Vlad Tepes Dracula had three aims: to strengthen the country’s economy, its defensive system and his own political power. He took measures for the peasants’ wellbeing by building new villages and raising the agricultural surfaces. One of Vlad Dracula’s merits was that he understood the importance of trade for the development of his country. He…
Exploring Romania is your practical guide investigating Romania’s spectacular scenery, its outdoors activities (hiking, cycling, caving, horse riding and more), its history and its cultural and spiritual heritage. Here you’ll be introduced to the Romanian people. Everything from their customs to their traditional handcrafts and even their humour. A Romanian proverb says “good thoughts always pass first through…
Haggis is the Romanian national Easter food. Even I used the name of the traditional Scottish food and the food is based on lamb organs the Romanian recipe is quite different. The differences? Well, it’s an Easter food. The sacrificed lamb means the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. So, we use lamb, not sheep. I don’t…
If you ask a Snagov or Comana monk about Vlad the Impaler they proudly tell you Vlad Dracula’s religion was orthodox but he was also a great Christian because he fought against Ottomans invasion. Well, I think his fight wasn’t a Christian crusade. He simply wanted the freedom of his country. He knew how bad could…
Romanian Christmas food is soooooo special. And tasty. My mouth is already watering. That’s why you can find it all over the year not only in Christmas time. I don’t make a mistake when I say on Christmas every Romanian family have on their table sarmale, caltabosi, carnati and toba. Below you’ll find short explanations…
I’ll give you the Romanian pastrami recipe in a moment, but first I have to tell you a bit of its history in order to understand the ups and downs of this recipe. For those interested to cook this recipe is better to understand what means the traditional recipe, and what they can do to…
Let’s go on a virtual trip through National Parks of Romania. In fact, it’s a tour through 11 National Parks and 7 Natural Parks. As well as through many other marvellous natural places from Romania. There is also a National Park Biosphere Reservation of Danube Delta. It’s quite a different thing, right? Interested? Now! Back to…
Sweet bread (cozonac – the Romanian for panetone) is the Romanian traditional cake for all holidays: Easter or Christmas, wedding or christening. Every Romanian woman has a recipe from her mother. My grandma always cooks huge quantities of sweet bread for Easter or Christmas. She kneads the dough in two large troughs and she makes…
First of all Romanian food is based on pork. Well, not all! We use chicken, fish, beef and mutton, too. But we love pork. And we use ingredients that can be found everywhere in the world. Then… what does it make Romanian food so special? Back to history. Romanian territories were occupied by Turks, Hungarians, Austrians,…
Professor Constantin Rezachevici, the author of “Punishments with Vlad Tepes – Punishments in Europe” article, is chief researcher at the Nicolae Iorga National Institute of History, a member of the Romanian Academy, and Professor at the Faculty of History from the University of Bucharest. He is author of The History of the Neighbouring Countries and…