former legendary Romanian tennis player Ilie Nastase, a rebel bad boy of the courts

Well, we here are proud to be Romanians, due to our long history and our contributions to the world's culture and civilizations. Very well known is in the U.S the Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci; the tennis player Ilie Nastase was the first world wide awarded to be No 1 ATP. Ion Tiriac is another former tennis player, not so brillant like Nasty, but very notorious today as a business man (at the moment one of  the richest man in Romania). Gheorghe Hagi was a brillant legendary football player.

Nadia Comaneci at the top of her career

Digging deeper in the history, be aware that the first discovered skeleton of a Homo Sapiens was found in Romania. In the antic times, the Roman Emperor Trajanus, after conquering Dacia and beating Decebal (the both are celebrated like national heroes) raised in Rome its Column!

Traian Vuia is a pioneer of modern aviation, as other Romanians like Aurel Vlaicu and Henri Coanda

If I tell you about the Middle Age, I must mention some local kings who fought against the Pagans, thus protecting the wealthy Western World developing its culture. Let's name Stephen The Great and Michael the Brave; Iancu de Hunedoara had also Romanian blood.

The National poet is Mihai Eminescu, living in the XIXth century and being translated in many languages. Ask about the most important painter Nicolae Grigorescu at any serious art auction, and get one of his masterpieces, it is a very safe investment. Special mention for the Romanian sculpture Constantin Brancusi, who lived in the Paris vanguard of the early XXth century. Gheorghe Enescu is the most important Romanian Musician,  areal sacred monster, mastering among others Yehudi Menuhin.

George Enescu, master of Yehudi Menuhin

Nowadays, you must also know and notice that Inna is Romanian, but sings English. For the Opera freaks, think to Mariana Nicolesco, Ileana Cotrubas and Mihaela Ursuleasa.

It was a quick tour, and I find it  already overwhelming. I know much more names, but I only tried to mention the best known, to make you Romania familiar and bring it closer to you. At a glass of wine we are supposed to discuss much more than that, can't wait for it.

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