At a glance, Romania rarely gets mentioned and even when it does it’s as the land of Count Dracula and the Carpathian Mountains but its allure doesn’t stop there. On the contrary, Romania is a country that hides plenty of lesser-known anecdotes, historical gems, and lesser known things and in this article, we’ll uncover 50 fun facts about Romania that even most well-traveled globetrotters don’t know.
Historic Fun Facts About Romania
We’re starting off this list of fun facts about Romania with a few interesting historical facts.
Seven Wonders, One Country
Romania is home to eleven UNSECO World Heritage Sites- 9 cultural and 2 natural and it includes the Dacian Fortresses, the enchanting Wooden Churches of Maramureș, the Painted Monasteries of Bucovina, the Churches of Moldavia, the Historic Centre of Sighișoara, the Roșia Montană Mining Cultural Landscape, the Sculptural Ensemble of Constantin Brâncuși at Târgu Jiu, the Horezu Monastery and the Saxon Villages with their fortified churches. The two natural sites are the Danube Delta and the Forests of the Carpathian.
Home To One of the earliest Homo sapiens Fossils
Nestled in the Cave of Bones, Romania is home to one of the earliest rains of human civilization- a Homo sapiens fossils, roughly 40,000 years old, making it one of the oldest fossils to be found in Europe and a discovery that changed archaeology forever.
(Arguably) The Oldest Oven In The World
Before sleek stainless-steel ovens with digital touch panels graced our modern kitchens, ancient people in Campeni, Romania were using what is believed to be the world’s oldest oven. This happened staggering 6,000 years ago!
The Only Whole Papyrus In Europe
Speaking of fun facts about Romania, did you that Romania was also home to the one and only intact papyrus on the continent. Discovered in 1959, the papyrus was found in an ancient grave , with dimensions of 2,05×0,85×0,72 meters. The papyrus can be found in the museum of Mangalia.
The Discovery Of Europe’s Oldest Script
Deep within Romania, in the Tărtăria region, lies a revelation that shifted the understanding of European history: the discovery of the Tărtăria tablets, believed to be the oldest form of script found in Europe. The artefact was found at the banks of the Mureș River in the 1960s and it’s believed to predate the Sumerian writings, placing them somewhere around 5500 BC. While their exact meaning remains a subject of debate among scholars, it’s a fascinating archaeological discovery.
The Land Of The Dacians
What is now known as the country of Romania was ancient Dacia before the famed legions of Rome set foot in this part of Europe. Commanding the Carpathian Mountains’ rugged terrains, these fierce warriors lived here for centuries and tales of the Dacian leader, Decebalus, and his resistance against the Roman Empire still echo among the Romanian hills.
Their fortresses, many of which UNESCO sites today show their advanced (for that time) engineering skills with the Dacian Draco—a dragon-shaped standard designed to create a hissing sound in the wind, instilling fear in their enemies. While the Romans eventually annexed Dacia in 106 AD, the legacy of the Dacians remains today as proud part of Romanias’ cultural heritage.
Home To The First City To Introduce A Horse-Drawn Tram
Romania boasts the introduction of the horse-drawn tram. It was the city of Bucharest, Romania’s capital that pioneered this revolution in public transportation back in 1871. While today’s Bucharest zooms with modern vehicles, back then, this was the only way of getting around.
First City With Electric Street Lamps In Europe
Delving into fun facts about Romania, here’s a fun one that will spark your intrigue. Timișoara, often dubbed ‘Little Vienna’ for its baroque architecture and vibrant arts scene, brags that it was the first city in Europe to introduce electric street lamps. In 1884, the city’s streets radiated with the soft, yellow glow of electric lights way before any other city in Europe.
One Of The World’s Largest Number Of Orphans In The 1980s
Peeling back the layers of history, one of the somber episodes in Romania’s past arises from the 1980s, tied to Nicolae Ceaușescu’s policies. The nation saw a staggering surge in its orphan population, tragically earning it the distinction of having one of the world’s largest numbers of orphans. The root of this issue was Ceaușescu’s stringent anti-abortion policy, coupled with other repressive decrees on birth control, all aimed at boosting the nation’s population.
Hence it should not comae as a surprise that Romania had…
Europe’s Most Brutal Anti-Communist Revolution?
Romania’s anti-communist revolution in 1989 stands out as one of the continent’s most brutal uprisings against a ruling regime. Protests erupted in Timișoara and quickly spread, despite the government’s brutal crackdown. The revolution culminated in the rapid trial and execution of Ceaușescu and his wife, an event that symbolized the end of one of Europe’s most repressive regimes.
The Smallest Banknote Put Into Circulation
Speaking of fun facts about Romania, one particularly intriguing piece of information is about the country’s contribution to the world of numismatics. Romania is credited with issuing the smallest banknote ever put into circulation. This minuscule monetary marvel was released in 1917 and it measured just 27.5 x 38 mm, no larger than an average postage stamp, and had a face value of 10 bani.
Home To Nobel Laureates
Romania, with its rich intellectual heritage, has produced several Nobel laureates who’ve made significant global contributions. Elie Wiesel, awarded in 1986 for Peace, highlighted the Holocaust’s horrors through his memoir “Night”. Cell biologist George Emil Palade, the 1974 Physiology or Medicine laureate, revolutionized our understanding of cell functions and Herta Müller, a 2009 Literature laureate, poignantly portrayed life under the Ceaușescu dictatorship.
Cultural & Traditional Fun Facts About Romania
Next, we have a few fun facts about Romania related to the country’s rich culture and unique traditions, starting with…
Latin Island In A Slavic Sea
Completely surrounded by Eastern European Slavic neighbors from all sides, Romania is the only distinctive “Latin Island.” A consequence of the Roman Empire’s influence over the years, the Romanian language retains its Latin roots, contrasting sharply with its Slavic neighbors. The Dacians, original inhabitants of Romania, were conquered by the Romans in 106 AD, and this led to a complete cultural and linguistic assimilation. While waves of migration and invasions brought Slavic influences into the country, Romania’s linguistic core and cultural identity managed to remain intact and connected to its Latin heritage throughout the years.
Where Resting In Peace Meets Revelry
In the picturesque region of Maramureș, Romania, you’ll find the Merry Cemetery of Săpânța. Contrary to most somber burial grounds, this one bursts with vibrant colors and what appears to be very cheerful atmosphere. Each tombstone, crafted from oak wood, is vividly painted and features an epitaph, often with humor, about the deceased’s life, profession, or the way they passed. It was created by local artist Stan Ioan Pătraș in the 1930s, and it’s one of the most unique places we’ve ever seen.
Home To One Of Europe’s Most Notorious “Haunted” Forests
Next on our list of fun facts about Romania, we have Hoia Baciu Forest, one of the (supposedly) most haunted places in Europe. Nestled in the heart of Transylvania, the intriguing Hoia Baciu forest is often referred to as the “Bermuda Triangle” of Romania. Sprawling over an area of about 250 hectares, this mysterious woodland has a lot of folklore and urban legends, tied to its paranormal activity, ranging from ghost sightings to sudden light apparitions.
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Home To The First Gymnast To Ever Get A Perfect 10 On The Olympics
Romania etched its name into the annals of Olympic history when Nadia Comăneci, a prodigious young gymnast, achieved the seemingly impossible: a perfect score of 10.0 at the 1976 Montreal Olympics. This monumental accomplishment was something unseen in the world of gymnastics and a record that remains unbroken even today. She was only 14 when she completed this breathtaking performance.
Home Of Dracula
You didn’t think that list of fun facts about Romania wouldn’t be complete without the elephant in the room, did you? Romania, with its dense forests and looming Carpathian mountains, is famously known as the homeland of Dracula. This legendary historic figure, often associated with vampirism, finds its roots not in myth but in history, personified by Vlad the Impaler of the 15th century. While Vlad’s reputation for impaling his enemies earned him a notorious legacy, it’s Bram Stoker’s 1897 Gothic horror novel, “Dracula,” that forever entwined the ruler’s image with that of the quintessential vampire.
The Actual Home To Borat’s Hometown
Despite the fictional portrayals in the popular comedy “Borat,” starring Sacha Baron Cohen as a quirky journalist from Kazakhstan, there’s one lesser known fact; that the parts of the film that were supposed to represent Kazakhstan were actually shot in Romania in the village of Glod, part of Dambovita County.
Where The World’s Longest Poem Was Written
Written by Mihai Eminescu, one of the greatest Romanian poets of all time, “Luceafărul” (translation: The Morning Star) stretches over 98 stanzas, making it the longest narrative poem in world literature. A sophisticated blend of Romanticism and philosophy, the poem, delves into the eternal conflict between the ideal and the mundane, via a love story between a human princess and a celestial prince.
Brainy Breakthroughs Of Bucharest and Beyond
You might be pleasantly surprised by the nation’s rich legacy of innovation. Romanians have been the brains behind a range of inventions that I’m sure you don’t know about. For instance, Petrache Poenaru invented the fountain pen, Nicolae Constantin Paulescu played a pivotal role in the discovery of insulin, and Henri Coandă is credited with the creation of the world’s first jet plane.
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Căluș- A Dance Of Myths & Mysticism
Originating from ancient Dacian rituals, căluș a ritual acrobatic dance performed by members of a fraternal secret society that has become a significant part of Romania’s culture throughout the years. The origin of the dance is unknown but the first written mentions of it date back to the 17th century.
The Last Real Bear Dance In The World
Romania holds a unique but controversial tradition known as the “Bear Dance,” one of the last such remaining ones in the world. The dance dates back to pre-Christian times, has Pagan roots and is traditionally performed before New Year to symbolize the death and rebirth of time. However, as culturially significant as it might be, the festival has gotten its fair amount of backlash by animal protection organizations because of the use of real bear skin in the performance.
One of the Largest Outdoor Museums
This list of fun facts about Romania couldn’t be complete without the Astra National Museum Complex in Sibiu, one of Europe’s largest open-air museums! The museum covers an area of 0.96 square kilometers and it contains over 300 houses, buildings, and workshops and even two artificial lakes connected to the surface via multiple walkways.
A Country Of 1,000 Festivals
When it comes to fun facts about Romania, many think of castles and folklore, but Romania actually hosts close to 1,000 festivals’ every year, which is kind of a crazy feat. The “Mărţişor” festival, marks the beginning of spring with people gifting red and white trinkets (it’s supposed to mark hope and new beginnings). Then there’s the “Sânziene” midsummer festival, where women wear white and dance around bonfires, and the list goes on (and on)…
Natural & Architectural Wonders
Next, this list of fun facts about Romania wouldn’t be complete without going through some of the country’s natural and architectural wonders.
Romania, Where Castles Caught The Current
Did you know that Romania was home to the first castle in the world to have electricity? Peleș Castle in the scenic Carpathian Mountains, in the late 19th century during King Carol I of Romania, a modern monarch for his time,was the first castle in Europe (and probably the world) to have electricity. In addition to electricity, the castle also was technologically ahead of its time; it also boasted central heating and a vacuum cleaning system.
Europe’s Largest Rock Sculpture
Etched with precision into the limestone cliffs of the Cazanele Dunării, the Decebalus Rex monument is a 40-meter high face that immortalizes the last Dacian King, Decebalus. A testament to the nation’s rich past, this impressive work took a decade (1994-2004) to complete.
The 15th Most Extensive Rail Network In The World
Did you know that Romania boasts a rail network that spans a staggering 22,298km, making it the 15th most extensive in the world? But also, its capital, Bucharest, the fourth largest mass transit network in Europe. Not bad at all for what used to be one of the poorest countries in Europe.
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The Tallest Wooden Church In The World
The towering Sapanta-Peri Monastery is one of the most beautiful completely wooden monasteries in Europe. It’s also a holder of the title of being the world’s tallest wooden church, being 78-meter tall. This wonder (and UNESCO site) hails from Maramures, a region renowned for its woodwork.
Europe’s Second-Largest Underground Glacier
Nestled in the Apuseni Mountains of Romania lies an icy wonder – the Scărișoara Cave, home to Europe’s second-largest underground glacier, estimated to be over 3,500 years old, and covering an area of roughly 75,000 cubic meters.
The Oldest Cave Drawings In Central Europe
Hidden within Romania’s Cuciulat Cave, you can find what is believed to be the oldest cave drawings in Central Europe and one of the oldest ones in Europe. The drawings date back to over 32,000 years ago, and capture the essence of early human life, and feature hunting, hopes, fears, and daily endeavors.
The World’s Most Beautiful Bookshop?
Carturesti Carusel is often dubbed “The World’s Most Beautiful Bookshop.” Residing in Bucharest’s Old Town, this architectural marvel is a real beauty with incredible interior consisting of spiraled staircases, fabulous vertical shelves, and over 10,000 books. A space where literature meets art, Carturesti Carusel is the ultimate cultural experience in Bucharest.
Europe’s Third Narrowest Street
Tucked away in the heart of Brasov, Romania, you’ll find Strada Sforii, often recognized as Europe’s third narrowest street, after Spreuerhofstraße in Germany and Parliament Street in England. The tiny and unusual street was built in the 17th century and was initially used as a passageway/tunnel for firefighters but over the years it became a street on its own.
Speaking of fun facts about Romania, did you know that this country is home to Europe’s longest human-made navigation path? The Romania Canal is an engineering behemoth covering a distance of 64 km (40 miles), connecting the Danube River to the Black Sea. Starting at Cernavodă on the Danube and ending at Constanțan and Năvodari on the Black Sea, the canal shortens the distance for maritime transport by 400 km (248 miles)- I think we can all agree that’s not a small feat.
The World’s Only Natural Bridge Open To Traffic
Located near the town of Ponoarele in Romania, you’ll find a marvel that leaves travelers and locals alike in awestruck; it’s the world’s only natural bridge open to traffic, often referred to as God’s Bridge (Podul lui Dumnezeu). It spans for about 50 meters in length, 13 meters in width, and 22 meters in height.
Home To The World’s Heaviest Building
Now this one might come as a surprise but world’s heaviest building isn’t in New York, Dubai, Beijing or DC. Instead, it’s in Romania’s capital, Bucharest and it’s home to the Palace of the Parliament. Weighing in at a whopping 4.1 million tons, this colossal structure is the world’s heaviest and the world’s third-largest administrative building (by volume).
One Of The World’s Most Scenic Roads
You probably saw photos of the Transfăgărășan Highway before and it definitely deserves a mention here. Dubbed one of the world’s most scenic (but also dangerous) roads, it stretches across 90 kilometers and allows passerby to see dense forests and rugged mountain terrains. Initiated by Nicolae Ceaușescu in the 1970s, this highway reaches an impressive maximum altitude of 2,042 meters.
The Best Preserved Delta In Europe
Holding the title of Europe’s best-preserved delta, this UNESCO World Heritage site spans over 5,165 square kilometers. It’s where the majestic Danube River meets the Black Sea, and this unique wetland is home to over 300 species of birds and 45 freshwater fish species.
Home To Most Of Europe’s Brown Bear Population
Romania proudly claims the title of being home to most of Europe’s brown bear population. Yep, we’re talking about a whopping 60% of the continent’s bears roaming freely in the Carpathian Mountains of Romania.
Home To Europe’s Largest Mammal
Romania is home to Europe’s largest mammal – the European bison! After facing near-extinction in the wild, conservation efforts in Romania have been rather successful, especially the rewilding programs in the Tarcu Mountains that played a crucial role in the great mammal’s return.
Home To Some Of The Last Virgin Forests In Europe
If you’re a nature lover, you’ll appreciate the fact that Romania is home to some of Europe’s last virgin forests. Located mainly in the Carpathian Mountains, these pristine forests have trees that are centuries old and ecosystems untouched by human hand in a long, long time.
Quirky Fun Facts About Romania
Last but not least, we’ll complete this list with a dozen (or so) quirky fun facts about Romania. Ready? Let’s go!
One Of The Fastest Internet Speeds In The World
This might come as a surprise but Romania has one of the fastest internet speeds in the world. The combination of infrastructure investments and fierce competition among local ISPs has turned Romania into a hub for startups and digital nomads seeking lightning-fast connectivity.
The First Road In Bucharest Was Made Of Wood
Did you know that the first road in Bucharest was actually made of wood? During the 1800s, before asphalt became the standard, Bucharest’s first road Calea Victoriei was paved their way with timber. It makes me very curious about the sound of horse-drawn carriages made while clattering over those planks…
The World’s 13th Largest Wine Producer
Raising a glass to Romania, the world’s 13th largest wine producer? With a viticulture history that traces back more than 4,000 years, Romania’s diverse climate and rich soils offer the perfect terroir for cultivating a vast array of grape varieties, from the crisp Fetească Neagră reds to the aromatic Grasă de Cotnari whites.
Home to Europe’s Largest Gold Museum
Did you know that Romania is home to Europe’s largest gold museum? Located in Brad, this museum proudly displays a treasure trove of more than 2,000 gold artifacts and minerals, including tools and intricate sculptures.
Home To The Oldest Athlete To Ever Win A Marathon
Constantina Diță, a Romanian powerhouse in the marathon world, has achieved something most of us can only dream of. At the age of 38, she won the gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics’s marathon, making her the oldest athlete to ever win such honours.
One Of The World’s Booziest Countries?
Fun facts about Romania reveal it’s among the world’s booziest countries, ranking high in terms of alcohol consumption per capita. From traditional drinks like “țuică” to popular wines, Romanians have a deep-rooted culture of celebrating with a drink in hand.
The Largest Flag To Ever Be Unfuried
Setting the Guinness World Record, Romania unfurled the largest flag ever, spanning over a whopping 349,400 square feet. The record-setting event took place on May 27, 2013 to demonstrate national pride and celebrate the upcoming Romania’s National Flag Day.
The Longest Sausage Ever To Be Made
Among other fun facts about Romania, the country also holds the record for the largest sausage ever made. This colossal culinary creation stretched for a whopping 62.75 km (that’s over 39 miles!). Just imagine, it could easily wrap around an entire city!
The Largest Bowl Of Goulash Ever To Be Made
The largest bowl of goulash ever made weighed a staggering 7,200 kg! That’s equivalent to the weight of a small elephant… in goulash! This culinary spectacle took place in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, back in 2009.
The Largest Legal Document To Be Printed
Last but not least, we wrap up this list of fun facts about Romania with the world’s largest legal document to ever be printed. Romanian firm, ING Asigurari de Viata printed what can only be described as the Godzilla of legal documents: a staggering nine metres by six metres. Why, you ask? Well, they weren’t just flexing their printers. This gigantic feat earned them a spot in the record books for the world’s largest legal document.
How did you like our list? Did you know any of these facts before? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
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