UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Romania

UNESCO's Description

These eight churches of northern Moldavia, built from the late 15th century to the late 16th century, their external walls covered in fresco paintings, are masterpieces inspired by Byzantine art. They are authentic and particularly well preserved. Far from being mere wall decorations, the paintings form a systematic covering on all the facades and represent complete cycles of religious themes.Their exceptional composition, the elegance of the characters, and the harmony of the colors blend perfectly with the surrounding countryside. The interior and exterior walls of the Church of the Suceviţa Monastery are entirely decorated with mural paintings of the 16th century, and this church is the only one to show a representation of the ladder of St John Climacus.

From the UNESCO World Heritage Centre (CC BY-SA IGO 3.0).

UNESCO's Description

Founded in 1690 by Prince Constantine Brancovan, the Hurezi Monastery, in Walachia, is a masterpiece of the 'Brancovan' style. It is known for its architectural purity and balance, the richness of its sculptural detail, the treatment of its religious compositions, its votive portraits and its painted decorative works. The school of mural and icon painting established at the monastery in the 18th century was famous throughout the Balkan region.

From the UNESCO World Heritage Centre (CC BY-SA IGO 3.0).

Key Facts

Facts from Wikidata Q733069 (CC0).

UNESCO's Description

Built in the 1st centuries B.C. and A.D. under Dacian rule, these fortresses show an unusual fusion of military and religious architectural techniques and concepts from the classical world and the late European Iron Age. The six defensive works, the nucleus of the Dacian Kingdom, were conquered by the Romans at the beginning of the 2nd century A.D.; their extensive and well-preserved remains stand in spectacular natural surroundings and give a dramatic picture of a vigorous and innovative civilization.

From the UNESCO World Heritage Centre (CC BY-SA IGO 3.0).

Key Facts

Facts from Wikidata Q729327 (CC0).

UNESCO's Description

Founded by German craftsmen and merchants known as the Saxons of Transylvania, Sighişoara is a fine example of a small, fortified medieval town which played an important strategic and commercial role on the fringes of central Europe for several centuries.

From the UNESCO World Heritage Centre (CC BY-SA IGO 3.0).

Description

The fortress is surrounded by a 9.3 m (31 ft) high wall, originally about 4 m (13 ft) high. Later, the height of the wall was increased in some places to 14 m (46 ft). The wall was built between the 14th and 17th centuries as protection against Turkish attacks. The wall had 14 towers, 9 of which are preserved to this day. The towers served as the headquarters of various craft guilds.

The Tower of the Locksmiths and the Coopers were situated between the Tower of the Shoemakers and the Blacksmiths.

The Fishermen's Tower once stood on the banks of the Târnava, much further outside the fortress, where the mill was located at that time. It is rarely mentioned. It can only be seen on the Museum model in the Clock Tower.

Key Facts

Facts from Wikidata Q1075681 (CC0).

UNESCO's Description

These eight churches are outstanding examples of a range of architectural solutions from different periods and areas. They show the variety of designs and craftsmanship adopted in these narrow, high, timber constructions with their characteristic tall, slim clock towers at the western end of the building, either single- or double-roofed and covered by shingles. As such, they are a particular vernacular expression of the cultural landscape of this mountainous area of northern Romania.

From the UNESCO World Heritage Centre (CC BY-SA IGO 3.0).

Description

The historical Romanian region of Maramureș, partitioned between Romania and Sub-Carpathian Ruthenia after World War I, is one of the places where traditional log building was not interrupted and where a rich heritage in wood survives. The tradition of building wooden churches in central and southern Maramureș can be traced from the beginning of the 16th century to the turn of the 18th century. Since the knowledge used to build the local wooden churches circulated throughout Europe, their understanding is of high interest far outside the region.

In Maramureș today almost 100 wooden churches still stand, about one third of their total two centuries ago.

Key Facts

Facts from Wikidata Q828412 (CC0).

UNESCO's Description

From 500 BCE on, the Roman Empire extended its territory across parts of Europe and North Africa until its frontier totaled some 7,500 kilometres by the 2nd century. The Romanian segment, the Dacian Limes, was operational from 106 to 271 CE. The property comprises 277 component parts and represents the longest, most complex land border of a former Roman province in Europe. Traversing diverse landscapes, it is defined by a network of individual sites that include legionary fortresses, auxiliary forts, earthen ramparts, watch towers, temporary camps and secular buildings. Dacia was the only Roman province entirely north of the Danube River. Its frontier protected it from ‘barbarian’ populations and controlled access to valuable gold and salt resources.

From the UNESCO World Heritage Centre (CC BY-SA IGO 3.0).

History

Dacia became a Roman province after Trajan's Dacian Wars after 106 AD, but military occupation of Wallachia, the plain between the Carpathian foothills and the Danube, may already have occurred by the end of Trajan’s First Dacian War (101/102). The majority of forts in Dacia, however, were established after the final conquest of the Dacians in 106 AD. However, the Romans did not remove the garrisons of the Danube Limes as they were needed to preserve the control of transport and trade on the Danube and because troops there were a kind of strategic reserve for other fronts if needed.

The organisation of the province proceeded quickly under its first governor, Decimus Terentius Scaurianus, as shown by coins minted in 112 bearing the inscription DACIA AUGUSTI PROVINCIA.

Key Facts

Facts from Wikidata Q14752597 (CC0).

UNESCO's Description

Austere, contemplative, yet accessible, the monumental ensemble of Târgu Jiu was created in 1937-1938 by Constantin Brâncuși, an influential pioneer of abstract sculpture, to commemorate those who died defending the city during the First World War. Located in two parks connected by the narrow Avenue of Heroes, the property includes the monumental ensemble of sculptural installations and the pre-existing Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, located on the axis. The remarkable fusion of abstract sculpture, landscape architecture, engineering, and urban planning conceived by Constantin Brâncuși goes far beyond the local wartime episode to offer an original vision of the human condition.

From the UNESCO World Heritage Centre (CC BY-SA IGO 3.0).

History

The monument was commissioned by the National League of Gorj Women to honor those soldiers who had defended Târgu Jiu in 1916 from the forces of the Central Powers. Constantin Brâncuși (1876–1957) was at the time living in Paris, but welcomed the opportunity to create a large commemorative sculpture in his homeland. He accepted the commission in 1935, but refused to receive payment for it.

Key Facts

Facts from Wikidata Q4680630 (CC0).