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Romania UNESCO world heritage sites

Arges region [capital = Pitesti]

Monastery of Horezu in Romanii de Jos on Strada Manastirii
Founded in 1690 by Prince Constantine Brancovan, the monastery of Horezu, 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.
Cozia National Park in Calimanesti at Masivul + Lotrisor
The variety of landscapes and habitats from Cozia National Park can only mean a rich biodiversity of both plant and animals species, including the iconic large carnivores, the chamois, the deer, the wildcat, many rodents, and even a rare viper species. One fish species - nisiparita - is endemic to this protected area.

Banat region [capital = Timisoara]

Izvoarele Nerei forest in Poiana Begului at Platou Semenic
Since the end of the last Ice Age, European Beech spread from a few isolated refuge areas in the Alps, Carpathians, Dinarides, Mediterranean and Pyrenees over a short period of a few thousand years in a process that is still ongoing. The successful expansion across a whole continent is related to the tree's adaptability and tolerance of different climatic, geographical and physical conditions.
Nerei - Beusnita Ravine National Park in Sasca Montana @
Nera Gorge-Beusnita National Park with an area of 36.758 ha was declared natural protected area by the Law Number.5 of March 6, 2000 and represents a mountainous area (mountain peaks, cirques, crevasses, caves, valleys, canyon s, waterfalls) what shelters a large variety of flora and fauna; some of the species are endematic or very rare.

Brasov region [capital = Brasov]

Codrii Seculari Sinca forest in Sinca Veche
According to the legislation, the forests included in the catalog are subject to strict protection, which means that no work or human activities are allowed that may affect them. The only activities allowed are research, education and visiting, but they are allowed only on the condition that they do not affect the naturalness of the respective forests.
Fortified Church in Prejmer at Strada Mare 2, Harman
The circular walls are up to 5 m thick and reach nearly 12 m in height. The circular walls surround the church, while a second and smaller wall sits atop the arched passage at the entrance gate. Other defensive features include five towers and a battlement. On the interior side of the wall, there are four levels containing rooms and storage space and backed by the battlement. The over 270 rooms could offer shelter to some 1600 villagers in case of attack. Entry into the complex is made through a 30 m long tunnel protected by a portcullis with wooden grilles strengthened by iron and powerful oak doors. To the right of the entrance stands a large barbican.
Fortified Church in Calnic
The villagers heightened the existent fortified walls and added storage rooms on their inner part on three levels. A small chapel (the church and its religious function was the other fundamental element of the fortified church) was built in the interior court. Locals continued strengthening the site, and, in the 16th century, a second fortification wall replaced the moat, while the keep tower also known as Siegfried Tower was heightened two levels.
Fortified Church in Viscri @
Forming an oval and made of river and field stone, the south, east and northeast walls have survived; these are 7 m in height. The entrance is through the southeast wall, to which two towers and two bastions were added in the 14th century. The south tower, built into the wall exterior, had three floors and a battlement resting on wooden corbels. Sharing a roof with the south bastion, the tower's lower levels were joined into a hall entered from the east. The topmost level kept its parapets, with their oak border and moveable logs that could shut in defenders. The south bastion battlement and roof were joined with those of the south tower.
Fortified Church in Saschiz
Among the church's features are the two arched portals at the north and south sides, the upper windows with their delicate Gothic details, the Baroque altar and its floral decorations made of carved wood, and the 1786 organ.
Fortified Church in Darjiu @
The fortifications' oldest and most visible element, the tower, is to the south of the church. The gate tower retains its original form, with openings for firing guns that can be closed with wooden shutters. Modifications in 1788 included the creation of storage spaces for the villagers.
Historic Centre of Sighisoara @
Founded by German craftsmen and merchants known as the Saxons of Transylvania, Sighisoara 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.
Fortified Church in Biertan @
The church has three rows of exterior fortifications linked by gate towers, nine in total.
Fortified Church in Valea Viilor @
The church underwent modifications at the beginning of the 16th century: a defensive level featuring parapets was added atop the nave, while towers were built next to the north and south entrances. Next to each of these was a small round tower with a spiral staircase that reached the fortified level. A third tower, near the buttress at the southwest end of the nave, provided access to the belfry, itself fitted with numerous and varied defense mechanisms.

Dobrogea region [capital = Tulcea]

Danube Delta in Tulcea at Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve
The waters of the Danube, which flow into the Black Sea, form the largest and best preserved of Europe's deltas. The Danube delta hosts over 300 species of birds as well as 45 freshwater fish species in its numerous lakes and marshes.

Hunedoara region [capital = Deva]

Mining Landscape in Rosia Montana on route 742
Over 166 years starting in 106 CE, the Romans extracted some 500 tonnes of gold from the site developing highly engineered works, different types of galleries totalling 7km and a number of waterwheels in four underground localities chosen for their high-grade ore.
Dacian Fortress in Capalna on DC183
It is supposed that the fortress was the residence of a Dacian chieftain. Archeological findings include ceramics, iron and bronze tools, silver and bronze jewellry and Roman coins from the Republican and Imperial periods.
Costesti Dacian Fortress in Orastioara de Sus at N45 41 34.00 E23 8 47.00
It was a strong fortress which had a defensive role.
Costesti-Blidaru Dacian Fortress in Costesti at N45 40 0.00 E23 9 47.00
The ancient fortress was built in the Ist century BC, during Burebista`s Rule with the purpose of defending against the Romans.
Piatra Rosie Dacian fortress in Bosorod at Luncani
It was built in two phases. In the first phase a long (102 m) rectangular main citadel was built at the height of land with watch towers on each end and two outlying watch towers. Later the larger area inside the watch towers was enclosed with walls.
Dacian fortress in Banita on Cetatea Dacica Banita
The Dacian citadel is built on an isolated cliff, with very steep slopes.
Dacian Fortress in Sarmizegetusa on DN68
Withstanding the passing of almost 2,000 years, even if only in ruins, the ancient Roman capital marks the dawn of the long process that led to the foundation of the Romanian identity. A visit to this site is a rare chance to understand first-hand where it all started.

Maramures region [capital = Baia Mare]

Beech Forest in Strambu-Baiut
Since the end of the last Ice Age, European Beech spread from a few isolated refuge areas in the Alps, Carpathians, Dinarides, Mediterranean and Pyrenees over a short period of a few thousand years in a process that is still ongoing. The successful expansion across a whole continent is related to the tree's adaptability and tolerance of different climatic, geographical and physical conditions.
Beech Forest in Grosii Tiblesului at Izvorul Surii + Preluci
See above.
Church of the Holy Archangels in Rogoz on 282
The church from Rogoz differentiates itself through its asymmetrical roof, the northern larger side being designed to protect the people standing outside during the religious service. This part of the roof also covers the 'elders' table, where the rich families of the village had assigned seats, their named being carved on the wall of the church.
Wooden Church "St. Archangels" in Plopis on DJ182C
Forty-seven meters tall, the church is considered to be one of the most integrated religious monuments in Maramures.
Church of the Holy Archangels in Surdesti on DJ182C
The wooden church from Surdesti is without a doubt one of the most renowned tourist attractions in Romania. Its imposing 72 meters makes it one of the highest oak buildings in the world and the second highest wooden church in Romania and Europe.
Saint Parascheva Church in Desesti at N47 46 27.00 E23 51 24.00
Due to the harmonious whole and the well-preserved paintings, the church of St. Parasceva has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Church of Saint Nicholas in Budesti on DJ186B
The wooden church at Budesti Josani was dated by an inscription on the portal from 1643. Unfortunately the inscription was lost during the enlargement of the entrance in 1923. The inscription was verified dendrochronologically and the log structure was firmly dated from the winter 1642-43, i.e. the moment the timbers were felled.
Church of the Presentation of the Virgin at the Temple in Barsana at Barsana Monastery
The church was built in 1720 and it features some of the most representative baroque indoor murals in Maramures. It has a collection of icons painted on glass and old religious books.
Wooden church Paraschiva in Poienile Izei on DJ171D
This is one of the most beautiful and best-preserved wooden churches of Maramures, but also one of the oldest. While the documents of the time indicate 1604 as the construction year, its architecture places it before the 17th century. The interior frescoes, one of the most original elements of this church, were painted in 1794.
Church of the Nativity of the Virgin in Ieud at N47 40 37.00 E24 14 18.00
The interior paintings of the church form one of the best-preserved entities of post-Byzantine mural painting in Maramures. The paintings were made on pieces of textile that were treated with a preparatory layer of limewash and were then stuck to the wooden logs. The iconographic programme is particularly rich and impressive.

Oltenia region [capital = Craiova]

Domogled Valea Cernei National Park in Baile Herculane at Coronini Bedina + Iauna Craiovei + Ciucevele Cernei
The National Park stretches across over Cerna Mountains and Godeanu Mountains on the right side, and over Vâlcan Mountains and Medinţi Mountains on left (in Retezat-Godeanu Mountains group, subgroup of mountains in the Southern Carpathians), in the Cerna River basin.

Suceava region [capital = Suceava]

Church of St Nicholas and the Catholicon in Probota on DJ208V
The church's exterior depicts painstakingly done murals, and restorations were undertaken till the 1930s to preserve the essence of every panel.
St. George Church in Suceava on Strada Mitropoliei
The church is dedicated to Saint George and it has frescoes painted on the outside, typical of the region.
Church of the Holy Rood in Patrauti on DJ208V
The church of Patrauti has the oldest original interior paintings in Moldavia and was founded by prince Stephen the Great in 1487 as nunnery, close to Moldavia's capital Suceava, where his injured soldiers could be healed after their endless battles.
Church of the Beheading of St John the Baptist in Arbore at DN2K 732
Church "Beheading of St. John the Baptist" from Arbore is famous for its mural painting in fresco, of a considerable artistic value, which adorns both inside and outside.
Church of the Assumption of the Virgin in Humor on Manastirea Humorului
Humor was one of the first of Moldavia's painted monasteries to be frescoed and, along with Voronet, is probably the best preserved.
Voronet Monastery in Voronet at Strada Voronet 166
It is known throughout the world for its exterior frescoes of bright and intense colours, and for the hundreds of well-preserved figures placed against the renowned azurite background. The small windows, their rectangular frames of crossed rods and the receding pointed or shouldered arches of the interior doorframes are Gothic. The south and north doors of the exonarthex of 1547 have rectangular frames, which indicate a transition period from Gothic to Renaissance. But, above them, on each wall is a tall window with a flamboyant Gothic arch.
Codrul Secular Slatioara in Stulpicani at N47 26 36 E25 37 39
In the morning, the sun is barely able to penetrate here through the high peaks of coniferous trees, and the wildness of the place - with only one trail for tourists, on which tree trunks break down - will make you aware of an important meeting. In front of the unregistered show offered by nature, you can only remain grateful and shy, surrounded by mounds reaching hallucinatory heights of 60 meters, or animals that follow you away remotely as a strange envy of their protected paradise . In the streams of his rivers and the barking of the hammers, Codrii Seculari Slătioara reveals his charm as he walks along the route for the tourists.
Church of the Annunciation in Moldovita on Vatra Moldovitei
Moldovita's frescoes were painted by Toma of Suceava in 1537. They are filled with yellow accents and are well preserved. The predominantly yellow-and-blue paintings on its exterior represent recurring themes in Christian Orthodox art.
Church of the Resurrection in Sucevita at DN17A 169
Both interior and exterior walls are covered by mural paintings, which are of great artistic value and depict biblical episodes from the Old and New Testament.