Categories: 
Culture
Written by: 
Mînzat Valeria
Sunday, 16 April, 2023 - 13:02

Easter Traditions in Romania

Easter is probably the biggest Christian holiday. Most Romanians celebrate the Orthodox Easter and, while from a religious point of view it signifies the resurrection of the Lord Jesus from the dead, there are also many traditions and customs surrounding this holiday. If you want to celebrate Easter in Romanian style, you should definitely know about these ones!

Getting ready for Easter in Romania

Getting ready for this special holiday is a whole ritual in Romania. It all starts on Joia Mare, or Big Thursday, which is the Thursday before Easter, that is always on a Sunday day. On Joia Mare everyone should work around the house: cleaning, dyeing the eggs, baking Pasca (traditional cake made from leavened dough filled with cottage cheese) and preparing the lamb meat. Then, on Vinerea Mare, or Big Friday, one should not eat, drink or work. Saturday is also a day to prepare for the holiday, and the night from Saturday to Sunday every family would go together to church to bless the food they prepared for Easter, but also to receive the Holy Fire, which they’ll take in their house through a lightened candle, as to let it burn and bring peace for the year.

Dyeing the eggs

There are different traditions on dyeing the eggs and all of them are related to a legend that says that Mary went to Jesus when he was crucified on the cross and, in her great pain, she began to weep and placed a basket of eggs at Jesus' feet. Blood spilled onto the eggs, so they turned red. Every Romanian house has their own method of dyeing the eggs, and also decorating them. In the regions of Moldova and Bucovina for instance, the technique is very complex and eggs are decorated with very detailed traditional motifs. They are so special that there are even museums of painted eggs.

Egg knocking

Everyone looks forward to the custom of knocking and cracking the eggs. The meaning behind this is that when we crack the egg and thus break its shell, we are actually celebrating the moment when Jesus Christ rose from the dead. Also, while doing so, but also the first thing in the morning, we say to each other: Hristos a Înviat, and respond: Cu Adevărat a Înviat, which means that we are acknowledging the resurrection of Jesus. This type of salute lasts for 40 days, until another important religious holiday, the Ascension Day, and then for another 10 days we greet each other with the phrases: Hristos s-a Înălțat and Cu Adevărat s-a Înălțat, acknowledging the bodily ascension of Jesus into heaven.

Good luck, money and health

There’s another tradition - on Easter morning, a red egg, water and a penny are placed in a clean pot, after which the members of the family wash their face and hands with this water. The motivation?.. They will be red in the face (signifying health) and they will have money all year. Also, the first thing that should be eaten on Easter is Pasca, only after that the consuming of other products is allowed.

In the end, the celebration of the Resurrection is an opportunity to gather the family around the table with traditional dishes, it is a reason for joy and optimism. Easter brings all the family members together, wherever they are, because this holiday holds a great importance and has a deep meaning.

 
places-to-visit-ro
Categories: 
Culture
Written by: 
Oriana Iordache
Sunday, 26 March, 2023 - 09:55

Romanian Bucket List - Places to Visit

Picture this: you’ve already been in your Erasmus country for some time now. You don’t get lost around the city (so much) anymore and you even managed to decode your class schedule! You’ve found your ride or die group of international friends and lately you’ve been trying to plan your first trip. But there’s so much to see and so little time, you don’t even know where to start.

 

Don’t worry! We’ve got you. Here are some of the places in Romania you should definitely put on your bucket list, so have an eye, pack your bags and let’s go.

 

 

Sighișoara

Sighisoara is the only still inhabited medieval fortress in South-Eastern Europe and the birthplace of the famous Vlad the Impaler. Easy to reach from Brașov, Târgu-Mureș and Cluj-Napoca, during a one-day trip to Sighișoara you can wonder on its lovely colourful streets, admire the view from the Clock Tower and learn about the life of Vlad the Impaler and sighisorean people at MYstical Transylvania… It is also a must to try the traditional soup in bread at the Casa Vlad Dracul restaurant. 

 

 

Transfăgărășan & Bâlea Lake

Transfăgărășan and Bâlea Lake should be on the top of your Romanian Bucket List. Transfăgărășan is a breathtaking road through the Făgăraș Mountains starting in Argeș county. It takes you to Bâlea Lake, a spectacular  glacial lake. If you want to spend the weekend there, you can explore the hiking trails to Bâlea Waterfall or Negoiu Peak, but do not forget to wear the right equipment! 

 

 

Peleș Castle

Close to Brașov and Bucharest, the Peleș Castle is probably the most beautiful and elegant castle in Romania! Not only eye-catching from the outside, the Peleș Castle has a sophisticated interior design and a wide collection of art pieces, arms and armour and many more!

 

Babele (the “Old women”) & Sfinxul (the Sphinx)

Up in the Bucegi Mountains, the “Old women” and the Sphinx are geological formations located at over 2000m altitude. Many legends are known around the strange rocks. The “Old women” are a symbol of spring and believed to be The Old Dokia, a mythological figure who turned to stone. The Sphinx is supposed to be the place where the Dacian  king Decebalus killed his son as a tribute to gods and it is thought to be interconnected with the Egyptian Sphinx. Anyhow, they can be reached with the cable car from Bușteni.  Make sure to be there early as there are usually long queues for the cabin. For the adventurous hikers, you can also reach the Omu Peak and the Heroes Cross on Caraiman Peak which are not very far from Babele. 

 

 

 

Turda Salt Mine 

Only half an hour away from Cluj-Napoca, the Turda Saline is an underground wonderland. You can get lost in its numerous chambers, mines and galleries, hop on a boat tour on the underground lake or go to the amusement park. You are in for a unique experience! 

 

 

 

Maramureș

Maramures is a picturesque area in the north of Romania. Here you should definitely check out Mocănița and the Mery Cemetery. Mocănița is a steam train that takes you on a 5-hour ride through Maramureș mountains to enjoy the stunning views. The Mery Cemetery is known for its colourful tombstones. Other popular tourist attractions in this area are the Bârsana Monastery, Horses` Waterfall and the Memorial of the Victims of Communism and of the Resistance. 

 

 

ASTRA Museum

Very close to Sibiu, the ASTRA museum is an outdoor museum of over 96ha where you can wander for hours.  In the park you find traditional houses bringing together styles from all over Romania. 

 

 

Corvin's Castle

One hour away from Alba-Iulia, The Corvin Castle is one of the largest gothic-style castles in Europe. One legend says that Vlad the Impaler spent some time imprisoned in this castle. The castle has two large areas, The Knight’s Hall and The Diet Hall and the Torture Chambers in the underground prison. 

 

 

Oradea

In the west of Romania lies Oradea, a city with delightful architecture inspired by the Art Nouveau style. During a one-day trip you should totally visit the Darvas House, the Roman Catholic Cathedral and the Oradea fortress and take a picture in the exquisite historical center. 

 

Palace of Culture

The impressive Palace of Culture in the city of Iași hosts museums related to arts, history, science and Moldavian ethnography and other temporary exhibitions. Don’t miss the chance to climb up in The Clock Tower where you can book a guided tour only twice a day at 10:40 and 11:40. 

 

 

Moldavian Monasteries

The north of Moldavia region of Romania is well-known for preserving numerous monasteries. The most popular one is Voroneț monastery also called the Sistine Chapel of the East. It was built by Ștefan the Great and it is unique for the special shade of blue it is painted in. Other monasteries are Văratec, Putna, Moldovița and Humor.