Carpathian Mountains in the distance...
Thursday, April 7, 2005
Today was a very exciting day here in Romania for Norman and myself. We were able to take a day trip that took us down many winding roads! We were able to see the Carpathian Mountains. Beautiful and stunning are two words that come to mind. The mountains were capped with deep snow. You could just see the ruggedness of the entire range. They were dotted with spiked peaks that rose above the rest of the range. Black area sprinkled amongst the snow showed through the rocky edges and cliffs.
As we drove through the countryside to the foot of the mountains you could see the range in the distance. At first it didn't appear that they would be very large at all. I was reminded of the Appalachian Mountains along the Eastern Seaboard. Norman and I both compared them to that. As we drove into the foothills though it became apparent that these were truly mountains. The roads winded higher and higher upwards until we reached a little village. You could see ladies outside their houses talking with their neighbors. Occasionally we would meet a horse pulling a wagon filled with a few men and boys. Obviously these were farmers and workers. The people looked weathered but content to be where they were.
We came to stop at a church. The Manastirea Sinai. This church was dated by the the sixteenth century! It is amazing that the structure still exists. It was beautiful though. In front of this church was another church...a newer one. I was not allowed to take pictures inside. The ENTIRE inside was covered with paintings. Every single square inch of the church was made into a tapestry of pictures. Amazing colors shown through the dusty walls. Each picture told a story of a saint or of Jesus. We were all in awe as we looked up and around. I was struck by the sense that you felt like this was an important place. You felt like you were standing somewhere the represented something quiet holy. I think I was smiling from ear to ear just trying to imagine the history that this place held. I loved the artwork. I wish I could have taken pictures. I believe I could have taken hundreds of photographs and still not captured the entire scene - story.
Outside of the church was a little lady who was selling some of her handiwork. She was making throw covers and lace. The was 80 years old :) She spoke in Romanian and Mihai would interpret for us. We were there for some time. Norman bought an item and I bought some lace for my mother. We took several photographs of her alongside her work. I will post those below along with others from the above mentioned areas.
After we left there we headed higher into the mountains. We were on our way to the Romanian Kings Castle. Pele's Castle. This castle was started in 1866 by the ruling prince. The castle is located in Sinaia. When you approach the castle you have to take a long road that continues to bring you higher and higher into the mountains. You feel as if you are in a fairy tale. The grass is just started to turn green and there are small windy brooks scattered alongside the road. Eventually you see this great castle the literally reaches into the sky. By the time you take it all in you have convinced yourself that you are definitely in a storybook setting.
Photographs are not allowed inside of the castle. When you walk in you see tons of wood that has been carved out into extremely detailed patterns. Most of the woodwork is made of walnut. I can't even begin to describe the beauty of the walls and stair cases. There are also over 800 stain glass windows that date by hundreds of years. Wonderful paintings adorn the walls of some of the Queens sitting rooms. She would have artist come in and paint them one at a time. She left several walls blank and told the artists that when they came to visit that they should simply imagine the artwork in those areas.
Needless to say this was all breathtaking! Behind the castle and in the distance you could see the snow capped mountains. It was incredible! There are not enough words in the dictionary to describe all of what we were able to see. I felt as if this truly represented the Romania that I had come to know in my mind over the years. The countryside...the mountains...and the people. I was so glad that we were able to make the day trip!
Our tour guide who was named Joanna was knowledgeable in just about anything and everything we asked about. She told us many stories about the castles and the people of this region. We talked for awhile about the revolution back in 1989 and the fall of communism. She told me about the secret police and how neighbors would tell on neighbors. She said no outside news was allowed in. A few people had short-wave radios and would listen to the news about surrounding countries and their revolts again the communist. Joanna said that most people were very happy when they overthrew the government here and that they feel as if they are now truly free and a growing country. She said that in 2007 Romania should enter into the EU.
After we left Pele Castle it was on to Transylvania. As we entered into this region of the country you could tell that it was definitely going to be different that the previous areas. The fields were being worked over by the farmers. You could see thousands of little stones and rocks that littered the roadside and even the fields themselves. I would imagine that this was a difficult area to farm. The land appeared to be much harsher than the areas we had just left. As we neared Bran's Castle you could see that the houses all had shutters on them. There were also fences that protected the entranceways and sitting areas in front of the houses. Most of the houses appeared to be very old and weathered. It was a darker area than the previous town we were in. Joanna said that there was more of a German influence on this region of the country.
As we neared the mountain that held the castle you could see the very top of the structure. It was not nearly as large as you might think. Impressive nonetheless.
There was a steep path that led up to the castles entranceway. It took us awhile to walk up this path. Norman did really well though. I was a bit concerned at times...but he made it just fine!
The castle was really cold. It was a bit dark and not as decorated as one might think. The entranceways were small and at times tight. We spoke with a lady that cleans the castle and she told us several stories and legends surrounding the area. It was interesting! Mihai and myself explored the castle as much as possible and had fun in doing so.
After we left the castle we headed to several towns that were strongly influenced by the Germans. You could tell by the architecture and colors of the buildings/houses. It was fun to see the differences between each region.
It will take me forever to go through all of these photographs...heh
I will try to post as many as possible -
Carpathian Mountains in the distance...
This woman was a typical example of those that we
would see walking alongside the roadway.
These winding roads made the trip a true adventure :) At times it was like
riding a
roller coaster.
This is the first church that we stopped at along the way. This was
the
Manastirea Sinaia. This was next the one that was built in the sixteenth
century. The walls inside of this church were completely covered with
paintings.
Mihai, Norman, and our tour guide.
This is the front of the other church that was built in the sixteenth century.
More of the church that was built back in the sixteenth century.
Some of the artwork above the doorway of
the church.
Angel sitting beside Jesus - above the entranceway to the church building.
Another part of the painting above the doorway.
Now imagine the INSIDE of this church! THOUSANDS of paintings like this cover the walls and ceiling. Truly amazing and it just leaves you in awe!
Outside of the church was this lady - her name was Dinu
St Maria. She made
these table cloth and other laced items. She is 80 years old!
Dinu St Maria standing beside the lace that she
made. It took her about
one month to complete this work. Really amazing.
Dinu St Maria and Beau :)
This is the lace that I bought for mother to keep in her china
cabinet.
So after we purchased a few items from Dinu we made out way back to the van and onward to the Kings Castle!
The Peles Castle
It is REALLY impossible to capture this area. You just have to see
it. It is incredibly beautiful!
You can see the snow capped mountains behind the castle :)
Mihai - Norman - Beau - in front of Peles Castle.
Front of the castle as you approach...
I really wish I could just take everyone to this spot. It left me
speechless. The beauty of this area is incredible. I can see why the
king wanted to build his castle here! You left in awe.
Looking towards the west into the mountains. This
is a typical view from the castle.
One of the dozens of statues in front of the castle...mountains in the
background.
Lion in front of the castle...
I think I have finally found Narnia :)
Courtyard...
One of the many statues (this one is an
imp-mythical creature)
in the courtyard
Courtyard in front of the castle...mountains in the background are
the Carpathians.
Breathtaking view of the mountains...
I desperately need to get my camera lens
cleaned. I guess I will have to do that when I get back into Toronto or
back in Paducah. It is a process to actually do it...but the lens is
really dirty. Hopefully they can do it in Toronto.
Baby angel sitting in the courtyard with one of the gods.
Ok well I am REALLLLLLY tired now. I have hundreds of photographs. I wish I could share them all. There is no way to even begin to describe today. It is definitely one of the highlights of my life. Seeing this part of Romania was inspiring and it will never be forgotten! I don't have any regrets about coming over here. I am having a great time and I love spending these days with Norman and David. Very nice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I will try to post the photographs from Transylvania tomorrow. Bran's Castle and all of that good stuff!
Ok this page has too many pics now :) so we will turn the page
CLICK HERE for Transylvania Photographs!
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