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Eu
Romnia do you know who we are?
prahova edition | no. 6 | 4 euro
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Romnia
Eu
 recomandarea
editorului
Etalon al stilului n
perioada interbelic,
Eu

Edito
Romnia
din respect pentru romni

Hotelul Palace a fost n

1935 gazda unui mare bal
www.eu-romania.org dedicat Concursului de
Elegan i Confort
redactor-ef
editor in chief
Elena Turcu
Editor's pick
A style benchmark in the
redactor-ef adjunct interwar period, Palace
deputy editor
Talita Lovasz elena turcu Hotel hosted an important
concept grafic Redactor-ef ball in 1935, dedicated to
graphic design
www.creativeartdesign.ro
editor in chief the Elegance and Comfort
Competition.
traduceri
translations P 137
Biroul de traduceri

Comorile nepreuite
"Champollion"

corectur
proofreading
Gabriela Din

foto copert
cover photo
Shutterstock

fotografii
ale Prahovei
The priceless treasures of Prahova
photo
EU-Romania.org, shutterstock.

C
com, flickr.com

dtp i prelucrare imagini

dtp and image calibration
Creative Art Design
contact@creativeartdesign.ro ltorului i ade bine cu Travellers will travel! There is so
aceast ediie a fost realizat
drumul! Ct adevr zace n much truth in this proverb, especially as
cu sprijinul acest proverb, mai cu seam soon we are celebrating one year since we
contributors
Cristina Frncu, Diana Zgrean, c n curnd se mplinete have travelled and travelled. No issue is the
Magda Ene, Teodor Fereta, un an de cnd cltorim i same as the next and yet all of them have
Ctlina Ghelan
tot cltorim. Niciun numr something in common, an ocean of beauty,
advertising sales nu seamn cu altul i totui toate au ceva of spiritual, cultural, historical revelations.
Tatiana Tu n comun, o mare de frumos, de dezvluiri The expedition in Prahova County has been
tatiana.tuta@creativeartpublisher.ro
spirituale, culturale, istorice. one of the longest, it spread on a period of
Expediia n judeul Prahova a fost una din- approximately two weeks and every day it
tre cele mai lungi, s-a ntins pe o perioad brought us new adventures. We started with
de aproximativ 3 sptmni i fiecare zi a Cheia, a fairy tale land, with pictures coming
adus n tolba noastr noi i noi aventuri. to life with splendid landscapes, we contin-
Am nceput cu Cheia, un loc de poveste, ued with Valea Doftanei, where we tasted
cu imagini nsufleite de peisajele splendi- the cacavea and we finished with Azuga, the
director general
general manager de, am continuat cu Valea Doftanei unde former residence of Ceauescu, a secluded
Bogdan Modreanu am fcut cunotin cu Cacaveaua i am domain embraced by nature, with the casino
director publicitate finalizat cu Azuga, cu fosta reedin a lui in Sinaia and Cantacuzino Castle in Buteni.
advertising sales manager
Ceauescu, un domeniu retras mbriat Prahova County is more than the place where
Tatiana Tu
de natur, cu cazinoul din Sinaia i Castelul winter sports lovers soar and rush to slide
director editorial Cantacuzino din Buteni. down modern slopes, the wind in their face
editorial manager
Elena Turcu Judeul Prahova este mai mult dect locul and the peak behind, it is a spiritual trail that
unde amatorii sporturilor albe se aventu- shows you symbols and values. It is a place
reaz i se nghesuie pentru a aluneca pe filled with richness, both material and imma-
coresponden
contact prtiile moderne, cu vntul n fa i piscul terial, above all, which cannot be converted
Str. Turturelelor nr. 48, demisol, n spate, este un traseu spiritual ce-i face against any price.
sector 3, Bucureti
Tel.: 031 436 43 10 cunotin cu simboluri i valori. Este un
contact@creativeartpublisher.ro loc nsemnat de bogie, material, dar mai
www.eu-romania.org ales imaterial, ce nu poate fi convertit la
niciun pre.
creative art publisher
Reproducerea integral sau parial a textelor
sau ilustraiilor din revista Eu iubesc Romnia
este posibil numai cu acordul prealabil scris al
Creative Art Publisher.
ntreaga responsabilitate pentru coninutul
materialelor le revine autorilor acestora.

eu-romnia.org prahova edition | 2015 3

 Sumar
contents
66

36
12 dosar ora
Ploieti, istoria devenit legend Feature:
Ploieti, the history became legend

34 viziteaz judeul
Judeul Prahova este un loc ncrcat de istorie,

58
spiritualitate i cultur. Visit Prahova
County Prahova County is filled with history,
spirituality and culture.

38 drumul voievozilor
Povestea vremurilor de demult The
Voivodes Road The story of days gone

40 munii bucegi
39 de trasee omologate i unul n curs de omo-
logare, mprite n patru magistrale turistice.
Bucegi Massif 39 certified trails and one
pending certification, divided into four main
trails.

150 3 zile n prahova

Schi sau drumeii, relaxare sau aventur,
judeul Prahova v ateapt chiar i numai pen-
tru 3 zile. 3 days in Prahova If you want
to ski or hick in the moutains, or maybe you

149
are the sort that wants adventure, or maybe
you just what to relax, Prahova has it all and is
eager to offer you 3 wonderful and memorable
days.

idee de weekend 152 romni de succes

Afl la pagina 150 cum i poi petrece
un weekend plin n Prahova. Weekend
idea Find out at page 150 how can you
spend an entirely weekend in Prahova
County.
I.L. Caragiale i Leonard Doroftei - trecut i
prezent, mbriate de faim. Success-
ful Romanians I.L. Caragiale and Leonard
Doroftei, past and present held together by
fame.

4 eu iubesc romnia ediia de prahova | 2015

 8
Dosar de ora
cover story

Rzboi, politic i
petrol - scurt istoric al
Ploietiului
War, politics and petroleum
a short history of Ploieti

160 afaceri de succes

170 Patru nume rsuntoare i dezvolt activita

Realizat n
Romnia
made in romania
Marc romneasc / Ar putea s v
surprind, dar tiai c salamul de Sibiu
a fost realizat la Sinaia? Romanian
brand. It may come as a surprise, but
did you know that Sibiu salami was first
tea n unul din cele mai renumite judee ale
Romniei. Successful Romanian
Au contribuit
businesse Four significant names are growing
in one of the most famous Romanian counties. Contributors
170 triete romnete
Care sunt valorile ce definesc judeul Prahova?
Live Romanian What are the values that
define Prahova County?

28
made in Sinaia?

eu-romnia.org prahova edition | 2015 5

Prahova-Guide
Teodor Fereta
n una dintre regiunile
cele mai active economic
ale rii noastre, Prahova,
eti nconjurat de vestigiile
unui trecut industrial.
Ocne de sare vechi de sute
de ani, gigani din oel i
crmid de la nceputul
secolului, muzee ale srii i
petrolului.
One of the most economi-
cally active regions of our
country, Prahova surrounds
you with the vestiges of an
industrial past. Salt mines
hundreds of years old, giants
of steel and brick from the
beginning of the century,
museums of salt and
petroleum.
6 eu iubesc romnia
C i n c i d e s t i n a i i
ova
de vizitat n judeul Prah
Ocupnd o ntreag sec-
iune geografic pe verti-
cal, pornind din cmpie
pn n naltul Carpailor
de Curbur, judeul Pra-
hova ofer o gam varia-
t de atracii turistice, de
la staiunile balneare din
sud, rmie ale secula-
relor exploatri de sare,
pn la oraele cochete Pornind din extremitatea sudic
de munte din nord.
Five destinations to
visit in Prahova County
Covering an entire geographical section
vertically, from plains to the peaks of
the Curvature Carpathians, Prahova
County offers a wide range of tourist
attractions, from the spas in the
south, remains of centuries-old salt
exploitations, to the posh mountain
towns in the north.
ediia de prahova | 2015
move on to the hydroelectric
1
Muntele de Sare de la
Slnic
a judeului, vei fi surprini de o
ciudenie geografic: Muntele
de Sare, un fel de masiv alb, pe
crestele cruia aciunea apei
i procesul de surpare au dus
la apariia unor structuri care
mai de care mai ntortocheate.
Formarea muntelui a fost ns
iniiat de aciunea omului, aici
funcionnd o salin pn la
1854.
The Slnic Salt Mountain
From the southern extremity of
the county, you will be surprised
by a geographical oddity: the Salt
Mountain, some sort of white
massif, on whose crests the
action of water and subsidence
have created a series of intricate
structures. However, the mountain
was formed as a consequence of
human activities, as a salt mine
functioned here until 1854.
2
Barajul de la Paltinu
S trecem de la trecutul minier la
prezentul hidroelectric. Cel mai
mare baraj din regiune se afl
pe Valea Doftanei. Cu o nlime
de 109 metri i o lungime de 455
de metri, barajul de pe Lacul
Paltinu este un obiectiv musai
de vizitat pentru fanii peisajelor
industriale.
Paltinu Dam
Let us leave the mining past and
present. The largest dam in the
region is located in Valea Doftanei.
With a height of 109 metres and
a length of 455 metres, the dam
on Paltinu Lake is a must-see
attraction for fans of industrial
landscapes.
3
Casa Domneasc de la
Brebu
S coborm din nou la es i s
ne avntm din nou n istorie
cu Casa Domneasc de la Brebu.
Unul dintre cele mai importante
monumente de arhitectur de
secol XVII, Casa Domneasc,
nceput de Matei Basarab
i definitivat de Constantin
Brncoveanu, prezint stilul
tradiional local n maturitatea
lui deplin.
Brebu Princely House
Let us go back to the plains and
delve into history once again with
the Brebu Princely House. One of
the most important architectural
monuments of the 17th cen-
tury, the Princely House, whose
construction started under Matei
Basarab and was completed by
Constantin Brncoveanu, shows
the local traditional style in its full
maturity.

4
Castelul Pele
Probabil o destinaie mult prea
bine cunoscut pentru a mai
trebui menionat sau descris,
inem doar s v reamintim c Muzeul Ceasului din
palatul n stil romantic al lui
Carol I se afl pe Valea Prahovei,
n apropierea oraului Sinaia.
Pele Castle
Although this destination is per-
haps too famous to be even men-
de profil din Romnia avem
adunate cteva mii de orologii
tioned or described, we just wish to de o valoare estetic deosebit,
remind you that the Romantic style aparinnd stilurilor baroc,
palace of King Carol I is located on rococo, empire etc., ce ne vor
Prahova Valley, close to the city of crea impresia c ne aflm mai
Sinaia. degrab ntr-un muzeu de art
decorativ i mobilier dect
5
ntr-unul dedicat tehnicii de
calcul. Cel mai vechi obiect din
colecie dateaz de la 1562 i este
un veritabil instrument tiinific
Ploieti al perioadei, fiind completat cu
Nu puteam s neglijm capitala cadrane solare.
Prahovei. Unul dintre punctele
de atracie ale oraului Ploieti The Clock Museum in Ploieti
l reprezint Muzeul Ceasului. We could not neglect the very
Gzduit de o cas cu iz victorian, county seat of Prahova. One of the
n colecia singurului muzeu attractions of the city of Ploieti
is the Clock Museum. Hosted by a
Victorian-style house, the collec-
tion of the only Romanian museum
of its kind has a few thousand
clocks of high aesthetic value,
representing the Baroque, Rococo,
Empire styles, which give us the
impression that we are rather in
a museum of decorative art and
furniture than in one dedicated to
computing. The oldest object in the
collection dates back to 1562 and is
a true scientific instrument of the
period, completed with sundials.
eu-romnia.org prahova edition | 2015 7
 Bneasa Shopping City
Poziionate strategic, n nordul Capitalei, Bneasa Shopping
City & Galeria Feeria sunt parte integrant a platformei co-
merciale Bneasa, care ofer un acces facil prin intermediul
celui mai circulat drum naional din ar, DN1, i apropierea
de Aeroportul Internaional Henri Coand.

Bneasa
Shopping City este un
trend setter n domeniu.

Baneasa Shopping City is a trend setter
n the field.
01

Fie c eti n cutarea unui Experiena Bneasa Shopping

cadou, ai o ntlnire de afaceri, i City este completat de consilierii Serviciile, aci-
unile i evenimentele
doreti s faci o sesiune de shopping personali de shopping, care te pot
centrului comercial
personal sau vrei doar s petreci timp ghida s identifici rapid ce i se potrive- i vin n ajutor pentru
liber de calitate, n centrul comercial Bnea- te din ultimele tendine. O programare cu a face cele mai bune
sa Shopping City le gseti pe toate. acetia i poi face la www.baneasashoppin- alegeri. The
Bneasa Shopping City & Galeria Feeria ofer gcity.ro/stilisti. Alte faciliti utile n cadrul unei services, actions and
clienilor si un mix unic de branduri, care poate vizite sunt serviciile gratuite de garderob securiza- events of the shop-
satisface i cele mai exigente dorine n materie t, parcare sau serviciul de taxi. ping center come in
de shopping, cu nume sonore precum Armani Avnd n vedere poziionarea strategic, Bneasa your help to make the
de/by: bneasa shopping city

Jeans, Agent Provocateur, Anastasia Beverly Hills, Shopping City a devenit i un punct ideal de ntl- best choises.
BCBGMAXAZRIA, Brooks Brothers, Caran dAche, nire, fie c vorbim despre o ntlnire de business
Douglas, Freywille, Geox, H&M, Humanic, Karen sau una dedicat prietenilor, zona de restaurante
Millen, Liu Jo, Luisa Spagnoli, M.A.C., Michael Kors, i cafenele fiind una foarte divers. Poi savura un
Montblanc, Pandora, Peek & Cloppenburg, Sephora, veritabil steak n Argentin, poi gusta din buctria
Timberland, Tommy Hilfiger, Weekend Max Mara asiatic n Sushi Ko, poi savura i preparate libaneze
sau Zara, alturi de creaii autentic romneti care la Sheherezade sau poi avea un prnz american la
pot fi gsite n Irina Schroter, Musette sau Victoria Grand Combo. Totodat, poi petrece timp de calitate
46. n timpul unui joc de bowling, biliard sau X-Box,

Ce ne-eavepenljocyeut!d
What w
Vizita n Bneasa Shopping
City & Galeria Feeria nu este
doar o vizit de shopping,
este o experien. Serviciile,
aciunile i evenimentele
centrului comercial i vin n
ajutor pentru a face cele mai
bune alegeri, fie c vorbim
despre clasicul shopping,
despre cadouri ori inute
speciale sau, pur i simplu,
pentru a ti ce se poart
sezonul acesta. Este recu
noscut faptul c Bneasa
Shopping City este de mult
un trend setter n domeniu.
The visit at Baneasa Shop-
ping City & Feeria Gallery is
not just a shopping trip is an
experience. Services, actions
and events of the shopping
center come in your help
to make the best choices,
whether it is about a round
of classic shopping, about
choosing for a gift, searching
for a special outfit, or simply
for you to know what are the
trends this season. It is recog-
nized already that Baneasa
Shopping City is a trend setter
in the field.
cltorete romnete
romanian travel
Doar aici gseti
brandurile care pot
satisface i cele mai
exigente dorine.
Only here you can find the brands
that can satisfy even the most
demanding wishes.
02
dar v putei bucura i de o experien cinematogra-
fic n cele mai bune sli de cinema din Romnia.
Sala Grand Ultra vine cu un concept de ncpere de
culoare neagr n totalitate, cu sistem audio Dolby
Atmos, cea mai recent tehnologie de sunet surround
din lume. Grand Cinema & More susine cultura prin
coninut alternativ, cu transmisiuni n direct ale unor
spectacole culturale internaionale i naionale im-
portante, precum The Metropolitan Opera sau Teatrul
Bolshoi i, de asemenea, cu spectacole live de teatru,
balet sau impovizaie. Centrul comercial ofer i un
loc de joac dedicat copiilor, n cadrul Grand Play.
Suntei ateptai n Bneasa Sopping City & Galeria
Feeria de luni pn duminic, ntre orele 10.00 i
22.00.
eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 9
 Avnd
n vedere
poziionarea
strategic,
Bneasa Shopping
City a devenit un
punct ideal de
ntlnire.

Given the
strategic
positioning,
Baneasa Shopping
City became an
ideal meeting
point.
 cltorete romnete
romanian travel

Baneasa Shopping City

With a strategical position in northern Bucharest, Baneasa Shopping
City & Feeria Gallery are part of Baneasa commercial platform that
provides easy access through the most circulated road in the coun-
try, DN1, and proximity to Henri Coanda International Airport.

Whether you're looking for a gift, you have a

business meeting, you want to make a personal shop-
ping session or you just want to spend quality time,
in Baneasa Shopping City commercial center you find
them all.
Baneasa Shopping City & Feeria Gallery offers its
customers a unique mix of brands that can satisfy the
most demanding wishes in shopping, with big names
such as Armani Jeans, Agent Provocateur, Anastasia
Beverly Hills, BCBGMAXAZRIA, Brooks Brothers, Caran
dAche, Douglas, Freywille, Geox, H&M, Humanic,
Karen Millen, Liu Jo, Luisa Spagnoli, M.A.C, Michael
Kors, Montblanc, Pandora, Peek&Cloppenburg, Seph-
ora, Timberland, Tommy Hilfiger, Weekend Max Mara or
Zara, alongside romanian authentic creations that can
be found in Irina Schroter, Musette or Victoria 46.
Baneasa Shopping City experience is complemented
by personal shopping advisors, who can guide you to
quickly identify what fits you from the latest trends. An
appointment with them you can do here: www.baneas-
ashoppingcity.ro/stilisti. Other useful facilities in your
visit to the shopping centre are free services like secure
wardrobes, secure parking or taxi service.
Given the strategic positioning, Baneasa Shopping
City became an ideal meeting point, whether we are
talking about a business meeting or one dedicated for
friends, restaurants and cooffe shops area offers a di-
verse variety. You can enjoy a real steak at Argentinian
restaurant, you can taste asian cuisine at Sushi Ko, you
can enjoy lebanese dishes at Sheherezade, or you can
have an american lunch at Grand Combo. Also, you can
spend quality time during a game of bowling, billiards
or X-Box, but you can enjoy a cinematographic exper-
ience in the best auditorium in Romania. Grand Ultra
Cele mai noi branduri luxury ale
Bneasa Shopping City sunt Victoria
46, Armani Jeans, Liu Jo, Caran dAche
i urmeaz pe lista centrului comercial
brandurile Bobbi Brown, Max & CO
sau Tous.
The newest luxury brands of Baneasa Shopping City are
Victoria 46, Armani Jeans, Liu Jo, Caran d'Ache and on the
shopping centre of coaming soon list are brands like Bobbi
Brown, Max & CO or Tous.
Hall comes with a black box concept with Dolby Atmos
audio system, the latest surround sound technology
in the world. Grand Cinema & More supports culture
through alternative content, with live coverage of some
important national and international cultural perform-
ances such as The Metropolitan Opera and the Bolshoi
Theatre, but also live theatre, ballet or impovisation
plays. The shopping center offers a playground for the
children in the Grand Play.
You can visit Baneasa Shopping City & Feeria Gallery,
from Monday to Sunday, between 10.00 - 22.00.

eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 11

 cltorete romnete
romanian travel

Ploieti
Istoria devenit legend

The history became legend
eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 13
01 02

Rzboi, politic i petrol -

scurt istoric al Ploietiului
Aa cum Bucuretiul i datoreaz statutul de azi iniiativei
unui domnitor, anume Vlad epe, tot aa istoria Ploietiului
a fost pus n micare de aciunile unui singur om -
Mihai Viteazul.

War, politics and petroleum
a short history of Ploieti
As Bucharest owes its current status to the initiative of a ruler, namely Vlad the Impaler, the
history of Ploieti, too, was set in motion by the actions of a single man Michael the Brave.

2 oraul nc mai gz-
duiete monumente cu carac-
ter istoric ce merit vzute.
the city is still home to
some historical monuments
that deserve to be visited.
03
n 1599, domnitorul muntean folosete micul
trg de moneni ca punct de adunare i de instrucie
pentru otile destinate campaniei din Ardeal, ocazie
cu care localitatea este ridicat la rangul de trg
domnesc. Importana ei va crete progresiv pe parcursul
Evului Mediu.
Un eveniment marcant are loc la 1856, cnd Teodor
Mehedineanu, n colaborare cu profesorul Alexe Marin
i farmacistul Steege, reuete s distileze iei i gaz lam-
foto/photo: eu-romania.org
pant din isturile bituminoase descoperite la marginea
Ploietiului. Resursele vor fi ulterior folosit la iluminarea
oraului i ca materie prim pentru Fabrica de gaz,
considerat a fi prima rafinrie de acest fel din lume,
nfiinat la Ploieti n 1857.
Marile rafinrii ce vor modela caracterul oraului ncep s
apar de la nceputul secolului al XX-lea. Prima dintre ele
este Orion, urmat de Unirea i Vega. nfiinat la 1896,
Astra este singura dintre ntreprinderile locale de profil
care supravieuiete concurenei oferite de nou-venitele
de/by: teodor fereta
corporaii. Numele ei va rmne legat de Ploieti pn n
prezent.
n 1870, urbea se face remarcat pe plan politic printr-un
inedit protest antimonarhic, iniiat de membrii opozi-
iei liberale din parlamentul romn. Republica de la
Ploieti, aa cum ajunge s fie cunoscut aciunea prin
care capitala Prahovei se declar stat independent, este
cltorete romnete
romanian travel
suprimat n numai dou zile i ajunge s se transforme
n subiect umoristic pentru presa vremii, sub condeiul
marelui dramaturg I.L. Caragiale.
Importana strategic a Ploietiului se va dovedi prejudi-
cioas n timpul celui de-al doilea rzboi mondial, cnd
oraul devine n dou rnduri inta bombardamentelor
aliate. Dei se ncearc raiduri de precizie asupra rafin-
riilor, folosindu-se n premier avioane de asalt ntr-un
rol strategic, pagubele asupra populaiei civile sunt sub-
staniale. Aproape 10.000 de locuitori ai oraului i pierd
vieile i peste 2/3 din cldiri sunt distruse.
Cea mai mare parte a cldirilor istorice lsate n picioare
de anglo-americani sunt demolate n timpul guvernrii
comuniste.
In 1599, the ruler of Muntenia used the little bor-
ough as a meeting place and instruction spot for the armies
intended for the campaign in Ardeal, and on this occasion
the locality was classified as a princely borough. Its import-
ance will grow progressively throughout the Middle Ages.
An important event took place in 1856, when Teodor
Mehedineanu, in collaboration with the professor Alexe
Marin and the pharmacist Steege, managed to distil crude
oil and kerosene from the oil shales discovered at the edge
of Ploieti. The resources were later used for the city lights
and as raw material for the Gas factory, considered the
first refinery of its type in the world, established in Ploieti
in 1857.
The large refineries that would mould the character of the
city began to appear at the beginning of the 20th century.
The first of them was Orion, followed by Unirea and Vega.
Established in 1896, Astra is the only one of the local
enterprises in the industry that survives the competition of
newcomer corporations. Its name still remains connected
to Ploieti.
In 1870, the city stood out politically with a novel anti-mon-
archy protest, initiated by the members of the liberal oppos-
ition in the Romanian parliament. The Republic of Ploieti,
as we came to know the action that let the Prahova capital
declare itself an independent state, was suppressed in just
two days and it became a humorous topic in the press of the
time, described by the great playwright I.L. Caragiale.
The strategic importance of Ploieti will prove to be injuring
during the Second World War, when the city became the
target of allied bombings twice. Although precision raids
were attempted on the refineries, using assault aircraft for
the first time in a strategic role, the civilian damages were
substantial. Almost 10,000 inhabitants of the city lost their
lives and over two thirds of the buildings were destroyed.
Most historical buildings left standing by the Anglo-Americ-
ans were demolished during the communist rule.
eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 15
 02

05

01

04

03

Pe urmele istoriei
Micul trg de odinioar, astzi devenit municipiu,
mbrieaz cu dragoste i respect un impresionant numr
de obiective turistice, repere istorice i culturale.

on the footsteps of history
Once history called it a townlet, but today it is a municipality that proudly embraces its turist
attractions and its cultural and historical references.
 cltorete romnete
romanian travel

07

10

06

09

08

Unul dintre primele

muzee prahovene,
Casa Memorial Ion
Luca Caragiale.

One of the first museums in
Prahova, the Ion Luca Caragiale
Memorial House.

Muzeul Naional al PetroluluiThe National Oil Museum 2 Muzeul de Art Ploieti The Art Museum of Ploieti 3 Muzeul de Istorie
i Arheologie Prahova Prahova Museum of History and Archaeology 4 Muzeul Ceasului Nicolae Simache Nicolae Simache Clock
Museum 5 Muzeul Judeean de Biologie Uman The County Museum of Human Biology 6 Muzeul Nichita Stnescu "Nichita Stnescu"
Museum 7 Muzeul Memorial Paul ConstantinescuPaul Constantinescu Memorial Museum 8 Casa Memorial Ion Luca Caragiale
The Ion Luca Caragiale Memorial House 9 Halele Centrale din Ploieti The Central Halls 10 Catedrala Sfntul Ioan Boteztorul "Sfntul
Ioan Boteztorul" Cathedral

eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 17

 cristina frncu eu-romania.org

pentru a
srbtori
centenarul
industriei
romneti, la 8
octombrie 1961,
a fost inaugurat
Muzeul Naional
al Petrolului.

In order tp
celebrate the
centenary of
the Romanian
oil industry, on
8 October 1961
the National Oil
Museum was
inaugurated.

Muzeul Naional al Petrolului

The National Oil Museum
Prima rafinrie de petrol din lume a hri, diplome, medalii i fotografii. public lighting.
nceput s funcioneze n Romnia n Patrimoniul s-a mbogit din 1994, In order to celebrate the centenary of
anul 1857, cnd Marin Mehedineanu, numrnd n prezent peste 8.000 de the Romanian oil industry, on 8 October,
arenda al unor zcminte de iei, a obiecte, fa de modestia celor 800 de 1961 the National Oil Museum was
construit o fabric de gaz la periferia exponate cu care ntmpina vizitatorii inaugurated in Ploieti, one of the few
Ploietiului. Cu un an nainte, fratele n primii ani de funcionare. of its kind in Europe. The heritage of
su Teodor ncheiase un contract Gzduit de Conacul Buzianu, un frumos the museum includes tools and Davy
pentru iluminatul Capitalei, iar noua edificiu care dispune i de o curte, lamps from the 19th century, oil lamps,
rafinrie, dotat cu utilaje comandate ideal pentru expoziii n aer liber, tin hats worn by drillers, various drilling
din Germania, l-a ajutat s transforme Muzeul Naional al Petrolului ar putea equipment used over time, a miniature
Bucuretiul n primul ora din lume fi ns mutat n alt locaie, ca urmare a copy of the gas factory, explanatory
iluminat public cu petrol lampant. retrocedrii n instan a casei. panels and original documents about
Pentru a srbtori centenarul industriei the history of oil in Romania, maps,
petroliere romneti, la 8 octombrie diplomas, medals and photographs. The
1961 a fost inaugurat, la Ploieti, Muzeul The first oil refinery in the world started heritage has been enriched since 1994,
Naional al Petrolului, printre puinele functioning in Romania in the year 1857, with over 8,000 objects at the moment,
de acest fel din Europa. Patrimoniul when Marin Mehedineanu, lessee of as opposed to the modest number of
muzeului cuprinde unelte i lmpi de crude oil deposits, built a gas factory 800 exhibits that used to welcome
miner din secolul al XIX-lea, felinare on the outskirts of the city of Ploieti. visitors in its first years.
cu petrol, plrii din tabl purtate de The previous year, his brother Teodor Hosted by Buzianu Manor, a wonderful
sondori, diverse utilaje de foraj folosite had signed a contract for the lighting building with a yard that is perfect for
de-a lungul timpului, o reproducere n of the Capital, and the new refinery, outdoor exhibitions, the National Oil
miniatur a fabricii de gaz, panouri equipped with machinery ordered from Museum might be moved to another
explicative i documente originale Germany, helped him make Bucharest location, though, following the court-
privind istoria petrolului n Romnia, the first city in the world with kerosene ruled retrocession of the house.

Muzeul de Art Ploieti
The Art Museum of Ploieti
n centrul Municipiului Ploieti, pe
Bulevardul Independenei cel strjuit
de castani, domin impuntorul Palat
Ghi Ionescu, al crui interior este
stpnit de patru colecii de art moder-
n i contemporan. Aici se afl Muzeul
de Art, nscut din dorina arhitectului
Toma Socolescu de a mbogi viaa
cultural a Ploietiului.
Ajutat de un grup de intelectuali
ploieteni, printre care se afla Ion
Ionescu-Quintus, avocat, scriitor, colec-
ionar de art i om politic, precum i
de autoritile locale, Toma Socolescu a
nfiinat, n noiembrie 1931, Pinacoteca
Municipiului Ploieti. Evacuat n tim-
pul celui de-al doilea rzboi mondial,
s-a renfiinat n anul 1955, sub denumi-
rea actual, Muzeul de Art Ploieti. Din
anul 1969, patrimoniul muzeului a fost
mutat n cldirea construit la sfritul
secolului al XIX-lea de Ghi Ionescu,
fost primar al oraului.
Colecia de pictur a muzeului
cuprinde aproape toi autorii din
ultimele dou secole, fiind prezente
lucrri valoroase ale lui Theodor Aman,
cltorete romnete
cristina frncu eu-romania.org romanian travel
Colecia
de pictur a
Muzeului de Art
cuprinde aproape
toi autorii din
ultimele dou
secole.
The painting
collection of
The Art Museum
includes almost
every artist
from the lat tow
centuries.
Gheorghe Tattarescu, Nicolae Grigo- and politician, as well as the local
rescu, tefan Luchian, Corneliu Baba. authorities, Toma Socolescu founded, in
Bine reprezentat este i genul grafic, November 1931, the Art Gallery of the
din colecia de gravuri fcnd parte Municipality of Ploieti. Evacuated during
desenele pe calc, cu motive dobrogene, the Second World War, it was re-estab-
ale lui Nicolae Tonitza sau crochiurile lished in the year 1955 under its current
semnate Jean Al. Steriadi. Dei nu la fel name, the Art Museum of Ploieti. Since
de bogat, colecia de sculptur include 1969, the heritage of the museum was
lucrri semnate de Dimitrie Paciurea i moved to the building raised at the end
Ion Jalea, iar din cea de-a patra colecie, of the 19th century by Ghi Ionescu,
a artelor decorative, fac parte icoane pe former mayor of the city.
sticl, tapiserii i lucrri din ceramic. The museums painting collection
includes almost every artist from the last
two centuries, with valuable paintings
In the centre of the Municipality of by Theodor Aman, Gheorghe Tattarescu,
Ploieti, on Independenei Boulevard, Nicolae Grigorescu, tefan Luchian,
framed by chestnut trees, the area is Corneliu Baba. The graphic style is also
dominated by the impressive Ghi well-represented, with a collection of
Ionescu Palace, with its interior ruled by engravings that includes drawings on
four collections of modern and contem- transfer paper, with Dobrogea motifs,
porary art. This is home to the Art Mu- made by Nicolae Tonitza, or the sketches
seum, born from the desire of architect by Jean Al. Steriadi. Although not as
Toma Socolescu to enrich the cultural life rich, the sculpture collection includes
of the city. works by Dimitrie Paciurea and Ion Jalea,
Supported by a group of intellectuals and the fourth collection, of decorative
from Ploieti, among which Ion Iones- arts, consists of icons painted on glass,
cu-Quintus, lawyer, writer, art collector tapestries and ceramic objects.
eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 19

Muzeul de Istorie i Arheologie Prahova
Prahova Museum of History and Archaeology
Biroul de istorie al Muzeului de Istorie
i Arheologie Prahova funcioneaz n
Municipiul Ploieti, n cldirea care a
gzduit timp de 30 de ani Gimnaziul
Sfinii Petru i Pavel. Arhitectul
Alexandru Orscu a ntocmit planurile
edificiului n aceei perioad n care era
implicat i n construirea Universitii
din Bucureti, iar construcia a nceput
n 1865. Lucrrile au mers destul de
repede, o ceremonie deosebit de
inaugurare marcnd finalizarea cldirii
n 1867.
Edificiul este realizat n stil neoclasic i
a fost restaurat n numeroase rnduri,
de fiecare dat acordndu-se ns o grij
deosebit pentru pstrarea persona-
litii arhitecturale a monumentului.
Cu ocazia celei mai recente renovri de
mare amploare, dintre anii 1990 i 1995,
s-a reorganizat i expoziia permanent,
la nivel de concepie i tematic, pentru
a individualiza muzeul de istorie n
contextul celorlalte instituii de profil
din ar.
Practic, pn acum s-a reuit pre-
zentarea etapelor de nceput ale
oraului Ploieti, prin expunerea la
parterul cldirii a vestigiilor din vremea
domnitorului Mihai Viteazul, s-au pus
cristina frncu eu-romania.org
la punct cabinetele de numismatic i
medalistic, unde sunt etalate colecii
impresionante de monede din cele
mai vechi timpuri pn n vremurile
moderne, precum i colecii de medalii,
ordine i decoraii romneti i strine. between 1990 and 1995, the permanent
De asemenea, s-au amenajat expoziii
unde sunt redate momentele de cotitur
ale istoriei naionale de la mijlocul seco-
lului al XIX-lea, exist i o sal dedicat
evoluiei instituiei Potei Romne, dar
i dou sli alocate sportului prahovean.
Vizitarea muzeului de istorie este cu
siguran o cltorie fascinant pe
drumul istoriei romnilor i mai ales a
Ploietiului.
The history office of the Prahova Museum
of History and Archaeology is seated
in the Municipality of Ploieti, in the
building that hosted the Saints Peter and
Paul Secondary School. The architect
Alexandru Orscu made the plans of the
edifice in the same period when he was
involved in building the University of
Bucharest, and the construction started
in 1865. The work took a relatively short
amount of time, and a special inaugura-
tion ceremony marked the completion of
the building in 1867.
edificiul
este realizat
n stil neoclasic i
a fost restaurat
n numeroase
rnduri.
The edifice
is built in the
neoclassical style
and it has been
restored several
times.
The edifice is built in the neoclassical style
and it has been restored several times,
with special care for the architectural
personality of the monument. During
the most recent large-scale renovation,
exhibition was reorganised, as regards the
concept and the theme, in order to make
the history museum stand out among
the other institutions of its kind in our
country.
Basically, so far it shows the first stages of
the city of Ploieti, by exhibiting vestiges
from the time of the ruler Michael the
Brave on the ground floor, the numismat-
ics and medalistics cabinets have been
arranged, with impressive collections
of coins from ancient to modern times,
as well as collections of Romanian and
foreign medals, orders and decorations.
There have also been arranged exhibi-
tions that show the turning points in our
national history, in the mid-19th century,
and there is a hall dedicated to the evolu-
tion of the Romanian Post, as well as two
halls for the sports of Prahova.
Visiting the history museum is a truly
fascinating journey down the road of the
history of Romanians and, above all, of
Ploieti.

Muzeul Ceasului Nicolae Simache
Nicolae Simache Clock Museum
Ce este unic n Romnia, are sute de
ace i timp berechet? Muzeul Ceasului
Nicolae Simache din Ploieti, nfiinat
n anul 1963 de ctre profesorul i
omul de tiin Nicolae Simache. Pe
atunci, patrimoniul muzeului numra
aproximativ trei sute de piese i
funciona ntr-o sal a Palatului Culturii
din Ploieti, dar cu vremea, tot mai
multe i mai deosebite ceasuri au sporit
colecia. Casa ncptoare a magistra-
tului i politicianului Luca Elefterescu,
o frumoas cldire cu arhitectur n stil
neogotic, n care se ineau petrecerile
elitei ploietene la sfritul secolului
al XIX-lea, a devenit din 1971 sediul
muzeului.
Vizitatorii de toate vrstele i stpnesc
cu greu uimirea n faa ceasornicelor
i orologiilor strnse din numeroase
ri. Sunt expuse i piese foarte vechi,
dou ceasuri astronomice din secolul al
XVI-lea, un pendul din lemn i un ceas
de mn cu efigia regelui Ludovic al
XIV-lea, construite acum mai mult de
trei secole, cadrane solare, dar i ceasuri
cu mecanisme muzicale sau ceasuri
distractive. Nu lipsesc ceasurile care au
aparinut unor mari personaliti cultu-
cristina frncu eu-romania.org
rale i politice, precum ceasul cu capac
ncrustat cu diamante al Regelui Carol
I sau orologiul cu cadran astronomic al
domnitorului Alexandru Ioan Cuza.
Din 2013 se lucreaz la reabilitarea i
consolidarea casei Luca Elefterescu,
iar exponatele au fost mutate n Sala
Auditorium a Muzeului de Istorie din
Ploieti. Cele peste patru mii de piese
pot fi vizitate n noua locaie pn cnd watch with the effigy of King Louis XIV,
se vor finaliza lucrrile, iar monu-
mentul de arhitectur va fi reabilitat i
pregtit s reprimeasc vechii locatari isms or fun clocks. Clocks belonging to
care msoar timpul.
What is unique in Romania, has hundreds
of arms and plenty of time? Nicolae an astronomic dial belonging to ruler
Simache Clock Museum in Ploieti, foun-
ded in the year 1963 by the professor and
scientist Nicolae Simache. At the time,
the heritage of the museum counted ap-
proximately three hundred pieces and it
functioned in a hall of the Palace of Cul-
ture of Ploieti, but in time, more special
clocks have been added to the collection.
The large house of the magistrate and
politician Luca Elefterescu, a beautiful
building with Neo-Gothic architecture,
cltorete romnete
romanian travel
vizitatorii de
toate vrstele i
stpnesc cu greu
uimirea n faa
ceasornicelor i
orologiilor strnse
din numeroase
ri.
Visitors of all ages
barley contain
their surprise in
front of the clocks
and horologes
collected from
numerous
countries.
where the parties of the citys elite took
place at the end of the 19th century,
became the seat of the museum in 1971.
Visitors of all ages barely contain their
surprise in front of the clocks and
horologes collected from numerous
countries. There are old pieces exhibited
as well, two astronomic clocks from the
16th century, a wooden pendulum and a
built more than three centuries ago, sun
dials and clocks with musical mechan-
great cultural and political figures can be
found as well, such as the clock with a
cover encrusted with diamonds belong-
ing to King Carol I or the horologe with
Alexandru Ioan Cuza.
Since 2013, the rehabilitation and con-
solidation of the Luca Elefterescu have
been worked on, and the exhibits have
been moved to the Auditorium hall of
the Museum of History in Ploieti. The
over four thousand pieces can be visited
in the new location until the works are
finished and the architectural monument
is restored and prepared to receive its old
inhabitants that measure time.
eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 21

Muzeul Judeean de Biologie Uman
The County Museum of Human Biology
n aripa de nord a Palatului Culturii
din Ploieti, edificiu masiv inaugurat
n prezena Regelui Carol al II-lea, n
noiembrie 1933, fiineaz una dintre
cele mai vechi instituii culturale ale
municipiului, Muzeul Judeean de
Biologie Uman. L-a condus timp de
dou decenii, nc de la deschiderea
din anul 1952, profesoara Margareta
Moneaga, om de tiin i muzeograf ca o premier n Romnia, un prezen-
neobosit care a reuit, prin dioramele
expuse n muzeu, s trezeasc interesul
pentru studiu multor elevi.
La nceput, n Muzeul de Biologie erau
prezentate flora i fauna prahovene,
dar exista i o secie de evoluionism.
Dup cutremurul din 1977, cldirea
afectat a fost renovat, iar muzeul
reorganizat la iniiativa doamnei Zoe
Apostolache-Stoicescu i cu sprijinul
a numeroi medici, antropologi,
cercettori, specialiti din alte muzee,
transformndu-se ntr-una dintre cele
mai vizitate instituii culturale.
Vechimea cldirii, dar i faptul c la
renovarea din 1977 nu s-a lucrat i la
consolidare i-au spus ns cuvntul,
n prezent fiind deschise vizitatorilor
cristina frncu eu-romania.org
dup
cutremurul
din 1977, cldirea
afectat a fost
transformat
ntr-una dintre
cele mai vizitate
instituii
culturale.
After the
earthquake of
1977, the affected
building became
one of the most
vizited cultural
institutions.
doar trei sli din cele apte: Originea i At the beginning, the Museum of Biology
evoluia vieii pe Terra; antropogenez, presented the flora and fauna of Prahova
Anatomia i fiziologia omului i o sal County, but there was also a section of
de proiecii. Dar pn la reabilitarea evolutionism. After the earthquake of
celorlalte sli vizitatorii sunt ateptai 1977, the affected building was renovated,
ntr-un muzeu modern, care mbin and the museum was reorganised at the
tradiionalul cu tehnicile moderne de initiative of Zoe Apostolache-Stoicescu,
prezentare, slile fiind dotate cu ecrane with the support of many physicians,
LED, videomicroscop, infochiocuri i, anthropologists, researchers, specialists
from other museums, becoming one of
tator virtual n mrime natural care the most visited cultural institutions.
ofer informaii de baz despre corpul The age of the building, as well as the
uman. fact that the renovation of 1977 did not
include consolidation, have left their
mark, and currently visitors can only
In the northern wing of the Palace of Cul- enter three of the seven halls: The
ture in Ploieti, a massive edifice inaug- origin and evolution of life on Earth;
urated in the presence of King Carol II, in anthropogenesis, Human anatomy
November 1933, stands one of the oldest and physiology and a screening hall. But
cultural institutions of the municipality, until the rehabilitation of the other halls,
the County Museum of Human Biology. visitors are expected in a modern mu-
It was managed for two decades, since its seum that blends tradition with modern
opening in the year 1952, by the professor techniques of presentations, with halls
Margareta Moneaga, a tireless scientist fitted with LED screens, video micro-
and museographer who has managed, scopes, info desks and, as a premiere in
thanks to the dioramas exhibited in the Romania, a life-size virtual presenter that
museum, to stir many young pupils gives basic information on the human
interest for study. body.

Muzeul Nichita Stnescu
"Nichita Stnescu" Museum
Nu poi trece prin Ploieti fr s nu
vizitezi matca necuvintelor, casa unde
s-a nscut Nichita Stnescu, unde i-a
petrecut adolescena pn cnd a plecat
la facultate n Capital, cas simpl i
frumoas, cu un singur cat, unde aerul
are gust de smburi de vers.
A fost construit n anii 1926 i 1927 de
bunicul, unchiul i tatl poetului. Ar-
hitectura cldirii este echilibrat, fr
elemente ostentative, n stilul caselor
rneti de la cmpie. Aici a venit
Nichita pe lume, ca s iubeasc oamenii
i cuvintele, la 31 martie 1933.
Muzeul memorial a fost inaugurat, n
acest spaiu n care s-a format un mare
poet, n decembrie 2002, pe strada
Nichita Stnescu la numrul 1. n came-
rele nirate una dup alta sunt expuse
piese de mobilier care au aparinut
familiei lui Nichita, patul pe care i-a
lsat jucria preferat, biroul de lucru,
pianul, pendula, crile, obiecte-simbol
de care era nconjurat n primii ani de
via i care i-au gsit ulterior locul
n opera poetului. Sursul lui Nichita
aprinde soarele n cas din nenumrate
cltorete romnete
cristina frncu eu-romania.org romanian travel
nu poi trece
prin Ploieti fr
s vizitezi matca
"necuvintelor",
casa unde s-a
nscut Nichita
Stnescu.
You cannot visit
Ploieti without
seeing the source
of the "unwords",
the house where
Nichita Stnescu
was born.
fotografii expuse, iar n camera docu- plains. This is where Nichita was born, to
mentar i n bibliotec se afl cri cu fall in love with people and words, on 31
dedicaii, diplome, manuscrise, medalii March, 1933.
din activitatea de numismat a poetului. The memorial museum was inaugurated
Una dintre camere este dedicat in this space where a great poet was
manifestrilor cu public, acolo se fac shaped, in December 2002, on 1, Nichita
proiecii de filme sau se in expoziii Stnescu Street. In the rooms, one after
temporare. ns prin toate camerele another, we can see pieces of furniture
a trecut cndva, pe rnd, Nichita mic, that belonged to Nichitas family, the
Nichita mricel i Nichita mare, a trecut bed where he left his favourite toy, his
n faa literaturii, lsnd n spate casa desk, his piano, his pendulum, his books,
printeasc, doar ca s se nale de pe symbol-objects that he was surrounded
acoperiul ei spre lume. with in his first years of life and which
later found their place in the poets
works. Nichitas smile brings light to the
You cannot visit Ploieti without seeing house in countless photographs, and in
the source of the unwords, the house the documentary room and the library
where Nichita Stnescu was born, where we can see books with dedications,
he spent his teenage years until he went diplomas, manuscripts, medals from the
to university in Bucharest, a simple, beau- poets numismatic activity.
tiful house, with a single floor, where the One of the rooms is dedicated to public
air tastes of seeds of lyricism. events, such as film screenings or tem-
It was built in the years 1926 and 1927 by porary exhibitions. But Nichita the young,
the poets grandfather, uncle and father. Nichita the teenager and Nichita the
The architecture of the building is bal- adult passed through all of these rooms,
anced, without ostentatious elements, leaving behind his parents home, only to
in the style of the peasant houses in the rise from its roof towards the wide world.
eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 23
 cristina frncu fb.com/muzeulpaul.constantinescu

ntr-o
frumoas
cldire, care
dateaz din
ultimul deceniu
al secolului
al XIX-lea,
gseti Muzeul
Memorial "Paul
Constantinesc".

In a beautiful
building dating
back to the last
decade of the
19th century one
can find the "Paul
Constantinescu"
Memorial
Museum.

Muzeul Memorial Paul Constantinescu

Paul Constantinescu Memorial Museum
n 1963, la doar 54 de ani, se stingea ani nainte s dispar pentru totdeauna documents that had belonged to him. In
din via compozitorul, violonistul din iubita lui lume cu oameni i muzic. 1993, the museum was inaugurated, at
i dirijorul ploietean Paul Constan- Foarte bine reconstituit, cabinetul the initiative of professor and musicology
tinescu, un imens talent artistic care de lucru al muzicianului ascunde un doctor Alexandru I. Bdulescu, who is still
a compus aproape n toate genurile exponat excepional, cel mai vechi pian managing the institution.
muzicii clasice. Astzi, n casa fratelui din sud-estul Europei, construit de o The permanent exhibition includes special
su, o frumoas cldire care dateaz din celebr firm din Stuttgart. Iar un alt documents that depict various aspects
ultimul deceniu al secolului al XIX-lea, punct de atracie l constituie desigur from the composers life and activity. Mu-
se gsete Muzeul Memorial Paul Concursul Naional de Interpretare i sic sheets, either handwritten or typed,
Constantinescu. Cumnata muzicianu- Creaie Muzical Paul Constantinescu, concert programmes and posters can
lui, dorind s-i pstreze vie memoria, a la care se adaug manifestrile muzicale all be found there, along with surprises
donat cldirea i un patrimoniu bogat, unde particip elevii de la Liceul de Art for connoisseurs and for the people of
cuprinznd piese de mobilier, cri i Ploieti, precum i studeni sau cadre Ploieti, such as the composition The
documente care aparinuser acestuia. didactice de la Universitatea de Muzic Symphony of Ploieti, gifted by the artist
n 1993, a fost a inaugurat muzeul, la din Bucureti. to his native town just two years before
iniiativa profesorului i doctorului n he left for good his beloved world filled
muzicologie Alexandru I. Bdulescu, with people and music.
care se afl i astzi la conducerea In 1963, at the age of 54, the composer, Very well restored, the musicians study
instituiei. violinist and conductor Paul Constantin- conceals an extraordinary exhibit, the
Expoziia permanent cuprinde escu passed away, a huge artistic talent oldest piano in the South-East of Europe,
documente deosebite care redau that composed in almost all genres made by a famous company in Stuttgart.
diverse aspecte din viaa i activitatea of classical music. Today, his brothers Another point of interest is definitely the
compozitorului. Nu lipsesc partiturile, house, a beautiful building dating back to Paul Constantinescu National Com-
manuscris sau tiprite, programe i the last decade of the 19th century, hosts petition of Musical Interpretation and
afie de concerte i nici surprize pentru the Paul Constantinescu Memorial Creation, along with the musical events
cunosctori, dar mai ales pentru locuito- Museum. The musicians sister-in-law attended by the students of the Art High
rii oraului Ploieti, precum prezena wished to keep his memory alive, so she School of Ploieti, as well as students
lucrrii Simfonia Ploietean, druit donated the building and a rich heritage or professors of the University of Music
de artist oraului su natal cu numai doi including pieces of furniture, books and Bucharest.

Casa Memorial Ion Luca Caragiale
The Ion Luca Caragiale Memorial House
ntr-o cas de trgove bogat din
Ploieti, construit la sfritul secolului
al XVIII-lea, cu cerdac i mpodobit
cu decoraii din stucatur, colecia
de documente, fotografii originale i
diverse obiecte care au aparinut celui
mai mare dramaturg romn i familiei
sale formeaz unul dintre primele
muzee prahovene, Casa Memorial Ion
Luca Caragiale.
Dei Caragiale nu a locuit niciodat n
Casa Dobrescu, profesorul Nicolae
Simache a decis n 1962, la mplinirea
a 110 ani de la naterea scriitorului,
nfiinarea muzeului n aceast
locuin construit de meteri locali, cu
o arhitectur tipic pentru vechile case
romneti. Renovat dup cutremurul
din 1977, casa adpostete n prezent
expoziia Caragiale - Omul i opera,
care ncearc s puncteze i s prezinte
vizitatorilor principalele momente
din viaa marelui clasic al literaturii
romne.
Pe lng documentele originale din
perioada n care Caragiale a nvat n
cristina frncu eu-romania.org
Ploieti, precum catalogul din anul IV
de gimnaziu, unde elevul Caragiale
Ioan se prezenta ca un viitor mate-
matician, certat cu limba romn, n
slile muzeului sunt expuse i obiecte
de mobilier, aranjate potrivit pentru a
recrea ambiana camerelor de lucru ale
scriitorului. Expoziia este completat
cu fotografii originale ale familiei i
prietenilor lui Caragiale, importani
oameni din cultura romneasc, dar
i cu ediiile princeps cu autograf ale
ctorva dintre operele sale.
In a rich merchants house in Ploieti,
built at the end of the 18th century, with
a veranda and decorated with mouldings,
with its collection of documents, original
photos and various objects that belonged
to the greatest Romanian playwright and
his family make one of the first museums
in Prahova, the Ion Luca Caragiale
Memorial House.
Although Caragiale never lived in
Dobrescu House, the professor Nicolae
cltorete romnete
romanian travel
ntr-o cas
de trgove bogat
gsim unul dintre
primele muzee,
Casa Memorial
"Ion Luca
Caragiale".
In a rich
merchants house
we can find
one of the first
museums the Ion
Luca Caragiale
Memorial House.
Simache decided in 1962, 110 years from
the birth of the writer, to found the mu-
seum in this house built by local crafts-
men, with a typical architecture for old
Romanian houses. Renovated after the
earthquake of 1977, the house is currently
the venue of the exhibition Caragiale
The man and his work, which tries
to capture and show visitors the main
moments in the life of the great classical
author of Romanian literature.
Besides the original documents from the
time when Caragiale used to study in
Ploieti, such as the catalogue from his
fourth year of secondary school, where
the pupil Caragiale Ioan introduced
himself as a future mathematician, who
did not like Romanian, the museum also
shows pieces of furniture, arranged in
such a way as to recreate the ambiance
of the writers studies. The exhibition is
completed with original photos of the
family and friends of Caragiale, im-
portant figures of Romanian culture, as
well as with the autographed princeps
editions of some of his works.
eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 25
 cristina frncu eu-romania.org

halele
centrale din
Ploieti au un
aspect cochet
datorit faadelor
din crmid
rocat i
beton, a cupolei
octogonale,
a turnului cu
orologiu.

The Central
Halls look posh
thanks to their
facades made
of red brick and
concrete, their
octogonal dome
and the clock
tower.

Halele Centrale din Ploieti

The Central Halls
E greu de descris atmosfera din centrul nc o strad a fost construit pentru growing and it became necessary for
Ploietiului din primii ani ai secolului al ca modernele hale s fac parte din the central market to be covered and
XIX-lea, ntr-o zi de luni, adic de trg. tumultul Ploietilor. serve the increasing needs of the city, in
Pe de o parte, incredibil de pitoreasc Halele Centrale din Ploieti au fost hygienic conditions. Such centralisation
prin forfota feluriilor negustori i reparate radical n anii 1982-1983, dar would have triggered the decrease of
rani venii s-i vnd produsele, i noi lucrri de reabilitare i modernizare food costs, and public health would
pe de alt parte, teribil de periculoas sunt necesare n prezent. Emblematice no longer have been threatened by
pentru sntate, prin lipsa oricror pentru municipiu, Halele au un aspect non-hygienic trade. The architect Toma
condiii de igien. Oameni i vite, zarza- cochet datorit faadelor de crmid I. Socolescu received the project of the
vaturi i brnzeturi, gunoaie putrezite i rocat i beton, a cupolei octogonale Central Halls in 1925, and the market be-
dejecii, toate laolalt alctuiau Oborul care acoper corpul principal i a came functional in 1934, the works con-
Ploietiului. turnului cu orologiu care se smulge din tinuing to the inauguration in November
Dar importana urbei cretea i devenea simetria construciei. 1935, in the presence of King Carol II.
necesar ca piaa central s fie acoperit Expropriations were necessary, the old
i s deserveasc cerinele tot mai mari market of wooden and iron barracks was
ale oraului, n condiii de igien. O It is difficult to describe the atmosphere destroyed and another street was built
astfel de centralizare ar fi avut ca efect in the centre of Ploieti in the first years for the modern Halls to become part of
i micorarea preului alimentelor, of the 19th century, on a Monday, a the throng of Ploieti
iar sntatea public nu ar mai fi fost fair day. On the one hand, incredibly The Central Halls in Ploieti were radic-
ameninat de comerul neigienic. Ar- picturesque with the throng of various ally repaired in the years 1982-1983, but
hitectul Toma T. Socolescu a primit n merchants and peasants who have come new rehabilitation and modernisation
grij proiectul Halelor Centrale n anul to sell their products, and on the other works are necessary at the moment.
1925, iar piaa a devenit funcional din hand terribly dangerous for health, for Iconic for the municipality, the Halls
1934, lucrrile continund ns pn lack of any hygiene conditions. People look posh thanks to their facades
la inaugurarea din noiembrie 1935, n and cattle, vegetables and cheese, made of red brick and concrete, their
prezena Regelui Carol al II-lea. Au fost rotten garbage and waste, they were all octagonal dome covering the main wing
necesare exproprieri, vechea pia de part of Oborul Ploietiului. and the clock tower that breaks the
barci din lemn i fier a fost distrus i But the importance of the town was symmetry of the construction.
 cltorete romnete
cristina frncu eu-romania.org romanian travel

n Ploieti
exist o catedral
care s-a nscut de
dou ori n dou
sute de ani i de
aproape o sut de
ani se strduiete
s se nasc a treia
oar.

In Ploieti there
is a cathedral that
was born twice in
two hundred years
and that has been
trying to be born
a third time for
almost a hundred
years.

Catedrala Sfntul Ioan Boteztorul

"Sfntul Ioan Boteztorul" Cathedral
Prima dat a fiinat n anul 1810, cnd revenit n sarcina arhitectului Toma T. between 1840 and 1841, and the money
s-a nlat n vestul trgului de-atunci Socolescu, care a nceput lucrrile n for the place of worship was collected by
o biseric din lemn, cu hramul Sfntul 1923 i le-a sfrit, pe jumtate, n 1939. the inhabitants of the town.
Ioan Boteztorul, frumoas ca toate La construcia clopotniei, cea mai After going through the pain of World
bisericile de acum sute de ani, dar prea nalt de acest gen din jude, au ajutat War I, representatives of the citizens
fragil. Nici trei decenii nu a adpostit soldaii regimentului 32 Infanterie and the authorities decided to honour
n rugciune sufletele aezrii, c pe de Mircea, dar locaul sfnt ce urma s the memory of the heroes of Prahova
o parte s-a deteriorat, pe de alt parte fie construit i s poarte numele Cate- perished under the wheels of battle by
le-a rmas mic din ce n ce mai nume- drala Monument al Eroilor Prahoveni building a bell tower to be added to
roilor ploieteni, aa c au demolat-o din Rzboiul de ntregirea Neamului the old St. John the Baptist Church. 59
i au construit n locul ei o biseric 1916-1918 se cznete de atunci s metres tall, the bell tower, as well as a
din crmid. Asta se ntmpla n anii fiineze ntr-un Ploieti de secol XXI. new cathedral that would be propor-
1840 i 1841, iar banii pentru ridicarea tional to its size, became the duty of the
lcaului sfnt i-au strns locuitorii architect Toma T. Socolescu, who started
mahalalei. First time it was created in the year 1810, the works in 1923 and finished them,
Dup ce a trecut npasta primului when a wooden church was built to halfway, in 1939.
rzboi mondial, reprezentanii cet- the west of the borough, whose patron The construction of the bell tower, the
enilor i ai autoritilor au hotrt s saint was John the Baptist, beautiful like tallest one in the county, was done with
cinsteasc memoria eroilor prahoveni every church hundreds of years ago, but the support of the soldiers from Mir-
pierii sub tvlugul luptelor prin much too fragile. It didnt shelter the cea Infantry Regiment 32, but the place
ridicarea unei clopotnie, care s fie settlements praying souls for three dec- of worship that was going to be built
adugat corpului vechi al bisericii Sf. ades, when it deteriorated on one side, and bear the name Monument Cathed-
Ioan Boteztorul. nalt de 59 de metri and on the other it became too small ral of the Prahova Heroes from the War
pn la vrf, clopotnia, dar i o nou for the increasing number of people in of National Integration 1916-1918 has
catedral care urma s fie propori- Ploieti, so they demolished it and built struggled to come to life in 21st century
onal cu dimensiunile acesteia, au a brick church in its stead. This occurred Ploieti ever since.

eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 27

Viziteaz judeul Prahova!
Visit Prahova County!
Judeul Prahova este un loc ncrcat de istorie, spiritualitate
i cultur, remarcndu-se prin obiective turistice unice. Ca
prahovean, a recomanda oricnd zona Vii Prahovei, att
datorit peisajelor sale deosebite, ct i condiiilor bune de
cazare. n plus, nu trebuie omis nici faptul c aici, mai bine
dect oriunde altundeva, turitii pot practica sporturi de
iarn, tot mai atrgtoare pentru romni i strini.
n schimb, dac eu nsumi a fi turist pentru o zi n Praho-
va, nu a vrea s ratez Castelul Pele din Sinaia, reedina
de var a regilor Romniei fiind un important reper istoric
i cultural. Totodat, un potenial turistic deosebit l are i
zona Slnicului, cu bile srate i Mina Unirea, fiind o
zon recunoscut n special pentru turismul balneo i SPA.
O alt zon turistic n plin dezvoltare este zona viticol
Dealul Mare - cunoscut n ar i strintate n special potential, with its salt baths and Unirea Mine, being recog-
pentru vinurile roii. Aici, turistul are posibilitatea s par-
curg un traseu unic intitulat Drumul Vinului.
Din punct de vedre spiritual, judeul Prahova a fost i este
un important centru al ortodoxiei, aici existnd din vremuri
strvechi numeroase mnstiri, biserici i schituri.
Ceea ce puini tiu, i a dori s scot n eviden, este faptul
c Ploietiul, de pild, a adpostit personaliti memorabile,
nume ce au fcut cinste acestui ora. Este vorba de drama-
turgul I.L. Caragiale (Ploietiul fiind cunoscut ca ,,oraul lui
Caragiale) i ,,poetul necuvintelor - Nichita Stnescu.
Judeul Prahova, care poate nsemna Cheia sau Valea Dofta-
nei, Sinaia sau Buteni, Cmpina sau Bicoi ori Valea Telea-
jenului, n ntregime, este foarte frumos, este magic n orice
anotimp i i invit cu acest prilej pe toi turitii, att din ar,
ct i din strintate, s descopere varietatea formelor de
turism ce pot fi practicate aici, la noi. Aceast diversitate cu
care am fost binecuvntai i ofer particularitate i l dife-
reniaz de orice alt zon din Romnia, un atu incontesta-
bil care trebuie descoperit, trebuie mprtit pretutindeni.
Aceste forme de turism, fie c vorbim de turismul montan
i premontan, fie de cel balneo sau cultural, viticol sau re-
ligios, sunt completate i de o infrastructur bine pus la
punct, dar i de apropierea de Bucureti, capitala Romniei,
i de Aeroportul Internaional Henri Coand.
Bogdan Andrei Toader, vicepreedinte Consiliul Judeean Prahova
Prahova County is filled with history, spirituality and culture,
standing out by its unique tourist attractions. As a local, I
would recommend Prahova Valley anytime, both thanks to
its special landscapes and good accommodation conditions.
Besides, we should not forget the fact that here, better than
anywhere else, tourists can practise winter sports, which are
becoming ever more attractive for Romanians and foreigners.
However, if I were a tourist in Prahova for one day, I would not
like to miss Pele Castle in Sinaia, the summer residence of Ro-
manian kings, an important historical and cultural landmark.
At the same time, the area of Slnic has a particular touristic
nised mostly for the spa tourism. Another developing touristic
area is the wine region Dealul Mare famous in the country
and abroad especially for its red wines. Here, tourists have the
chance to go on a unique trail called The Wine Road.
From a spiritual point of view, Prahova County has been an
important Orthodox centre, with numerous monasteries,
churches and sketes.
What few people know, and I would like to emphasise, is
that the city of Ploieti, for instance, hosted memorable fig-
ures, important names that have honoured the locality. We
are talking about the playwright I.L. Caragiale (Ploieti being
known as the city of Caragiale) and the poet of the un-
words Nichita Stnescu.
Prahova County, which can mean Cheia or Valea Doftanei,
Sinaia or Buteni, Cmpina or Bicoi or Teleajen Valley, is very
beautiful in its entirety, it is magical on any season and I invite
all tourists in the country and abroad to discover the variety
of the forms of tourism that can be practised here. This di-
versity that we have been blessed with grants it particularity
and makes it different from any other area in Romania, an
undeniable advantage that needs to be discovered and shared
everywhere. These forms of tourism, be they mountain and
pre-mountain tourism, spa or cultural, winegrowing or reli-
gious tourism, are completed by a well-fitted infrastructure,
as well as the close distance to Bucharest, the Romanian cap-
ital, and Henri Coand International Airport.
Bogdan Andrei Toader, vice-president of Prahova County Council
 cltorete romnete
romanian travel

Mergi la
go to

30 32

grdina doroftei pub

zoologic Te bucuri de o bere
Foarte aproape de i savurezi o mas
Ploieti, la vreo delicioas.
5 kilometri.
Doroftei Pub
The Zoological Garden Here you can enjoy a beer
Very close to Ploieti, and indulge in a delicious
about 5 km away. meal.

eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 29

 Info utifole
Grdina Zoologic Useful in

Preul biletelor este de doar 5 lei

pentru aduli i 2 lei pentru copii
Foarte aproape de Ploieti, la vreo 5 kilometri, ntre 7 i 14 lei, iar cei mici de tot

adic o nimica toat dac vii pe roi i ct o avnd intrarea liber.

plimbare sntoas dac o iei la pas, se The tickets only cost 5 lei for
adults and 2 lei for children
gsete un parc. aged 7 to 14, younger ones being
granted free entrance

The Zoological Garden
Very close to Ploieti, about 5 km away, which is a piece of cake if you come
by car and a healthy walk if you dont, you can find a park. www.zooploiesti.ro

Una dintre puinele insule de
verdea din vecintatea oraului,
Parcul Memorial Constantin Stere
sau, mai simplu, Parcul Bucov, cum
i spun localnicii, te ntmpin la
intrare cu o alee mrginit de tei
impuntori, sculpturi moderniste i
busturi de scriitori. Vizitatorii sunt
ns mai atrai de leii, maimuele i
urii din parc dect de operele de art.
Iar asta este perfect normal, ntruct
foto/photo: zooploiesti.ro, shutterstock
ponei Shetland, maimue, psri
exotice, gte cu obraji albi, porci de
ap sau singurele exemplare din ara
noastr de lame Alpaca i canguri
rapizi de talie mic.
Zoo Ploieti organizeaz n fiecare an,
pentru copiii de toate vrstele, o serie
de workshop-uri pe teme precum cau-
zele dispariiei speciilor de animale,
protecia naturii sau biologia speciilor
din colecia Grdinii. Astfel, copiii
the park. Enough room for the over 250
animals of approximately 50 species,
some of which are even endangered.
Big cats, like their neighbours the brown
bears, are accommodated in large
areas that attempt to recreate their
natural environment. The five lions can
be admired by visitors on a 4,000 sqm
parcel. But however majestic the lions
may be, children who come here on
school trips or brought by their parents

n Parcul Constantin Stere exist de
peste trei decenii o grdin zoologic,
cu o suprafa ntins pe 16 din cele
100 de hectare ale parcului. Un spaiu
suficient pentru cele peste 250 de
animale din aproximativ 50 de specii,
dintre care cteva fiind chiar pe cale
de dispariie.
Felinele, ca i vecinii lor de adpost,
urii bruni, sunt cazate n spaii mari
care ncearc recrearea mediului lor
natural. Cei cinci lei pot fi admirai de
vizitatori pe un teren cu o suprafa de
4.000 de metri ptrai. ns orict ar
de/by: cristina frncu
vor putea nelege mai bine compor- and grandparents are fascinated by all
tamentul animalelor i necesitatea the animals living in the Ploieti Zoolo-
ocrotirii acestora. gical Garden. It is difficult to choose a
Este o plcere s vii la grdina zoolo- favourite animal when you see red deer,
gic ori de cte ori vrei, poate chiar vei nandu, Shetland ponies, monkeys and
reui la un moment dat s te hotrti apes, exotic birds, white-cheeked geese,
care este animalul tu preferat. water boars or the only specimens of
Alpaca and wallaby in our country.
Ploieti Zoo organises every year, for
One of the few green areas children of all ages, a series of work-
around the city, the Constantin Stere shops on topics such as the causes of
Memorial Park or simply Bucov Park, disappearance of various species of an-
as the locals call it, welcomes you with imals, nature protection or the biology
a path framed by impressive linden of the species in the Gardens collection.
trees, modernist sculptures and writers Thus, children will be able to better

fi leii de maiestuoi, copiii care vin n

excursii organizate de coal sau adui
de prini i bunici sunt fascinai de
toate animalele care triesc n Grdina
Zoologic Ploieti. Este greu s te
hotrti asupra unui animal preferat
cnd vezi cerbi carpatini, strui nandu,
busts. However, the visitors prefer the
lions, monkeys and bears in the park
to the works of art. And this is normal,
because the Constantin Stere Park
has hosted a zoo for over three decades,
with an area of 16 of the 100 hectares of
understand the behaviour of animals
and the need to protect them.
It is a pleasure to come to the zoo every
time you want to, perhaps one day
you will even decide on your favourite
animal.
 cltorete romnete
romanian travel

Grdina Zoologic are

un spaiu suficient pentru
cele peste 250 de animale din
aproximativ 50 de specii, dintre
care cteva fiind chiar pe cale
de dispariie. The Zoolo-
gical Garden has enough room
for the over 250 animals of ap-
proximately 50 species, some
of which are even endagered.

eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 31

 Doroftei Pub
La Doroftei Pub, barul situat deasupra cinema-
tografului Patria din centrul Ploietiului, poi
face mai multe lucruri deodat: s te bucuri de o
bere, s savurezi o mas delicioas i s l salui
pe Mou fr team.

Doroftei Pub
At Doroftei Pub, located above the Patria Cinema in the centre of Ploieti, you
can do several things at once: enjoy a beer, indulge in a delicious meal and say
hello to Mou without fear.

Fostul pugilist romn Leonard
Doroftei, campion mondial WBA la
categoria semiuoar, nu mai boxeaz
din anul 2004 dect poate nite muchi
de porc, ca s-i ajute buctarul. n
schimb, st cu plcere la taclale cu
clienii care calc pragul restaurantului
i uneori gtete alturi de angajai sau delecta cu reeta special conceput de
chiar servete la mese.
Doroftei Pub are o tematic unic n
Romnia. Este amenajat ca un muzeu
al boxului, al muncii de o via a unui
sportiv care a nceput s boxeze n 1984
la Clubul Prahova din oraul natal Ploi-
eti. Supranumit n ring Leul, Doroftei
foto/photo: doroftei pub
competiiile sportive, dar i alegerea in the ring, Doroftei was beaten only
ideal pentru tinerii care vin s bea o once in 20 years, when he retired from
bere cu prietenii sau pentru turitii care the sports world. But the ring is different
nu scap fr un selfie cu Mou. from the pub, where people call him
Gurmanzii, pasionaii de box i toi Mou. The equipment that belonged to
curioii nfometai care vor s afle ce the boxer are framed on the walls, near
trebuie s mnnce un campion se pot medals, newspaper clippings and pictures
of him, one table is placed inside a ring,
Doroftei, un amestec de carne de pui, de boxing bags come down from the ceiling,
porc i de vit, mprietenit cu ciuperci and the most important trophies are
i mmligu i numit, cum altfel, exhibited above the bar. He has managed
Plcerea Campionului. Nu se tie ci to win peoples sympathy and appreci-
dintre cei care s-au nfruptat din ea au ation once again, and his pub became a
ajuns campioni, dar reeta sigur a ajuns symbol of the city, the meeting spot for
preferata clienilor. sports journalists who write their articles
watching sports competitions live, as

a avut o singur nfrngere n 20 de ani,

dup care s-a i retras din lumea spor-
tului. Dar una este ringul i alta este
crciumria, unde lumea i spune mai
degrab Mou. Echipamentele care i-au
aparinut pugilistului sunt nrmate
pe perei, lng medalii, articole din
ziar i poze cu Leul, o mas este aezat
ntr-un ring, din tavan atrn saci de
de/by: cristina frncu
The former Romanian boxer Le-
onard Doroftei, WBA Lightweight cham-
pion, has not boxed since 2004, except
maybe some pork tenderloin to help his
cook. What he does is chat gleefully with
the clients who enter his restaurant, and
sometimes he cooks with his employees
or waits tables.
well as the perfect choice for the young
people who want to have a beer with
their friends or for the tourists who cant
leave without a selfie with Doroftei.
Gluttons, boxing lovers and hungry curi-
ous people who want to find out what a
champion mus eat can enjoy the special
recipe conceived by Doroftei, a mix of
poultry meat, pork and beef, joined by

box, iar cele mai importante trofee sunt

expuse deasupra barului. A reuit s
ctige simpatia i aprecierea oameni-
lor i de data aceasta, pub-ul lui Dorof-
tei devenind un reper al oraului, locul
de ntlnire pentru jurnalitii sportivi
care-i scriu articolele urmrind live
Doroftei Pub has a one-of-a-kind theme
in Romania. It is decorated as a boxing
museum, exhibiting the work of a life-
time of a sportsman who started boxing
in 1984 at the Prahova club in his native
town of Ploieti. Also dubbed The Lion
mushrooms and polenta, whose name
is, what else, The Champions Delight.
We do not know how many of those who
tried it have become champions, but the
recipe has definitely become the clients
favourite.
 cltorete romnete
romanian travel

1 Echipamentele care i-au

aparinut pugilistului sunt
nrmate pe perei, lng
medalii, articole din ziar i
poze cu Leul The equip-
ment that belonged to the
boxer are framed on the walls,
near medals, newspaper clip-
pings and pictures of him

01

02 03

eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 33

 Viziteaz judeul
visit parhova county

Prahova

40
Munii Bucegi pot fi vizitai i
iubii orict de mult, este lucrul
cel mai uor de fcut.

Bucegi Mountains can be visited

and loved as much as possible,
this is the easiest thing to do.

34 eu iubesc romnia ediia de prahova | 2015

 viziteaz judeul prahova
visit prahova county

de
r
cu
e he a bu

st
th h t in e
in it e d e s

ar l ar .
ge
n
ys y w rit car
"Judeul Prahova este un
y al ns tea

.
ta

ye
da i t o
loc ncrcat de istorie,
su e l zil li
ca
r is ult lo

nn oc e
e

spiritualitate i cultur,
m pin ai m st
of th e
e
78
a
C ele pin

remarcndu-se prin
m
m
be a
C

obiective turistice
nu m
c

unice."

Prahova County is filled with
history, spirituality and culture,
standing out by its unique tourist
attractions.

120
Complexul de la marginea
Sinaiei ofer un veritabil
buchet de stiluri arhitectonice.

The complex located at the edge

of Sinaia has a true bouquet of
fin de sicle architectural styles.

eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 35


Vinu-i vorbre, se tie. Se-mprietenete
repede cu omul i, odat turnat n pahar,
ncepe-a povesti cte-n lun i-n stele.
Sincer i binevoitor, vinul spune tot, despre
cum s-a ndrgostit mama-vi cu solul-ta-
t, despre copilria din podgorie cu fraii
i surorile broboane, despre acea toamn
cnd, dup ce i-a prsit ciorchinele, a
plns, apoi a mustuit i-a fermentat pn
cnd i-a gsit tihna ntr-un butoi de stejar.
i tocmai cnd credea c doar de tihn va
avea parte pentru tot restul zilelor, vinul
nnobilat i-a continuat cltoria, de data
aceasta n sticl nchis cu dop de plut, ali
civa ani.
Pn acum! Clipocete vinul vesel n pahar,
pn acum cnd e invitat special, alturi de
alte vinuri - uite-l pe Cabernet Sauvignon,
ano ntre o Feteasc Alb i una Neagr!, cipa la excursii de jumtate de zi, o zi sau
uite-l i pe Merlot cum uotete cu Pinot
36 eu iubesc romnia ediia de prahova | 2015
cristina frncu shutterstock
Drumul Vinului
The Wine Road
Noir! - la una dintre degustrile organizate
pe Drumul Vinului.
S lsm ns vinul s desfete simuri, meniile Tohani, S.E.R.V.E. Ceptura, Conacul
precum i este menirea, i s-i vedem mai
bine drumul din podgoria Dealu Mare, de
la Valea Clugreasc la Tohani, un spaiu
viticol nrudit ca latitudine cu cel din
regiunea franuzeasc de renume mondial
Bordeaux. Proiect lansat n anul 2000 de
fostul ministru al turismului Dan Matei
Agathon, Drumul Vinului unete podgo-
riile renumite ale judeului Prahova, vechi
conace boiereti, mnstiri i crame unde
se pot degusta cele mai bune vinuri, nsoite
de preparate tradiionale romneti, ntr-o
experien complet pentru toi cei pasio-
nai de eleganta lume a oenologiei.
Din martie pn n octombrie putei parti-
dou zile pe Drumul Vinului. Pe lng
1 din martie
pn n octombrie
putei participa la
excursii pe Drumul
Vinului
From March to
October, you can
take part in journeys
on the "Wine Road"
01
turul viilor i al fabricilor, ntre degustrile
de la cramele Rotenberg, Budureasca, Do-
Urleanu, Domeniile Dealul Mare-Urlai,
excursiile includ vizitarea conacului Bellu,
a mnstirilor Vrbila, Jercli i Zamfira, a
Muzeului Crama 1777, iar nsoitorii de grup
i reprezentanii cramelor vin cu informaii
inedite despre procesul de vinificaie, par-
ticularitile soiurilor romneti i rspund
tuturor curiozitilor turitilor. Iar tot ce nu
poate fi exprimat prin cuvinte rmne s fie
neles dup ce plimbai vinul n gur cam
15 secunde.
Wine is a chatterbox, we know it. It
makes friends with men easily and, once
poured into the glass, it begins to spin a yarn.
Honest and kind, wine tells everything, about
the way mother-vine fell in love with father-
 viziteaz judeul prahova
visit prahova county

soil, about its childhood in the vineyard,

with the grape brothers and sisters,
about that autumn when, after leaving
its bunch, it cried, then it became must
and fermented until it found its peace in
an oak barrel. And just when it thought it
would enjoy peace and quiet for the rest
of its days, the noble wine continued its
journey, this time in a bottle closed with
cork, for a few more years.
Until now! The cheerful wine gurgles in
the glass, until now, when it is the special
guest, along with other wines there
is the Cabernet Sauvignon, strutting
between a Feteasc Alb and a Feteasc
Neagr!, there is the Merlot whispering to
Pinot Noir! at one of the tastings organ-
ised on the Wine Road.
But let us leave wine delight our senses,
as it should, and take a better look at the
road in the Dealu Mare vineyard, from
Valea Clugreasc to Tohani, a wine
growing area whose latitude relates it to
the one in the world-renowned Bordeaux
region in France. A project launched in
the year 2000 by the former Minister of
Tourism Dan Matei Agathon, the Wine
Road unites the famous vineyards in
Prahova County, old noblemens manors,
monasteries and wine cellars where you
can taste the best wines, along with tradi-
tional Romanian dishes, in a full experi-
ence for every fan of the elegant world of
oenology.
From March to October, you can take
part in journeys of half a day, one or two
days on the Wine Road. Besides the
tour of vineyards and factories, between
tastings at the wine cellars of Rotenberg,
Budureasca, Domeniile Tohani, S.E.R.V.E.
Ceptura, Conacul Urleanu, Domeniile
Dealul Mare-Urlai, these journeys include
visiting the Bellu manor, the monaster-
ies of Vrbila, Jercli and Zamfira, the
Crama 1777 Museum, and tour guides and
representatives of the cellars will provide
new information about the wine-making
process, the specificities of Romanian vari-
eties and they respond to every curiosity
of the tourists. And everything that can-
not be put into words will be understood
after you have swished the wine around in
your mouth for about 15 seconds.

eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 37


Cnd urmele lsate de istorie n jurul
nostru amuesc, trebuie s le facem s
vorbeasc din nou. Proiectul Consiliului
Judeean Prahova - Drumul Voievozilor
- ncearc s spun povestea vremurilor de
demult printr-un traseu tematic care ajut
turitii s cunoasc istorii ale unor vestigii
arheologice i monumente arhitecturale
din localiti mai puin cunoscute.
Inaugurat n toamna lui 2011, proiectul
i propune ca la final s includ localit-
ile Ciorani, Drgneti, Gherghia, Balta
Doamnei, Gorgota, Tinosu, Brazi, Trgoru
Vechi, Aricetii Rahtivani i Filipetii de
Trg, ieind spre Trgovite.
Deocamdat, drumul trece prin patru loca-
liti. La Floreti putei vizita Monumentul
Eroilor, Capela Romano-Catolic, Conacul
Mavros Cantacuzino i Palatul Micul
Trianon, construit de boierul Gheorghe
Grigore Cantacuzino pentru nepoata sa
Alice. La Filipetii de Pdure exist Biserica
Sfinii Trei Ierarhi, ctitorit n 1688 de c-
tre doamna Blaa Cantacuzino i fiul su,
sptarul Toma Cantacuzino, i recunoscut
de UNESCO drept Voroneul din Munte-
38 eu iubesc romnia ediia de prahova | 2015
cristina frncu eu-romania.org
1 drumul voiev-
ozilor ncearc s
spun povestea dru-
murilor de demult
printr-un traseu
turistic tematic.
"The Voievodes'
Road" tries to tell
the story of days
gone by with a tem-
atic track.
01
Drumul Voievozilor
The Voivodes Road
nia. Tot aici putei vedea ruinele Conacului Vechi, Aricetii Rahtivani and Filipetii de
Matei i Toma Cantacuzino, iar la Filipetii Trg, coming out to Trgovite.
de Trg, din aceeai serie a palatelor i For the moment, the road passes through
conacelor cantacuzine, putei vizita ruinele four localities. In Floreti you can visit the
reedinei lui Constantin Cantacuzino, Heroes Monument, the Roman Catholic
postelnicul domnitorului Matei Basarab. n Chapel, the Mavros Cantacuzino Manor and
comuna Aricetii Rahtivani se gsete, nc the Little Trianon Palace, built by the boyar
din 1777, Biserica Sf. Ilie i Sf. Nicolae, Gheorghe Grigore Cantacuzino for his grand-
iar n rezervaia arheologic La Movile daughter Alice. In Filipetii de Pdure you can
din satul Buda a fost descoperit n 2013 un see the Sfinii Trei Ierarhi Church, erected in
grupaj unic de tumuli daco-getici. 1688 by Lady Blaa Cantacuzino and her son,
sword bearer Toma Cantacuzino, recognised
by UNESCO as the Vorone of Muntenia.
When the traces left by history all This is where you can also see the ruins of
around us fall silent, we have to make them the Matei and Toma Cantacuzino Manor,
speak again. The project of the Prahova and in Filipetii de Trg, in the same series of
County Council The Voivodes Road tries Cantacuzino palaces and manors, you can
to tell the story of days gone by with a them- visit the ruins of Constantin Cantacuzinos
atic track that helps tourists learn about residence, the seneschal of Prince Matei Bas-
the stories of archaeological vestiges and arab. In the commune of Aricetii Rahtivani
architectural monuments in lesser-known you can see the Sf. Ilie i Sf. Nicolae Church,
localities. built in 1777, and in the archaeological reser-
Inaugurated in the autumn of 2011, the pro- vation La Movile in the village of Buda, a
ject aims to eventually include the localities one-of-a-kind group of Geto-Dacian tumuli
of Ciorani, Drgneti, Gherghia, Balta was discovered in 2013.
Doamnei, Gorgota, Tinosu, Brazi, Trgoru

Odinioar un valoros bazin pomicol,
nordul judeului Prahova este promovat
printr-un program care ncearc valorifica-
rea specificului i tradiiilor zonei. Turitii
sunt primii cu braele deschise n satele i
comunele prahovene, cu att mai mult cu
ct pot da chiar o mn de ajutor local-
nicilor la culesul fructelor, la prepararea
dulceurilor, dar mai ales la degustarea
buntilor, la colindarea livezilor, la plim-
barea prin pdure i la vizitarea nelipsitelor
obiective turistice.
Drumul fructelor leag 18 localiti i care este cea mai veche localitate atestat
numeroase popasuri prin trasee strbtute
poate - cine tie, n vremea lui a fost odat
ca niciodat - i de nzdrvanul erou po-
pular Pcal. Dac i-o fi umplut traista cu
toate soiurile de fructe care binecuvnteaz
pmntul Prahovei, cine mai poate ti i ce-i
mai poate face?!
Din localitatea Adunai, nconjurat de
dealuri impuntoare, drumul trece prin
staiunea balneoclimateric Breaza, coboa-
r apoi spre Poiana Cmpina, unde se afl
Biserica Adormirea Maicii Domnului,
i continu prin Cmpina, unde poate fi
vizitat Castelul Iulia Hasdeu. De pe Dealul
Muscel se poate admira att ntreaga pano-
ram a oraului, cu mprejurimile sale, ct
cristina frncu shutterstock
Drumul Fructelor
The Fruit Road
i privelitea Munilor Bucegi.
Mai departe, n comuna Telega, bile forma-
te n jurul lacurilor srate din vechile ocne,
unde se spune c a fost nchis haiducul
Iancu Jianu, sunt un important punct de
atracie, iar comuna Brebu se remarc prin
complexul arhitectural ridicat de Matei
Basarab. Din localitatea Slnic, situat pe
un masiv de sare, putei ncepe i un traseu
montan, ntruct n apropiere se afl Munii Poiana Cmpina, where you can see the Ad-
Grohoti.
Drumul Fructelor se ncheie la Starchiojd,
Castle can be visited. From the Muscel Hill
documentar din ntreg judeul Prahova - 10
iulie 1418.
Once a valuable fruit tree growing
region, the north of Prahova County is pro-
moted through a programme that attempts
to valorise the specificity and the traditions
in the area. Tourists are welcomed with
open arms in the villages and communes
of Prahova, especially because they can
even help locals pick the fruit, make jams,
but above all, they can taste the delicacies,
wander about orchards, walk through the
woods and visit the ever-present tourist
attractions.
The fruit road connects 18 localities and
viziteaz judeul prahova
visit prahova county
1 turitii sunt primii
cu braele deschise
n satele i comunele
prahovene i pot da chiar
i o mn de ajutor local-
nicilor la culesul fructelor.
Tourists are welcomed
with open arms in the
villages and communes
of Prahova and they can
even help locals pick the
fruits.
01
countless stop-overs along tracks beaten per-
haps who knows, in the age of once upon
a time by the great popular hero Pcal,
as well. If he filled his bag with all the fruits
blessing the land of Prahova, who knows and
who can do anything about it?!
From the locality of Adunai, surrounded by
impressive hills, the road passes through the
health resort of Breaza, then it goes down to
ormirea Maicii Domnului Church, to go on
through Cmpina, where the Iulia Hasdeu
you can admire both the entire vista of the
city with its surroundings, and the view of the
Bucegi Mountains.
Further on, in the commune of Telega, the
baths formed around the salt lakes in the old
mines, where the outlaw Iancu Jianu is said to
have been imprisoned, are an important at-
traction, and the commune of Brebu stands
out with its architectural complex built by
Matei Basarab. From the locality of Slnic,
located on a salt mountain, you can also take
to a mountain trail, as the Grohoti Moun-
tains are rather close.
The fruit road ends in Starchiojd, which is
the oldest documented locality in the entire
Prahova County 10 July, 1418.
eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 39
 cristina frncu shutterstock, eu-romania.org
Munii
Bucegi
L
a nceput a fost un secret, cunos-
cut doar de Babele iubitoare de taifas.
I-au fcut semn Sfinxului s-i coboa-
re urechea la vorbele lor, dar omul
de piatr, mai cu capul pe umeri, i nu orice
umeri, ci umerii Bucegilor, a izbucnit n rs.
Cum credeau Babele c pot ine ascuns de
oameni frumuseea maiestuoas a Masi-
vului Bucegi, cu abrupturile lui stncoase
ndulcite de imense pajiti alpine, crestate
din loc n loc de ape sprintene i strpunse
de coloane impuntoare de calcar? Un lucru
ca acesta nici nu putea fi nchipuit, aa c
Sfinxul a hohotit i s-au bucurat de veselia
lui toate vieuitoarele, pieptul puternic al
Caraimanului s-a umflat de rs, Cascada
Urltoarea i-a asurzit pe btrnii Jepi cu
vuietul apelor, iar oamenii care locuiau n
40 eu iubesc romnia ediia de prahova | 2015
2 Localitile care m-
prejmuiesc Munii Bucegi sunt
printre cele mai cutate de
turiti, n orice anotimp.
The localities. surrounding
the Bucegi Massif are among
the tourists' favourites in any
season.
02
aezrile de la poalele Bucegilor au ridicat
curioi privirea spre muni. i de-atunci,
frumuseea Bucegilor nu a mai fost un
secret pentru nimeni.
Aa ar putea suna una dintre multele
legende care mbogesc universul mitic al
Munilor Bucegi dac ar fi existat cndva
o vreme n care locuitorii din mprejurimi
s fi fost orbi. Orbi de-a binelea sau mcar
nepstori la peisajele ncnttoare druite
de masivul n form de potcoav care atinge
cerul cu fruntea Vrfului Omu, la altitudinea
de 2.505 metri. Dar aa ceva ar fi prea greu
de crezut.
Localitile care mprejmuiesc Masivul
Bucegi - Predeal, Azuga, Buteni, Poiana a-
pului, Sinaia - sunt printre cele mai cutate
03
de turiti n orice anotimp, iar reeaua de

poteci este cea mai dens i bine ntreinut.
Exist 39 de trasee omologate i unul n curs
de omologare, mprite n patru magistrale
turistice, dar n ce ordine le alegei sau cum
le selectai rmne s decidei mpreun cu
muntele i tovarii de drum.
Putei pleca din Sinaia, de la Cota 1400, prin
Piciorul Lptici i aua Strunga, iar de acolo,
printre stncrii de calcare albe i bolovni-
uri, spre Cabana Omu, cel mai nalt punct
din Romnia locuit permanent. De aici,
dup ce v tragei rsuflarea, putei vedea
aproape toat ara. Cel puin aa se spune,
dar dac e senin, sigur vi se nfieaz un
orizont larg, de-a lungul imensului arc al
Carpailor, de la Munii Moldovei pn la
Masivul Fgra. Dup ce dai piept apoi cu
Vrful Bucoiu i cobori spre rscrucea de
la Pichetul Rou, o luai la vale spre Buteni,
unde exist alte atracii turistice imposibil
de ignorat.
Una dintre ele este Castelul Cantacuzino,
construit la cererea prinului Gheorghe
Grigore Cantacuzino, cunoscut sub numele
de Nababul, pentru c era att de bogat nct
ar fi putut s fac acoperiul castelului din
monede de aur. Nu a fcut acoperiul din
aur, dar o comoar tot a fost gzduit n ca-
merele sale, n 2015 fiind expuse, din august
pn n octombrie, peste 200 de lucrri ale
lui Salvador Dali.
Din Buteni putei ajunge n mai puin de Cine tie, poate c aa se va nate o alt
o or la Cascada Urltoarea, spectaculoas
datorit nlimii de 15 metri i a debitului
de ap considerabil. De acolo putei urma
drumul forestier spre Poiana apului, unde
viziteaz judeul prahova
visit prahova county
peisajul pitoresc, aerul curat i ionizarea
accentuat a atmosferei fac din aceast stai-
une un obiectiv turistic pe care ar fi pcat
s-l ratai.
O alt variant de traseu este cel nsemnat
cu band albastr, tot cu plecare din Sinaia,
dar care trece pe la Cabana Piatra Ars, iar
de la Vrful Omu coboar spre Rnov. Dac
o luai la picior, ai putea ajunge la Cabana
Piatra Ars n vreo patru ore, ns dac vrei
varianta mai rapid i mai confortabil,
v urcai n main i o apucai pe Drumul
Babelor. Aa se mai numete Transbucegiul,
unul dintre cele mai frumoase drumuri
montane din Romnia, care uureaz acce-
sul n zona Platoului Bucegi. Din cei 20 km
lungime, doar 17 km sunt asfaltai, cu toate
acestea putei ajunge pe patru roi pn n
apropierea Cabanei Piatra Ars, adic la o al-
titudine de 1.925 de metri. Autoritile sper
ca, dup redeschiderea oficial, preconizat
c va avea loc n 2016, Drumul Babelor s
ajung chiar pn la piciorul Babelor.
Traseul marcat cu cruce albastr ajunge
din Buteni la Cabana Caraiman prin Valea
Jepilor. Pe ct de frumoi sunt Jepii Mici,
aproape tot pe att de periculoi sunt pentru
cei nepregtii cu nclminte i mbrc-
minte adecvat. E bine de tiut c este mai
uor s urci dect s cobori prin Valea Jepi-
lor, c Jepii Mici sunt mai ri dect Jepii Mari
i c iarna nu se recomand s ncercai s-i
nfruntai. Dar, odat scpai de sperietoarea
Vii Jepilor, v putei odihni puin la Cabana
Caraiman, iar de acolo pn la Crucea Eroi-
lor Neamului, construit la altitudinea de
2.291 metri pentru a cinsti memoria eroilor
ceferiti czui la datorie n Primul Rzboi
Mondial, nu mai avei dect o or de mers.
Cea de-a patra magistral turistic, nsem-
nat cu band galben, ajunge la Vrful
Omu prin Valea Cerbului, recunoscut ca un
cartier al rulotelor i corturilor. Mii de turiti
aleg s petreac aici chiar i luni ntregi, din
primvar cam pn cnd d prima brum.
Pensionari sau pur i simplu pasionai de
traiul n mijlocul naturii vin pe Valea Cerbu-
lui cu butelii de aragaz, murturi, animale
de cas i integrame, cu corturi mari sau cu
rulote personalizate cu plante de aparta-
ment ca s se bucure de soare, aer curat i
campionate de ah sau table.
legend a Bucegilor, una n care Babele,
curioase din fire, se strecoar noaptea spre
Valea Cerbului ca s guste din murturi i se
mpiedic de bolovanii din Valea Priponului.
eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 41

04
Dar aa ceva ar fi prea greu de crezut, astfel
nct putem lsa legendele n pace. Munii for anyone.
Bucegi ns pot fi vizitai i iubii orict de This is what many of the legends that enrich
mult, este lucrul cel mai uor de fcut.
At the beginning there was a secret,
known only by the gossip-loving Babe. They
motioned at the Sphinx to lend them the
ear, but the man of stone, with his head well
on his shoulders, and not any shoulders, but
the shoulders of the Bucegi Mountains, burst
out laughing. How did the Babe imagine they
could conceal from humans the majestic
beauty of the Bucegi Massif, with its rocky
slopes tempered by huge Alpine meadows,
harrowed here and there by spry waters,
pierced by impressive limestone columns? It
was unimaginable that something like this
could ever happen, so the Sphinx laughed
and every living thing enjoyed his good cheer,
the strong chest of the Caraiman puffed with
laughter, the Urltoarea Waterfall deafened
the old Jepi with the roar of waters, and the
people who lived in the settlements at the
foot of the Bucegi lifted their curious gaze
towards the mountains. And ever since, the
42 eu iubesc romnia ediia de prahova | 2015
05
beauty of the Bucegi was no longer a secret
the mythical world of the Bucegi Mountains
would sound like, if there had ever been a
time when the people living in their surround-
06
ings had been blind. Blind for good or at least
blind to the charming landscapes gifted by
the horseshoe-shaped massif that touches
the sky with the forehead of Omu Peak, at the
elevation of 2,505 metres. But this would be
Pensionari sau pur
too hard to believe.
The localities surrounding the Bucegi Massif
i simplu pasionai
Predeal, Azuga, Buteni, Poiana apului,
Sinaia are among the tourists favourites in
de traiul n mijlocul
any season, and the network of paths is the naturii vin pe Valea
thickest and the best maintained one. There
are 39 certified trails and one pending certific- Cerbului ca s se
ation, divided into four main trails, but it is up
to you, the mountain and your companions to bucure de aerul curat.
decide the order or how you choose them.
You can start from Sinaia, at Cota 1400,
through Piciorul Lptici and aua Strunga, Pensioners or simply people who
and from there, among limestone rocks and love spending timw in nature
boulders, to Omu Cabin, the highest per-
manently inhabited point in Romania. Here,
come to Valea Cerbului to enjoy
after you have caught your breath, you can the clean air.

07
4 Traseul marcat cu cruce
albastr ajunge din Buteni la
Cabana Caraiman prin Valea
Jepilor. The blue cross
trail goes from Buteni to
Caraiman Cabin through Valea
Jepilor.
see almost the entire country. At least this is
what they say, but if the sky is clear, you will
definitely have a wide horizon spread before
you, all along the huge Carpathian arc, from
Moldovei Mountains to Fgra Massif. Then
after you have faced the Bucoiu Peak and you
go down to the crossroads at Pichetul Rou,
follow the path down to Buteni, where you
can find other tourist attractions impossible
to ignore.
One of them is Cantacuzino Castle, built
at the request of Prince Gheorghe Grigore
Cantacuzino, also known as the Nabob,
because he was so rich that he could have
covered the roof of the castle in gold coins.
He did not, but the castles chambers hosted
another treasure, over 200 works by Salvador
Dali being exhibited there from August until
October 2015.
From Buteni you can reach the Urltoarea
Waterfall in less than an hour, spectacular
with its height of 15 metres and its consider-
able water debit. There you can take the forest
road to Poiana apului, where the picturesque
landscape, the clean air and the high ionisa-
tion of the atmosphere make this resort a
tourist attraction that you should not miss.
Another option for a trail is the blue band
one, which starts in Sinaia, reaching Piatra
Ars Cabin, and going down to Rnov from
Omu Peak. If you walk, you can reach the
Piatra Ars Cabin in about four hours, but
if you prefer the quicker, more comfortable
option, you get in the car and take the Drumul
Babelor. This is another name for Transbucegi,
one of the most beautiful mountain roads in
Romania, which enables access to the area
of Bucegi Plateau. Out of its length of 20 km,
only 17 km are paved, but you can almost
reach the Cabin by car, at an elevation of 1,925
metres. The authorities hope that, after the
official reopening, estimated to occur in 2016,
Drumul Babelor will even reach the foot of
the Babele.
The blue cross trail goes from Buteni to
Caraiman Cabin through Valea Jepilor. As
beautiful as the Jepii Mici are, as dangerous
they are for those who come unprepared
with proper footwear and clothing. It is good
to know that climbing up the Valea Jepilor is
easier than climbing down, that Jepii Mici are
viziteaz judeul prahova
visit prahova county
08
worse than Jepii Mari and that this trail is not
recommended in winter. But once you have
got rid of the Valea Jepilor scare, you can rest
a while at the Caraiman Cabin, and there is
just an hours walk from there to the Heroes
Cross, built at an altitude of 2,291 metres in
the memory of the railway heroes who died
on duty in World War I.
The fourth tourist trail, marked with a yellow
band, reaches Omu Peak through Valea
Cerbului, recognised as a neighbourhood of
caravans and tents. Thousands of tourists
choose to spend even whole months here,
from spring until the time of the first mist.
Pensioners or simply people who love spend-
ing time in nature come to Valea Cerbului
with gas canisters, pickled vegetables, pets
and puzzles, with large tents or caravans
customised with indoor plants to enjoy the
sun, the clean air and chess or backgammon
championships.
Who knows, perhaps another legend of
the Bucegi will be born, one where Babele,
curious as they are, creep up at night to Valea
Cerbului to taste the pickles and they trip
on the boulders in Valea Priponului. But this
would be too hard to believe, so we can leave
legends in peace. Bucegi Mountains can be
visited and loved as much as possible, this is
the easiest thing to do.
eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 43
 teodor fereta eu-romania.org, shutterstock, primariazuga.ro
01
Azuga
L
a nceputul secolului al XIX-lea,
zona de la poalele Munilor Baiului
era descris ca slab populat,
presrat ici-colo cu ctune de cteva
case i hanuri ce deserveau pstorii i
comercianii din regiune.
Localitatea de astzi s-a dezvoltat n jurul
hanului ntre Prahove, sau Cciula
Mare, situat n apropierea locului de vr-
sare al Prului Azuga. Conform tradiiei
orale, acesta ar fi fost construit la mijlo-
cul secolului al XVIII-lea, dup modelul
Salonului de Piatr: o construcie masiv,
cu multe ncperi, unde zidurile de aprare
sunt nlocuite cu dependine.
Un cioban nstrit, cu o turm de peste 500
de oi, ar fi fost primul care i-a construit
o cas n apropierea hanului, la nceputul
44 eu iubesc romnia ediia de prahova | 2015
2 Localitatea Azuga s-a
dezvoltat n jurul hanului
"ntre Prahove" sau "Cciula
Mare". The locality we
see today developed around
the inn "ntre Prahove" or
"Cciula Mare".
02
secolului al XIX-lea. Tradiia amintete
numele acestui fondator de facto al Azugi
ca fiind Gheorghe Zangor, aparent legat eti-
mologic de numele prului i al localitii
de mai trziu.
ntre Prahove, devenit ntre timp un c-
tun adjudecat comunei Sinaia, i primete
numele actual la 1881. Trei ani mai trziu,
Azuga mpreun cu Predeal, Buteni i Poia-
na apului sunt ornduite sub o comun
proprie.
Procesul de industrializare de care s-au
bucurat aezrile prahovene n decursul
secolului al XIX-lea s-a exprimat n Azuga
ncepnd cu 1830, cnd este nfiinat
Gljeria lui Aslan, o fabric de sticl foarte
apreciat deservit n cea mai mare parte de
03
meteri din Boemia.

Fabrica este desfiinat relativ repede, dup
ce comerciantul Aslan i retrage suportul
financiar. Un nou investitor va aprea abia
la 1879, n persoana lui S. Grunfeld. Noua
fabric, aezat ntre Vile Prahoviei i
Azuga, are un efectiv de 250 de muncitori,
de asemenea venii din Boemia.
O serie ntreag de ntreprinderi cu capital
romnesc i strin se vor nfiina n al tains was described as sparsely populated,
optulea deceniu al secolului: fabrica de
cacaval, sub patronajul lui Matei Mocanu,
n 1882; fabrica de var hidraulic, iniiativ
a francezului Labeuf, i fabrica de ciment a
inginerului Erler, ambele n 1885; o fabric
de postav i o fabric de salam, la 1887;
binecunoscuta fabric de bere, la 1900, i
numeroase alte ntreprinderi.
Creterea economic a Azugi se oglindete
pe plan politico-administrativ. Primria
comunal se mut de la Predeal la Azuga
n 1889, iar n 1949 localitatea primete
statutul de ora.
and foreign capital were established in the
At the beginning of the 19th century,
the area at the foot of the Baiului Moun-
of the Frenchman Labeuf, and the cement
sprinkled with hamlets of just a few houses
and inns that served shepherds and trades-
people in the region.
The locality we see today developed around
the inn ntre Prahove or Cciula Mare, Azugas economic growth can also be seen
located close to the mouth of Azuga spring.
According to oral tradition, it was built at
the middle of the 18th century, by the model
of the Hall of Stone: a massive construction,
viziteaz judeul prahova
visit prahova county
with many rooms, where defence walls are
replaced with annexes.
A wealthy shepherd, with a flock of over
500 sheep, is said to have been the first one
who has built a house close to the inn, at
the beginning of the 19th century. Tradition
mentions the name of this de facto founder
of Azuga as Gheorghe Zangor, which seemed
etymologically related to the name of the
spring and the future town.
ntre Prahove, which had meanwhile be-
come a hamlet adjudicated to the commune
of Sinaia, received its current name in 1881.
Three years later, Azuga, Predeal, Buteni and
Poiana apului were organised under their
own commune.
The industrialisation process that the settle-
ments in Prahova County enjoyed during the
19th century was visible in Azuga from 1830
onwards, when Gljeria lui Aslan was foun-
ded, a much appreciated glass factory which
mostly employed craftsmen from Bohemia.
The factory was disbanded rather quickly,
after the tradesman Aslan retired his finan-
cial support. A new investor, S. Grunfeld, only
appeared in 1879. The new factory, located
between Vile Prahoviei and Azuga, had a
staff of 250 workers, who had also come from
Bohemia.
A whole series of enterprises with Romanian
eighth decade of the century: the yellow
cheese factory, managed by Matei Mocanu, in
1882; the hydraulic lime factory, an initiative
factory of the engineer Erler, both in 1885; a
felt factory and a salami factory, in 1887; the
well-known beer factory, in 1900, and many
more companies.
in politics and administration. The mayors
office moves from Predeal to Azuga in 1889,
and in 1949 the locality becomes officially a
town.
eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 45

Prtiile de schi din Azuga
The ski slopes of Azuga
Ca o caracteristic mai mult sau mai
puin general, cele apte prtii de schi
din jurul localitii Azuga se adreseaz
nceptorilor ntr-ale sporturilor de iarn.
Preul practicrii schiului este mai mic aici
dect n alte staiuni de pe Valea Prahovei
i prtiile sunt de regul mai libere. Sniile
i alte elemente ce pot constitui obstacole
pentru schiori sunt interzise.
Cea mai uoar dintre prtiile de la Azuga
se gsete n complexul Cazacu i este
destinat nvceilor. Instructorii de schi
se ocup aici chiar i de pregtirea copiilor
precolari.
Prtia are 150 de metri lungime, un grad
de dificultate minim i dotri pe msura
scopului urmrit, cum ar fi un baby-ski i o
instalaie de zpad artificial. Pentru cei
care au depit provocrile prtiei pentru
copii, tot la Cazacu se mai gsete o pant
46 eu iubesc romnia ediia de prahova | 2015
teodor fereta eu-romania.org, info-turism-azuga.ro
de 400 de metri echipat cu un teleschi.
Distana maxim de coborre la Cazacu
este de 1.920 de metri, din care numai
suprafeele deja menionate beneficiaz de
sisteme de cabluri, i o diferen de nivel de
530 de metri.
Prtia dinspre poalele Muntelui Sorica
este cu 17% mai dificil dect cea de la
Cazacu. Acoperit de teleschi pe o distan
de 700 de metri, beneficiaz de o instalaie
de iluminat nocturn. Nu trebuie s prsii
Muntele Sorica pentru a gsi prtii mai soli-
citante. Este suficient s urcati cu telegon-
dola pn n vrf, de unde vi se vor deschide
mai multe opiuni.
n integralitatea ei, panta de 2.100 de metri
de la Sorica, cu o diferen de nivel de 561
de metri, este catalogat ca fiind de dificul-
tate medie, ns toate poriunile acoperite
de teleschi mpart calificativul uor. Dac obstacles for skiers are not allowed.
1 Preul practicrii
schiului este mai
mic aici dect n alte
staiuni de pe Valea
Prahovei.
The price of skiing
is lower here than
in other resorts in
Prahova Valley.
01
suntei amator de soare, pe versantul sudic
avei amenajate dou prtii: Sorica Sud, de
770 de metri i o diferen de nivel de 156
de metri, i Sorica La Stn, cu o lungime de
910 metri i o diferen de nivel similar.
Beneficiind de prtii uoare i de muli in-
structori pricepui, pe care i putei plti din
economia fcut la cazare, staiunea Azuga
este alegerea ideal pentru cei care vor s
descopere tainele schiului.
As a more or less general character-
istic, the seven ski slopes around Azuga are
intended for beginners as regards winter
sports. The price of skiing is lower here
than in other resorts in Prahova Valley and
the slopes are usually less crowded. Sleds
and other elements that can be considered
 viziteaz judeul prahova
visit prahova county

The easiest of the slopes of Azuga is

located in the Cazacu complex and it is
intended for students. Ski instructors even
train pre-school age children here.
The slope is 150 m long, it has the min-
imum degree of difficulty and equipment
fitted to the purpose, like baby-ski and an
artificial snow installation. For those who
have won the challenges of the childrens
slope, there is another slope at Cazacu,
400 m long, fitted with a ski lift. The
maximum descent distance at Cazacu is
1,920 metres, but only the areas we have
mentioned provide cable systems and a
level difference of 530 metres.
The slope near the foot of Sorica Moun-
tain is 17% more difficult than the one
in Cazacu. Covered by the ski lift on a 700
m distance, it has night-time illumination.
You do not need to leave Sorica Mountain
to find more difficult slopes. All you need
is to take the aerial tram to the top, where
you will find several options.
In its entirety, the 2,100 metre slope
in Sorica, with a level difference of 561
metres, is labelled average difficulty, but
all the parts covered by the ski lift can
be considered easy. If you love the sun,
there are two slopes on the southern side
of the mountain: Sorica Sud, 770 metres
long, with a level difference of 156 metres,
and Sorica La Stn, 910 metres long, with
a similar level difference.
Providing easy slopes and many skilled
instructors, whom you can pay with the
money you have saved on accommod-
ation, the Azuga resort is the perfect
choice for those who want to discover the
mysteries of skiing.

eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 47

 teodor fereta flickr

1 Cu o suprafa de 18
hectare "Poiana cu Narcise"
atrage prin frumuseea
deosebit, specific
punilor alpine de la 1.500
de metri. Covering an
area of 18 hectares, "The
Daffodil Glade" attracts
with its special kind of
beauty, specific to Alpine
meadows at an altitude of
1,500 metres.

01

Rezervaia Natural Poiana cu Narcise, Culmea Baiului

The Daffodil Glade Nature Reserve, Culmea Baiului
Sunt convins c majoritatea cititori pe lng cabana cu acelai nume. Urmai with its special kind of beauty, specific to
lor notri sunt deja familiarizati cu narci- de aici banda roie pn la Vrful Drgan Alpine meadows at an altitude of 1,500
sele, flori albe din familia Amaryllidaceae, i aua Baiului, n apropierea creia vei metres.
rspndite n cea mai mare parte a Europei gsi rezervaia de narcise. Traseul continu Located on one side of Culmea Baiului, it is
Centrale. ns nu putei spune c ai luat la cu Vrful Cazacu, Culmea Urechea, Prtia part of several relaxing touristic trails, easy
cunotin de potenialul estetic al narcisei Sorica i se termin n Azuga. ntre aua to cover, which unravel in a scenic landscape.
n deplintatea lui pn nu ai contemplat Baiului i Azuga exist, deopotriv, un The average tourist can expect to cover it in
un cmp slbatic ncrcat cu delicatele flori. drum forestier i o potec nemarcat. about 8-9 hours, according to the starting
Cu o suprafa de 18 hectare, Poiana cu point.
Narcise din apropierea localitii Azuga Starting from Sinaia, follow the blue mark-
atrage prin frumuseea deosebit, specific I am convinced that most of our read ings to Piscul Cinelui Peak, passing by the
punilor alpine de la 1.500 de metri. ers are already familiar with daffodils, white cabin of the same name. Then follow the red
Situat pe un versant al Culmii Baiului, este flowers, in the family Amaryllidaceae, spread band to Drgan Peak and aua Baiului, close
parte a mai multor trasee turistice relaxante over most of Central Europe. But you cannot to which you will find the daffodil reserve.
i uor de strbtut, ce se desfoar ntr-un say you have learned the full aesthetic The trail continues with Cazacu Peak, Culmea
peisaj scenic. Turistul cu o condiie fizic potential of the daffodil until you have con- Urechea, Sorica Slope and ends in Azuga.
medie se poate atepta s l strbat n 8-9 templated a wild field splashed with these Between aua Baiului and Azuga there are
ore, n funcie de locul de plecare. delicate flowers. also a forest road and an unmarked footpath.
Pornind din Sinaia, urmai marcajul albas- Covering an area of 18 hectares, The Daffodil
tru pn la Vrful Piscul Cinelui, trecnd Glade close to the locality of Azuga attracts

48 eu iubesc romnia ediia de prahova | 2015


Cabana de Vntoare Stevia
Stevia Hunting Cabin
Ca mai toi conductorii socialiti din
regiune, Nicolae Ceauescu nu a considerat
eliminarea total a formelor aristocratice
ca un imperativ pentru realizarea statului
comunist. Ce-i drept, n cultura romn
vntoarea a fost perceput mai degrab
ca o activitate sportiv sau de subzisten
dect ca un ritual al elitelor.
Fie c le-a scpat sau nu substratul aristo-
cratic, ambii lideri comuniti ai Romniei
participau cu plcere la partide de vntoa-
re. Locaia lor preferat era Cabana Stevia,
de pe valea superioar a Rului Prahova, la
12 kilometri de localitatea Azuga.
Cabana Stevia a fost construit n 1960, sub
guvernarea lui Gheorghe Gheorghiu-Dej,
ns celebritatea i-a fost adus de vizitele
frecvente (uneori i patru pe an) ale cuplu-
lui Ceauescu.
Exteriorul cldirii are un aspect simplu,
dar elegant, influenat de stilul popular din
regiune. n perioada socialist, interiorul
viziteaz judeul prahova
teodor fereta eu-romania.org visit prahova county
1 Exteriorul
cldirii are un aspect
simplu, dar elegant,
influenat de stilul
popular din regiune.
The exterior of the
building has a plain,
yet elegant aspect,
influenced by the folk
style in the region.
01
era caracterizat de aceeai tendin rustic ist leaders took pleasure in taking part in
i, din cte cunoatem, nu i-au fost aduse hunting games. Their favourite location
modificri substaniale. was Stevia Cabin, on the upper valley of the
Pe lng valoarea istoric, cabana i Prahova River, 12 kilometres from the locality
pstreaz atracia iniial, pdurile din of Azuga.
regiune oferind posibilitatea unor partide Stevia Cabin was built in 1960, under the rule
de cprior, mistre i alte animale specifice of Gheorghe Gheorghiu-Dej, but its fame is
faunei carpatice. due to the frequent visits (sometimes even
Este accesibil de pe drumul judeean Valea four times a year) of the Ceauescus.
Azugii. The exterior of the building has a plain, yet
elegant aspect, influenced by the folk style in
the region. In the socialist period, the interior
Like most socialist leaders in the re- was characterized by the same rustic trend,
gion, Nicolae Ceauescu did not consider the and from what we know, no substantial
complete elimination of aristocratic forms changes have been made.
was a necessity for the fulfilment of the Besides its historical value, the cabin pre-
communist state. To be fair, in the Romanian serves its initial attraction, the woods in the
culture, hunting has been perceived like a region giving the possibility to hunt doe,
sports or subsistence activity rather than a wild boars and other animals specific to the
ritual of the elites. Carpathian fauna.
Whether they missed the aristocratic It can be reached from the county road Valea
substrate or not, both Romanian commun- Azugii.
eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 49

Cu o istorie de peste 120 de ani i statu
tul de furnizor oficial de vinuri al Casei
Regale a Romniei, Crama Rhein se bucur
de un prestigiu aparte printre productorii
de vinuri din Romnia.
A fost fondat la 1892 de ctre sasul
Wilhelm Rhein, n apropierea Azugii.
Amplasarea a fost aleas datorit climei ce
favorizeaz fermentaia vinului spumant,
strugurii folosii n producie fiind adui
din Sebe. n mod excepional, crama se
gsete deasupra solului, protejat de perei
groi de 1,5 metri. Temperatura din interior
nu scade sub 4 grade iarna i nu crete la
mai mult de 15 grade pe timpul verii.
Wilhelm Rhein a fost primul care a cump-
rat licena pentru producerea ampaniei n
Romnia. n perioada interbelic, spu-
mantul produs de firma lui va deveni una
dintre buturile oficiale ale Casei Regale a
Romniei.
n timpul regimului comunist producia de
vin spumant, dar i de vin linitit nregis-
treaz o cretere substanial. n prezent, used in production being brought from Sebe.
50 eu iubesc romnia ediia de prahova | 2015
teodor fereta eu-romania.org
Pivniele Rhein
Rhein Cellars
cantitatea de vin produs anual a sczut
substantial, ns produsele Rhein conti-
nu s fie promovate de membrii familiei
regale.
Pivniele Rhein au fost incluse recent n
circuitul turistic Drumul Vinului i sunt
vizitate anual de peste 10.000 de persoane.
Turitii au posibilitatea s se familiarizeze
cu procesul de fabricare al spumantului,
conform metodei folosite n regiunea
Champagne, i s deguste sofisticatele licori
produse aici.
With a history of over 120 years and
the status of official wine supplier of the
Royal House of Romania, Rhein Cellars enjoy
a special kind of prestige among wine produ-
cers in Romania.
They were founded in 1892 by the Saxon Wil-
helm Rhein, close to Azuga. The location was
chosen thanks to the climate that favours
fermentation in sparkling wine, the grapes
sophisticated wines produced here.
1 Crama Rhein
se bucur de un pres-
tigiu aparte printre
productorii de
vinuri din Romnia.
Rhein Cellars
enjoy a special kind
of prestige among
wine producers in
Romania.
01
Exceptionally, the cellar is above ground,
protected by walls 1.5 metres thick. The tem-
perature inside does not go below 4 degrees
in winter or above 15 degrees in summer.
Wilhelm Rhein was the first man who
bought the licence to produce champagne in
Romania. In the inter-war period, the spark-
ling wine produced by his company would
become one of the official drinks of the Royal
House of Romania.
In the communist period, the sparkling and
still wine production recorded a substantial
growth. Nowadays, the amount of wine
produced every year decreased greatly, but
the Rhein products are still being promoted
by the members of the Royal family.
The Rhein Cellars have recently been included
in the touristic circuit The Wine Road and
they are visited by over 10,000 people every
year. Tourists have the chance to become
familiar with the sparkling wine making
process, according to the method used in
the region of Champagne, and to taste the

Pstrvria de la Prul Limbel
The trout farm on Limbel Spring
Ce ar fi de spus despre Pstrvria
Limbel? n primul rnd, c pare a fi pla-
sat ntr-o grdin imperial chinezeasc.
Sub cerul curat al Azugii, nvecinat cu un
pru, cu muni i cu lacuri, plin de peti
iui i zvpiai ca focul, toate elementele
primare din tradiia oriental sunt armoni-
os mbinate n acest loc seren.
Contemplarea peisajului te ndeamn la
visare, iar o plimbare pe malurile Prului
Limbel v va face mai linitii, dac nu
mai nelepi.
Grijile cotidiene se vor retrage i vor rm-
ne undeva departe, lsndu-v umerii liberi
pentru rucsacul de drume. ntocmai ca n
condiia de om original, numai foamea o
s v ntiineze c suntei capabil s avei sky of Azuga, with a spring, mountains and
nevoi. Ce altceva ai putea mnca dect
pstrv aflndu-v aici?
Pstrv cu legume la cuptor, pstrv prjit,
pstrv cu cartofi la cuptor, pstrv italian,
pstrv veneian, pstrv rasol cu sos mai-
viziteaz judeul prahova
teodor fereta eu-romania.org visit prahova county
1 Contemplarea
peisajului te ndeamn
la visare, iar o plimbare
pe malul Prului
Limbel te va face mai
linitit. Contem-
plating the landscape
makes you want to day-
dream, and a walk on
the banks of Limbel
Spring will make you
more peaceful.
01
tre dhotel, lista de opiuni culinare pe care want to daydream, and a walk on the banks
le ofer acest pete ar putea umple o pagin of Limbel Spring will make you more peace-
ntreag. ful, if not wiser.
Tot aa i beneficiile lui pentru sntate. Pe The daily troubles will go away and stay far
lng bogia n proteine a crnii de pete, off, leaving your shoulders free for your trav-
ce v face mai puternici i mai energici, ellers backpack. Just like in the original mans
aceasta mai conine i vitaminele B6 i B12, condition, only hunger will let you know you
ce contribuie la ntreinerea celulei ner- can still have needs. What else could you eat
voase, vitamina D, benefic pentru piele, i but trout, while youre here?
Omega-3, de asemenea un fortifiant nervos Baked trout with vegetables, fried trout,
ce menine sntatea inimii. baked trout and potatoes, Italian trout, Vene-
tian trout, boiled trout with matre dhtel
sauce, the list of choices this fish provides
What is there to say about the Limbel could fill up a whole page.
Trout Farm? First of all, it seems to be located So could its advantages for your health.
in a Chinese imperial garden. Under the clear Besides being rich in protein, which make
you stronger and more energetic, fish meat
lakes for neighbours, filled with quick, fidgety also contains vitamins B6 and B12, which
fish, all the primary elements in the Eastern contribute to the maintenance of nerve cells,
tradition are blended harmoniously in this vitamin D, good for the skin, and Omega 3,
serene place. another nervous fortifier that preserves the
Contemplating the landscape makes you health of your heart.
eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 51

01
Brcneti
C
omuna Brcneti, aflat la 55
km de Bucureti, reedina judeu-
lui Prahova, se remarc n circuitul
turistic, dar i n cel religios prin
dou puncte-reper: Mnstirea Ghighiu i
ruinele conacului Brncoveanu - Mavrocor-
dat, ce dateaz din secolele XVIII-XIX.
Situat la sud de oraul Ploieti, comuna
Brcneti este una destul de expus traficu-
lui auto, ea fiind traversat de DN1, ce leag
capitala Bucureti de muncipiul Braov.
Brcneti este o comun cu peste 9.300
de locuitori, un numr n cretere fa de
ultimul recensmnt, ce a fost inclus n
documente nc din anii 1800.
Mnstirea Ghighiu, ce adpostete icoana
fctoare de minuni a Maicii Domnului cu
52 eu iubesc romnia ediia de prahova | 2015
magda ene eu-romania.org
Pruncul, este cea care a pus comuna Brc-
neti pe harta turismului religios.
Mnstirea Ghighiu din Brcneti este
un ansamblu de construcii ce cuprinde
biserica mare Izvorul Tmduirii, ridicat
n 1866, biserica mic nvierea Sfntului
Lazr, ridicat la 1817, chiliile micuelor,
ridicate pe laturile de sud i vest, turnul-clo-
potni i zidul de incint, ridicat n preajma
anului 1856.
Numele Ghighiu apare atestat pentru prima
dat n secolul al XV-lea, fcnd referire la
satul Ghighiu, ntr-un hrisov al voievodu-
lui Radu cel Frumos, de la 1471, n timp ce
Mnstirea Ghighiu este menionat pentru
prima dat la 1601, ntr-un document scris
de fiul logoftului Coresi din localitate.
2 Mnstirea Ghighiu
din Brcneti este clasi-
ficat ca monument istoric
de arhitectur, de interes
naional. Ghighiu
Monastery of Brcneti
is classified as a historical
architectural monument, of
national interest.
02
Mnstirea Ghighiu a cunoscut o istorie
ndelungat i agitat, de la rolul su n
dezvoltarea farmaciei tiinifice (aici se
producea roinia folosit ca medicament),
la transformarea n cas de doctori n
timpul epidemiei de holer din 1892 i chiar
transformarea sa n fabric de conserve n
timpul Primului Rzboi Mondial. Cu toate
acestea, indiferent de greutile nfruntate,
Mnstirea Ghighiu a rmas un lca mo-
nahal, unde credincioii au gsit mereu un
sprijin i o alinare a suferinelor.
n prezent, Mnstirea Ghighiu din Brc-
neti adpostete 45 de monahi, 22 ha de
pmnt de cultur i un adevrat tezaur de
art bisericeasc, organizat n 1964, format
din obiecte de cult, tiprituri i icoane vechi.

Icoana fctoare de minuni a Maicii Domnu-
lui cu Pruncul este punctul central al Mns-
tirii Ghighiu, sute de credincioi gsindu-i
rugile ascultate n faa acestei icoane.
Icoana fctoare de minuni de la Mnstirea
Ghighiu dateaz din secolul al XVI-lea i a
fost druit mnstirii de ctre episcopul
Vasile Samaha de Sergiopolis din Siria.
n incinta Mnstirii Ghighiu se afl i un
izvor cu ap despre care se spune c are
puteri tmduitoare. Povestea Izvorului
Tmduirii de la Mnstirea Ghighiu ncepe
odat cu cutrile clugrului Agapie, n Co- Brcneti is rather exposed to car traffic,
drul Vlsiei, a unui loc de mnstire. Obosit,
acesta poposete ntr-o poian unde aude
susurul unui izvor. Acesta a devenit izvorul
cunoscut azi ca Izvorul Tmduirii de la M-
nstirea Ghighiu, alturi de care s-a ridicat
mnstirea pe care o cunoatem cu toii.
The commune of Brcneti, located 55 gifted to the monastery by the bishop Vasile
km from Bucharest, the Prahova county seat,
stands out in the touristic and the religious
circuit with two reference points: Ghighiu
Monastery and the ruins of the Brncoveanu
Mavrocordat manor, dating back to the
18th-19th centuries.
Located to the south of the city of Ploieti,
stopped in a glade where he heard the mur-
being crossed by National Road 1, which
connects the capital to the municipality of
Braov.
Brcneti is a commune with over 9,300
viziteaz judeul prahova
visit prahova county
inhabitants, a growing number compared to
the previous census, and it was included in
documents in the 1800s.
Ghighiu Monastery, which holds the mir-
acle-working icon of Virgin Mary and Infant
Jesus, is the one that placed the commune of
Brcneti on the map of religious tourism.
Ghighiu Monastery of Brcneti is an
ensemble of buildings that includes the large
church Izvorul Tmduirii, built in 1866, the
small church nvierea Sfntului Lazr, built
in 1817, the nuns cells, located on the south
and west sides, the belfry and the outer wall,
built around the year 1856.
The name Ghighiu was attested for the first
time in the 15th century and it referred to
the village of Ghighiu, in a charter of Voivode
Radu the Fair, in 1471, while Ghighiu Monas-
tery was mentioned for the first time in 1601
in a document written by the son of logothete
Coresi in the town.
Ghighiu Monastery had a long, troubled
history, from its role in developing scientific
pharmacy (lemon balm used as medicine was
produced here), to its transformation into a
doctors house during the cholera epidemic
of 1892 and even its transformation into a
tin can factory during the First World War.
However, no matter the hardships, Ghighiu
Monastery has remained a place of worship,
where the faithful always found support and
comfort when suffering.
Nowadays, Ghighiu Monastery of Brcneti
houses 45 monks, 22 ha of farming land and a
true treasure of church art, organised in 1964,
consisting of ritualistic objects, prints and old
icons.
The miracle-working icon of Virgin Mary and
Infant Jesus is the central point of interest
of Ghighiu Monastery, hundreds of believers
finding comfort before this icon.
The miracle-working icon of Ghighiu Monas-
tery dates back to the 15th century and it was
Samaha of Sergiopolis in Syria.
Inside the Ghighiu Monastery there is a water
spring which is believed to have healing
powers. The story of the Life-giving Spring
in Ghighiu Monastery begins with monk
Agapies pursuits, in Vlsie Forest, of a place
to build a monastery. As he was tired, he
mur of a spring. It became the spring known
today as the Life-giving Spring of Ghighiu
Monastery, next to which was built the mon-
astery we all know.
eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 53
 ctlina ghelan
01
Breaza
B
reaza este un ora micu, de
care nu te mai saturi privindu-l i
admirndu-i peisajele minunate.
Localizat n judeul Prahova,
acesta are o istorie impresionant, fiind
unul dintre punctele principale de trecere
din ara Romneasc spre Transilvania.
Nimeni nu tie exact de unde provine
numele de Breaza, dar localnicii vorbesc
despre dou legende, ambele fiind legate
de o femeie.
Prima versiune a originii numelui de
Breaza este legenda ciobniei care venise
aici mpreun cu soul su i turma de oi.
Acetia erau n trecere pe aceste melea-
guri, ns au ndrgit att de mult zona
nct au decis s se stabileasc permanent
aici. ntr-o zi, ciobnia adoarme lng
54 eu iubesc romnia ediia de prahova | 2015
flickr, eu-romania.org, hofigal
2 Dei alte localiti de pe
valea Prahovei sunt mult mai
celebre i mai des vizitate,
Breaza nu este cu nimic mai
prejos dect acestea.
Although other localities
in Prahova Valley are much
more famous and visited
more often, Breaza is no less
interesting than them.
02
laptele pus la fiert, iar laptele fierbinte i
atinge obrazul, lsndu-i o cicatrice. Aa
primete ciobnia porecla de Breaza, iar
localitatea a fost numit dup aceasta. n
cea de-a doua variant se menioneaz
doar faptul c numele localitii vine de la
o ciobni breaz, care avea prul negru i
doar o uvi alb.
n sursele oficiale, Breaza este menionat
pentru prima dat n anul 1431, pe vremea
domnitorului Alexandru I, unul dintre
fiii lui Mircea cel Btrn. ntre anii 1834 i
1852, comuna Breaza de Sus a funcionat
ca punct de vam ntre ara Romneasc i
Transilvania, nainte ca acesta s se mute
la Predeal. n acea perioad, localitatea s-a
dezvoltat foarte mult, datorit negustorilor
03
care poposeau aici n drumul lor. Un alt

moment important n istoria localitii
este anul 1928, cnd aceasta este declarat
staiune balneoclimateric, datorit pro-
prietilor deosebite ale aerului din zon.
Una dintre cele mai bine prezervate cldiri
din Breaza este Castelul Voievodal, fostul
conac al lui Toma Cantacuzino. Castelul
a fost construit n dou faze, iniial fiind
ridicat un singur nivel, apoi etajul a fost
adugat de ctre domnitorul rii Rom-
neti din acea vreme, Gheorghe Bibescu.
Istoria castelului este legat i ea de dou
femei celebre, la fel ca i povestea de origi-
ne a localitii, de data aceasta fiind vorba
de Martha Bibescu i Anne de Noailles,
nscut Brncoveanu, care au locuit aici
temporar.
Oricare ar fi adevrul despre originea aces-
tui sat, devenit mai trziu ora, un lucru
este cert: oricine va ajunge aici l va ndrgi
imediat. Dei alte localiti de pe Valea Wallachia at the time, Gheorghe Bibescu.
Pahovei sunt mult mai celebre i mai des
vizitate, Breaza nu este cu nimic mai prejos
dect acestea. Peisajele sunt cel puin la fel
de impresionante, iar aerul de aici, cu pro-
prietile sale aparte, este renumit pentru
eficiena n tratarea mai multor afeciuni.
Breaza is a small town, which you
cannot get enough of looking at and ad-
miring its wonderful landscapes. Located in
Prahova County, it has an impressive history,
being one of the main crossing points from
Wallachia to Transylvania. No one knows ex-
actly where the name of Breaza comes from,
viziteaz judeul prahova
visit prahova county
but the locals speak of two legends, both of
them being related to a woman.
The first version of the origin of the name of
Breaza is the legend of the shepherdess that
had come here with her husband and her
flock of sheep. They were passing through,
but they loved the area so much that they
decided to settle down here for good. One
day, the shepherdess fell asleep by the milk
left to boil, and the hot milk burned her
cheek, leaving a scar. This was how the shep-
herdess got her nickname Breaza, and the
locality was named after her. According to
the second version, the name of the locality
comes from a shepherdess who had black
hair and a single lock of white hair.
In official sources, Breaza is mentioned for
the first time in 1431, during the rule of Alex-
ander I, one of the sons of Mircea the Elder.
Between the years 1834 and 1852, the com-
mune Breaza de Sus functioned as a crossing
point between Wallachia and Transylvania,
before it was moved to Predeal. In that
period, the locality developed a lot, thanks
to the merchants that stopped here in their
journeys. Another important moment in the
history of the locality is the year 1928, when
it was declared a spa resort, thanks to the
special properties of the air in the area.
One of the best preserved buildings in
Breaza is the Voivodal Castle, the former
manor belonging to Toma Cantacuzino. The
castle was built in two stages, with a single
ground floor being completed at first, and
then the floor was added by the ruler of
The history of the castle is also related to
two famous women, like the localitys origin
history, this time Martha Bibescu and Anne
de Noailles, born Brncoveanu, who lived
here temporarily.
Whatever the truth about the origin of this
village, which later became a town, one
thing is certain: whoever gets here will take
a fancy to it at once. Although other localit-
ies in Prahova Valley are much more famous
and visited more often, Breaza is no less
interesting than them. Its landscapes are at
least equally impressive, and the air, with
its particular properties, is renowned for its
efficiency in treating several conditions.
eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 55
 Complex de terapie
natural Alexandra
- Hofigal
Complexul de terapie natural Alexandra - Hofigal
se afl ntr-un trm de poveste, pe Valea Prahovei, n
localitatea Breaza.
Alexandra Natural Therapy Centre Hofigal
Alexandra Natural Therapy Centre Hofigal is located in a fairy tale land, in Prahova
Valley, in the town of Breaza.
Este binecunoscut faptul c n
aceast zon aerul are cel mai ridicat
coninut de ozon i de ioni negativi din
toat ara, proprietate extrem de bene-
fic pentru purificarea organismului.
Tocmai datorit acestor proprieti
miraculoase s-a decis amplasarea
complexului n aceast locaie.
n Romnia exist mai multe staiuni
balneare n care pacienii beneficiaz
de diverse tratamente pe parcursul
foto/photo: complex alexandra
sejurului, ns Complexul Alexandra
ofer mai mult dect att. Pe lng n aceast veritabil oaz de sntate,
tratamentele recomandate n urma
unei consultaii, pacienii se vor bucura
i de un regim alimentar ct se poate
de sntos, doar cu alimente bio, i de o
prescripie de suplimente Hofigal. Prin
combinarea celor trei factori, pacien-
tul va avea parte att de o vindecare
a organismului venit din interior
(prin regimul sntos i suplimentele
de/by: ctlina ghelan
naturale), ct i din exterior (cu ajutorul
tratamentelor precum reflexoterapia,
kinetoterapia, electroterapia sau ma-
sajul). S nu uitm nici de vindecarea
spiritual, care va avea loc n urma
plimbrilor prin natur, prin relaxare i
prin desprinderea de grijile de zi cu zi.
56 eu iubesc romnia ediia de prahova | 2015
Complexul de terapie natural Ale-
xandra - Hofigal este singurul din ar
n care putei beneficia de faimoasa
mpachetare cu spirulin, care ofer
nenumrate beneficii pentru ntregul
organism. n funcie de afeciunile de
care sufer pacienii sau de obiectivele
urmrite (de exemplu, pierderea n
greutate) pe parcursul sejurului, trata-
mentele recomandate i dieta oferit
sunt personalizate pentru fiecare caz n
parte. n urma unei vacane petrecute
the nature, relaxing and forgetting
vei pleca mai fericii, mai relaxai i, cu
siguran, mai sntoi.
It is a well-known fact that in this
area the air has the highest content of
ozone and negative ions in the entire
country, a very beneficial property that
helps purify the body. It is precisely
thanks to these wonderful properties
that the centre was built here.
In Romania there are several spas where
patients enjoy various treatments
throughout their stay, but the Alexandra
Centre provides much more than that.
Besides recommended treatments fol-
lowing medical consultations, patients
will also enjoy a healthy diet, consisting
only of organic foods, and a prescription
of Hofigal supplements. By combining
the three factors, the patients will heal
their bodies from the inside (thanks to
the healthy diet and natural supple-
ments) and from the outside (with
treatments such as reflexotherapy, kin-
esiotherapy, electrotherapy or massage).
Let us not forget about spiritual healing,
which will occur thanks to walking in
about day-to-day problems.
Alexandra Natural Therapy Centre
Hofigal is the only one in the coun-
try where you can enjoy the famous
spirulina body wrap, which has many
benefits for the entire body. According
to the conditions that patients suffer
from or to the goals they have in mind
(for instance, losing weight) during their
stay, the recommended treatments
and the diet provided are customised
for each and every case. After a holiday
spent in this true oasis of health, you
will leave happier, more relaxed and
definitely healthier.
 viziteaz judeul prahova
visit prahova county

1 Complexul de terapie
natural "Alexandra" - Hofigal
este singurul din ar n care
putei beneficia de faimoasa
mpachetare cu spirulin.
"Alexandra" Natural
Therapy Center - Hofigal is the
only one in the country where
you can enjoy the famous
spirulina body wrap.

01

02 03

eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 57

 Lac de Verde
Golf & Leisure Resort
Lac de Verde Golf & Leisure Resort este cu adevrat o oaz de
linite i relaxare, aa cum este descris de ctre proprietarii
acesteia.

Lac de Verde Golf & Leisure Resort
Lac de Verde Golf & Leisure Resort is truly an oasis of peace and relaxation, as it is described by its
owners.

Doar vizualizarea ctorva poze din aceast

minunat locaie v va determina s punei mna pe
telefon pentru a face o rezervare. Este un loc magic,
parc rupt dintr-o ilustraie de basm, iar pentru cei
care vin din marile centre urbane i gri ale rii,
acest resort este cu att mai valoros cu ct le
permite o apropiere de natur de care nu se
vor putea bucura niciodat n oraele de
reedin.
foto/photo: fb.com/Lac-de-Verde-Golf-Leisure-Resort-807195075970375
Just viewing a few pictures of this wonderful
location will convince you to pick up the phone and
make a booking. It is a magical place, taken straight
from a fairy tale illustration, and for those who
come from the big, grey urban centres of the
country, this resort is the more valuable,
as it allows them to come much closer

Acest complex turistic este situat
ntr-un orel fermector, i
anume Breaza, n judeul
Prahova. Pe lng faptul
c se afl la poalele
munilor, lucru
ce ofer peisaje
de poveste turitilor,
Breaza mai este cunos-
cut i pentru proprietile
deosebite ale aerului i pentru
to nature than they could ever do in
Lac de Verde este their cities of residence.
This touristic complex is
un loc magic, parc
situated in the charming
rupt dintr-o ilustraie town of Breaza, in
Prahova County.
de basm. Besides being
located at the foot
of the mountains, which
Lac de Verde it is a magical place, offers fairy tale landscapes
taken straight from a fairy tale to every tourist, Breaza is also 01

clima din aceast zon. n peri- illustration. famous for the special properties
oada interbelic, mai exact n 1928, of the air and for the weather in the Cei mai rsfai
sunt amatorii acestui
orelul ce fcea odat legtura dintre area. In the inter-war period, in 1928 to
sport, care se pot
ara Romneasc i Transilvania a fost be precise, the town that used to connect bucura de un teren
declarat staiune balneoclimateric. Wallachia and Transylvania was declared a spa de golf ce se ntinde
Lac de Verde a fost gndit ca un spaiu resort. pe 24 de hectare.
multifuncional, care s poat satisface cu uu- Lac de Verde was designed as a multifunctional space, The most pampered
rin nevoile vizitatorilor si. Cei care vin aici pentru which could easily satisfy the needs of its visitors. Those are definitely the golf
relaxare pot opta pentru o mas delicioas la restauran- who come here for relaxation can try a delicious meal at lovers, who will enjoy
tul resortului, un masaj relaxant sau o baie cu plante the resorts restaurant, a relaxing massage or a bath with an impressive golf
medicinale culese chiar din grdina complexului. Cei medicinal plants picked from the garden of the complex. course that covers 24
hectares.
care vin aici pentru conferine sau pentru negocierea Those who come here for conference or for business
de/by: ctlina ghelan

unor afaceri vor avea la dispoziie un lounge, o sal de
conferine i o zon pentru meetinguri restrnse. ns
cei mai rsfai vor fi, cu siguran, amatorii de golf,
care se vor putea bucura de un teren de golf impresi-
onant, ce se ntinde pe 24 de hectare, i care vor avea
la dispoziie instructori specializai, n cazul n care
doresc s opteze pentru un curs de iniiere.
negotiations will have at their disposal a lounge, a confer-
ence room or an area for smaller meetings. But the most
pampered will definitely be golf lovers, who will enjoy an
impressive golf course that covers 24 hectares, and who
may contact any of the specialised instructors, if they
wish to choose a beginners course.

58 eu iubesc romnia ediia de prahova | 2015

 viziteaz judeul prahova
visit prahova county

Admir peisaje de
poveste.

Admire the fairytale landscapes.

02

Ce ne-e'avepenljocyeudt!
What w

Ai la dispoziie instructori You may contact any of the

de golf specializai, n cazul specialised instructors if you
n care doreti s optezi pen- choose a beginner course.
tru un curs de iniiere.

solo

cu afaceri business

copii children

cupluri couples

03

eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 59


Brebu
01
C
omuna Brebu, format din
satele Brebu Mnstiresc, Pietri-
ceaua, Brebu Megieesc i Podul
Cheii, este situat la aproximativ
100 km de Bucureti, 40 km de Ploieti i 7
km de Cmpina.
Poziionat n apropiere de Valea Doftanei,
Brebu este atestat documentar ca exis-
tnd cu mult nainte de secolul al XIV-lea
i funcionnd pe baza schimburilor
comerciale pe care le realizau cu diverse
trguri, sate i orae din mprejurimi.
Cercetrile realizate n vederea identi-
ficrii istoricului numelui comunei fac
referire cel mai adesea la existena unei
legturi ntre nume i animalul care a trit
pn n urm cu 90 de ani n Brebu - casto-
rul, cunoscut i sub numele de breb. O alt
ipotez leag numele comunei de o floare
extrem de rspndit n zon - brebenelul.
Cele patru sate i-au luat denumirea astfel:
satul Brebu Mnstirii i satul Brebu
Megieesc au luat natere dup divizarea
satului ntr-o parte a mnstirii i o alta
vecin, megiea; satul Podul Cheii a luat
60 eu iubesc romnia ediia de prahova | 2015
magda ene eu-romania.org
aceast denumire datorit podului de pe
Cheia Brebului; satul Pietriceanu a luat
numele dealului pe care se afl situat.
Comuna Brebu este recunoscut n
circuitul turistic datorit complexului
architectural medieval Brebu, format din
Zidul, Turnul Clopotni, Biserica i Casa
Domneasc - un monument istoric cu
nsemntate.
Zidul, din piatr de ru i crmid, are
o form poligonal neregulat, intrarea
fcndu-se pe sub Turnul Clopotni, nalt
de 30 de metri.
Construcia bisericii cuprinse n acest
complex architectural a nceput n anul
1650, n timpul lui Matei Basarab, i a fost
finalizat n timpul lui Constantin Brn-
coveanu. Asemntoare Mnstirii Dealu,
decoraiile exterioare sunt similare cu cele
ale Turnului Clopotni.
Construit pe un plan dreptunghiular,
avnd ziduri groase, opt ncperi de
locuit, o teras cu loggie i un foior, Casa
Domneasc este o adevrat dovad a m-
iestriei arhitecturale romneti. Parterul
2 Biserica actual are o
adevrat valoare artistic.
o treime fiind construit din
piatr, fluit cu scndur
lcuit de brad, pe o fundaie
de beton armat.
The current church has a
real artistic value, one third
of it being built of stone,
covered with lacquered fire
wood boards, on a reinforeced
concrete foundation.
02
casei este spectaculos, decorat cu stlpi de
susinere i arcade.
Localitatea Brebu a fost de-a lungul anilor
locul de popas pentru numeroi artiti ro-
mni, precum tefan Luchian sau Nicolae
Grigorescu, care, atrai de pitorescul zonei
i de frumuseea arhitecturii medievale, au
zbovit prin zon.
Azi, Casa Domneasc servete drept
muzeu. Organizat cu ajutorul i implicarea
Muzeului de Istorie i Arheologie Prahova,
muzeul din Casa Domneasc din Brebu
adpostete o frumoas expoziie de isto-
rie i art medieval, format din tiprituri
laice i ecleziastice de mare importan,
precum prima biblie n limba romn cu
caractere chirilice sau primul ndreptar de
lege adresat mirenilor i clericilor.
Un alt punct de atracie, ce transform
Brebu ntr-o destinaie ideal pentru o
excursie de weekend, este Lacul Brebu.
Lacul Brebu este situat lng Curtea
Domneasc i este locul ideal pentru o zi
de pescuit sau de relaxare dup vizitarea
complexului arhitectural medieval.

Biserica din Pietriceaua, ce poart hramul
Sfnta Treime, este un alt obiectiv ce nu
trebuie ratat n cltoria voastr n Brebu. The research carried out with a view to
Locul n care azi gsim biserica Sfnta Trei-
me din Pietriceaua a fost ocupat nc din
anul 1852 de un lca de cult, o biseric mai
mic, ce a rezistat pn n anul 1948, fiind
construit din lemn de esen moale i lut,
n tradiia vechilor biserici romneti.
n mod surprinztor, construcia noii bi-
serici, cunoscut azi sub numele de Sfnta
Treime, a nceput cu achiziia unor
clopote noi, cel mai mare cntrind 225
kg. Din acest punct au demarat discuiile
serioase pe tema ridicrii noii biserici.
The commune of Brebu, consisting of
the villages Brebu Manstiresc, Pietriceaua,
Brebu Megieesc and Podu Cheii, is located
approximately 100 km from Bucharest, 40
km from Ploieti and 7 km from Cmpina.
Situated close to Valea Doftanei, Brebu was
attested long before the 14th century and it
functioned due to the commercial ex-
changes that its merchants had with various
surrounding boroughs, villages and towns.
laypeople and the clergy.
identifying the history of the communes
name most often mentions a connection
between its name and the animal that lived
in Brebu until 90 years ago the beaver, Brebu Lake is located next to the Princely
also known as breb in Romanian. Another
hypothesis ties the name of the commune
to a very common flower in the area the
periwinkle (brebenel in Romanian).
The four villages were thus named: the
villages of Brebu Mnstirii and Brebu
Megieesc were created after the village
was divided into two the monasterys side
and another neighbouring one; the village
of Podul Cheii was named thus due to the
bridge on Cheia Brebului; and the village of
Pietriceanu was named after the hill where
it is located.
The commune of Brebu is known in the tour-
istic circuit thanks to the Brebu medieval ar-
chitectural complex, consisting of the Wall,
the Bell Tower, the Church and the Princely
House an important historical monument.
viziteaz judeul prahova
visit prahova county
The wall, made of river stone and bricks,
has an irregular polygonal shape, and the
entrance is under the Bell Tower, which is 30
metres tall.
The construction of the church included in
the architectural complex started in the year
1650, under the rule of Matei Basarab, and it
was completed under Constantin Brncov-
eanu. As with Dealu Monastery, the exterior
decorations are similar to those of the Bell
Tower.
Built on a rectangular plane, with thick
walls, eight living chambers, a terrace with
a loggia and a gazebo, the Princely House
is real proof of the Romanian architectural
mastery. The ground floor is spectacular,
decorated with support pillars and arches.
The locality of Brebu has been the lay-by
of many Romanian artists over the years,
such as tefan Luchian or Nicolae Grigor-
escu, who stayed a while, attracted by the
picturesque area and the beautiful medieval
architecture.
Today, the Princely House is a museum.
Organised with the support and involvement
of the Museum of History and Archaeology
Prahova, the museum in the Brebu Princely
House hosts a wonderful exhibition of me-
dieval art and history, consisting of laic and
ecclesiastic prints of great importance, such
as the first Bible written in Romanian with
Cyrillic letters or the first law guidebook for
Another attraction, which makes Brebu the
perfect destination for a weekend trip, is
Brebu Lake.
Court and it is the ideal spot for a day spent
fishing or relaxing after visiting the medieval
architectural complex.
The church in Pietriceaua, with the Holy Trin-
ity as patron, is another attraction that you
should not miss on your trip to Brebu.
The spot where we find the Sfnta Treime
Church in Pietriceaua today has been
occupied since 1852 by a place of worship,
a smaller church, which stood until 1948,
being made of softwood and clay, following
the tradition of old Romanian churches.
Surprisingly enough, the construction of the
new church, known today as Sfnta Treime,
began with the purchase of new bells, the
largest of them weighing 225 kg. This was
when serious talk on the topic of building
the new church started.
eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 61
 magda ene zooploiesti.ro, eu-romania.org

2 Denumirea comunei i
are originea n limba slav, Bu-
cov nsemnnd fget, datorit
preponderenei pdurilor de
fag din zon.
The name of the commune
comes from Slavic language,
where Bucov means a beech
01
forest, due to the many such
forests in the area.

Bucov
S
ituat pe malul stng al Rului
Teleajen, n apropiere de Ploieti,
avnd o suprafa de 4.903 ha,
localitatea Bucov are cinci sate n
construite n jurul imaginii lui Constantin
Stere - Parcul Constantin Stere i Casa
Memorial Constantin Stere.
Om politic, jurist, savant i scriitor romn,
02

iar pe moia din jurul su a fost construit

administrare: Bucov, Pleaa, Valea Orlei,
Chiorani i Bighilini.
Bucov i are prima atestare documentat
n anul 1473, ns iese cu adevrat n evi-
den n urma unui eveniment petrecut n
octombrie 1600, cunoscut sub numele de
Btlia de la Bucov, cnd oastea condus
de Mihai Viteazul este nvins de forele
polono-moldoveneti.
Traversat de trei ruri, Teleajen, Bucovel
i Iazul Morilor, comuna Bucov este o
aezare n plin dezvoltare, cu preocupri
legate de agricultur, creterea animalelor
i viticultur.
Cu toate acestea, exist i n comuna Bu-
cov dou puncte de atracie turistic pen-
tru iubitorii de natur, dar i de cultur,
lupttor politic i participant la micarea
revoluionar narodnicist, Constantin
Stere a atras atenia autoritilor ariste,
care l-au condamnat la nchisoare i sur-
ghiun n Siberia.
Parcul Constantin Stere, cunoscut i
sub numele de Parcul Bucov, se afl la
aproximativ 5 km de centrul oraului
Ploieti. Acesta are o istorie extrem de
interesant deoarece n trecut, pe locul
actualului parc, se afla un conac ncon-
jurat de un parc ce se ntindea pe malul
Rului Teleajen. Conacul, proprietate a
Anetei Radovici, cea de-a doua soie a lui
Constantin Stere, a trecut n proprietatea
statului la finalul celui de-al doilea rzboi
mondial, fiind transformat n restaurant,
un lac mai mare i dou lacuri mai mici n
aval, spre comuna Bucov.
Dup 1989, conacul este retrocedat
urmailor lui Constantin Stere, pentru a
fi apoi transformat n Muzeul Memorial
Constantin Stere. Parcul a primit i el
numele onorific Constantin Stere, tran-
sformndu-se n cea mai cutat oaz de
verdea din zon. Plimbarea prin Parcul
Constantin Stere, pe Aleea Scriitorilor,
are ca principal focus cele 10 statui ale
unor scriitori romni de seam, n captul
de nord al aleii prezidnd la loc de cinste
chiar impuntoarea statuie a lui Constan-
tin Stere.
Muzeul Memorial Constantin Stere,
unde a locuit i creat patriotul militant
pentru realizarea Marii Uniri, a fost pre-
luat n administrare n anul 2002 de ctre
Muzeul Judeean de Istorie i Arheologie

62 eu iubesc romnia ediia de prahova | 2015


Prahova, n scopul transformrii acestuia
n cas memorial, menit s redea univer-
sul spiritual i domestic al familiei Stere.
Muzeul Memorial Constantin Stere
reunete registre, scrieri de mn sau dac-
tilografiate, cri potale, icoane, tablouri,
bibelouri, vase, accesorii vestimentare
i de mobilier, aranjate astfel nct s l
introduc pe vizitator n atmosfera casei,
pe vremea n care era locuit de Constantin
Stere.
La parterul muzeului se afl holul de
primire, salonul i sufrageria, la etaj se afl
dou dormitoare, biroul de lucru i biblio-
teca, iar n mansard este gzduit echipa
Fundaiei Constantin Stere, spaiu valori-
ficat i pentru diverse activiti culturale.
Located on the left bank of the
Teleajen River, close to Ploieti, with an area
of 4,903 ha, the locality of Bucov adminis-
ters five villages: Bucov, Pleaa, Valea Orlei,
Chiorani i Bighilini.
Bucov was first attested in 1473, but it truly
stood out after an event that occurred in
October 1600, known as the Battle of Bucov,
when the army led by Michael the Brave was
defeated by the Polish-Moldavian forces.
Crossed by three rivers, Teleajen, Bucovel
and Iazul Morilor, the commune of Bucov is
a developing settlement, with occupations
related to agriculture, animal rearing and
wine growing.
However, nature and culture lovers find
two tourist attractions in the commune of
Bucov, built around the image of Constantin
Stere the Constantin Stere Park and the
Constantin Stere Memorial House.
A Romanian politician, legal professional,
scientist and writer, a political fighter and
a participant at the narodnik revolutionary
viziteaz judeul prahova
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movement, Constantin Stere attracted the
attention of the czarist authorities, which
sentenced him to prison and exile in Siberia.
The Constantin Stere Park, also known
as Bucov Park, is located approximately 5
km from the centre of Ploieti. It has an
extremely interesting history because in
the past, on the spot of the current park,
there used to be a manor surrounded by
a park that spread over the bank of the
Teleajen River. The manor, owned by Aneta
Radovici, Constantin Steres second wife,
became the property of the state at the end
of the Second World War, being turned into
a restaurant, and on the domain around it
there have been built a larger lake and two
smaller ones, downstream, to the commune
of Bucov.
After 1989, the manor was transferred back
to the heirs of Constantin Stere, and it was
later transformed into the Constantin
Stere Memorial Museum. The park also
acquired the honorary name of Constantin
Stere, and it became the most sought after
oasis of nature in the area. A walk in the
Constantin Stere Park, on the Writers
Alley, focuses on the 10 statues of import-
ant Romanian writers, with the impressive
statue of Constantin Stere himself at the
northern end of the alley.
The Constantin Stere Memorial Museum,
where the patriot who fought for the Great
Union lived, was taken over in 2002 by the
Prahova County Museum of History and
Archaeology to be administered, in order
to be transformed into the memorial house
meant to convey the spiritual and domestic
universe of the Stere family.
The Constantin Stere Memorial Museum
includes handwritten and typed records,
postcards, icons, paintings, china figurines,
vases, clothing and furniture accessories,
arranged in such a way as to introduce the
visitor to the air of the home, in a time when
it was inhabited by Constantin Stere.
The ground floor of the museum has the
lobby, the salon and the dining room, at the
first floor there are two bedrooms, the study
and the library, and the attic hosts the team
of the Constantin Stere Foundation, while
being also valorised for various cultural
activities.
eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 63
 cristina frncu
01
Buteni
M
ult vreme n-au fost
gospodrii pe locul aezrii de
astzi a micului ora praho-
vean Buteni, ci doar o potec
anevoioas i pustietatea nspimnttoare,
strbtut arareori de negustori i de tlhari
deopotriv.
Localitatea a nceput s se nfiripe dup ce,
n anul 1782, domnitorul Mihai Suu aduce
cteva zeci de familii de scutelnici (rani
scutii de birul domnesc n schimbul unor
ndatoriri suplimentare) de la Mnstirea
Sinaia, cu care ntemeiaz ctunul Izvorul.
De aici, locuitorii s-au ntins i mai sus, pe
locurile de astzi ale localitilor Azuga,
Predeal, Poiana apului i Buteni.
La 1835 ncep s apar pe harta Vii Pra-
64 eu iubesc romnia ediia de prahova | 2015
eu-romania.org, shutterstock
2 Buteni este una dintre
cele mai populare destinaii
montane din ar.
Buteni is one of the
most popular mountain
destinations of the country.
02
hovei, n dreptul Buteniului, ctune cu
cteva familii, precum Drguei i Trestia,
mrite n anii trecui cu bucuretenii fugii
din calea lui Osman Pasvantoglu, paa de
Vidin care fcea dese expediii de jaf n ara
Romneasc (1802), i cu cei care-i cutau
salvarea din calea turcilor aflai n urmrirea
conductorului Eteriei, Alexandru Ipsilanti
(1821).
Localitatea Buteni ncepe s se dezvolte
ns n 1846, odat cu porunca lui Bibescu
Vod de a se construi o osea ntre Cmpina
i Predeal, iar prima coal a nceput s
funcioneze la un an dup apariia legii nv-
mntului rural obligatoriu, din 1865 pn
n 1887, ntr-o cas particular. Locuitorilor
nu le mai trebuie mult pn s fie integrai,
03

cu mica lor aezare de la poalele Bucegilor,
n viaa intens i agitat a tinerei Romnii.
Calea ferat Ploieti-Predeal este inaugurat
n 1879, iar trei ani mai trziu, fabrica de hr-
tie ntemeiat de fraii Karl i Samuel Schiel,
rnoveni la origine, adun n tnrul ora
Buteni peste o mie de muncitori. ntreprin-
derea frailor Schiel ajunsese s cuprind,
pn n cultural efervescenta perioad in-
terbelic, i o fabric de cherestea la Azuga,
precum i o fabric de celuloz, iar numele
celor doi este i acum foarte important n
istoria Buteniului.
n ciuda suferinelor aduse de Primul Rzboi
Mondial, care a lsat urme sngeroase pe
meleagurile prahovene, a cror memorie
este consemnat prin monumentul Crucea
Eroilor de pe Caraiman i monumentul
Ultima grenad, din faa grii, nchinat Despite the suffering brought by World War
caporalului Muat, localitatea devine ora n
anul 1946.
Odat cu avntul luat de turism dup cele
dou rzboaie mondiale, Buteniul, punct de the monument The Last Grenade in front
plecare pe numeroase trasee alpine, ora de
unde se poate admira privelitea magnific
a Bucegilor, dar i staiune de vacan ideal
pentru familiile venite s se bucure de cteva
zile de relaxare, este astzi una dintre cele
mai populare destinaii montane din ar.
For a long time, no households stood
on the spot of the current settlement in the
small town of Buteni, but just a difficult path
viziteaz judeul prahova
visit prahova county
and the terrifying wasteland, rarely crossed by
merchants and thieves alike.
The locality started to grow in 1782, after the
ruler Mihai uu brought a few dozen families
of peasants exempt from princely taxes in
exchange for additional duties from the Sinaia
Monastery, with whom he established the
hamlet of Izvorul. The inhabitants then moved
higher, to the spots where we can see today
the localities of Azuga, Predeal, Poiana apului
and Buteni.
In 1835, the map of Prahova Valley, near
Buteni, began to feature hamlets with a
few families, such as Drguei and Trestia,
expanded later with the people of Bucharest
that had fled from Osman Pazvantolu, the
Vidin Pasha who often pillaged Wallachia
(1802), and with those looking to escape from
the Turks who were following the ruler of Filiki
Eteria, Alexandros Ypsilantis (1821).
However, the locality of Buteni started to
develop in 1846, when Bibescu Vod ordered
to build a road between Cmpina and Predeal,
and the first school started to function
one year after the law of compulsory rural
education was passed, from 1865 until 1887, in
a private house. It didnt take the locals long
to be integrated, with their small settlement
at the foto of the Bucegi Mountains, in the
intense, bustling life of young Romania. The
Ploieti-Predeal railway was inaugurated in
1879, and three years later, the paper mill
established by the brothers Karl and Samuel
Schiel, born in Rnov, gathered to the young
town of Buteni over a thousand workers. Un-
til the culturally effervescent inter-war period,
the company belonging to the Schiel brothers
had also included another sawmill in Azuga,
as well as a pulp mill, and their name is still
very important in the history of Buteni.
I, which had left bloody marks in Prahova,
whose memory is honoured by the monument
Heroes Cross on Caraiman Mountain and
of the railway station, dedicated to Corporal
Muat, the locality became a city in the year
1946.
Once tourism took off after the two World
Wars, Buteni, a starting point for several
alpine trails, a city where one can admire the
magnificent view of the Bucegi Mountains, as
well as the perfect holiday resort for families
who want to enjoy a few days of relaxation, is
one of the most popular mountain destina-
tions in our country.
eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 65

Sfinxul i Babele
The Sphinx and Babele on Bucegi Plateau
Furite n piatr de iureul de peste ani
al vntului i al apei, modelate de dacii
strvechi n altare nchinate zeilor sau, cine
tie?, strjeri tocmii de alte civilizaii s
pzeasc vreun punct de trecere n i din
alte dimensiuni, formaiunile stncoase
Sfinxul i Babele de pe platoul Munilor
Bucegi ne aprind imaginaia i nasc o mul-
ime de teorii interesant de dezbtut seara,
la caban, nainte s ne doboare oboseala
acumulat n traseele de peste zi.
Natura ne-a pregtit ntr-un timp ndelun-
gat o expoziie surprinztoare n Munii
Bucegi, cu exponate imense, modelate prin
eroziunea eolian n sute de mii de ani.
Sfinxul este o stnc antropomorf aflat la
altitudinea de 2.216 metri, nalt de 8 metri
i lat de 12 metri.
Ori fiu din piatr al muntelui, cioplit de
vnt i ghea, ori monument sacru venerat
de strmoi, Sfinxul din Bucegi seamn
66 eu iubesc romnia ediia de prahova | 2015
cristina frncu eu-romania.org
din anumite unghiuri cu capul Sfinxului
egiptean sau, ca s rmnem pe meleagu-
rile noastre, cu un cap de dac. Dei situat
cel mai aproape de cer, Sfinxul din Bucegi
nu este singur n Romnia. Lui i se altur
i alte formaiuni stncoase care poart de-
numiri de sfinci, cum ar fi Sfinxul Bratocei
din Munii Ciuca, Sfinxul de la Tople sau
Sfinxul de la Piatra Ars.
n apropierea enigmaticului Sfinx ateap-
t Babele, ciuperci erodate din calcare i
gresii, adunate parc dintotdeauna la sfat
de tain, nesigure dac s dezvluie sau nu
oamenilor adevrata lor origine. Numite i
Altarele ciclopice din Caraiman, Babele
sunt situate la altitudinea de 2.292 de metri,
iar n imediata lor apropiere a fost constru-
it n anul 1937 Cabana Babele, prin efortu-
rile Asociaiei Drumeilor din Munii nali
ai Romniei (ADMIR). Aceeai asociaie
nfiineaz n 1933 Buletinul Alpin, prima
1 Uurina cu
care putem ajunge n
apropierea Sfinxului i
a Babelor nu le terge
ctui de puin aerul
misterios. The
ease with which we
can reach the Sfinx
and Babele does not
erase their mysterious
air in the least.
01
revist de alpinism i drumeie de munte,
care n 1935 oficializeaz ntr-un articol
denumirea de Sfinxul din Bucegi.
Se deschid mai multe drumuri ctre biza-
rele formaiuni stncoase, dar uurina cu
care putem ajunge n apropierea lor nu le
terge ctui de puin aerul misterios. Cea
mai uoar i rapid cale este asigurat de
telecabina din Buteni, dar nici Transbuce-
giul nu se las mai prejos, cei 17 km asfaltai
de drum montan asigurnd turitilor mo-
torizai peisaje fermectoare. Mai dificil i
nerecomandat pe timp de iarn este traseul
preferat de cei care nu dau napoi n faa
urcuului abrupt i anevoios, dar nu mai
puin pitoresc, prin Valea Jepilor Mici.
Carved in stone by the rush of wind
and water over the years, modelled by ancient
Dacians in altars dedicated to gods or, who
knows? guards paid by other civilisations to
 viziteaz judeul prahova
visit prahova county

defend a crossing point to and from other

dimensions, the rocky formations the
Sphinx and Babele on Bucegi Plateau stir
our imagination and give rise to a multi-
tude of interesting theories to debate in
the evening inside the cabin, before we are
subdued by the exhaustion of the trails
crossed during the day.
Nature has prepared for us a surprising
exhibition in Bucegi Mountains, with
huge exhibits, modelled by wind erosion
over hundreds of thousands of years.
The Sphinx is an anthropomorphic rock
situated at the elevation of 2,216 metres,
8 metres tall and 12 metres wide.
A stone son of the mountain, carved
by wind and ice, or a sacred monument
worshipped by our ancestors, the Sphinx
of Bucegi resembles from certain angles
the head of the Egyptian Sphinx or, to
remain in our land, a Dacians head. Al-
though it is closest to the sky, the Sphinx
of Bucegi is not alone in Romania. Other
rocky formations bearing the names of
sphinx join it, such as the Bratocei Sphinx
in Ciuca, the Tople Sphinx or the Piatra
Ars Sphinx.
Close to the enigmatic Sphinx wait
Babele, mushrooms eroded in limestone
and sandstone, seemingly gathered for
a secret council since forever, unsure
whether to reveal people their true origin
or not. Also known as the Cyclopean
altars of Caraiman, Babele are situated
at an elevation of 2,292 metres, and close
by the Babele Cabin was built in the year
1937, by the effort of the Hikers Associ-
ation of the High Mountains of Romania
(ADMIR). The same association founded
Buletinul Alpin in 1933, the first alpinism
and hiking magazine, which coined the
name of Sphinx of Bucegi in an article
in the year 1935.
Several roads open to the bizarre rocky
formations, but the ease with which
we can reach them does not erase their
mysterious air in the least. The easiest and
quickest way is by cable car, starting in
Buteni, but Transbucegi is another viable
option, the 17 km of asphalted mountain
road offering charming landscapes to
drivers. More difficult and not recom-
mended in winter is the trail favoured by
those who are not daunted by the steep,
difficult, yet picturesque climb in Jepii Mici
Valley.

eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 67


Castelul Cantacuzino
The Cantacuzino Castle
Dac Sinaia se flete cu Palatul Pele,
reedina de var a regilor Romniei, nici
Buteniul nu se las mai prejos i, din anul
2010, face o mutare impresionant: dup
retrocedarea ctre motenitori i achiziia
cldirii de ctre investitori strini, Castelul
Cantacuzino ocup una dintre primele
poziii ale listei de obiective turistice pe care
nu ai absolut niciun motiv s le ratezi.
Castelul de la poalele Muntelui Zamora,
din cartierul cu acelai nume al oraului
Buteni, este unul dintre cele trei palate
construite de Prinul George Grigore Can-
tacuzino. Poate c nu este la fel de cunoscut
precum cel din Bucureti, actualul Muzeu
George Enescu, sau ca ruinele Micului
Trianon din Floreti, dar Castelul Canta-
cuzino din Buteni are muntele de partea
lui. De pe terasa cldirii construite n stil
neoromnesc, dup planurile arhitectului
68 eu iubesc romnia ediia de prahova | 2015
cristina frncu eu-romania.org, shutterstock
Grigore Cerchez, se pot admira privelitea
Crucii Caraiman i cerul crestat de vrfurile
Bucegilor.
Finalizat n anul 1911, Castelul Cantacuzino
este aprat din spate de o ntreag pdure de
brazi, iar n fa, grdina i ntregete aerul cu mozaicuri colorate, dar mai ales sala de
aristocratic cu aleile drepte, bine ngrijite, i
fntnile arteziene, printre care surprinde
privirea o grot misterioas, nconjurat de
legende. Pe domeniul palatului mai exist o
vil administrativ, un pavilion de serviciu
i o capel, construit pe locul unei biserici
vechi de la 1800.
Castelul s-a pstrat ntr-o stare bun poate
i pentru c a fost preluat cteva decenii de
Ministerului de Interne, dar tot din acelai
motiv nu se mai gsete astzi n interior
mobilierul original, statuile sau oglinzile
aduse din strintate, iar o mare parte din
picturile de pe perei sunt acoperite cu
1 Castelul Can-
tacuzino ocup una
dintre primele poziii
ale listei de obiective
turistice pe care nu
poi s le ratezi.
Cantacuzino Castle
has become one of the
top attractions you
simply cannot miss.
01
vopsea verde. Totui, exist nc suficient
grandoare i farmec n camerele castelului
ca s simi atmosfera vremurilor de odini-
oar. Ua de la intrare, ornat cu vitralii,
scrile de marmur, emineele ornamentate
primire unde se afl o friz cu picturi votive,
reprezentnd o parte a familiei Cantacuzino,
i unde se gsete, de asemenea, colecia
blazoanelor boierilor nrudii cu cantacu-
zinii, o colecie de altfel unic n Romnia,
toate acestea pstreaz strlucirea de altda-
t a castelului.
Castelul Cantacuzino nu este deschis doar
turitilor care vor s-l viziteze, aici sunt
gzduite i diverse evenimente culturale,
concerte (Festivalul Prahova Classic Nights),
vernisaje, recepii, evenimente private.
 viziteaz judeul prahova
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While Sinaia takes pride in Pele Castle,

the summer residence of Romanian mon-
archs, Buteni strikes back and makes an im-
pressive move in 2010: after the retrocession
to its heirs and the acquisition of the building
by foreign investors, Cantacuzino Castle has
become one of the top attractions you simply
cannot miss.
The castle at the foot of Zamora Mountain,
in the neighbourhood with the same name of
the city of Buteni, is one of the three palaces
built by Prince George Grigore Cantacuzino.
Perhaps it is not as famous as the one in
Bucharest, the current George Enescu Mu-
seum, or as the ruins of the Little Trianon in
Floreti, but the Cantacuzino Castle in Buteni
has the mountain on its side. From the terrace
of the building constructed in the Neo-Ro-
manian style, based on the plans of architect
Grigore Cerchez, one can admire the view of
the Caraiman Cross and the sky pierced by the
peaks of Bucegi Mountains.
Finished in the year 1911, Cantacuzino Castle
is defended from behind by an entire fir tree
forest, and in the front, the garden completes
its aristocratic air with its straight, manicured
alleys and the fountains among which one
can see a mysterious grotto, surrounded by
legends. On the domain of the palace there
are also an administrative villa, a service pavil-
ion and a chapel, built on the spot of a church
dating back to 1800.
The castle has been well preserved perhaps
because for a few decades it was taken by
the Ministry of the Interior, but for the same
reason we can no longer find the original
furniture, statues or the mirrors brought from
abroad, and a majority of paintings on the
walls are covered with green paint. However,
there is still enough charm and grandeur in
the chambers of this castle, making one feel
the air of times gone by. The front door, decor-
ated with stained glass, the marble staircases,
the fireplaces ornamented with colourful mo-
saics, but above all, the reception hall with its
frieze with votive paintings, depicting some of
the Cantacuzinos, and where we can also see
the collection of coat of arms belonging to the
boyars that were related to the Cantacuzino
family, a unique collection in Romania, all of
these preserve the old glamour of the castle.
Cantacuzino Castle is not open just to the
tourists who want to visit, but it also hosts
various cultural events, concerts (Prahova
Classic Nights Festival), exhibitions, recep-
tions and private events.

eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 69

 cristina frncu eu-romania.org

1 Mnstirea
Caraiman este
situat ntr-o oaz de
linite i lumin.
The Orthodox
monastery of
Caraiman is locates in
an oasis of quiet and
light.

01

Mnstirea Caraiman
The Orthodox monastery of Caraiman
Cnd te ndrepi spre telecabina din s i apar n vise Maica Domnului, care l-a misiunea. Printele Gherontie Puiu i-a
Buteni, dac faci la stnga pe o crare pie- ndrumat spre calea mnstirii, iar tnrul dedicat urmtorii ani construirii Mnstirii
truit pe alocuri i nsemnat cu o icoan, Gheorghe Puiu i-a gsit sla n Mnsti- Caraiman, aceasta fiind foarte cutat de
vei ajunge ntr-o oaz de linite i lumin, rea Neamului, unde a rmas pn n anul cei care vor s-i gseasc linitea ntr-o
binecuvntat de Crucea Eroilor Neamului, 1959. Atunci, ca urmare a Decretului 410, poian nconjurat de brzi.
care vegheaz pe Vrful Caraiman. Aici a Securitatea, mpreun cu reprezentanii Credincioii care doresc s participe la
ridicat printele Gherontie Puiu o mnsti- Departamentului Cultelor, a organizat o sfintele slujbe i s petreac mai mult timp
re, n urma unui vis n care Maica Domnului campanie de verificare a tuturor mns- la Mnstirea Caraiman pot dispune de 100
i-a dat misie sfnt s deschid o poart tirilor, urmnd ca aceia care ndeplineau de locuri de cazare, mprite n trei aripi de
spre cer lng un brad cu ase ramuri. criteriile de excludere s fie izgonii. Fratele cldire. De asemenea, n cadrul lcaului
Mnstirea ortodox Caraiman, cu hramul Gherontie Puiu a fugit, dar a fost prins funcioneaz Centrul Social-Pastoral Sfnta
nlarea Sfintei Cruci, a fost nfiinat n ulterior i nchis n lagrul din Periprava, Cruce i tot aici se pot organiza conferine,
anul 1998, la iniiativa printelui Gheron- fiind condamnat la 15 ani de munc silnic. traininguri i diverse evenimente cultural-
tie Puiu, iar construcia s-a finalizat, cu A reuit s evadeze i, ndrumat de aceeai educative.
sprijinul credincioilor, n septembrie 2014. apariie a Maicii Domnului, a urcat pe
Istoria acestui loca sfnt este strns legat platoul Munilor Bucegi, unde a petrecut
de povestea ctitorului principal, preotul 10 ani n post i rugciune, abia dup 1989 When you are heading towards the
Gherontie Puiu. Dup cum povestea acesta, reuind s revin la Mnstirea Neam. n cable car in Buteni, if you turn left on a
a fost crezut mort la natere, n 1933, de c- 1995 a suferit un accident vascular cerebral cobblestone alley, marked with an icon, you
tre medici, dar a fost salvat de o femeie din i o nou apariie a figurii sfinte i-a dat will reach an oasis of quiet and light, blessed
localitatea Todireti. La civa ani a nceput putere s triasc pentru a-i ndeplini by the Heroes Cross watching on Caraiman

70 eu iubesc romnia ediia de prahova | 2015

 viziteaz judeul prahova
visit prahova county

Peak. Father Gherontie Puiu built a monas-

tery here, after a dream when Virgin Mary
gave him a holy mission to open a gate to
the sky by a fir tree with six branches.
The Orthodox monastery of Caraiman,
patroned by Universal Exaltation of the
Precious and Life-creating Cross, was
built in the year 1998, at the initiative of
father Gherontie Puiu, and the construc-
tion was completed with the support of
the parishioners in September 2014. The
history of this holy place is closely related
to the story of its main builder, priest
Gherontie Puiu. According to him, doc-
tors believed him dead when he was born
in 1933, but he was saved by a woman in
the locality of Todireti. When he was just
a few years old, Virgin Mary started to
come to him in his dreams, guiding him
to the monastic way, and young Gheron-
tie Puiu found shelter in Neam Monas-
tery, where he stayed until the year 1959.
Then, as a consequence of Decree 410,
the Securitate, along with represent-
atives of the Department of Religious
Denominations, organised a campaign
to check every monastery, chasing away
everyone who fulfilled the exclusion
criteria. Brother Gherontie Puiu ran away,
but he was later caught and imprisoned
in the Periprava camp, sentenced to 15
years of hard labour. He managed to
escape and, guided by the same appari-
tion of Virgin Mary, he went to the Bucegi
Plateau, where he spent 10 years keeping
Lent and praying, returning to Neam
Monastery only after 1989. In 1995 he
suffered a stroke and a new apparition
of the holy figure gave him strength to
live to fulfil his mission. Father Gherontie
Puiu dedicated the following years to the
construction of Caraiman Monastery,
which is a favourite destination for those
who want to find their peace in a clearing
surrounded by fir trees.
Those who wish to attend the holy ser-
vices and to spend more time at Caraiman
Monastery can choose from the 100
accommodation places, available in three
wings of the building. The place of wor-
ship also host the Holy Cross Social and
Pastoral Centre and it is also a venue for
conferences, trainings and various cultural
and educational events.

eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 71


Prtiile de schi din Buteni
n Valea Prahovei s-a dezvoltat recent
o modern zon de agrement, amplasat la
poalele Muntelui Caraiman, n oraul Bu
teni. Este vorba despre domeniul schiabil
Kalinderu, situat pe versantul dintre pun
ctul de intrare n Buteni al Prului Valea
Alb i aria protejat Abruptul Prahovean
Bucegi, sub Crucea Eroilor Neamului de
pe Caraiman. Domeniul schiabil Kalin
deru cuprinde prtiile Kalinderu I i II, o
structur de escalad pe ghea i Fun Park
Kalinderu. Proiectul, finanat cu fonduri
europene PHARE, a demarat n anul 2003
i s-a desfurat n dou etape.
Astfel, pn n anul 2007 s-au pus la punct
prtia de schi Kalinderu I, cu o lungime de
1.500 m i o lime medie de 40 m, instala
ia de zpad artificial cu 10 tunuri i te
lescaunul debraiabil Kalinderu, cu o capa
72 eu iubesc romnia ediia de prahova | 2015
cristina frncu primria buteni
1 La baza prtiei
distracia se menine
tot timpul anului, n
Fun Park Kalinderu.
At the foot of the
slope you can have
fun all year round,
during the day and
at night, in Fun Park
Kalinderu.
01
Buteni ski slopes
citate de transport de 1.200 de persoane pe A modern recreation area has re-
or. A doua etap de dezvoltare s-a realizat cently developed in Prahova Valley, located
prin Programul naional de dezvoltare a at the foot of Caraiman Mountain, in
infrastructurii pentru sporturile de iarn, the city of Buteni. It is the Kalinderu ski
iar n 2011 era finalizat i prtia de schi resort, situated on the slope between
Kalinderu II, cu o lungime de 1.200 m i o the point where Valea Alb Spring enters
lime de 60 m, nc o instalaie de zpad Buteni and the protected area Abruptul
artificial, cu cinci tunuri, o prtie de Prahovean Bucegi, under the Heroes Cross
sanie, lung de 250 m, precum i instalaia on Caraiman Mountain. The Kalinderu ski
de nocturn pentru prtia Kalinderu I. resort includes the slopes Kalinderu I and
La baza prtiei distracia se menine tot II, an ice-climbing structure and Fun Park
timpul anului, ziua i noaptea, n Fun Park Kalinderu. The project, financed with PHARE
Kalinderu, alternativa perfect la schi pen European funds, started in 2003 and was
tru toate vrstele. Este un parc de distracii developed during two stages.
dotat cu panouri de crare, trambulin, Thus, until 2007 the Kalinderu I ski slope
carusel pentru copii nceptori, snowtu was arranged, with a length of 1,500 m and
bing, band pentru urcat i, bineneles, an average width of 40 m, along with the
tobogan. artificial snow installation with 10 cannons
and the Kalinderu freewheeling ski lift, with
 viziteaz judeul prahova
visit prahova county

a transport capacity of 1,200 people per

hour. The second stage of development
was completed under the National de-
velopment programme for winter sports
infrastructure, and in 2011 the Kalinderu
II ski slope was finished, with a length
of 1,200 m and a width of 60 m, along
with another artificial snow installation
with five cannons, a sledding slope 250 m
long, as well as the nightlight installation
for the Kalinderu I ski slope.
At the foot of the slope you can have
fun all year round, during the day and
at night, in Fun Park Kalinderu, the
perfect alternative to skiing for people
of all ages. It is a theme park fitted with
climbing walls, a trampoline, a carousel
for beginners, snowtubing, a climbing
treadmill and, naturally, a slide.

eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 73

 cristina frncu flickr

1 Situat la alti-
tudinea de 1.100 de metri,
cu o nlime de 15 m i
cu un uria debit de ap
datorat Rului Urltoarea,
afluent al Prahovei,
Cascada Urltoarea este
o destinaie facil, dar nu
mai puin spectaculoas.
Situated at the altitude of
1,100 metres, with a height
of 15 m and a huge water
debit due to Urltoarea
River, a tributary of Prahova
River, the Urltoarea
Waterfall is an effortless
destination, but no less
spectacular for it.

01

Cascada Urltoarea
The Urltoarea Waterfall
Ca n mai toate legendele care trans- denumit Drumul regal, pleac din Poiana became a silver gush of water falling forever
form nefericirea oamenilor n frumuseea apului i a fost construit de Regele Carol between the shepherds bodies turned to
naturii, i Cascada Urltoarea din Buteni I pentru a lega Castelul Pele de Cascada stone with fear.
ascunde o poveste tragic din vremuri de Urltoarea. Regina Maria folosea acest This is the legend written on an informa-
altdat, cnd lumea nc mai ddea voie drum n plimbrile ei clare, iar uneori tion board by the Urltoarea Waterfall in
minunilor s existe. se odihnea pe o bncu din piatr aflat Buteni, a beautiful place that should be
Se spune c nvala apelor printre stnci s-a aproape de alte dou cascade mai mici, visited by more than just romantics. The
pornit din pricina iubirii a doi frai ciobani Urltoarea Mic i Urltoarea Mare. waterfall is easily accessible, located at the
pentru o frumoas pstori ce-i ptea crossroads between two trails. The first one
oile prin coclaurile Bucegilor. ntr-o zi, cei starts near the cable car in Buteni and it
doi i-au ntins braele spre pstori, fr As with most legends that turn can be covered by foot, at a slow pace, in
s tie unul de cellalt, iar fata s-a speriat peoples misfortune into the beauty of about an hour, and the other one, called the
att de tare nct s-a aruncat n prpastie. nature, the Urltoarea Waterfall in Buteni Royal Road, starts in Poiana apului and
Spaima ei s-a transformat n ipt dez- conceals a tragic story from days long gone, it was built by King Carol I to connect Pele
ndjduit, iar ea a devenit uvoi argintiu when people still allowed miracles to exist. Castle to the Urltoarea Waterfall. Queen
de ap ce cade la infinit printre trupurile It is said that the rush of waters between Mary used this road when she went horse
mpietrite de groaz ale ciobanilor. the rocks started because of the love of two riding, and she sometimes rested on a stone
Aceasta este legenda scris pe un panou shepherd brothers for a beautiful shep- bench located close to two other smaller
informativ aflat lng Cascada Urltoarea herdess who took her sheep grazing in the waterfalls, Urltoarea Mic and Urltoarea
din Buteni, un loc frumos de vizitat nu boondocks of Bucegi Mountains. One day, Mare.
doar de ctre cei romantici. Cascada este the two young men reached out their arms
uor accesibil, aflndu-se la intersecia to the shepherdess, not knowing one about
a dou trasee. Primul pornete de lng the other, and the girl was so frightened
telecabina din Buteni i se face n pas de that she jumped into the precipice. Her
plimbare n aproximativ o or, iar cellalt, fright turned into a hopeless cry, and she

74 eu iubesc romnia ediia de prahova | 2015

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cristina frncu shutterstock visit prahova county

1 Orice cale vei

urma ctre Crucea
Caraiman, odat
ajuni acolo vei avea
Buteniul i Valea
Prahovei la picioare.
Whichever trail
you may follow to get
to Caraiman Cross,
once you are up there
you will have Buteni
and Prahova Valley at
your feet.

01

Crucea de pe Caraiman
The Caraiman Cross
Ne-au lsat Regina Maria i Regele Dimensiunile Crucii de pe Caraiman sunt 1928, with metal sleepers brought on chari-
Ferdinand I motenire, sus, pe Vrful impresionante: 28 de metri are crucea n ots pulled by oxen from Sinaia railway sta-
Caraiman, o cruce care mbrieaz nlime, 39,3 metri cu tot cu soclu, iar tion or on the funicular of the Buteni Paper
Valea Prahovei cu mini din oel, ca s braele msoar cte 7 metri fiecare. Este Mill owned by the brothers Schiel. Locals,
nu-i uitm pe cei czui n Primul Rzboi amplasat pe al doilea vrf al Caraima- workers at the Bridge Department and the
Mondial. i au numit-o Crucea Eroilor nului, pentru o vizibilitate ct mai mare, mountain hunters battalion in Sinaia also
Neamului, iar de la poalele muntelui, la altitudinea de peste 2.291 de metri, i helped, and Queen Mary, whose dream is
din Buteni, romnii o privesc cu drag i exist destul de multe trasee care v aduc said to have urged her to build the cross on
povestesc celor netiutori c aceea este n preajma tulburtorului monument, cel the blood-sprayed Bucegi Mountains, closely
Crucea Caraiman, cea mai nalt cruce din mai uor fiind cel cu telecabina, care face supervised the works. The project of the
lume aezat pe un vrf de munte. legtura Buteni-Babele, iar cel mai greu construction was designed by the Romanian
Monumentul a fost construit ntre anii este traseul prin Valea Jepilor Mici. architects Georges Cristinel and Constantin
1926 i 1928, din traverse metalice aduse n Procopiu, and in 1930 a concrete pedestal
care trase de boi din gara Sinaia sau cu fu- was added.
nicularul fabricii de hrtie a frailor Schiel Queen Mary and King Ferdinand I have The size of the Caraiman Cross is impress-
din Buteni. Au ajutat localnicii, muncito- bequeathed to us, up on Caraiman Peak, ive: the cross is 28 metres tall, 39.3 metres
rii de la Direcia de Poduri i batalionul de a cross that embraces Prahova Valley with tall including the pedestal, and the arms
vntori de munte din Sinaia, iar Regina steel arms, so that we may not forget those are each 7 metres long. It is located on the
Maria, al crei vis se spune c a ndem- who died in World War I. They named it second peak of Caraiman, for the best vis-
nat-o s nale crucea pe Bucegii stropii Heroes Cross, and from the foot of the ibility, at an elevation of over 2,291 metres,
cu snge n rzboi, a urmrit lucrrile mountain, in Buteni, Romanians gaze upon and there are quite a few trails that take
ndeaproape. Proiectul construciei a fost it dearly and they tell those who do not you close to the troubling monument, the
realizat de arhitecii romni Georges Cris- know its story that it is the Caraiman Cross, easiest one being by cable car, going from
tinel i Constantin Procopiu, iar n 1930 i-a the tallest summit cross in the world. Buteni to Babele, and the most difficult one
fost adugat un soclu din beton. The memorial was built between 1926 and being the Jepii Mici Valley trail.

eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 75


Scriitorul i gazetarul Cezar Petrescu
a ales la 45 de ani s se retrag n muni,
pentru a-i salva mare parte din vasta sa
oper literar de la pericolul nescrierii,
ameninare greu de evitat ntr-o capital
zbuciumat, n care linitea e uneori de
negsit.
Romancierul a cumprat n anul 1937 o
cas n Buteni, o cldire cu trei etaje,
construit n stil brncovenesc, cu prispe
mpodobite cu balustrade i coloane din
lemn sculptat. A amenajat-o pe gustul lui
i a pregtit-o pentru ndelungile perioa-
de de izolare i regsire necesare creaiei
numeroaselor sale romane, asigurndu-i
provizii de lemne de foc, cafea i tutun.
Interiorul locuinei pstreaz i acum sti-
lul unui scriitor ndrgostit de carte i de
arta popular, care parc te ntmpin cu
drag la fiecare pas, artndu-i mobilierul
rustic, scoarele vechi, covoarele olteneti,
tablourile druite de prietenii artiti, pre-
cum Iser, Jiquidi ori Demian, sau busturile
lui Horea, Cloca i Crian, primite de la
76 eu iubesc romnia ediia de prahova | 2015
cristina frncu eu-romania.org
Muzeul Cezar Petrescu
Cezar Petrescu Museum
sculptorul Oscar Han.
La al doilea etaj se petrecea ns miracolul
creaiei, iar muzeul de astzi red fidel
atmosfera de care i plcea romancierului
s se nconjoare. Scrumiere i ibrice de
cafea la tot pasul, unelte de scris i peste
10.000 de cri, fotoliul n care citea sau
medita, toate sunt pregtite s nsoeasc
vizitatorul n lumea prolificului nuvelist,
romancier, publicist i traductor care a
fost Cezar Petrescu.
The writer and journalist Cezar Pet-
rescu chose to retire to the mountains at the
age of 45, to save most of his vast literary
body of work from the danger of failure to
be written, a threat that was difficult to
avoid in a troubled capital, where quiet was
often nowhere to be found.
The novelist bought a house in Buteni in
the year 1937, a three-storey building, in the
Brancovan style, with stoops decorated with
handrails and carved wood columns. He ar-
1 Casa de la Buteni
a fost donat de ctre
motenitori statului, dup
moartea scriitorului, n
1961, cu condiia ca aceasta
s fie transformat n cas
memorial.
The house in Buteni
was donated by his heirs
to the state, after the
writer died in 1961, on
condition that it would
be transformed into a
memorial house.
01
ranged it to his taste and prepared it for his
long periods of isolation and introspection,
necessary to the creation of his numerous
novels, making sure he always had supplies
of firewood, coffee and tobacco.
The interior of the house still preserves the
style of a writer who loved books and folk
art, which seems to beckon every step of
the way, revealing its rustic furniture, the
old blankets, the Oltenia-style carpets, the
paintings gifted by his artist friends, such as
Iser, Jiquidi or Demian, or the busts of Horea,
Cloca i Crian, received from the sculptor
Oscar Han.
Yet the miracle of creation occurred at the
second floor, and the museum of today con-
veys the exact atmosphere that the novelist
loved to be surrounded by. Ashtrays and
coffee pots all over the place, writing instru-
ments and over 10,000 books, the armchair
where he read or meditated, all of these are
ready to accompany the visitor to the world
of the prolific short story writer, novelist,
publicist and translator Cezar Petrescu.

Adventure Park Zamora
Adventure Park Zamora
Dac v petrecei cteva zile de
vacan n Buteni sau prin mprejurimi,
v-ai ncheiat lista cu obiective turistice
de vizitat sau copiii sunt prea mici pentru
traseele montane mai solicitante, avei
oricnd posibilitatea de a petrece cteva ore
zburnd printre copaci, n familie, n gaca
de prieteni sau cu colegii de teambuilding.
Escapade Adventure Park Zamora este
un parc de distracii modern, aflat chiar
n inima pdurii de brazi de pe domeniul
Castelului Cantacuzino, i care ofer
nenumrate activiti n care te trezeti
bombardat cu adrenalin.
Pentru nclzire, putei ncerca traseul
militar de aptitudini, cu 12 probe diferite,
accesibil i copiilor peste 7 ani. Pentru an-
trenarea rzboinicului care doarme plictisit
n fiecare din noi, Adventure Park Zamora
pune la dispoziie echipamentul complet
pentru paintball sau pentru tir cu arcul. Cu
brazii nali de 30 de metri din jur, tirolie-
nele i crrile, asigurate de echipamente
Petzl, devin mai mult dect o plcere, devin
cristina frncu adventure park zamora
necesare pentru o distracie de zile mari.
Iar cei mai aventuroi pot conduce un Jeep
Wrangler pe trasee off-road de trei pn la
opt ore, dar exist pentru ei i programe de
dou zile, cu campare n pdure, echipa-
mentul fiind pus la dispoziie de parcul de
aventuri.
Celor nehotri, care nu reuesc s se pun
de acord cu ei nii n ceea ce privete
sporturile care le fac cu ochiul, Adventure
Park Zamora le ofer pachete de dou sau
trei ore, cu diferite variante de activiti. Nu
trebuie dect s spunei da aventurii. adventurous of you can drive a Jeep Wrangler
If you spend a few days of your holiday
in Buteni or nearby, you have checked all
the tourist attractions on your list or your
children are too young for more demanding
mountain trails, you always have the chance
to spend a few hours flying between trees,
with your family, your group of friends or your
teambuilding team. Escapade Adventure Park
Zamora is a modern theme park, located in
the heart of the fir tree forest on the domain
viziteaz judeul prahova
visit prahova county
1 Escapade
Adventure Park
Zamora este un parc
de distracii modern,
aflat chiar n inima
pdurii de brazi.
Escapade Adven-
ture Park Zamora is a
modern theme park,
located in the heart
of the fir tree forest.
01
of Cantacuzino Castle, and it provides count-
less activities for a rush of adrenaline.
To warm up, you can try the military skills
trail, with 12 different tasks, accessible for
children over the age of 7. To train the bored
warrior sleeping inside each of us, Adventure
Park Zamora provides the full equipment for
paintball or archery. With the surrounding fir
trees 30 metres tall, zip-lines and climbing,
made safe with Petzl equipment, become
more than just a pleasure, they become ne-
cessary for the fun of a lifetime. And the most
on off-road tracks of three up to eight hours,
but there are two-day programmes as well,
with camping in the forest, the equipment
being provided by the adventure park.
For those who have not decided on anything,
who do not seem to agree with themselves
as regards the sports that sound attractive
to them, Adventure Park Zamora provided
packages of two or three hours, with various
options for activities. All you need is to say
yes to adventure.
eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 77
 cristina frncu eu-romania.org, primria cmpina
01
Cmpina
G
reu se ndur soarele s
plece din Cmpina, aezare ve-
che, strjuit de apele Cmpini-
ei, Doftanei i Prahovei, tocmai
la rscrucea drumurilor din Braov i
Bucureti ctre Munii Carpai. Se ndur
att de greu nct se tie, din toat ara,
Cmpina este localitatea care se bucur de
cele mai multe zile nsorite din an.
Rzbate mult istorie din actualul munici-
piu prahovean, atestat documentar n anul
1503. Satul fcea parte, ca punct vamal,
din drumul comercial folosit de negustorii
braoveni nc din secolul al XV-lea. Tot
prin Cmpina se fcea i transhumana
ciobanilor cu turmele de oi, de mare impor-
tan pentru sporirea veniturilor aezrii,
78 eu iubesc romnia ediia de prahova | 2015
2 Castelul Iulia Hasdeu
a fost renovat, iar astzi este
unul dintre cele mai bine
ntreinute muzee din ar
The Iulia Hasdeu Castle
has been renovated, and today
it is one of the best preserved
museums in our country.
02
iar datorit pcurii, n 1822, ajunge prima
dintre vmile rii Romneti. Chiar dac
ulterior trgul avea s fie dat oarecum uit-
rii, din cauza mutrii vmii la Breaza, apoi
la Predeal, exploatarea modern a ieiului,
ncepnd cu 1880, va transforma Cmpina
ntr-un ora prosper. Pe lng petrol, loca-
litatea va fructifica i beneficiile izvoarelor
minerale descoperite pe platoul Gahia.
Stabilimentul balnear, din care nu lipsea
cazinoul cu restaurant, va atrage nume-
roase personaliti ale vremii, precum Ion
Heliade-Rdulescu, Nicolae Grigorescu, C.I.
Istrati, care a i surprins, de altfel, proaspta
popularitate a Cmpinei, scriind despre
aceasta c a devenit un cartier de var al
Capitalei.
03

n 1893, academicianul C.I. Istrati i invit
prietenul, marele scriitor i filolog Bog-
dan Petriceicu Hasdeu, la reedina sa din
Cmpina. Aflat n suferin dup pierderea
unicei fiice, Iulia, i fermecat de pitorescul
mprejurimilor, B.P. Hasdeu cumpr un
teren n localitate i construiete acolo un
castel-templu, nchinat memoriei Iuliei.
Nousprezece ani de via a avut Iulia
Hasdeu i attea mpliniri intelectuale cte
numai o minte extraordinar poate nate
ntr-un att de scurt timp. La 6 ani scria un
studiu despre viaa i faptele domnitorului
Mihai Viteazul, la 8 ani vorbea fluent n
englez, francez i german, iar la vrsta
de 11 ani era absolvent a Colegiului Naio-
nal Sf. Sava, studiind n paralel i cursurile
Conservatorului de Muzic din Bucureti.
La 16 ani, Iulia Hasdeu a devenit prima
romnc student a celebrei universiti
franceze Sorbona. n 1888, n ciuda trata-
mentelor primite n strintate, viaa Iuliei
este dobort de tuberculoz. Neconsolat,
crturarul Hasdeu crede n extraordinarul
att de caracteristic fiicei sale i, convins c
Iuliei nu i este imposibil s comunice cu el
din lumea umbrelor, ridic la Cmpina un
castel n care se vor desfura nenumrate
edine de spiritism.
Construit de arhitectul Toma Angeles-
cu, dup planurile desenate de crturar
i comunicate chiar de Iulia, aa cum
consemneaz Hasdeu ntr-un manuscris
spiritist, castelul este un monument bizar.
viziteaz judeul prahova
visit prahova county
Fundaia are forma unei cruci, cifrele 3 i
7 au o semnificaie special n arhitectura
templului, iar simbolurile i inscripiile n
latin i sporesc aerul misterios. Interiorul
se dezvluie n spatele a trei ui, dintre
care cea principal, din piatr, se rotete
n jurul unui ax i ntre dou lumi, cum
nota dramaturgul I.L. Caragiale. n centrul
celei mai mari ncperi troneaz statuia
Mntuitorului, iar un perete al camerei de
spiritism nc poart pecetea edinelor
oculte - o gaur prin care Iulia i gsea
drum n lumea noastr.
La intrare, vizitatorii primesc un ghid audio,
pentru a uura nelegerea ciudatei istorii
a edificiului. ns nelegerea s-ar putea
dovedi totui anevoioas n lipsa deschide-
rii minii i a sufletului ctre strdania unui
printe, una dintre cele mai luminate mini
ale rii, de a fi aproape de fiica mult iubit.
The sun finds it hard to leave Cmpina,
an old settlement, guarded by the waters of
Cmpinia, Doftana and Prahova, at the very
crossroads between Braov and Bucharest to
the Carpathian Mountains. It finds it so hard
that it is a known fact that, in our entire
country, Cmpina is the locality with the
largest number of sunny days in the year.
A lot of history exudes from the current
municipality, attested historically in the
year 1503. The village, as a crossing point,
was part of the trade road used by the
merchants in Braov in the 14th century.
The transhumance of shepherds with their
flocks also went through Cmpina, a very
important event to increase the revenues of
the locality, and thanks to fuel oil, in 1822
it became the first of the crossing points of
Wallachia. Even though the borough would
be forgotten later, when the crossing point
moved to Breaza, then to Predeal, modern
crude oil exploitation, from 1880 onwards,
would turn Cmpina into a prosperous city.
Besides oil, the locality would also take
advantage of the benefits of the mineral
springs discovered on Gahia Plateau.
eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 79

04
The spa resort, which had the ever-present
casino with a restaurant, attracted many
important figures of the time, such as Ion
Heliade-Rdulescu, Nicolae Grigorescu, C.I.
Istrati, who wrote about the fresh popularity
of Cmpina, describing it as the summer-
time neighbourhood of the Capital.
In 1893, the academician C.I. Istrati invited
his friend, the great writer and philologist
Bogdan Petriceicu Hasdeu, to his residence
in Cmpina. Mourning the loss of his only
daughter, Iulia, and charmed by the pictur-
esqueness of the surroundings, B.P. Hasdeu
bought a parcel of land in the locality and
built a temple castle there, honouring the
memory of Iulia.
Nineteen years is what Iulia Hasdeu lived
and she had so many intellectual achieve-
ments that only an extraordinary mind
could create in such a short amount of time.
At the age of 6 she wrote a study on the life
and actions of the ruler Michael the Brave,
at 8 she spoke English, French and German
fluently, and at the age of 11 she graduated
from the National College St. Sava, studying
at the Music Conservatory of Bucharest
at the same time. At 16 years old, Iulia
Hasdeu became the first Romanian female
student of the famous French university of
Sorbonne. In 1888, despite the treatments
received abroad, Iulia was defeated by tuber-
culosis. Unconsoled, the scholar Hasdeu
80 eu iubesc romnia ediia de prahova | 2015
05
believed in the extraordinary spirit of his
daughter and, convinced that Iulia did not
find it impossible to communicate with him
from the world of shadows, he built a castle
in Cmpina where many spiritism sessions
took place.
Built by the architect Toma Angelescu,
according to the plans drawn by the scholar
and communicated by Iulia herself, as
Hasdeu wrote in a spiritist manuscript, the
castle is a bizarre monument. The founda-
tion has the shape of a cross, the numbers 3
06
and 7 have a special significance in the archi-
tecture of the temple, and the Latin symbols
and inscriptions only enhance its myster-
ious air. The interior is revealed behind
three doors, the main one, made of stone,
rotating around an axle and between two
Cifrele 3 i 7 au
worlds, as the playwright I.L. Caragiale
wrote. In the centre of the largest room
semnificaie special
there is the statue of our Saviour, and a wall
of the spiritism room still bears the stamp
n arhitectura
of the occult sessions a hole through templului.
which Iulia found her way into our world.
At the entrances, visitors receive an audio
guide, to enable comprehension of the The numbers 3 and 7 have
bizarre history of the edifice. But compre-
hension might prove difficult in the absence
a special significance in the
of the opening of the mind and soul to the architecture of the temple.
struggle of a parent, one of the brightest
minds of our country, to be close to his
much beloved daughter.
 viziteaz judeul prahova
cristina frncu eu-romania.org visit prahova county

1 Cea mai
important ncpere
a muzeului este, fr
ndoial, atelierul unde
sunt expuse picturile lui
Grigorescu.
The most important
room of the museum is
definitely the workshop
where you can see
Grigorescus paintings.

01

Casa Nicolae Grigorescu

Nicolae Grigorescu's House
Iute ca gndul se-ndrepta de fiecare fiului artistului i ale biatului de evalet. objects from Istanbul, books received from
dat pictorul Nicolae Grigorescu spre n 1957, casa a devenit muzeu memorial, their authors, decorative carpets, a French
casa-atelier din Cmpina, ntors din cine iar amenajarea interiorului s-a fcut dup tapestry from the 18th century, fresh
tie ce drum cu treburi prin Capital. Pe fotografii, diapozitive, descrieri fcute de flowers, with his wife, Maria Danciu, and
Bulevardul Carol I, aproape de Castelul prieteni i chiar tablouri, ncercndu-se their son Gheorghe, until his death in 1907.
Iulia Hasdeu, l atepta casa construit recrearea atmosferei din timpul vieii The house burned in a fire during the First
dup planurile lui, cu teras din lemn i pictorului. World War, the workshop being the most
amenajat modest n mobilier, dar bogat Urcnd pe scara de lemn ajungi la etaj, regrettable loss.
n forme i culori. unde se afl un centru de informare i Nicolae Grigorescus house was rebuilt on
A terminat construcia casei n 1904 i a documentare, iar la parter exist i o sal its old foundations, though, in 1951-1952,
trit acolo, printre tablouri, obiecte orien- destinat expoziiilor temporare. according to the plans of architect Pop-
tale colecionate din Istanbul, cri primite iteanu from Cmpina and to the memories
cu dedicaie din partea autorilor, covoare As fast as lightning, the painter Nic- of the artists son and his attendant. In 1957,
decorative, o tapiserie francez din secolul olae Grigorescu always headed to his the house became a memorial museum, and
al XVIII-lea, flori proaspete, alturi de workshop-house in Cmpina, on his way the interior was arranged based on photos,
soie, Maria Danciu, i fiul Gheorghe, pn back from the Capital where he had run slides, descriptions made by friends and even
cnd s-a stins din via, n 1907. Casa a ars some errands. On Carol I Boulevard, close to paintings, and the atmosphere during the
ntr-un incendiu n Primul Rzboi Mondial, Iulia Hasdeu Castle, his home was waiting, painters life was attempted to be recreated.
atelierul fiind cea mai regretabil pierdere. built according to his plans, with a wooden Going up the wooden staircase you can reach
Casa lui Nicolae Grigorescu a fost ns terrace, modest as regards the furniture, but the first floor, with an information and doc-
reconstruit pe vechea temelie n anii rich in shapes and colours. umentation centre, and at the ground floor
1951-1952, dup planurile arhitectului He finished building the house in 1904 and there is another room intended for tempor-
cmpinean Popiteanu i dup mrturiile lived there, among paintings, Oriental ary exhibitions.

eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 81


n anul 1902, ntr-o vreme cnd un
sfert din producia de petrol a rii venea
din Cmpina, prosperul om de afaceri
Gheorghe tefnescu a construit n oraul
natal o cldire impresionant, cunoscut
sub numele de Casa cu Grifoni. Cei doi
montri mitologici cu corp de leu, cap de
vultur i urechi de cal urmresc de-atunci,
de pe acoperi, parada istoriei de 113 ani a
vilei.
Casa care gzduiete acum sediul Prim-
riei Municipiului Cmpina a fost ridicat
pentru familia petrolistului tefnescu. Cu
o arhitectur n stil Beaux-Arts, cldirea
are un aspect elaborat i masiv, cu dou
cupole acoperite de igle zincate, fiecare
purtnd n vrf cte o roz a vnturilor. O
asemenea construcie trebuia s fie vzut
foarte bine, iar averea acumulat de pro-
prietar din afacerile cu iei a nlesnit acest
lucru. Dup Primul Rzboi Mondial ns,
vila i-a schimbat proprietarul ntr-un
82 eu iubesc romnia ediia de prahova | 2015
cristina frncu primria cmpina
Casa cu Grifoni
The Griffin House
mod neobinuit. Petrolistul Gheorghe
tefnescu s-a retras din afaceri i a donat
casa colii de maitri sondori i rafinori,
al crei vechi sediu fusese distrus n urma
conflagraiei.
nfiinat n anul 1904, la propunerea
directorului Industriei Comerului i Mi-
nelor, Constantin Alimniteanu, coala
de maitri sondori cmpinean a fost
prima de acest fel din lume. Dezvoltarea
tehnicilor de exploatare petrolier, intro-
ducerea mainilor moderne n procesul
de forare i extragere a ieiului necesita
oameni pregtii, specializai, care s
poat face fa solicitrilor i problemelor
aprute. Companiile petroliere dispuneau
de angajai instruii n strintate, dar erau
prea puini pentru necesitile Cmpinei i
ale ntregii ri, de altfel, la acea vreme. So-
cietatea petrolier Steaua Romn pusese
bazele, n 1898, unei coli de sondori, dar
dup doi ani proiectul privat a euat, im-
1 Casa cu Grifoni
a devenit prima cldi-
re iluminat electric
din Cmpina, printr-o
instalaie proprie.
The Griffin
House became the
first electrically-lit
building in Cmpina,
with its own
installation.
01
punndu-se astfel nfiinarea, cu sprijinul
Guvernului, a unei instituii care s aib n
vedere pregtirea tuturor categoriilor de
personal din companiile petroliere.
coala de Maitri Sondori i Rafinori din
Cmpina a funcionat n Casa cu Grifoni
pn la desfiinare, n 1950. Cldirea a fost
declarat monument istoric i nc se ps-
treaz n stare bun. Din 2004 a devenit
sediul Primriei Cmpina, iar exteriorul
splendid i cei doi grifoni v ateapt s-i
admirai la urmtoarea vizit n munici-
piu.
In the year 1902, when a quarter of the
oil production of the country came from
Cmpina, the prosperous businessman
Gheorghe tefnescu erected an impressive
building in his home town, known as the
Griffin House. The two mythological mon-
sters with a lions body, an eagles head and
a horses ears have supervised ever since,
 viziteaz judeul prahova
visit prahova county

from the roof, the parade of the villas

history of 113 years.
The house that is currently the seat of
the Mayors Office of the Municipality
of Cmpina was built for the family of
the oil magnate tefnescu. With its
Beaux-Arts architecture, the building has
an elaborate, massive aspect, with two
domes covered with zinc shingles, each
of them with a wind rose on the top.
Such a construction had to be seen easily,
and the wealth collected by the owner
from his crude oil business made it easy.
However, after the First World War, the
villa changed owners in an unexpected
way. The oil magnate Gheorghe tefn-
escu retired from business and donated
the house to the Drillers and Refiners
School, whose old office had been des-
troyed in a fire.
Founded in the year 1904, at the proposal
of the director of the Trade and Mine
Industry, Constantin Alimniteanu, the
Drillers School in Cmpina was the first
of its kind in the world. The development
of oil exploitation techniques, introdu-
cing modern machinery in the crude oil
drilling and extraction process required
trained, specialised men who could deal
with the requirements and problems
that might occur. The oil companies had
employees trained abroad, but they were
too few for the necessities of Cmpina
and the entire country, actually, at the
time. The oil company Steaua Romn
had lain the foundations of a drillers
school, in 1898, but two years later the
private project failed, and it became
necessary to establish, with the support
of the Government, an institution that
aimed to train all categories of staff in oil
companies.
The Drillers and Refiners School in
Cmpina functioned in the Griffin
House until it was dismantled in 1950.
The building was declared a historical
monument and it is still preserved well.
In 2004 it became the seat of the Mayors
Office of Cmpina, and the splendid
exterior with its two griffins wait for you
to admire them at your next visit in the
municipality.

eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 83

 cristina frncu eu-romania.org, flickr

2 La Comarnic este loc

prielnic de oprit i stat o
vreme, se tie de la mocanii
din timpuri strvechi, iar
Muzeul Cinegetic Posada
este numai bun de vizitat
cnd facei popas.
Comarnic is the perfect
spot to rest for a while, as
we know from shepherds
01 of ancient times, and the
Posada Woodcraft Museum
is the ideal choice for a visit.

Comarnic 02

M
ocanii transilvneni au
aezat Comarnicul pe malul
Prahovei cu mult vreme
n urm, acolo unde scap
apele din ncletarea munilor. n drumul
lor spre Dunre, ciobanii poposeau cu
turmele n depresiunea adpostit de
muni i dealuri, nconjurat de codri
de stejar, de brad i de fag, iar pn prin
secolul al XVIII-lea tot aici i tundeau
oile. Cum altfel s se fi chemat aezarea
dect Comarnic, adic aa cum numeau
ciobanii ncperea de la stn unde
pstrau caul.
Ca sat, Comarnicul a fost trecut n scripte
nc din secolul al XV-lea, cnd se afla n
stpnirea boierilor Mrgineni. Au ur-
mat s-l crmuiasc n secolul al XVII-lea
familiile Cantacuzino i Filipescu, iar n
secolul al XIX-lea a trecut n proprietatea
domnitorului Gheorghe Bibescu.
La ieirea din Comarnic, n anii dinain-
tea Revoluiei de la 1848, din porunca
domnitorului Bibescu, a fost ridicat
castelul de la Posada, conceput iniial
ca un conac din piatr de ru, n tradiia
construciilor romneti din regiunile
montane. Nepotul domnitorului, George
Valentin Bibescu, a extins conacul 50 de
ani mai trziu, ntr-un adevrat castel,
care astzi adpostete Muzeul Cinegetic
al Carpailor.
A fost deschis mai nti ca secie a
Muzeului Naional Pele, n 1996. Opt
ani mai trziu a fost preluat, renovat i
redecorat cu sprijinul financiar al Regiei
Naionale a Pdurilor - ROMSILVA,
deschizndu-i apoi porile ca Muzeul
Cinegetic al Carpailor Posada, unicul
de acest fel din ar. Camerele muzeului
adpostesc o valoroas colecie de trofee,
Romnia ocupnd unul dintre primele
locuri ca numr de recorduri mondiale
cinegetice: la capra neagr, obinut n
1937, la cerb - n 1981, la blana de lup - n
1985. Cel mai recent trofeu este la cerbul
comun, vnat n 2003, iar cel mai mare
trofeu de blan de urs brun provine de la
un exemplar vnat de Nicolae Ceauescu
n 1984. La Muzeul Cinegetic mai putei
admira i exemplare ale unor specii
disprute din mediul natural, bourul i
zimbrul, precum i exponate de bufnie,
corbi i alte psri rpitoare.

84 eu iubesc romnia ediia de prahova | 2015


Alturi de cele peste 2.000 de trofee de sheltered by mountains and hills, surrounded
vntoare care acoper toat fauna cine- by oak, fir and beech tree forests, and until the
getic a Romniei exist i dou camere cu 18th century this was also where they sheared 2003, and the largest brown bear fur trophy
destinaie special: o camer este dedicat their sheep. What else could have been the
armelor de vntoare, n care se gsesc name of the settlement but Comarnic, which
pistoale cu cremene, pistoale de vntoare is what the shepherds called the room where
moderne, ba chiar i iatagane, pumnale sau they kept the fresh cheese at the shepherds
buzdugane. n cealalt camer se gsete huts? environment, aurochs and European bisons,
o colecie de unelte de vntoare care i-au As a village, Comarnic was recorded since the
aparinut scriitorului Mihail Sadoveanu, un 15th century, when it was ruled by the Mrgin-
pasionat de vntoare i pescuit. eni boyars. The next in line were the Can-
tacuzino and the Filipescu families in the 17th
century, and in the 19th century it became the
The Mocani of Transylvania placed property of ruler Gheorghe Bibescu.
Comarnic on the banks of Prahova River long At the exit from Comarnic, in the years before
ago, where waters escape the clash of moun- the Revolution of 1848, at the order of ruler
tains. On their way to the Danube, shepherds Bibescu, the Posada Castle was built, initially
stopped with their flocks in the depression designed as a manor made of river rock,
viziteaz judeul prahova
visit prahova county
following the tradition of Romanian con-
structions in mountainous regions. The rulers
grandson, George Valentin Bibescu, expanded
the manor 50 years later, turning it into a
real castle, which now hosts the Woodcraft
Carpathian Museum.
It was first opened as a section of Pele
National Museum, in 1996. Eight years later
it was taken over, renovated and redecorated
with the financial support of the ROMSILVA
National Forests Administration, opening
its gates later on as the Posada Woodcraft
Carpathian Museum, the only one of its kind
in the country. The museums chambers lodge
a valuable collection of trophies; Romania
ranks in the top countries by its number of
hunting world trophies: chamois, obtained
in 1937, stag in 1981, wolf skin in 1985. The
most recent trophy is the stag, hunted in
comes from an animal hunted by Nicolae
Ceauescu in 1984. At the Woodcraft Museum
you can also admire other specimens of anim-
als which have disappeared from their natural
as well as owls, ravens and other birds of prey.
Besides the over 2,000 hunting trophies that
cover the entire game fauna of Romania,
there are two special destination rooms: one
room is dedicated to hunting weapons, with
flintlock pistol, modern hunting pistols, even
yatagans, daggers or maces. In the other
rooms there is a collection of hunting tools
that belonged to the writer Mihail Sadoveanu,
a lover of hunting and fishing.
eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 85
 cristina frncu primria filipetii de pdure, eu-romania.org
Filipetii
01
de Pdure
C
omuna Filipetii de Pdure din
vestul judeului Prahova cuprinde
astzi satele Filipetii de Pdure,
Dieti, Minieri i Silitea Dealului,
iar existena unor monumente, precum
Biserica Sf. Trei Ierarhi sau Conacul lui Ma-
tei i Toma Cantacuzino, a inclus aezarea
n Drumul Voievozilor, traseul turistic de
cunoatere a istoriei acestor inuturi.
ns pn la nceputul secolului al XVI-lea,
acolo unde se afl n prezent vatra locali-
tii Filipetii de Pdure se ntindeau codri
ntunecoi de gorun. Aceste pduri uriae se
gseau n stpnirea unei importante fami-
lii boiereti, cea a Filipetilor, cunoscui n
ara Romneasc nc din secolul al XV-lea.
n urma exploatrii forestiere de ctre boie-
86 eu iubesc romnia ediia de prahova | 2015
2 Comuna Filipetii de
Pdure depete cu puin,
ca populaie, zece mii de
locuitori. The commune
of Filipetii de Pdure has a
population of a little over ten
thousand inhabitants.
02
rul Titi Filipescu, cu lucrtori din toat ara,
i n special cu romni din Ardeal n cutare
de adpost din calea asupririi habsburgice,
a nceput dezvoltarea zonei ca aezare. Mai
nti s-a construit un han n pdure, unde
duminica li se aduceau lucrtorilor merin-
dele pentru o sptmn i unde chiar se
ineau mici petreceri. Refugiaii din Ardeal
i-au ntemeiat aici locuine, iar aezarea a
nceput s se numeasc mai nti Filipetii
Ungureni, pentru ca apoi s treac la denu-
mirea sub care o regsim n prezent, Filipe-
tii de Pdure. Nu este ns singura aezare
filipeasc din zon i nici cea mai veche. n
sud i est se mrginete cu Filipetii de Trg,
moie alturi de care a fost vndut n anul
1632 de ctre Dumitracu Filipescu marelui
03

postelnic Constantin Cantacuzino. Astfel,
s-au aezat n aceast regiune a Prahovei
temeliile viitoarelor palate sau conace
cantacuzine, precum i ale unor biserici de o
nermurit frumusee.
Filipetii de Trg s-au bucurat o vreme de o
activitate comercial intens datorit pozii-
onrii la ncruciarea cilor de comunicaii
dintre cele trei provincii romneti. Pe aici
coborau mrfurile din Ardeal, pe aici era
calea diligenelor i drumul domnitorilor.
ns dup 1830 urmeaz decderea, pentru
c Ploietiul, aflat la aproximativ 20 de kilo-
metri, se dezvolt rapid ca principal punct
economic al regiunii.
nc v mai putei odihni la umbra goruni-
lor, dar din conacul urmailor postelnicului
viziteaz judeul prahova
visit prahova county
Morrescu Costel
primar filipetii de pdure
Mayor of Filipetii de Pdure
V invit n comuna
Filipetii de Pdure, o
comun nzestrat cu
tradiii, care dateaz din
cele mai strvechi tim-
puri. Noile generaii ajut
la pstrarea obiceiurilor
zonei, prin activitile
desfurate la diverse
festivaluri organizate la
nivel de comun.
Constantin Cantacuzino, Matei i Toma, nu
au mai rmas dect nite ruine. Putei totui When you reach the vil-
s admirai frumuseea picturilor Bisericii lage of Filipetii de Pdure
Sf. Trei Ierarhi sau monumentele din Dieti you will be amazed to find
i Filipetii de Pdure nchinate celor czui an inspiring village, which
n Rzboiul de Independen al Romniei i has strongly and proudly
n Primul Rzboi Mondial. kept its traditions, which
date back to immemorial
ages ancient times.
The commune of Filipetii de Pdure in These traditions are kept
the west of Prahova County includes today alive due to the younger
the villages of Filipetii de Pdure, Dieti, generations. How do
Minieri and Silitea Dealului, and the exist- they do this? By actively
ence of monuments such as the Sf. Trei Ierarhi participating at numerous
Church or Matei and Toma Cantacuzinos festivals that take place in
Manor made the settlement part of the the village of Filipetii de
Voivodes Road, the touristic trail whose goal Pdure.
eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 87

04
is to teach about the history of this land.
But until the beginning of the 16th century,
there used to be dark sessile oak forest where
the locality of Filipetii de Pdure stands now.
These huge forests were owned by an import-
ant boyar family, Filipescu, renowned in the
Romanian Country since the 15th century.
Following the logging by boyar Titi Filipescu,
with workers from all over the country,
especially Romanians from Ardeal, look-
ing for shelter from the oppression of the
Habsburgs, the area started to develop as
a settlement. First, an inn was built in the
forest, where workers received food for a
week on Sundays and where small parties
were sometimes held. Refugees from Ardeal
settled down here and built houses, and
the settlement was first called Filipetii
Ungureni, to acquire later the new name
that still stands, Filipetii de Pdure. It is not
the only settlement of the Filipescus in the
region, though, nor the oldest. To the south
and east it is adjacent to Filipetii de Trg,
a domain with which it was sold in the year
1632 by Dumitracu Filipescu to the future
88 eu iubesc romnia ediia de prahova | 2015
05
seneschal Constantin Cantacuzino. Thus, the
foundations of the future palaces or manors
of the Cantacuzinos were laid in this region
of Prahova, as well as those of truly beautiful
churches.
06
Filipetii de Trg enjoyed an intense trade
activity for a while, thanks to their position at
the crossroads of communication pathways
between the three Romanian provinces. This
Putei admira
is where goods would go down to Ardeal,
this was the way of carriages and the road
frumuseea picturilor
of the rulers. But after 1830 they started to
decay, because Ploieti, which was located
bisericii Sf. Trei Ierarhi
approximately 20 kilometres away, developed sau monumentele din
quickly as the main economic hub of the
region. Dieti i Filipetii de
You can still rest in the shade of sessile oaks,
but all that is left of the manor of the sen- Pdure
eschal Constantin Cantacuzinos heirs, Matei
and Toma, is ruins. You can still admire the
beauty of the paintings in the Sf. Trei Ierarhi You can admire the beauty of the
Church or the monuments in Dieti and paintings in the Sf. Trei Ierarhi
Filipetii de Pdure, in the memory of those
fallen in the Romanian War of Independence
Church or the monuments in
and the First World War. Dieti and Filipetii de Pdure.

Biserica Sf. Trei Ierarhi
Sf. Trei Ierarhi Church
Biserica Sf. Trei Ierarhi este un monu-
ment de art veche bisericeasc, recu-
noscut de UNESCO drept Voroneul din
Muntenia. Iar ca s fim cinstii, se prea
poate s fie la mijloc vreun fel de minune,
pentru c biserica i-a pstrat aproape
intacte, din anul 1688, att structura
de rezisten, ct i pictura. E drept c,
de-a lungul timpului, a fost restaurat n
mai multe rnduri, dar nici arhitectura
bizantin, cu elemente romneti, i nici
frescele create de zugravul preferat al
Cantacuzinilor, Prvu Mutu, nu au fost
afectate.
Biserica a fost nlat de ctre doamna
Blaa Cantacuzino, soia marelui aga Ma-
tei Cantacuzino, mpreun cu fiul ei, sp-
tarul Toma Cantacuzino. n anul 1692, aa
cum st scris cu litere slavone deasupra
uii din interiorul bisericii, Prvu Mutu
vel leat 7200 (1692), meterul zugrav a
sfrit lucrarea de pictur care avea s se
pstreze cel mai bine peste veacuri. n pro-
naos, de-o parte i de alta a uii de intrare,
un tablou votiv nfieaz 55 de membri
cristina frncu primria filipetii de pdure
ai familiei Cantacuzino, iar catapeteasma
bisericii, aceeai de la facere, sculptat n
stil baroc i renascentist, este mpodobit
cu icoane lucrate de acelai meter, unul
dintre cei mai importani pictori biserice-
ti din ara Romneasc.
Dinuirea peste veacuri a bisericii nchi-
nate Sfinilor Trei Ierarhi, precum i fru- the master painter finished the painting
museea picturii meterului Prvu Mutu
au consemnat lcaul de cult n seria
monumentelor prahovene i a locurilor de
popas pentru trup i suflet.
Sf. Trei Ierarhi Church is a monument
of old church art, recognised by UNESCO as
the Vorone of Muntenia. And to be fair, it
there may be some sort of miracle involved,
because the church has preserved almost
intact, since 1688, both the supporting
structure and the painting. On the other
hand, it has been restored several times,
but the Byzantine architecture with Ro-
manian elements or the frescoes created by
the Cantacuzino familys favourite painter,
viziteaz judeul prahova
visit prahova county
1 biseric din
Filipetii de Pdure
este att frumoas
nct ai putea spune,
cu mna pe inim,
c se aseamn cu
vestitul Vorone
The Church of
Filipetii de Pdure
is so beautiful that
you could swear it
looks like the famous
Vorone.
01
Prvu Mutu, have not been affected.
The church was erected by Lady Blaa
Cantacuzino, the wife of great Aga Matei
Cantacuzino, with her son, sword bearer
Toma Cantacuzino. In 1692, as it is written
in Slavonic letters over the door inside the
church, Prvu Mutu vel leat 7200 (1692),
works that would preserve best over the
centuries. In the narthex, on both sides
of the door, a votive painting depicts 55
members of the Cantacuzino family, and
the iconostasis of the church, the same one
since the beginning, sculpted in the Baroque
and Renaissance style, is embellished with
icons painted by the same master, one of
the most important church painters in the
Romanian Country.
The endurance of the church dedicated to
the Three Holy Hierarchs, as well as the
beauty of the painting created by master
Prvu Mutu have put the place of worship
on the list of Prahovas monuments and lay-
bys for the body and soul.
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 ctlina ghelan
01
Mneciu
C
omuna Mneciu din judeul
Prahova se afl la poalele Muni-
lor Ciuca, iar peisajele deosebite
v vor fermeca din prima clip
n care ajungei pe aceste meleaguri.
Mergnd la pas prin satele pitoreti din
aceast comun, vei simi cum aerul curat
v revigoreaz toate simurile. Aici se
afl locaia ideal pentru petrecerea unei
vacane relaxante, n special pentru cei
care locuiesc n marile orae ale rii.
Este important de menionat faptul c
pn n anul 1968 teritoriul actual al
comunei era mprit ntre dou comune:
Mneciu Ungureni i Mneciu Pmnteni.
Mneciu Pmnteni este cea despre care
se vorbete n documentele din secolele
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eu-romania.org
2 Comuna s-a dezvoltat
foarte mult n ultimele
decenii, n special datorit ba-
rajului i hidrocentralei Mne-
ciu, dar i datorit atraciilor
turistice din zon.
The commune has
developed a lot over the past
decades, particularly because
of the dam and the hydroelec-
tric plant Mneciu, as well as
due to the tourist attractions
in the area.
02
XV-XVI, aceasta fiind cea mai veche dintre
cele dou. De-a lungul timpului, comuna
Mneciu a avut un rol important att din
punct de vedere comercial, ct i militar.
Acest lucru se datoreaz locaiei sale stra-
tegice, fiind aezat pe una dintre rutele
care fceau legtura ntre Transilvania i
ara Romneasc, rut intens folosit de
ctre negustori.
Zona n care este aezat comuna Mneciu
a fost locuit din cele mai vechi timpuri,
arheologii care au studiat antefactele
descoperite aici au stabilit c acestea au
o vechime de cel puin 4.000 de ani. Dei
nu exist documente care s ateste aceste
dovezi, multitudinea de unelte i vase care
au fost gsite aici ofer destule dovezi
03

oamenilor de tiin. De obicei, asociem
civilizaiile antice cu zone precum Egipt,
Persia sau Grecia, ns i pe teritoriul rii
noastre au existat mici aezri umane n
aceeai perioad, chiar dac acestea nu
sunt att de faimoase.
Comuna Mneciu este pomenit pentru
prima oar n documentele istorice n anul
1429, n cadrul unui hrisov emis la Arge,
n care s-a consemnat modul de mprire
al teritoriilor comunei. n anul 1556, comu-
na Mneciu este din nou pomenit ntr-un
document emis de ctre domnitorul rii
din acea vreme, Ptracu Vod. Satele
care intr n componena comunei au fost
i ele menionate n cadrul mai multor
documente de-a lungul secolelor, ceea ce
dovedete o continuitate a comunitii
formate n aceast zon.
Cheia este cel mai nou sat care intr n
componena strvechii comune, acesta
fiind nfiinat de ctre romnii venii din
Transilvania n anul 1894.
The commune of Mneciu in Prahova
County is located at the foot of the Ciuca
Mountains, and the lovely landscapes will
delight you from the first moment you step
into these lands. Walking through the pic-
turesque villages of this commune, you will
feel the fresh air revitalising all your senses.
Here is the perfect location for a relaxing
holiday, especially for those who live in big
viziteaz judeul prahova
visit prahova county
cities.
It is important to mention that until 1968,
the current territory of the commune was
divided into two: Mneciu Ungureni and
Mneciu Pmnteni. Mneciu Pmnteni is
the one that is mentioned in the documents
from the 15th-16th centuries, as it is the
older of the two communes. Over time, the
commune of Mneciu has had an important
role, both from a commercial and a military
standpoint. This is due to its strategic
location, being situated on one of the routes
that connected Transylvania and Wallachia,
used very much by merchants.
The area where the commune of Mneciu is
located has been inhabited from the most
ancient times, and the archaeologists who
studied the artefacts discovered here have
established they are at least 4,000 years
old. Although there are no documents
that attest this evidence, the multitude of
tools and vessels that have been found here
provide enough evidence to scientists. We
usually associate ancient civilisations with
areas such as Egypt, Persia or Greece, but on
the territory of our country there have also
been small human settlements in the same
period, even though they are not as famous.
The commune of Mneciu is first mentioned
in historical documents in the year 1429, in
a charter issued in Arge, which described
the way the territories of the commune had
been divided. In the year 1556, the commune
of Mneciu was mentioned again in another
document issued by the ruler of the country
at the time, Ptracu Vod. The villages
that make up the commune have also been
mentioned in several documents over the
centuries, which proves a continuity of the
community formed in this area.
Cheia is the latest village that became part
of the ancient commune, as it was estab-
lished by the Romanians who had come
from Transylvania in the year 1894.
eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 91

Staiunea Cheia este una dintre cele
mai frumoase zone pentru agrement
din Romnia, care se afl chiar la poalele
Munilor Ciuca. Aparinnd de comuna
Mneciu, judeul Prahova, staiunea Cheia
ofer turitilor nenumrate posibiliti
de petrecere a timpului liber. Aerul curat
i clima blnd fac din acest loc alegerea
perfect pentru cteva zile de relaxare
mpreun cu prietenii sau familia.
Staiunea Cheia a luat fiin n jurul M-
nstirii Cheia, dup ce terenurile acesteia
au fost secularizate. Datorit altitudinii
sale (871 de metri) i a condiiilor luxurian-
te oferite de natur, Cheia este acum sta-
iune climateric de odihn i tratament.
Pentru cei care sufer de anemie, astenie,
hipertiroidism, suprasolicitare fizic i in-
telectual, un sejur la Cheia este exact ceea
ce au nevoie. Plimbrile prin natur, aerul
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1 Cteva zile
petrecute n acest mic
col de rai v vor ajuta
s v refacei puterile
i s v ntoarcei
acas cu energie i
poft de via.
A few days spent
in this heavenly resort
will help you recharge
your batteries and
return home filled
with energy and lust
for life.
01
Staiunea Cheia
Cheia Resort
curat i mncarea sntoas i proaspt Bineneles, exist i trasee mai solicitante,
ofer condiiile perfecte pentru o cur de pentru cei experimentai, cum ar fi cel spre
refacere a puterilor recomandat oricui. Pasul Bratocea, aflat la 1.263 m altitudine
Dac vei plnui o evadare din cotidian pe (9 km) sau cel spre Pasul Boncua, la 1.078
aceste meleaguri, vei avea la dispoziie m altitudine (20 km). Pentru cei mai aven-
numeroase oferte de cazare n cabane pito- turoi, aici se pot practica diverse sporturi
reti, foarte ofertante din punct de vedere de iarn sau, de ce nu?, alpinism. Staiu-
al panoramelor. Cel mai plcut mod de a nea Cheia are cte ceva pentru fiecare, de
v petrece timpul la Cheia l reprezint, la momente de relaxare pn la doze mari
cu siguran, drumeiile montane. Avei de adrenalin, tocmai de aceea o recoman-
la alegere mai multe trasee, de dificultate dm cu mare drag oricrei persoane care
variat, pe care le vei putea parcurge dorete s-i petreac vacana aproape de
agale, admirnd natura. Cel mai impresi- munte.
onant este, desigur, drumul ctre Masivul
Ciuca, staiunea Cheia fiind unul dintre
punctele principale din care se pornete pe Cheia Resort is one of the most beauti-
acest traseu pitoresc. ful recreational areas in Romania, located at
Alte opiuni interesante sunt: traseul the foot of the Ciuca Mountains. Belonging
ctre izvoarele Telejeanului (1-2 ore) sau to the commune of Mneciu, Prahova County,
traseul ctre Cabana Muntele Rou (2 ore). Cheia Resort has countless possibilities for
 viziteaz judeul prahova
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the tourists leisure time. The clean air

and the mild climate make this place the
perfect choice for a few days of relaxation
with your friends or family.
Cheia Resort was formed around Cheia
Monastery, after its lands were secular-
ised. Thanks to its altitude (871 metres)
and the luxurious conditions provided by
the nature, Cheia is now a spa resort for
relaxation and treatment. For those who
suffer from anaemia, asthenia, hyper-
thyroidism, physical and intellectual ex-
haustion, a stay in Cheia is just the thing
they need. Walks in nature, clean air and
healthy, fresh food provide the perfect
conditions for a battery recharging jour-
ney, recommended to anyone.
If you plan an escape from daily life
to this land, you will have countless
accommodation offers in picturesque
cabins, with very promising views. The
most pleasant way of spending your time
in Cheia is definitely mountain hiking.
You have several trails to choose from, of
various degrees of difficulty, which you
can cover at leisure, admiring nature.
The most impressive one is definitely the
road to Ciuca Massif, Cheia Resort being
one of the main starting points of this
picturesque trail.
Other interesting options are: the trail to
the sources of Teleajen River (1-2 hours) or
the trail to Muntele Rou Cabin (2 hours).
Certainly, there are more demanding
trails, as well, for more experienced
travellers, such as the one to Bratocea
Pass, at an altitude of 1,263 m (9 km
long) or the one to Boncua Pass, at an
altitude of 1,078 m (20 km long). For the
most adventurous tourists, various winter
sports can be practised here, along with
alpinism. Cheia Resort has something
for everyone, from relaxing moments to
high doses of adrenaline, which is why
we warmly recommend it to anyone who
wants to spend their holiday close to the
mountains.

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 ctlina ghelan eu-romania.org

1 Cunosctorii
recomand vizitarea Mun-
telui Rou n iunie, pentru
c n aceast lun nfloresc
bujorii de munte, care
acoper versanii, oferind
un spectacol de neuitat
pentru turiti.
Connoisseurs re-
commend visiting Rou
Mountain in June, because
that is when the rhodo-
dendron is in bloom,
covering the slopes, giving
an unforgettable show for
the tourists.

01

Muntele Rou
Rou Mountain
Dac ai decis s petrecei cteva zile muli turiti, care petrec cteva ore sau c- pentru cazarea n propriul cort. Indiferent
la munte alturi de familie sau de prieteni, teva zile aici, care v vor ajuta cu siguran de alegere, cred c vei fi de acord c nimic
dar nc nu tii ce zon s alegei, v re- s ajungei n locaia potrivit. nu se compar cu o diminea rcoroas
comand cu mare drag Muntele Rou. Zona Odat ce ai ajuns la caban, vei vedea petrecut la munte, cu un ceai cald sau o
este faimoas pentru cei care locuiesc n c efortul a meritat cu adevrat; vei avea cafea aburind n mn. Acest mic paradis
oraele din mprejurimi, ns celor din parte de o privelite superb, de care v se afl la doar 140 km de Bucureti, ceea
judeele mai ndeprtate s-ar putea s nu le vei ndrgosti din prima clip. Dup ce ce l face cu adevrat destinaia perfect
sune cunoscut acest nume. Muntele Rou vei admira pe ndelete miracolele naturii, pentru un weekend prelungit la munte,
se afl n drum spre Vrful Ciuca i este avei de luat o decizie: dac nnoptai la din toate punctele de vedere.
cel puin la fel de impresionant ca acesta. Muntele Rou sau v aventurai mai de-
Traseul pn la Cabana Muntele Rou parte spre Vrful Ciuca, la o altitudine de
(1.280 m) are o dificultate medie, putnd 1.954 m, pe un traseu de dificultate medie. If you have decided to spend a few
fi parcurs de oricine n cteva ore. Pornind Oricare va fi alegerea, un lucru este cert: days in the mountains with your family or
de la poalele munilor, din satul Cheia, vei avea parte de peisaje splendide, de aer friends, but you do not know yet what area
avem de urcat aproximativ 4 km pn la curat de munte i de experiene culinare to choose, I wholeheartedly recommend you
Cabana Muntele Rou. Desigur, aici se inedite, cum ar fi specialitile din vnat Rou Mountain. The area is famous to those
poate ajunge i cu maina personal, ns servite de caban. who live in the surrounding towns, but
sfatul meu este s profitai de aerul curat Pe lng cazarea n interiorul cabanei, those in more distant counties might not
i s parcurgei traseul la pas, chiar dac putei opta i pentru una dintre cele 10 find this name too familiar. Rou Mountain
nu avei experien. Zona atrage destul de csue de camping din jurul acesteia sau is located on the way to Ciuca Peak and it

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 viziteaz judeul prahova
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is at least as impressive as this one.

The trail to Rou Mountain Cabin
(1,280 m) is of average difficulty,
and it can be covered by anyone in
just a few hours. Starting from the
foot of the mountains, in the village
of Cheia, we have to climb approx-
imately 4 km to the Rou Mountain
Cabin. Certainly, you can reach it
by car, as well, but my advice is to
take advantage of the clean air and
cover the trail by foot, even though
you are not experienced. The area
attracts quite a lot of tourists, who
spend a few hours or days here, and
they will definitely help you reach
the location you are looking for.
Once you have reached the cabin,
you will see the effort had been
truly worth it; you will see a de-
lightful view, which you will fall for
from the very first moment. Once
you have admired the miracles of
nature, you have to make a de-
cision: whether you spend the night
at the cabin or you go further, to
Ciuca Peak, at an altitude of 1,954
m, on an average trail. No matter
the choice, one thing is certain: you
will see amazing landscapes, you
will have clean mountain air and
novel food experiences, such as the
game dishes served at the cabin.
Besides the accommodation inside
the cabin, you can choose one
of the 10 little camping houses
around it, or you can sleep in your
own tent. No matter the choice, I
think you will agree that nothing
compares to a cool morning spent
in the mountains, a cup of hot
tea or coffee in hand. This little
paradise is located just 140 km from
Bucharest, which truly makes it the
perfect destination for an extended
weekend in the mountains, from all
points of view.

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Mnstirea Cheia se afl ntr-o zon
linitit i superb, n Valea Telejeanului
de la poalele Munilor Ciuca. Accesul la
mnstire se face din staiunea Cheia, parte
component a comunei Mneciu, judeul
Prahova. Aleea pe care se face accesul n
cldirea principal are un aer grandios, care
i inspir pace i linite. Gardul ce ncon- 1835, de data aceasta optndu-se pentru
joar aceast oaz de linite este din piatr
i ne duce cu gndul la zidurile medievale
folosite la aprarea cetilor.
Povestea acestei mnstiri este cu adevrat
fascinant: se spune c prima oar a fost
ridicat aici un mic schit din lemn, de ctre
nite ciobani venii din Scele, judeul
Braov, n anul 1770. apte ani mai trziu,
n 1777, aceast mic aezare a fost distrus
de turci. Prim mnstire purta hramul
Sfntului Nicolae. n 1790 se construiete
o alt mnstire pe locul celei distruse, tot
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Mnstirea Cheia
Cheia Monastery
din lemn, care poart hramul Adormirii
Maicii Domnului. De data aceasta, micul
schit rezist o perioad mai ndelungat,
ns i acesta este distrus de un incendiu, n
anul 1832.
Cldirea actual mpreun cu impun-
toarea clopotni au fost ridicate n anul
materiale de construcii mai rezistente -
crmida. Chiar i aa, clopotnia a luat foc
n anul 1957 i a ars din temelii, fiind ref-
cut ulterior n anul 1965. Aceasta poart
hramul Sfntei Treimi i cel al Adormirii
Maicii Domnului. Cele trei corpuri de chilii
au fost ridicate n anul 1844, iar aici se pot
caza i pelerinii care vin s viziteze aceast
fascinant mnstire. of the Ciuca Mountains. The monastery can
Este foarte interesant de menionat faptul
c fiecare dintre cele trei mnstiri care au
fost ridicate n acest loc au fost construite
1 Mnstirea
este pzit de brazi
nali, care ne invit
la umbra lor deas i
rcoroas n cele mai
fierbini zile.
The monastery
is guarded by tall fir
trees, inviting us to
their thick cool shade
on the hottest days.
01
exclusiv prin munca i fondurile proprii ale
clugrilor. Spre deosebire de alte mns-
tiri, att din ara noastr, ct i din alte ri,
Mnstirea Cheia nu a obinut fonduri de
la boieri sau ali oameni nstrii ai vremii.
Clugrii de la Cheia au, fr ndoial, o
mulime de poveti fascinante din istoria
acestei mnstiri deosebite. Fie c vei po-
posi aici pentru cteva ore, fie pentru cteva
zile, vei pleca plini de admiraie pentru c-
lugrii care au depus eforturi extraordinare
pentru a menine n via lcaul de cult.
Cheia Monastery is located in a quiet,
wonderful area, in Teleajen Valley, at the foot
be reached from Cheia resort, an integral
part of the commune of Mneciu, Prahova
County. The alley that reaches to the main
 viziteaz judeul prahova
visit prahova county

building has a grandiose air, which inspires

peace and quiet. The fence that surrounds
this oasis of quiet is made of stone and it
reminds us of the medieval walls used for
the defence of buildings.
The story of this monastery is truly
fascinating: it is said that a small
wooden skete was built here by a few
shepherds who had come from Scele,
Braov County, in the year 1770. Seven
years later, in 1777, this small settlement
was destroyed by the Turks. The first
monastery was under the patronage of
St. Nicholas. In 1790, another wooden
monastery was built on the spot of the
one that had been destroyed, this time
under the patronage of the Assumption
of the Virgin Mary into Heaven. The small
skete endured longer this time, but it was
burned down in a fire in the year 1832.
The current monastery, along with
its impressive bell tower, was built in
1835, using more long-lasting building
materials bricks. Even so, the bell tower
caught fire in 1957 and burned to the
ground, being built later, in 1965. This one
is under the patronage of the Holy Trinity
and the Assumption of the Virgin Mary
into Heaven. The three cell buildings
were erected in the year 1844, and they
can accommodate pilgrims who come to
visit this fascinating monastery.
It is very interesting to mention the fact
that each of the three monasteries that
have been raised here were built exclus-
ively with the monks labour and own
funds. As opposed to other monasteries,
both in Romania and in other countries,
Cheia Monastery did not receive funding
from boyars or other wealthy people of
its time. The monks at Cheia definitely
have loads of fascinating stories about
the history of this wonderful monastery.
Whether you stop here for a few hours
or for a few days, you will leave the place
filled with admiration for the monks who
have made extraordinary efforts to keep
the place of worship alive.

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Dac ai descoperit vreodat o poieni
n mijlocul pdurii, atunci tii cu siguran
ct de fermector poate fi un astfel de loc.
Mnstirea Suzana este i ea aezat ntr-o
poieni, n mijlocul unei pduri de fagi,
care i ofer protecie i un aer pur. Aceasta
se afl la civa kilometri de comuna
Mneciu, judeul Prahova, la jumtatea
drumului dintre Bucureti i Braov. Spre
deosebire de unele mnstiri din alte coluri
ale rii, drumul pn la Suzana este foarte
accesibil tuturor. Poate tocmai de aceea este
una dintre cele mai apreciate mnstiri din
aceast zon a rii.
Povestea Mnstirii Suzana ncepe n urm
cu trei secole, cnd o credincioas venit
din Scele a nfiinat mnstirea. Aceasta
era o mic bisericu din lemn, ce purta
hramul Sfntului Ierarh Nicolae, iar nume-
le micuei era Suzana Aricu. La o sut de
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1 Orice cltor
ostenit este bine-
venit s-i petreac
noaptea aici, de unde
va pleca mai linitit
i mai apropiat de
Dumnezeu.
Any exhausted
traveller is welcome
to spend the night
here, and they will
leave this place closer
to God and with bet-
ter peace of mind.
01
Mnstirea Suzana
Suzana Monastery
ani de la nfiinarea sa, mica bisericu din au renunat la lcaul de cult i, cu ajutorul
lemn devine impracticabil i este nceput autoritilor din acea vreme, au nceput
construcia unei noi cldiri, de data aceasta construcia unei alte biserici, care a fost fi-
din piatr, pentru a fi mai rezistent. O nalizat n 1882. Cea de-a treia biseric este
ntmplare din istoria mnstirii ce merit cea pe care o putem vizita i astzi, unde
menionat este dorina rmas nendepli- suntem ntmpinai cu drag de micuele
nit a celor care veniser s sfineasc noua care locuiesc aici. Aceast mnstire este
construcie. Acetia au decis schimbarea cu adevrat special, fiind aezat lng o
hramului cu ocazia inaugurrii noii bise- cruce de ape, adic n locul unde praiele
rici, ns n ziua sfinirii ploile abundente Stancea i Epuraul se vars ntr-o parte i
au fcut ca apele Telejeanului s ias din n alta a Rului Telejean, formnd o cruce.
matc i s inunde toat zona. Cei prezeni Pacea i linitea pe care le simim din
abia au reuit s se salveze din calea apelor momentul n care trecem pragul acestei
furioase i au considerat c acesta a fost mnstiri ne vor rmne n suflet mult
un semn c nu ar trebui s schimbe sfntul vreme dup ce vom reveni acas.
protector al mnstirii.
Din pcate, nici cea de-a doua construcie
nu rezist foarte mult, fiind distrus dup If you have ever discovered a glade in
doar 30 de ani, n urma cutremurului din the middle of the forest, then you must
1838. Dar nici de data aceasta micuele nu know how charming such a place can be.
 viziteaz judeul prahova
visit prahova county

Suzana Monastery is located in such a

glade, in the middle of a beech tree forest,
which provided protection and pure air.
It is situated a few kilometres from the
commune of Mneciu, Prahova County,
halfway between Bucharest and Braov.
As opposed to some monasteries in other
parts of the country, the road to Suzana
is very accessible to anyone. Perhaps that
is why it is one of the most appreciated
monasteries in this region of the country.
The story of Suzana Monastery begins
three centuries ago, when a faithful wo-
man from Scele established the monas-
tery. It was a little wooden church, under
the patronage of St. Hierarch Nicholas,
and the nuns name was Suzana Aricu.
A hundred years from its establish-
ment, the small wooden church became
impractical, and the construction of a
new building started, this time made of
stone, to be longer-lasting. An event in
the history of the monastery that needs
to be mentioned is the unfulfilled desire
of those who had come to consecrate the
new building. They decided to change the
patron saint when the new church was
inaugurated, but on the consecration
day the heavy rain made the waters of
the Teleajen River flood the entire area.
Those in attendance barely escaped the
raging waters and they considered it was
a sign that they should not change the
patron saint of the monastery.
Unfortunately, the second building did not
last long either, being destroyed only 30
years later, after the earthquake in 1838.
But the nuns did not give up the place of
worship this time either, and, helped by
the authorities of that time, started the
construction of another church, which
was completed in 1882. The third church
is the one we can visit to this day, where
we are welcomed warmly by the nuns who
live here. This monastery is truly special,
being located near a cross of waters,
in the spot where the springs Stancea
and Epuraul flow into both sides of the
Teleajen River, forming a cross. The peace
and quiet that we experience from the
moment we step into this monastery will
remain in our hearts for a long time after
we have returned home.

eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 99


Barajul Mneciu l putei gsi la
poalele Munilor Ciuca, n amonte de
comuna Mneciu, i este un loc plin de
farmec. Barajul este construit din pmnt
i are o nlime de 75 de metri, fiind aezat
pe cursul Rului Teleajean, care domin
ntreaga zon. Aici se poate ajunge cu mai-
na din satele comunei Mneciu, ns de la
un punct drumul nu mai este asfaltat, ci
doar pietruit. Odat ce ajungei acolo, vei
nelege c drumul merit strbtut. Lacul
de acumulare poate fi traversat cu maina,
pe drumul care duce la o parcare pe partea
cealalt.
Aa cum v va spune oricine care a ajuns n
aceast locaie superb, adevrata atracie
de aici nu o reprezint barajul n sine,
acesta fiind construit din pmnt, nu din
ciment. Adevratul potenial turistic este
dat de lacul de acumulare, n ale crui ape
limpezi se reflect munii masivi ce-l ncon-
joar. O astfel de privelite este cu adevrat
impresionant i cu siguran vei rmne
100 eu iubesc romnia ediia de prahova | 2015
ctlina ghelan eu-romania.org
Barajul Mneciu
Mneciu Dam
fr cuvinte pentru cteva momente.
Pdurile superbe din jur creeaz o atmos-
fer de poveste, iar faptul c acest lac este
delimitat de muni din toate prile i
creeaz o senzaie greu de explicat. Dac nu
v mai putei dezlipi de aceast privelite,
putei alege un loc din apropiere, unde
s rmnei cu cortul peste noapte. n
jurul lacului s-a creat o zon de agrement,
mii de turiti vizitnd aceste locuri an de
an, pentru a admira frumuseile naturii
oglindite n miestria acestui lac construit
de oameni.
You can find Mneciu Dam at the foot
of the Ciuca Mountains, upstream of the
commune of Mneciu, and it is a truly charm-
ing place. The dam is made of earth and it
is 75 metres tall, built on the course of the
Telejean River, which dominates the entire
area. You can reach it by car from the villages
in Mneciu, but from a certain point onwards
1 Pdurile su-
perbe din jur creeaz
o atmosfer de
poveste.
The gorgeous
forests around the
lake create a fairy
tale setting.
01
the road is no longer covered with asphalt,
just gravel. Once you get there, you will un-
derstand it is worth the journey. The reservoir
can be crossed by car, over the bridge that
leads to a parking lot on the other side.
As anyone who visited this wonderful loca-
tion will tell you, the real attraction here is
not the dam itself, as it is built of earth and
not concrete. The real touristic potential is
the reservoir, whose clear waters reflect the
massive mountains that surround it. Such a
view is really impressive and you will defin-
itely be left speechless for a few moments.
The gorgeous forests around the lake create a
fairy tale setting, and the fact that this lake is
surrounded by mountains gives you a feeling
that is difficult to explain. If you cannot take
your eyes off this view, you can choose a
spot nearby where you can camp overnight.
Around the lake there is a recreational area,
visited by thousands of tourists year after
year, to admire the beauty of nature reflected
in the lake masterfully built by humans.

Muzeul Flori de Min
The Mineral Museum
Puine sunt satele care au i alte
atracii turistice n afar de cteva pensiuni
i, bineneles, farmecul aparte pe care
acestea i-l ofer. Iar satul Cheia, din comuna
Mneciu, este unul dintre acele sate avnd
un muzeu cu totul i cu totul special, Muzeul
Flori de Min. Acesta a fost nfiinat relativ
recent, n anul 2002, i adpostete piese
valoroase din colecia Muzeului Naional de
tiinele Naturii Prahova. Florile de min din
ambele muzee fac parte din colecia Mihai
Viteazul i au fost achiziionate din Baia
Mare. Pe lng cele din Maramue, n acest
muzeu se regsesc i piese din alte coluri ale
lumii, inclusiv din America de Sud.
Exponatele de aici te transpun n alt lume,
prin varietatea de culori i forme pe care o
prezint. Florile de min te fac s reflectezi
la modul n are a reuit natura s creeze
astfel de forme att de neobinuite i totui
att de frumoase. Unele piese au o nli-
me de aproape doi metri i citind despre
formarea lor vei deveni fascinat cum o mic
viziteaz judeul prahova
ctlina ghelan eu-romania.org visit prahova county
1 Costul unui bilet
este de 2-3 lei, iar o
vizit la acest muzeu
este fascinant att
pentru copii, ct i pen-
tru aduli. A ticket
costs 2-3 lei, and a
visit to this museum is
fascinating for children
and adults alike.
01
impuritate poate duce la colorarea diferit are part of the Michael the Brave collection
a unei piese. Este i cazul cuarului, care n and they have been procured from Baia Mare.
momentul n care nu are impuriti este Besides specimens from Maramure, the mu-
incolor, asemenea unui diamant, dar dac seum also has pieces from other parts of the
acesta prezint urme de fier sau aluminiu world, including South America.
capt o culoare violet intens, devenind The exhibits in this museum take you to
practic ametist. another world, due to their variety of shapes
La ieire putei achiziiona un suvenir cu o and colours. The mineral clusters make
piatr semipreioas, care s v aduc mereu you contemplate the way that nature has
aminte de excursia fcut n aceast zon managed to create such unusual and yet such
superb a rii. beautiful shapes. Some pieces are almost two
metres tall, and when you read about their
formation, you will be fascinated about the
There are few villages that have other way a small impurity can lead to the different
tourist attractions besides a few boarding colours of a piece. This is the case of quartz,
houses and their particular kind of charm. The which is colourless if it has no impurities, like
village of Cheia, in the commune of Mneciu, a diamond, and if there are traces of iron or
is one of those villages, with a truly special aluminium inside, it acquires a deep shade of
attraction, the Mineral Museum. It was estab- purple, basically becoming an amethyst.
lished rather recently, in the year 2002, and On your way out you can buy a souvenir with
it hosts valuable pieces from the collection a semi-precious stone, which can always
of the Prahova National Museum of Natural remind you of the trip to this superb area of
Science. The mineral clusters in both museums the country.
eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 101
 teodor fereta
01
Sinaia
S
taiune preferat a Regelui
Carol i a Reginei Elisabeta, numele
de Sinaia va rmne ntotdeauna
asociat cu Casa Regal a Romniei.
Cei doi monarhi i vor construi aici o
oaz de elegan i confort dup modelul
celebrelor retreat-uri victoriene. Relativ
apropiat geografic de Bucureti, ns
nconjurat de un peisaj idilic de munte,
cocheta staiune obinuia s atrag cea
mai mare parte a elitei romnesti de la n-
ceputul secolului trecut. Din 10 mai, cnd
familia regal se retrgea n cadrul privat
al Castelului Pele, i pn n noiembrie,
dat la care ncepeau sesiunile parlamen-
tare, Sinaia devenea, prin numrul de
personaliti concentrate aici, o a dou
102 eu iubesc romnia ediia de prahova | 2015
eu-romania.org
2 Eclectismul arhitectural
de care se bucur oraul n
prezent datoreaz foarte mult
unor nume ca Dimitrie Ghica,
Alexandru Lahovari, Take
Ionescu, V.A. Urechia i Prinul
tirbei. The architectural
eclecticism that the town
currently displays is due to
names such as Dimitrie Ghica,
Alexandru Lahovari, Take Ion-
escu, V.A. Urechia and Prince
tirbei.
02
capital a Romniei, un veritabil Versailles
al spaiului balcanic.
Pentru orice apropiat al Casei Regale, o vil
n Sinaia era un imperativ.
Demnitarii strini erau gzduii n hoteluri
de lux: Caraiman, Regal, Palace, Ungarth,
unde se ineau sptmnal baluri fastuoa-
se i serate. Orchestre simfonice, cntrei
i scriitori populari nu lipseau niciodat
din peisajul staiunii montane.
Oarecum surprinztor, istoria oraului i
are originile n ascetismul religios. Pentru
a comemora pelerinajul su n ara Sfnt,
care l-a purtat pe culmile Muntelui Sinai,
marele sptar Mihai Cantacuzino ctitorete
Mnstirea Sinaia, la poalele Muntelui Fur-
nica. ntre 1690 i 1695, cnd mnstirea
03

este construit, Valea Prahovei era n cea
mai mare parte un teritoriu virgin, bogat
mpdurit i slab populat. Aezrile ome-
neti se dezvolt n jurul mnstirii, care
va rmne centrul de interes al zonei pn
spre sfritul secolului al XIX-lea.
La 5 august 1866, Principele Carol I, n
timpul unei vizite la Mnstirea Sinaia,
este fermecat de frumuseea natural a
Munilor Bucegi i decide s se implice
activ n administrarea regiunii.
Numele de Sinaia este meionat pentru
prima dat la 1 decembrie 1874, cnd
aceasta devine reedina fostei comune
Podul Neagului. Localitatea crete ntr-un
ritm vertiginos, specific Romniei din acea
perioad. Este declarat comun urban
n 1880, an n care vor ncepe lucrrile On 5 August, 1866, Prince Carol I was
de construcie la Complexul Pele. Prin
influena exercitat de cuplul regal, Sinaia Mountains during a visit to Sinaia Monastery
ntmpin urmtorul secol ca ora n toat and he decided to become actively involved
regula, rmas aproape neschimbat pn in administering the region.
astzi.
The favourite resort of King Carol
and Queen Elisabeth, the name of Sinaia will
remain forever associated with the Royal
House of Romania. The two monarchs will
build here an oasis of elegance and comfort,
modelled on famous Victorian retreats. Rel-
atively close to Bucharest, from a geograph-
ical standpoint, yet surrounded by an idyllic
mountain landscape, the posh resort used
viziteaz judeul prahova
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to attract most of the Romanian elite at
the beginning of last century. From 10 May,
when the Royal Family retired to the private
atmosphere of Pele Castle, to November,
when the parliamentary sessions resumed,
Sinaia became, through the number of im-
portant figures concentrated in the town, a
second capital of Romania, a true Versailles
of the Balkan space.
For anyone close to the Royal House, a villa
in Sinaia was a must. Foreign dignitaries
were accommodated in luxury hotels:
Caraiman, Regal, Palace, Ungarth, which
hosted weekly balls and soirees. Symphonic
orchestras, singers and popular writers were
always part of the landscape of the moun-
tain resort.
Slightly surprising, the history of the town
originates from religious asceticism. In order
to commemorate his pilgrimage to the
Holy Land, which carried him to the top of
Mount Sinai, the high sword bearer Mihai
Cantacuzino built Sinaia Monastery, at the
foot of Furnica Mountain. Between 1690 and
1695, when the monastery was being built,
Prahova Valley was mostly virgin land, rich in
woods and sparsely populated. Human set-
tlements developed around the monastery,
which remained the centre of interest of the
area until the end of the 19th century.
charmed by the natural beauty of Bucegi
The name of Sinaia was mentioned for
the first time on 1 December, 1874, when it
became the seat of the former commune of
Podul Neagului. The locality developed ver-
tiginously, at a pace specific to Romania at
the time. It was declared an urban commune
in 1880, the year when construction works
for the Pele Castle began. Through the
influence exerted by the royal couple, Sinaia
welcomed the next century as a full-fledged
city, remaining almost unchanged to this
day.
eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 103

Ansamblul Castelului Pele
Pele Castle Ensemble
Dintre oraele-staiune de pe Valea
Prahovei puine se bucur de prestigiul i
ncrctura istoric pe care le are Sinaia, re-
edina de var a primului rege al Romniei.
Fr ndoial, perioada de glorie a oraului
a nceput odat cu construirea Castelului
Pele i a continuat de-a lungul domniei
lui Carol I, extinzndu-se n agitaii ani
interbelici.
Numeroasele edificii de la sfritul secolu-
lui al XIX-lea i nceputul secolului al
XX-lea nc mai rein din atmosfera de
altdat a oraului i amintesc oricrui
vizitator de farmecul aristocratic al vremu-
rilor trecute. Cele mai multe le gsim ca
parte a ansamblului arhitectural din jurul
Castelului Pele.
Complexul de la marginea Sinaiei ofer un
veritabil buchet de stiluri arhitectonice de
sfrit de secol, ns o singur cldire, att cu anul 1890, coordonate, n principal, de
104 eu iubesc romnia ediia de prahova | 2015
teodor fereta shutterstock, eu-romania.org
1 Att faada,
ct i interiorul
prezint un amestec
de stiluri neorenas-
centiste, dintre
care se remarc
elementele germane
i italiene. Both
the faade and the
interior have a blend
of Neo-Renaissance
styles, with German
and Italian elements
standing out.
01
prin dimensiuni, ct i prin frumusee, se arhitecii Karel Liman i Andre Lecomte,
evideniaz n faa celorlalte. n spiritul curentului istorist de la sfritul
Castelul Pele a fost destinat, nc de la secolului. Este adugat un nou etaj n stilul
punerea pietrei de temelie, n anul 1879, ca art nouveau, sunt alipite noi seciuni i este
reedin regal i cmin al Casei Regale a nlat turnul principal.
Romniei. Nu se cunoate cu certitudine Parcul terasat ce mprejmuiete Castelul
motivul alegerii terenului, nefavorabil Pele, ca un veritabil cordon de marmur i
construciilor de acest tip. Cel mai probabil, verdea, reuete s impresioneze plcut,
frumuseea natural a locului i relieful n ciuda dimensiunilor reduse, aglomeraia
montan, ambele criterii importante pentru sculpturilor i a elementelor neoclasice de
principii germani, ar fi reprezentat factori decor punnd n valoare bogia ornamen-
decisivi. Conform unei anecdote, s-a luat, tal a edificiului.
de asemenea, n consideraie apropierea de Frumuseea palatului este ludat de
Transilvania, prefigurnd viitoarea unire. numeroii lui vizitatori ilutri: mpratul
n forma sa iniial, aa cum a lsat-o arhi- Franz Joseph, Edward al VII-lea al Marii
tectul Johannes Shulz la 1883, Castelul Pele Britanii, Gustav al V-lea al Suediei, Vittorio
arta mai degrab ca o mare vil dect ca o Emmanuele al Italiei, ca s numim doar
reedin regal. Va avea, prin urmare, par- civa. Demn de remarcat, pe timpul lui Ca-
te de mbuntiri substaniale ncepnd rol I primirile oficiale se fceau la Castelul
Pele.
 viziteaz judeul prahova
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Ferdinand a preferat ns intimitatea

Peliorului. Construit ntre 1899 i 1902,
dup planurile lui Karl Liman, edificiul
contrasteaz aglomeraia ornamental
a neorenaterii germane cu un interior
funcional, amenajat de Bernhardt
Ludwig, la indicaiile Reginei Maria, ca
spaiu de locuit.
Dintre cldirile Complexului Pele,
Vila Foior este ultima ce va servi ca
reedin regal, n anii din urm ai
monarhiei romne gsindu-i aici cmin
Regele Mihai. Mai puin impresionant
pe plan estetic dect Peleul i Peliorul,
cldirea prezint influene de arhitectu-
r italian. Interiorul acesteia este nchis
publicului.
Ansamblul istoric nu ar fi complet fr
elemente de via civil. Construit
la sfritul secolului al XIX-lea, sub
oblduirea lui Anghel Saligny, hidro-
centrala Sinaia O, prima de acest fel din
Europa, gzduiete n prezent un muzeu
al tehnicii.
Dependinele Castelului Pele au fost
renovate i restaurate pe parcursul se-
colului al XX-lea n spiritul arhitecturii
germane. n prezent, ele ofer spaiu de
cazare pentru turitii dornici s petreac
cteva zile n atmosfera unui orel din
Alpi.
Cele trei vile ce au servit ca reedine
pentru vechiul corp de gard pot fi v-
zute ca soluii de buget pentru cei mai
puin pretenioi.
Hotelul Economat obinuia s gzduias-
c personalul de ntreinere al castelului,
iar n prezent ofer turitilor servicii de
trei stele. n aceeai categorie se afl i
Vila ipot.
La o distan ceva mai mare de castel
poate fi gsit Casa Veche. Monument
arhitectonic de la sfritul secolului
al XIX-lea, funcioneaz n prezent ca
pensiune i ofer, de asemenea, preuri
accesibile.
Dac dorii condiii de lux, putei nchi-
ria unul dintre cele patru apartamente
de la Vila Cavalerilor. Situat pe aleea ce
face legtura ntre ora i Castelul Pele,
cldirea obinuia s gzduiasc oaspeii
familiei regale.

Among the resort cities on Prahova

Valley, few have the prestige and historical

eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 105

 Vila Foior
este ultima ce va
servi ca reedin
regal, n anii din
urm ai monarhiei
romne gsindu-
i aici cmin
Regele Mihai.
Foior Villa
is the last one to
serve as a royal
residence, with
King Michael find-
ing his home here
in the last years
of the Romanian
monarchy.

106 eu iubesc romnia ediia de prahova | 2015


Complexul de la
marginea Sinaiei ofer un
veritabil buchet de stiluri
arhitectonice de sfrit de
secol.
The complex located at the edge of
Sinaia has a true bouquet of fin de sicle
architectural styles.
background of Sinaia, the summer resid- relief, both of them important criteria
ence of the first king of Romania. for German princes, have been decisive
Undoubtedly, the heyday of the city factors. According to a story, the close-
began with the construction of Pele ness to Transylvania was also considered,
Castle and it continued throughout the foreshadowing the future union.
rule of Carol I, expanding to the troubled In its initial form, the way the architect
interwar period. Johannes Shulz left it in 1883, Pele Castle
The numerous buildings erected at the looked more like a large villa than a royal
end of the 19th century and the beginning residence. Therefore, it was substan-
of the 20th still preserve some of the old tially improved from 1890 onwards,
atmosphere of the city and they remind coordinated mostly by the architects
every visitor of the aristocratic charm of Karel Liman and Andre Lecomte, in the
days gone by. We can see most of them spirit of the historicist movement at the
as a part of the architectural ensemble end of the century. A new Art Nouveau
around Pele Castle. floor is added, along with new sections,
The complex located at the edge of and the main tower is built. The terraced
Sinaia has a true bouquet of fin de sicle park surrounding Pele Castle, like a true
architectural styles, but a single building belt of marble and greenery, manages to
stands out among the others, thanks to make a pleasant impression, despite its
its size and beauty alike. small size, the crowded sculptures and
Pele Castle was intended, from the the neoclassical decorations, highlighting
moment the cornerstone was laid in 1879, the ornamental richness of the edifice.
to become a royal residence and home The beauty of the palace is praised by its
of the Romanian Royal Family. We do countless illustrious visitors: Emperor
not know the exact reason why the land Franz Joseph, Edward the VII of Great
was chosen, not appropriate for such Britain, Gustav the V of Sweden, Vittorio
constructions. Most likely, the natural Emmanuele of Italy, to name just a few.
beauty of the spot and the mountainous We should mention that in the time of
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Carol I the official receptions took place
at Pele Castle.
However, Ferdinand preferred the intim-
acy of Pelior Castle. Built between 1899
and 1902, based on plans by Karl Liman,
the edifice contrasts the ornamental ag-
glomeration of German Neo-Renaissance
with a functional interior, arranged by
Bernhardt Ludwig, following indications
by Queen Mary, as a living quarter.
Among the buildings of the Pele
Ensemble, Foior Villa is the last one
to serve as a royal residence, with King
Michael finding his home here in the last
years of the Romanian monarchy. Less
aesthetically impressive than the Pele
and the Pelior, the building is influenced
by Italian architecture. Its interior is
closed to the public.
The historical ensemble would not be
complete without elements of civil life.
Built at the end of the 19th century, un-
der the guidance of Anghel Saligny, the
hydroelectric station Sinaia O, the first
one of its kind in Europe, currently hosts
a museum of technology.
The annexes of Pele Castle have been
renovated and restored throughout the
20th century in the spirit of German
architecture. Currently, they provide
accommodation for tourists willing to
spend a few days in the atmosphere of an
alpine town.
The three villas that used to serve as
residences for the old guard corps can be
seen as budget solutions for those who
are not very demanding.
The Economat Hotel used to accommod-
ate the castles maintenance staff, and it
currently provides 3-star services to tour-
ists. ipot Villa is in the same category.
A little further from the castle stands
Casa Veche. An architectural monument
from the end of the 19th century, it is
currently a boarding house and it has
affordable prices.
If you want luxury conditions, you can rent
one of the four apartments in Vila Cavaler-
ilor. Located on the alley that connects
Pele Castle to the city, the building used
to host the guests of the royal family.
eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 107

Conform legendei, nc din secolul al
XV-lea sihatrii se adposteau printre
stncile i pdurile dese de brad ale
Munilor Bucegi. Era vorba despre clugri
cretin-ortodoci ce luaser calea pribegiei
dup cderea Constantinopolului. Acetia
construiesc nc din 1453 o capel dedicat
Sfintei Ana i mai trziu o biseric cu
hramul Sfntului Nicolae.
n apropierea celor dou schituri izolate
marele sptar Mihai Cantacuzino va ridica,
la 1695, o mnstire. Locaia face trimitere
la pustietatea Palestinei i numele ales
pentru edificiu este un omagiu la adresa
Muntelui Sinai, de care marele sptar
fusese profund impresionat n pelerinajul
su prin ara Sfnt.
Biserica de la 1695, ce poart hramul
Fecioarei Maria, este realizat n stil
brncovenesc, cu o singur nav mpr-
108 eu iubesc romnia ediia de prahova | 2015
teodor fereta eu-romania.org, shutterstock
1 n incinta
mnstirii mai poate
fi gsit i sarcofagul
lui Take Ionescu,
alturi de un bust
al soiei sale, Adina,
creaie a sculptorului
italian Roscitano.
Inside the monas-
tery we can also see
the sarcophagus of
Take Ionescu, along
with a bust of his wife
Adina, created by
the Italian sculptor
Roscitano.
01
Mnstirea Sinaia
Sinaia Monastery
it n patru seciuni, de la est la vest. n pstrnd azi un aer de autenticitate.
pridvor sunt pictate scene din viaa Sfintei Biserica Mare, nchinat Sfintei Treimi, a
Ecaterina (sfnt protectoare a mnstirii fost construit ntre 1842 i 1846, ntr-un
de la Muntele Sinai). Portalul de la intrare stil neobizantin, cu anumite influene
l nfieaz pe Moise cu tablele legii, pe occidentale. Biserica adpostete un epitaf
fratele acestuia, Aaron, i stema Cantacu- foarte preios, realizat de Ana Roth ntre
zinilor. 1897 i 1900, i dou jiluri rezervate fami-
Pictura din interior este, n mare parte, cea liei regale, care participa cu regularitate la
original, oper a lui Prvu Mutu Zugra- slujbele inute aici pe timp de var.
vul, i are ca tem general mila cretin Prin patronaj regal, este organizat la
i pioenia. Paraclisul din curtea veche a Mnstirea Sinaia primul muzeu de art
mnstirii provine din aceeai perioad religioas de pe teritoriul rii noastre,
i aspectul lui sever ne duce cu gndul la care numra printre exponate o biblie a
chiliile pustnicilor. Cantacuzinilor, tiprit la Bucureti n
Numrul clugrilor gzduii aici a fost 1688.
iniial fixat la 12, ns acesta a crescut pe
msur ce mnstirea capt o importan
mai mare. Anexele adugate ulterior au According to the legend, from the 15th
respectat stilul brncovenesc impus de century hermits used to take shelter among
cldirea bisericii, ntregul complex vechi the rocks and in the thick fir tree forests
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in Bucegi Mountains. They were Ortho-

dox monks that have fled from Con-
stantinople. In 1453 they built a chapel
dedicated to Saint Ana and later on a
church with Saint Nicholas as patron.
Close to the two isolated sketes, the
great sword bearer Mihai Cantacuzino
built a monastery in 1695. The location
references the desert of Palestine and the
name chosen for the edifice is an homage
to Mount Sinai, which impressed the
sword bearer during his pilgrimage in the
Holy Land.
The church built in 1695, whose patron
saint is Virgin Mary, is created in the
Brancovan style, with a single body di-
vided in four sections, from east to west.
In the porch there are painted scenes
of St. Catherines life (the patron saint
of the monastery in Mount Sinai). The
entrance porch depicts Moses with the
Tablets of Law, his brother, Aaron, and
the crest of the Cantacuzino family.
The painting inside is mostly the original
one, made by Prvu Mutu Zugravul, and
its main theme is Christian pity and piety.
The chapel in the old yard of the monas-
tery dates back to the same period and
its severe aspect reminds us of hermits
cells.
The number of the monks hosted here
was initially set to 12, but it increased as
the monastery became more important.
The subsequent annexes observed the
Brancovan style imposed by the building
of the church, the entire old ensemble
preserving an air of authenticity to this
day.
The Big Church, dedicated to the Holy
Trinity, was built between 1842 and 1846,
in a Neo-Byzantine style, with certain
Western influences. The Church is home
to a very precious epitaph, made by
Ana Roth between 1897 and 1900, and
two thrones for the Royal Family, which
attended regularly the service held here
in summer.
By royal patronage, at the Sinaia Mon-
astery there was organised the first
museum of religious art in our coun-
try, which also exhibited a Bible of the
Cantacuzino family, printed in Bucharest
in 1688.

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1 La intrare ne
ntmpin un bust de
marmur al com-
pozitorului, creaie a
sculptorului moldovean
Ion Irimescu.
At the entrance
we are welcomed by
a marble bust of the
composer, created by
the Moldavian sculptor
Ion Irimescu.

01

Casa Memorial George Enescu

George Enescu Memorial House
Vila Lumini din Sinaia impresioneaz Unite. nc din 1898, cnd Regina Elisabeta constituie un amestec bine echilibrat de
printr-o combinaie de conservatorism i i ofer o camer n Castelul Pele, marele stiluri: romnesc, oriental i Biedermaier.
excentricitate. Deschiderile mici, n perei compozitor obinuia s se retrag la Sinaia De-a lungul carierei sale, Enescu a acu-
albi i aparent masivi, galeria de la etaj i vreme de o lun, n fiecare an, pentru a se mulat un numr substanial de obiecte
arcele scunde sunt n mod evident trimiteri dedica creaiei artistice. valororase, ce ofer un bogat fond decorativ
la stilul tradiional romnesc. Dar ochii n 1947, dup ce Enescu prsete definitiv vilei din Sinaia. Cu toate acestea, primele
i se pierd n mulimea de volume i n Romnia, vila este donat statului romn. dou niveluri sunt amenajate ca o locuin
liniile aparent haotice descrise de acoperi. Aceasta va deveni cas memorial n 1995. autentic, spaiul mansardei fiind dedicat
Contemplarea ei este un proces continuu, n salon se afl pianul la care George Enescu documentelor cu caracter istoric.
casa dezvluindu-se privitorului prin noi i compunea i susinea concerte pentru un Casa poate fi vizitat de mari pn dumi-
noi forme, parc pentru a-l descumpni pe public restrns, o valoroas pies realizat nic, pe strada Yehudi Menuhin nr. 2 din
cel ce dorete s o surprind ntr-o singur de atelierele Ibach din Lausanne. O scar n Sinaia.
imagine. spiral urc din salon spre vrful turnului
Nu mi se pare deloc surprinztor c Vila Belvedere i spre mansard. La parter mai
Lumini a fost proiectat dup planurile gsim i camera personal a artistului. Inte- The Lumini Villa in Sinaia impresses
unui compozitor, anume ale lui George riorul acesteia, decorat exclusiv cu obiecte with its blend of conservativism and eccent-
Enescu, ajutat pe alocuri de ctre arhitectul tradiionale romneti, impresioneaz prin ricity. The small niches in white, seemingly
Radu Dudescu. frugalitate. massive walls, the gallery upstairs and the
Construcia ei a durat trei ani (1923-1926) i Prin opoziie, camera Mariei Cantacuzi- low arches are obvious reference to the Ro-
a fost susinut prin ctigurile obinute de no-Enescu este decorat n stilul eclectic manian traditional style. But your gaze gets
Enescu n urma turneului su din Statele specific perioadei, iar mobilierul de la etaj confused in the large number of volumes and

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the apparently chaotic lines described by

the roof. Its contemplation is a continuous
process, with the house being revealed
to the beholder through all sorts of new
shapers, as if to disconcert the one who
tries to capture it in a single image.
I do not find it surprising at all that the
Lumini Villa was designed based on the
plans of a composer, namely George
Enescu, assisted here and there by the
architect Radu Dudescu.
Its construction lasted for three years
(1923-1926) and it was supported by the
income Enescu had received for his United
States tour. Since 1898, when Queen
Elisabeth offered him a chamber in Pele
Castle, the great composer used to go to
Sinaia for a month, every year, to dedicate
his time to his artistic creation.
In 1947, after Enescu left Romania for
good, the villa was donated to the state. It
became a memorial house in 1995.
In the living room there is the piano that
George Enescu used to compose and
give concerts to for a small audience,
a valuable piece manufactured at the
Ibach Company in Lausanne. A spiralled
staircase goes from the living room to
the top of the Belvedere tower and the
attic. At the ground floor we can also see
the artists personal room. Its interior,
decorated exclusively with Romanian
traditional objects, impresses with its
frugality.
By contrast, the room belonging to Maria
Cantacuzino-Enescu is decorated in the
eclectic style specific to the period, and
the furniture upstairs is a well-balanced
mix of styles: Romanian, Oriental and
Biedermaier.
During his career, Enescu collected a sub-
stantial amount of valuable objects, which
provide a rich decorative background to
the villa in Sinaia. However, the first two
floors are arranged as an authentic home,
the attic being dedicated to historical
documents.
The house can be visited from Tuesday
to Sunday, at 2 Yehudi MenuhinStreet in
Sinaia.

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Este greu de supraestimat popularita
tea pe care cazinoul din Sinaia o avea n
perioada interbelic, cnd eleganta cldire
din Parcul Ghica reprezenta una dintre
intele favorite de weekend ale protipen-
dadei bucuretene. Chiar i n zilele mai
linitite, la mesele de rulet, baccarat i
table se adunau mai bine de 800 de juctori.
Se organizau turnee de table, ah i jocuri
de cri, se pierdeau sume impresionante i
de multe ori mptimiii se vedeau nevoii
s-i amaneteze bijuteriile sau ceasurile de
aur. Sala Oglinzilor avea 13 mese de rulet
- numr cu o valoare simbolic evident -,
n timp ce n Sala Oval se juca chemin de
fer. Partidele cu o miz nalt erau inute
ntr-un salon privat.
Cldirea cazinoului, un amestec stilistic de
neoclasicism i art nouveau, a fost con-
struit n anii 1912-1913, dup planurile i
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Cazinoul din Sinaia
Sinaia Casino
sub supravegherea lui Alexandru Davila.
Principalul finanator al proiectului a fost
baronul de Maray, acionar la mai multe
cazinouri din Europa.
n anii 30, cazinoul se gsete n admi-
nistraia Eforiei Spitalelor i o parte din
ctigurile ncasate aici erau direcionate
spre ntreinerea instituiilor sanitare din
Romnia, n special a Spitalului Colea din
Bucureti.
Cldirea va nceta s mai funcioneze ca
un cazinou de la sfritul celui de-al doilea
rzboi mondial, cnd aceasta este deferit
Crucii Roii de ctre statul romn. Dup c-
teva modificri structurale ale interiorului
(fcute ns n spiritul planului iniial), edi-
ficiul joac pe rnd rolul de Cas de Cultur
a Sindicatelor i de cas de protocol, fiind
trecut de la Ministerul Culturii la Ministerul
Turismului i mai apoi la Administraia
1 n prezent,
cldirea cazinoului
gzduiete o expoziie
permanent de peste
500 de opere de art.
Currently, the
building of the casino
hosts a permanent
exhibition of over 500
works of art.
01
Protocolului de Stat.
n prezent, cldirea cazinoului gzduiete
o expoziie permanent de peste 500 de
opere de art aparinnd unor artiti con-
temporani, dar i expoziii temporare. Orele
de vizit sunt ntre 10.00 i 17.00 i includ
un tur al cldirii.
Slile cazinoului ofer un cadru optim
pentru organizarea de conferine, ntruniri
corporatiste, petreceri tematice i o serie
ntreag de evenimente culturale. Lista de
evenimente gzduite de cazinoul din Sinaia
este destul de bogat i este actualizat sp-
tmnal. Pentru un program exact, putei
consulta site-ul oficial al cazinoului.
It is difficult to overestimate the pop
ularity that the Sinaia Casino had in the
interwar period, when the elegant building
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in Ghica Park was one of the favourite

weekend destinations for the Bucharest
elite. Even on quieter days, there were
still more than 800 players round roul-
ette, baccarat and backgammon tables.
Backgammon, chess and card games tours
were organised, impressive amounts of
money were lost and fans often had to
pawn their jewellery or their gold watches.
The Mirrors Hall had 13 roulette tables a
number with an obvious symbolic value
while the Oval Hall was where chemin
de fer was played. High-stake games were
held in a private salon.
The building of the casino, a stylistic
blend of Neoclassicism and Art Nouveau,
was built in the years 1912-1913, based
on the plans and under the guidance of
Alexandru Davila. The main funder of the
project was the Baron of Maray, a share-
holder of several casinos in Europe.
In the 30s, the casino was managed by
the Board of Hospitals and some of the
revenue was directed to the maintenance
of Romanian health institutions, in par-
ticular Colea Hospital in Bucharest.
The building ceased functioning as a
casino at the end of the Second World
War, when it was granted to the Red
Cross by the Romanian state. After a few
structural changes of the interior (made
in the spirit of the initial plan, though),
the edifice was, in turn, Union Trade Cul-
tural Centre and protocol house, being
managed by the Ministry of Culture, then
the Ministry of Tourism and later on by
the Administration of State Protocol.
Currently, the building of the casino
hosts a permanent exhibition of over 500
works of art belonging to contemporary
artists, as well as temporary exhibitions.
The visiting hours are between 10.00
and 17.00 and they include a tour of the
building.
The halls of the casino are the perfect
background for conferences, corporate
meetings, theme parties and a whole
series of cultural events. The lists of events
hosted by the Sinaia Casino is very long
and it is updated weekly. For an accurate
programme, you can visit the official web-
site of the casino.

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Poiana Stna Regal i Stncile Franz Joseph
Stna Regal Glade and the Franz Joseph Rocks
Nu putei poposi n Sinaia fr s v
apucai de drumeii. Crestele maiestoase
parc v ndeamn s le atingei, n timp legtura ntre Castelul Pele i Stna Regal
ce pdurile de munte ntunecate promit s
ascund comori inedite, animale i plante
cum nu va mai fost dat s vedei, i peisaje
de o neasemuit frumusee. Chiar i cei
trecui de vrsta copilriei vor simi un fior
de explorator cnd se vor vedea nconjurai
de Munii Bucegi.
ns explorarea propriu-zis este treab pe-
riculoas i obositoare, de aceea turistului
i este cel mai indicat s-i stabileasc itine-
rariul pe locaii deja cunoscute i unanim
apreciate pentru frumuseea lor, ce poate
fi considerat o rsplat cel puin la fel de
mare ca plcerea unei cltorii prin natur.
Unul dintre cele mai scenice i mai popu
lare trasee din zona Staiunii Sinaia strbate
versantul vestic dinspre Valea Peleului
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1 Din centrul unei
idilice puni verzi,
putei admira Valea
Prahovei n toat
grandoarea ei, ca un
veritabil ocean de
dealuri mpdurite ce
se pierd n zare.
From the middle
of an idyllic green
meadow, you can ad-
mire Prahova Valley in
all its grandeur, like a
true ocean of wooded
hills disappearing to
the horizon.
01
pn la Poiana Stnii Regale. Crucea Eroilor se nal de pe vrful stncos
Ca un beneficiu suplimentar, traseul ce face al Muntelui Caraiman.
Este foarte posibil s fi dibui deja cel mai
are o bogat ncrctur istoric. nsoit de bun punct de observaie de cnd erai
o balustrad i pavat nc de la nceputul n ora. Este vorba despre stncile Franz
secolului trecut, Poteca Regal (aa cum Joseph, nite gigani verticali din piatr ce
este cunoscut traseul) era strbtut cu re- rsar dintre versanii mpdurii de la nord
gularitate de cuplul regal n timpul ederii de Sinaia. Pe vrful stncilor, n apropierea
la Sinaia. cabanei din Poiana Stnei Regale, a fost
Vei gsi Poteca Regal pornind nspre Vul- amenajat nc din 1897 un loc de belvedere.
prie, de pe drumul dintre Pele i Pelior.
Ajuni la Cota 1000, trecei de cascadele ar-
tificiale i cutai banda albastr, ce indic You cannot stop over in Sinaia without
poteca spre Stna Regal. going hiking. The majestic crests seem to urge
Traseul ofer o privelite deosebit spre you to touch them, while the shaded moun-
partea de sud a Vii Prahovei i a Muntelui tain forests promise to conceal novel treas-
Furnica, ns nimic comparabil cu pano- ures, animals and plants you have never seen
rama impresionant ce vi se va deschide before, and incredibly beautiful landscapes.
odat ajuni la Poiana Stnii Regale. Oraul Even those who are no longer children will
Sinaia se desfoar n vale, n timp ce feel like explorers when they are surrounded
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by the Bucegi Mountains.

But the exploration per se is dangerous
and exhausting, so tourists should set
their itinerary on locations they already
know and which are unanimously ap-
preciated for their beauty, which can be
considered a reward at least as great as
the joy of a hike in nature.
One of the most scenic and popular
trails in the area of Sinaia crosses the
west slope from Valea Peleului to Stna
Regal Glade.
As an additional advantage, the trail that
connects Pele Castle and Stna Regal
has a rich historical element. Fitted with
a handrail and paved since the begin-
ning of last century, the Royal Path (as
the trail is known) used to be crossed
regularly by the royal couple during their
stays in Sinaia.
You will find the Royal Part if you go
towards the Vulprie from the path
between Pele and Pelior. Once you have
reached the 1,000 m Mark, leave behind
the artificial waterfalls and look for the
blue band, which shows the path to
Stna Regal.
The trail offers a special view to the
southern part of Prahova Valley and
Furnica Mountain, yet it cannot be com-
pared with the impressive vista you will
see once you reach Stna Regal Glade.
The city of Sinaia unveils at the bottom,
while the Heroes Cross stands tall on the
rocky peak of Caraiman Mountain.
You may have already noticed the best ob-
servation point since you were in the city.
We are speaking of the Franz Joseph rocks,
vertical stone giants that spring from
between the wooded slopes to the north
of Sinaia. On top of the rocks, close to the
cabin in Stna Regal Glade, a belvedere
spot was created in 1897.

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Este aproape imposibil s nu i pui
schiurile n picioare iarna n staiunea
Sinaia. Pe lng faptul c domeniul schiabil
nsumeaz aproximativ 20 de kilometri i
c toate cele 16 prtii omologate au grade
diferite de dificultate, ispitind orice fel de
schior, fie el amator sau profesionist, Sinaia
mai are un as n mnec. Este singura
staiune din Romnia cu prtii de altitudine,
unde zpada se pstreaz n strat suficient
de gros din decembrie pn n mai, ceea
ce nseamn mai mult distracie pentru
schiori.
Prtiile sunt de toate felurile, cteva uoare,
ca Prtiile Gondola, Valea Soarelui 2, Lptici
1 i Prtia pentru nceptori, sau unele mai
grele, precum Valea Dorului, Drumul de
Var, Lptici 2 sau Valea cu Brazi. Prtiile
Vnturi, Furnica, Spitz, Valea Mioriei, Pa-
pagal, Tarle, Zade i Carp, care au diferene
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cristina frncu shutterstock, primria sinaia
Prtii de schi
Ski slopes
de nivel ntre 180 i 585 de metri, sunt foarte
dificile. Dei majoritatea prtiilor sunt de-
servite de telecabine, teleschiuri, telescaune
i telegondol, unele nu dispun de transport
pe cablu, de aceea sunt recomandate doar
celor mai experimentai schiori i practi-
cani ai sporturilor de iarn.
n Valea Soarelui a fost inaugurat n 2011
instalaia pe cablu aflat la cea mai mare
altitudine din ar (2.000 m), i anume
telescaunul din Valea Soarelui.
Din 2013, Prtia Nou, care face legtura
ntre Cota 1400 i oraul Sinaia i care este
deservit de telegondol, beneficiaz de
instalaii de zpad artificial, iar autoriti-
le locale au n plan mai multe mbuntiri
menite s sporeasc numrul turitilor
atrai de farmecul perlei Carpailor. Unul
dintre proiecte vizeaz realizarea unei
instalaii de zpad artificial automatizat,
1 Sinaia este
singura staiune din
Romnia cu prtii de
altitudine, unde zpada
se pstreaz n strat
suficient de gros din
decembrie pn n mai.
Sinaia it is the only
resort in Romania with
altitude slopes, where
the snow is preserved
in a thick layer from
December to May.
01
format dintr-un lac de acumulare i 25
de tunuri de zpad, destinate nzpezi-
rii prtiilor de altitudine din golul alpin
Furnica. Alt proiect vizeaz aceeai zon
a golului alpin Furnica, dar i propune s
uneasc domeniul schiabil de la Cota 2000
(Valea Dorului-Valea Soarelui) cu zona Cota
1400, prin construirea unei telegondole cu
o capacitate de 1.500 de persoane pe or n
sezonul de iarn.
Se estimeaz c noua telegondol va fi
inaugurat la nceputul anului 2016, dar
pn atunci schiorii i iubitorii muntelui se
pot bucura de un fenomen unic, caracte-
ristic domeniului schiabil din Sinaia, cnd
plafonul de nori se situeaz ntre Cota 1400
i Cota 2000, i anume marea de nori,
acea senzaie c te dai pe zpad deasupra
norilor. De aici s-a nscut i brandul de
iarn al staiunii, Ski on Sky.
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You almost cannot avoid putting on

your skis in Sinaia during winter. Besides the
fact that the ski resort has an area of almost
20 kilometres and that all 16 certified slopes
have different difficult ratings, tempting any
kind of skier, amateur or professional, Sinaia
has one more ace up its sleeve. It is the only
resort in Romania with altitude slopes, where
the snow is preserved in a thick layer from
December to May, which means more fun for
skiers.
The slopes are of all kinds, a few easy ones,
such as Goldona, Valea Soarelui 2, Lptici 1 and
the Beginnerss Slope, or difficult ones, such
as Valea Dorului, Drumul de Var, Lptici 2 or
Valea cu Brazi. The slopes Vnturi, Furnica,
Spitz, Valea Mioriei, Papagal, Tarle, Zade and
Carp, with level differences between 180 and
585 metres, are very difficult. Although most
slopes are fitted with cable cars, ski lifts and
gondola lifts, some of them do not have cable
transportation, which is why they are recom-
mended only to the most experienced skiers
and winter sports lovers.
In Valea Soarelui was inaugurated in 2011 the
cable installation at the highest elevation in
the country (2,000 m), namely the ski lift.
As of 2013, Prtia Nou, which connects the
1400 m Mark and the town of Sinaia and
which is served by gondola lift, has artificial
snow installations, and the local authorities
are considering several more improvements
meant to increase the number of tourists at-
tracted by the charm of the Carpathian pearl.
One of the projects aims to build an auto-
mated artificial snow installation, consisting
of a reservoir and 25 snow cannons, meant to
cover with snow the altitude slopes in the Fur-
nica Alpine plain. Another project is intended
for the same area of the Furnica Alpine plain,
but it aims to connect the ski resort at the
2000 m Mark (Valea Dorului-Valea Soarelui)
with the area of the 1400 m Mark, by building
a gondola lift with a capacity of 1,500 people
per hour in winter.
It is estimated that the new gondola lift shall
be inaugurated at the beginning of 2016, but
until then skiers and mountain lovers can
enjoy a unique phenomenon, characteristic
of the Sinaia ski resort, when the cloud ceiling
is between the 1400 m Mark and the 2000 m
Mark, also called the sea of clouds, when
you feel you are skiing above the clouds. This
is the inspiration for the resorts winter brand,
Ski on Sky.

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Se tie, toate traseele memorabile din
Munii Bucegi trec pe la Cota 1400, dar abia
cnd urci pn la Cota 2000 pe Muntele
Furnica i inspiri adnc, n timp ce admiri
privelitea platoului Bucegilor, abia atunci
simi cum te bate cerul pe umr i crestele
din jur i fac semne ademenitoare.
De ajuns la Cota 1400 ajungi fr greutate, cu
aproape orice mijloc de transport vrei, fie c
este main, telecabin, telegondol, dar cel
mai bine pe jos, pentru c traseul este destul
de uor i plcut, mai ales pentru iubitorii
de plimbri n aer curat. Odat atins pragul
celor 1400 de metri nlime, ai din nou de
ales modul n care vei continua drumul, ori
pe jos, ori cu telecabina sau telegondola. Ale-
gerea depinde i de ce vrei s faci cnd atingi
Cota 2000, ce trasee vrei s iei la picior,
pentru c de acolo ai multe variante.
Bineneles, prima variant este s admiri
panorama extraordinar asupra Vii
Prahovei i a Bucegilor, dar curiozitatea i
entuziasmul te pot mpinge repede s o por-
neti ntr-un traseu de aproximativ cinci ore
spre Cabana Babele (2.206 m) i Vrful Omu
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cristina frncu flickr
Cota 2000
2000 m Mark
(2.505 m) sau, dac vrei ceva mai scurt, dar
nu mai puin frumos, te poi ndrepta spre
zona Padina (1.509 m) - Mnstirea Petera
Ialomiei i Petera Ialomiei. Foarte uor
se ajunge de la Cota 2000 la Cabana Piatra
Ars, pe Vrful Furnica (2.103 m), dar i la
Bolboci (1.460 m), lacul supranumit Marea
din Bucegi.
Cota 2000 este punctul principal de atracie
montan pe timpul iernii, cnd prtia de
schi atrage numeroi turiti pasionai de
sporturi pe zpad.
It is a known fact that all memorable
trails in Bucegi Mountains pass by the 1400 m
Mark, but it is only when you climb up to the
2000 m Mark on Furnica Mountain and you
take a deep breath as you admire the view of
the Bucegi Plateau that you truly feel the sky
tapping your shoulder and the surrounding
crests beckoning you.
You can reach the 1400 m Mark easily, with
almost any means of transport, whether it is
by car, by cable car, by gondola lift, or rather by
1 la cota 2000 poi
s admiri panorama
extraordinar asupra
vi Prahova i a Buce-
gilor. At 2000 m
Mark you can admire
the extraordinary
view of the Prahova
Valley and the Bucegi
Mountains.
01
foot, because the trail is quite easy and pleas-
ant, especially for those who love hiking. Once
you reach the altitude of 1400 m, you will
find more options for the rest of the journey,
either by foot or by cable car or gondola lift.
The choice depends on what you want to do
once you reach the 2000 m Mark, which trails
you want to go to, because you will find many
options on top.
Naturally, the first option is admiring the
extraordinary view of the Prahova Valley
and the Bucegi Mountains, but curiosity and
enthusiasm can quickly make you go on a trail
that takes about five hours, to Babele Cabin
(2,206 m) and Omu Peak (2,505 m) or if you
want something shorter, but no less beautiful,
you can head to the area of Padina (1,509 m)
Petera Ialomiei Monastery and Ialomiei
Cave. You can also reach Piatra Ars Cabin very
easily from the 2000 m Mark, on Furnica Peak
(2,103 m), as well as Bolboci (1,460 m), the lake
dubbed The Sea of Bucegi.
The 2000 m Mark is the main point of attrac-
tion in the winter, when the ski slope attracts
countless tourists who love winter sports.
 viziteaz judeul prahova
cristina frncu flickr visit prahova county

1 Din punct de
vedere stilistic,
edificiul pe care l
vedem azi se plaseaz
ntre art nouveau i
neoromnesc, curente
specifice perioadei.
From a stylistic
viewpoint, the edifice
we see today can be
described as a combin-
ation of Art Nouveau
and Neo-Romanian
style, both movements
specific to the period.

01

Fosta Gar Regal Sinaia

The Former Sinaia Royal Railway Station
Finalizat la 1 decembrie 1879, calea de epoc, fiind nlocuit la 1911 de cldirea Carol and his retinue were received during
ferat dintre Bucureti i Predeal a repre- actual. Din punct de vedere stilistic, edifi- his many visits. In 1886, the pavilion was
zentat pentru mult vreme singura legtur ciul pe care l vedem azi se plaseaz ntre art expanded and connected to the building of
feroviar dintre rile Romne i Imperiul nouveau i neoromnesc, curente specifice the passengers station, thus becoming the
Habsburgic. perioadei, i pstreaz ntr-o anumit first Royal Railway Station of Romania.
Prima gar din Sinaia reflect importana msur distribuia vechii cldiri de gar, la Except for the railway station in Bucharest,
noului drum de fier: cltorii sunt ntm- care s-au mai adugat dou corpuri egale pe no other railway building on the territory of
pinai de o cldire de dimensiuni respecta- lateral, mrindu-i astfel dimensiunile. Romania has received as many national and
bile, cu un corp central distribuit pe dou Pavilionul Regal de la 1879 a rmas n pi international figures as the one in Sinaia.
niveluri i prelungiri laterale. La dreapta cioare, gzduind astzi o colecie de mache- Unfortunately, the first building of the
corpului principal se afl pavilionul desti- te i documente cu specific feroviar. passengers station only survives in period
nat primirii Regelui Carol i a suitei sale cu photographs, being replaced by the current
ocazia deselor vizite efectuate aici. n 1886, building in 1911. From a stylistic viewpoint,
pavilionul este extins i legat de cldirea Completed on 1 December, 1879, the rail- the edifice we see today can be described as
grii de cltori, devenind astfel prima Gar way between Bucharest and Predeal was the a combination of Art Nouveau and Neo-Ro-
Regal a Romniei. only rail connection between Romania and manian style, both movements specific to
Cu excepia grii din Bucureti, este posibil the Habsburg Empire for a long time. the period, and it preserves to some extent
ca nicio alt cldire feroviar de pe teritori- The first railway station in Sinaia reflects the the distribution of the former building,
ul Romniei s nu fi primit la fel de multe importance of the new railway: travellers which was expanded with two equal side
personaliti naionale i internaionale are welcomed by an impressive building, wings, thus increasing its size.
precum cea din Sinaia. with a central two-storey construction The Royal Pavilion of 1879 is still standing,
Din pcate, prima cldire a grii de cltori with side annexes. To the right of the main and today it hosts a collection of railway
nu mai supravieuiete dect n fotografiile construction there is the pavilion where King models and documents.

eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 119


n 1879, bucuretenii aveau s ia
drumul munilor, dar nu fugeau de vreo
molim sau alt npast, ci de aerul
mbcsit al oraului, i nu la pas, ci cu
trenul, pe nou nfiinata linie Bucure-
ti-Predeal. Muli se opreau la Sinaia,
frumoasa staiune preferat de aristocra-
ia vremii, unde-i puteau face cura de
aer curat i ap de izvor, dar n scurt timp
turitii s-au nmulit peste msura caselor
de gzduire.
Astfel c, n 1881, Eforia Spitalelor Civile a
dispus ridicarea celui de-al treilea hotel al
Sinaiei, Hotel Caraiman.
Hotelul Caraiman avea s fie printre pri-
mele cldiri iluminate electric din Sinaia,
alturi de Bulevard, Parcul Dimitrie Ghica
i cteva vile.
Aflat vizavi de Parcul Dimitrie Ghica, ho-
telul beneficiaz de amplasarea perfect
pentru orice dorin a turistului cazat
n camerele sale, care poate ajunge n cen-
trul staiunii n nici 10 minute sau la cea
120 eu iubesc romnia ediia de prahova | 2015
cristina frncu eu-romania.org
1 Hotelul Carai-
man, un edificiu
construit n stil clasic
romnesc, dup pla-
nurile arhitectului Jean
Pompilian.
Caraiman Hotel,
an edifice built in the
classical Romanian
style, based on plans
designed by the archi-
tect Jean Pompilian.
01
Hotel Caraiman
Caraiman Hotel
mai apropiat telecabin nainte s apuce Therefore, in 1881, the Board of Civil Hos-
s-i imagineze peisajul de la Cota 1400. pitals ordered the construction of the third
Din pcate, gara este i ea foarte aproape, hotel in Sinaia, Caraiman Hotel.
dar facilitile oferite de hotel, precum Caraiman Hotel became one of the first
i privelitea spre Parcul Ghica au toate electrically lighted buildings in Sinaia,
ansele s conving cltorul s lase zorul along with Bulevard, Dimitrie Ghica Park
plecrii deoparte i s se bucure de atmos- and a few villas.
fera romneasc a aezrii considerate Located across Dimitrie Ghica Park, the
monument istoric de arhitectur. hotel has the perfect location for any wish
of tourists accommodated in its rooms,
who can reach the centre of the resort in
In 1879, the people of Bucharest less than 10 minutes or the nearest cable
headed to the mountains, but they were car before they even begin to imagine the
not running away from some contagious landscape at the 1400 m Mark.
disease or other calamity, but the dirty air Unfortunately, the railway station is also
of the city, and not by foot, but by train, very close, but the facilities provided by the
on the newly built railway Bucharest-Pre- hotel, as well as the view over Ghica Park
deal. Many stopped in Sinaia, the beautiful have every chance to convince travellers to
resort that the aristocrats of the time loved leave the rush of their departure aside and
so much, where they could get their fill to enjoy the Romanian atmosphere of the
of clean air and spring water, but tourists settlement considered a historical architec-
shortly became too numerous for the tural monument.
boarding houses that were available.

Sinaia este att de frumoas i plin
de via. S-a construit un nou hotel uria,
nota Regele Carol n corespondena sa, n
iulie 1912. Uriaul hotel nu era altul dect
Hotelul Palace din Parcul Dimitrie Ghica,
ridicat pe locul unde fuseser nainte
Hotelul Sinaia i Cofetria Riegler, distruse
de incendiul devastator din 1911. Nici mcar
nou luni ntregi nu i-au trebuit hotelului
ca s se nasc n mijlocul Sinaiei, maiestuos
i elegant, demn de o localitate splendid
de vilegiatur, frecventat de aristocraia
vremii.
Etalon al stilului n perioada interbelic,
Hotelul Palace a fost n 1935 gazda unui
mare bal dedicat Concursului de Elegan i
Confort, n cadrul cruia, n faa edificiului,
se ntreceau n frumusee i lux cele mai
apreciate maini ale vremii, conduse de
automobiliste cu toalete asortate.
Monument de interes naional, Hotelul Pa-
lace se afl n inima staiunii, la trei minute
de mers pe jos de gar, lng Casino Sinaia
cristina frncu eu-romania.org
Hotel Palace
Palace Hotel
i aproape de Mnstirea Sinaia. La inau- elegant, worthy of a splendid holiday town,
gurare, n 1912, n pliantul de prezentare
scria: Telefon n toate camerele, Pension -
Restaurant - Bar - Dancing, Sinaia - staiune
climateric european, situat pe ruta
trenurilor Orient Expres i Alberg Express.
Hotelul Palace din Sinaia v ateapt acum
cu 150 de camere spaioase i luminoase,
cu mobilier tradiional, cu Wi-Fi i un
restaurant n care se servesc specialiti
romneti.
Sinaia is so beautiful and full of life.
A new huge hotel was built there, wrote
King Carol in his correspondence, in July
1912. The huge hotel was none other than
Palace Hotel in Dimitrie Ghica Park, built
on the spot where Sinaia Hotel and Riegler
Confectionerys used to stand, before they
were destroyed by the devastating fire of 1911.
The hotel needed less than nine months to
be born in the middle of Sinaia, majestic and
viziteaz judeul prahova
visit prahova county
1 Hotelul Palace
este proiectat de una
dintre personalitile
marcante ale colii
romneti de arhi-
tectur, cruia i se
datoreaz existena mai
multor cldiri publice
monumentale - arhi-
tectul Petre Antonescu.
Palace Hotel was
designed by one of the
important figures of
the Romanian school of
architecture, to whom
we owe the existence
of several monumental
public buildings the ar-
chitect Petre Antonescu.
01
visited by the aristocracy of the time.
A style benchmark in the interwar period,
Palace Hotel hosted an important ball in 1935,
dedicated to the Elegance and Comfort Com-
petition, where the most appreciated cars of
the time competed in front of the building, as
regarded beauty and luxury, driven by female
car lovers with matching outfits.
A monument of national interest, Palace
Hotel is located in the heart of the resort,
at a three-minute walk from the railway
station, near Sinaia Casino and close to Sinaia
Monastery. At its inauguration, in 1912, the
presentation leaflet said: Telephones in
every room, Boarding House Restaurant
Bar Dancing, Sinaia European spa, located
on the route of the Orient Express and Alberg
Express trains.
Palace Hotel in Sinaia is waiting for you with
150 large, bright rooms, with traditional
furniture, Wi-Fi and a restaurant that serves
Romanian dishes.
eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 121

n apropierea fostei reedine de var
a regilor Romniei, splendidul Castel
Pele din Sinaia, a crui construcie a
fost finalizat n 1914, au mai fost ridicate
cteva cldiri care serveau domeniului
regal: Corpul de Gard, Economatul, Casa
de Vntoare Foior, Grajdurile i Vila
ipot. Astzi le putem admira n plimb-
rile din jurul Castelului Pele sau chiar
ne putem caza n ele, ntruct au devenit
hoteluri foarte apreciate de turiti.
Dei arhitectural prezint acelai stil ba-
varez precum Hotelul Economat, Furnica
este un hotel mai modest ca dimensiuni.
Lucrrile de construcie au fost suprave-
gheate de Karel Liman, un arhitect ceh
care, timp de 35 de ani, i-a pus serviciile
n slujba Casei Regale a Romniei.
Regele Mihai a reintrat n posesia Com-
122 eu iubesc romnia ediia de prahova | 2015
cristina frncu eu-romania.org
Hotel Furnica
Furnica Hotel
plexului Furnica (din care fac parte hote-
lul, curtea interioar i dou restaurante)
prin procedura de executare silit din
anul 2010, dup un proces n care Regia
Patrimoniului Protocolului de Stat a
solicitat compensarea unor cheltuieli ale
statului de ctre rege.
Close to the former summer residence
of Romanian kings, the splendid Pele
Castle in Sinaia, whose construction was
completed in 1914, several more buildings
serving the royal domain were built: the
Guard Corps, the Economat, the Foior
Hunting House, the Stables and ipot Villa.
Today we can admire them during a walk
around Pele Castle, or we can even spend
the night inside, as they have become ho-
1 Hotelul
Furnica, a adpostit
n trecut Batalionul
de Gard Regal.
Furnica Hotel,
used to host the
Royal Guard
Battalion.
01
tels that many tourists appreciate.
Although from an architectural point of
view it has the same Bavarian style as the
Economat Hotel, Furnica is slightly smal-
ler-sized. The construction works were su-
pervised by Karel Liman, a Czech architect
who served the Royal House of Romania for
35 years.
King Michael became once again the
owner of the Furnica Complex (including
the hotel, the inner courtyard and two
restaurants) through the forced execution
procedure in 2010, after a trial in which
the Department for Administration of the
State Heritage and Protocol required the
king to compensate some expenses of the
state.

Muzeul Rezervaiei Bucegi
The Bucegi Reserve Museum
n Parcul Dimitrie Ghica din Sinaia,
ntr-o cldire alb i cuminte, nu prea
mare, este amenajat, din anul 1976, Muzeul
Rezervaiei Bucegi, o seciune a Muzeului
Judeean de tiine ale Naturii din Prahova,
nfiinat prin grija profesoarei Margareta
Moneaga. A fost renovat i repus n cir-
cuitul turistic n 1993, iar de atunci muzeul
adpostete att o expoziie permanent
de flor i faun din Masivul Bucegi, ct i
diverse expoziii temporare.
Expoziia permanent, amenajat la subso-
lul cldirii, cuprinde specii rare i ocrotite,
pe cale de dispariie sau deja disprute din
natur i chiar anumite endemisme, adic
specii caracteristice doar unei anumite
zone, n spe cea a Bucegilor. Sunt expuse
att exemplare de plante, psri i animale,
ct i reproduceri fotografice care surprind
cristina frncu eu-romania.org
mreia splendidelor peisaje alpine.
Zecile de expoziii temporare gzduite de
Muzeul Rezervaiei Bucegi de-a lungul
ultimilor ani au acoperit o palet larg de
subiecte, precum penajul psrilor, psrile
acvatice din Europa, prdtorii netiui ai
Europei, figurile de cear din colecia Mu-
zeului Sankt Petersburg, goblenuri, trofee
cinegetice sau cochilii.
In Dimitrie Ghica Park in Sinaia, in a
white, innocent building, not too large, the
Bucegi Reserve Museum has been arranged
since the year 1976, a section of the Natural
Science Museum of Prahova County, founded
by Professor Margareta Moneaga. It was ren-
ovated and restored to the touristic circuit in
1993, and the museum hosts a permanent ex-
viziteaz judeul prahova
visit prahova county
1 Muzeul Rezer-
vaiei Bucegi mbie la
vizit i prin preul mai
mult dect convenabil
al biletelor de intrare,
cel pentru aduli fiind
3 lei, iar cel pentru
copii - 2 lei. Bucegi
Reserve Museum
is worth a visit also
thanks to its more than
affordable ticket prices,
adults having to pay 3
lei, and children 2 lei.
01
hibition of flora and fauna from Bucegi Massif,
as well as various temporary exhibitions.
The permanent exhibition, arranged in the
basement of the building, includes rare,
protected species, either endangered or which
have already disappeared from nature, and
even certain endemic species, characteristic
to a single area, namely that of Bucegi. We
can see plants, birds and animals, as well as
photographic reproductions that depict the
majesty of our splendid alpine landscapes.
The dozens of temporary exhibitions hosted
by the Bucegi Reserve Museum over the past
years have covered a wide range of topics,
such as birds plumage, waterfowl in Europe,
unknown predators of Europe, wax figures
from the collection of the Saint Petersburg
Museum, cross stitches, hunting trophies or
shells.
eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 123
 teodor fereta
01
Slnic
U
na dintre particularitile
rii noastre, dac nu unic,
cel puin destul de rar, este
prezena resurselor subterane de
sare. Exploatate cel puin din Evul Mediu,
economia i cultura mai multor localiti
de la poalele Carpailor s-au format n
jurul mineritului de sare. Unele dintre
acestea au fost chiar botezate n virtutea
principalei activiti economice, Slnic
traducndu-se din slavon prin sare.
Istoria localitii prahovene cu acest nume
ncepe spre sfritul secolului al XVII-lea,
cum altfel dect printr-o ntreprindere de
exploatare a preioasei resurse naturale.
La 20 aprilie 1685, sptarul Constantin
Cantacuzino cumpr pentru acest scop
124 eu iubesc romnia ediia de prahova | 2015
eu-romania.org
2 Slnic este o
staiune turistic de
interes naional.
Slnic is a tourist
resort of national
interest.
02
moia Slnic. Din zapisul nsoitor spicuim
c acesta a achiziionat ... jumtate din
preste tot hotarul cu tot locul cu sare, unde
este a se face ocn.... Trei ani mai trziu,
sptarul va nfiin explatarea de la Valea
Verde, urmat de exploatrile de la Baia
Baciului, n 1689-1691. n 1713, moia lui
Cantacuzino din Prahova trece n posesia
Mnstirii Colea din Bucureti printr-un
act de donaie.
n secolul al XVII-lea, mineritul se fcea
dup sistemul clopot (forma pe care
ajungea s o capete volumul excavat),
lucru dedus de istorici dup plniile de
scufundare gsite n apropiere de Baia Ba-
ciului, Baia Verde i Dorobneti. Pentru
secolul al XIX-lea, documentele relev c
03

exploatarea srii avea loc la Baia Verde i
Baia Baciului (ocne ce fincioneaz ntre
1800 i 1854), dar i la Ocna din Vale (1819-
1865) i Ocna din Deal (1838-1865).
Un prim salt tehnic este nregistrat la 1865,
cnd la mina Sistematica se trece de la
exploatarea de tip clopot la cea cu mai
multe camere, sau sistematic.
De la nceputul secolului al XX-lea, salinele
din zon beneficiaz de modernizri. n
1912, este introdus iluminatul electric n
Mina Mihai, iar din 1931 ncep s se folose-
asc haveze pentru tierea srii i explozi-
bili pentru derocare. n 1943, minele Mihai
i Carol i ncheie activitatea, procesul de
exploatare fiind continuat la o adncime
mai mare, sub cele dou mine vechi. Noua
salin poart numele de Unirea i rmne A first technical leap is recorded in 1865,
activ pn n 1970, cnd este nlocuit de when the mine Sistematica went from
Victoria.
Din 1992, procesul de exploatare se mut la
suprafa, pe cmpul Cantacuzino.
One of the particularities of our
country, perhaps not one-of-a-kind, but
definitely rather rare, is the presence of
underground salt resources. Exploited at
least from the Middle Ages, the economy
and culture of several localities at the foot
of the Carpathians have formed around salt
mining. Some of them were even named for
their main economic activity, Slnic being
the Slavonic word for salt.
viziteaz judeul prahova
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The history of the Prahova locality with this
name begins at the end of the 17th century,
how else but with an exploitation company
of the precious natural resource. On 20
April, 1685, the sword bearer Constantin
Cantacuzino bought the Slnic domain for
this end. From the accompanying docu-
ment, we mention that he bought half
of the entire domain with all the salt place,
where a salt mine is to be built Three
years later, the sword bearer established the
exploitation in Valea Verde, followed by the
exploitations in Baia Baciului, in 1689-1691.
In 1713, Cantacuzinos domain in Prahova
became the property of Colea Monastery in
Bucharest through a deed of gift.
In the 17th century, mining was done by the
bell system (the shape that the excavated
volume would take), which was deduced
by historians by the collapsed funnels
found close to Baia Baciului, Baia Verde
and Dorobneti. For the 19th century,
documents show that salt exploitation took
place in Baia Verde and Baia Baciului (salt
mines that were open between 1800 and
1854), as well as in Ocna din Vale (1819-1865)
and Ocna din Deal (1838-1865).
bell mining to multiple chamber, systematic
mining.
From the beginning of the 20th century, the
salt mines in the area have been modern-
ised. In 1912, electrical lighting was intro-
duced in Mihai Salt Mine, and since 1931 rock
cutters for salt and explosives for de-rocking
started to be used. In 1943, Mihai and Carol
salt mines closed down, the exploitation
process being continued at larger depth,
under the two old mines. The new salt mine
was called Unirea and remained active until
1970, when it was replaced by Victoria.
Since 1992, the exploitation process moved
to the surface, on the Cantacuzino field.
eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 125

Situat ntr-o zon pitoreasc, cu
dealuri acoperite de pduri de foioase,
Salina Unirea merit cel mai mult vizitat
toamna, cnd copacii ofer o palet cro-
matic variat, n tonuri de galben, oranj i
maro. Contrastul dintre mozaicul de culori
pmntii al mprejurimilor i albul tern
din interiorul salinei nu poate fi mai mare
i ntrete impresia de loc nepmntean tic mai cuprinde i terenuri de minifotbal,
pentru care minele de sare ne sunt att de
atrgtoare.
Deschis la 1943, Mina Unirea funcione-
az ca exploatare de sare pn n 1970,
cnd este deschis publicului ca obiectiv
turistic. n tot acest timp s-au excavat 2,9
milioane de metri cubi, ce au dus la crea-
rea a 14 camere gigantice, cu o suprafa
de 80.000 de metri ptrai.
ns Mina Unirea ofer mult mai mult de-
ct un sentiment de grandoare i apreciere
pentru iscusina i hrnicia omului.
Burebista, unificatorul triburilor geto-da-
ce, fondatorii Traian i Decebal ne amin-
126 eu iubesc romnia ediia de prahova | 2015
teodor fereta shutterstock, flickr
Salina Unirea
Unirea Salt Mine
tesc de geneza naiei noastre, imaginile
lor fiind imortalizate n sala denumit
inspirat a originilor. Primul unificator
al romnilor, Mihai Viteazul, este imorta-
lizat printr-un mare basorelief, n timp ce
imaginea lui Mihai Eminescu ne amintete
de latura noastr romantic.
Pentru cei mai activi dintre noi, baza turis-
mai fi de enumerat, ns numrul mare ne
handbal, volei i tenis, precum i locuri
de joac pentru copii, jocuri mecanice i
nelipsitele mese de ping-pong, pe care,
dei nu ne amintim s le fi vzut, suntem
convini c sunt acolo.
Dac dorii s simii mirosul benzinei la
adncime, ntr-un cadru sigur i plcut,
exist pentru voi a pist de carting deschi-
s persoanelor de toate vrstele. Aceia care
nu sunt tocmai entuziasmai de petrol i
vaporii si neccioi se pot relaxa ntr-un
loc special amenajat pentru persoanele cu
probleme respiratorii.
De-a lungul anului, minele Unirea i
1 Istoria poporului
romn este omagiat
prin busturi i bas-
oreliefuri ale figurilor
istorice, sculptate
evident n sare.
The history of the
Romanian people is
celebrated with busts
and bas-reliefs of his-
torical figures, carved
in salt, obviously.
01
Mihai (amplasat la 40 de metri deasupra
Unirii) servesc ca locaie pentru mai multe
ntreceri i eveniemente sportive. Datorit
faptului c circulaia aerului n salin
bate nspre zero, n Mihai se organizeaz
concursuri naionale i internaionale de
aeromodelism.
Obiective din i dinprejurul salinelor ar
face s ne oprim aici. n caz c dorii s le
descoperii singuri, Unirea este accesibil
de pe DN1, la 100 km nord de Bucureti.
Located in a picturesque area, with
hills covered with deciduous tree forests,
Unirea Salt Mine should be visited in au-
tumn, when the trees exhibit their varied
chromatic palette, in shades of yellow,
orange and brown. The contrast between
the mosaic of earth tones of the surround-
ings and the plain white inside the salt mine
cannot be higher, and it enhances the im-
 viziteaz judeul prahova
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pression of an unearthly place, for which

we find salt mines so attractive.
Opened in 1943, Unirea Salt Mine worked
as a salt exploitation until the year 1970,
when it was opened to the public as a
tourist attraction. During all this time,
2.9 million cube metres have been excav-
ated, which helped create 14 gigantic
chambers, with an area of 80,000
square metres.
Unirea Salt Mine offers much more than
a feeling of grandeur and appreciation
for the craft and industriousness of man.
Burebista, the unifier of the Geto-Dacian
tribes, the founding fathers Trajan and
Decebalus remind us of the genesis of
our nation, their images being immortal-
ised in the hall with an inspired name, of
origins. The first unifier of the Romani-
ans, Michael the Brave, is immortalised
with a large bas-relief, while the image
of Mihai Eminescu reminds us of our
romantic side.
For the most active of us, the touristic
complex also includes mini football,
handball, volleyball and tennis courts,
as well as playground for children, slot
machines and ping pong tables, which,
although we do not remember seeing, we
are convinced are there.
If you wish to smell the scent of petrol
underground, in a safe and pleasant
place, there is a kart track for people of
all ages. Those who are not necessarily
enthusiastic about oil and its choking
vapours can relax in a specially arranged
spot for people with respiratory condi-
tions.
Over the years, the salt mines Unirea and
Mihai (located 40 metres above Unirea)
have served as location for several sports
competitions and events. Thanks to the
fact that the air circulation in the salt
mine is almost zero, national and inter-
national aeromodelling competitions are
organised in Mihai salt mine.
We could list more attraction inside and
outside the salt mines, but their large
number makes us stop here. If you wish
to discover them on your own, Unirea is
accessible from National Road 1, 100 km
to the north of Bucharest.

eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 127


Cum era de ateptat, bogata ncr-
ctur geologic a solului din jurul
localitii Slnic Prahova a dus la formarea
unor lacuri cu ape minerale numai bune
pentru fortifierea organismului.
Bile n apa de la Slnic sunt recomandate
persoanelor care sufer de boli reumatis-
male degenerative i diartritice; pentru cei
care au suferit traumatisme fizice, care au
probleme ale sistemului nervos periferic
(encefalopatii distale, dar i Wernike-Ko-
sakoff), probleme respiratorii, probleme
ginecologice i vasculare.
Desigur, nu ar trebui s lsai o condiie
fizic bun s v opreasc din a vizita bile
amenajate i lacurile de aici. Pe lng rela-
xarea oferit de zile petrecute pe marginea
apei, compuii de clor, calciu i sulf v
vor ncrca de energie i vor contribui la
fortifierea sistemului imunitar.
Apele de la Baia Baciului sunt rcoroase
i foarte curate, salinitatea rivalizeaz cu
cea a Mrii Moarte, deci nu este necesar s
tii s notai pentru a v blci n voie. n have conditions of the peripheral nervous
ciuda popularitii mari, nu vei avea nicio
problem s gsii un loc liber pe unul
dintre ezlonguri.
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1 Din punct de
vedere curativ, cea
mai apreciat dintre
staiunile de la Slnic
este Baia Baciului.
From the curative
perspective, the most
appreciated resort in
Slnic is Baia Baciului.
01
Bile de la Slnic
Slnic Baths
Complexul Baia Roie ofer o multitudi- conditions.
ne de faciliti, printre care menionm: Certainly, you should not skip the baths and
piscin (pe lng trandul cu ap srat, lakes even if you are in good shape. Besides
evident), jacuzzi, tenis de mas i biliard, the relaxation provided by a few days spent
loc de joac i Castelul cu poveti pentru on the lakeshore, the chlorine, calcium and
copii, teren de minigolf i nchiriere de sulphur compounds will charge you will
ATV-uri i biciclete. energy and help invigorate your immune
Dac numele de Baia Roie v evoc system.
imagini sinistre sau sisteme politice Baia Baciului waters are cool and very clean,
repugnante, considerm c - nu doar its salinity rivals that of the Dead Sea, so
etimologic - vei fi pe deplin mulumii you do not need to know how to swim if you
de Baia Verde, complex ce se bucur de want to splash around at your hearts desire.
faciliti similare. Despite its popularity, you will not have any
problem finding vacant spots on one of the
loungers.
As expected, the rich geological con- Baia Roie Complex provides a multitude of
tent of the soil around the locality of Slnic facilities, among which: a pool (besides the
Prahova has helped form mineral lakes, saltwater one, of course), jacuzzi, table ten-
perfect to invigorate the body. nis and billiards, a playground and the Fairy
Bathing in the water in Slnic is recommen- tale castle for children, a mini golf course
ded for those who suffer from degenerative and ATV and bike rentals.
rheumatic and arthritic diseases; for those If the name Baia Roie (Red Bath) makes
who have suffered physical injury, who you think of sinister images or repugnant
political systems, we consider that not just
system (distal encephalopathy, as well as etymologically speaking you will be fully
the Wernike-Kosakoff syndrome), respirat- pleased with Baia Verde (Green Bath), a
ory conditions, gynaecological and vascular complex that provides similar facilities.

Suntei entuziati ai srii? Normal c
suntei, sarea v este necesar ca... sarea
n bucate.
Amatorii de sare vor fi fericii s afle c
n localitatea Slnic Prahova, n apro-
pierea Salinei Unirea, este amenajat un
ntreg muzeu dedicat industriei din jurul
preiosului mineral. Din 13 mai 2003 sunt
expuse acolo reconstituiri i documente
relevante pentru istoria exploatrii srii la
Slnic Prahova, dar i o serie ntreag de
utilaje i unelte, unele dintre ele datnd
nc din secolul al XVII-lea, cnd Constan-
tin Cantacuzino a nfiinat prima ocn n
zon.
Ca puncte de atracie menionm o diora-
m cu un muncitor nconjurat de obiectele
aferente profesiei de miner: o lamp de
min, un baros, un pi i un crucior de
min pe ine. De asemenea, la etaj putei
gsi reconstituit un birou de cmrie
(termen anticat pentru administraie) de
la nceputul secolului al XX-lea, completat
viziteaz judeul prahova
teodor fereta eu-romania.org visit prahova county
1 Aici se afl diverse
cristale interesante de-
scoperite la Slnic n tot
acest timp i plane geo-
logice ale zonei, alturi
de informaii despre flora
i fauna subcarpatic.
Here you can find
various interesting crys-
tals discovered in Slnic
during all this time,
and geological maps
of the area, together
with information on the
Subcarpathian flora and
fauna.
01
Muzeul Srii
Slnic Salt Museum
de un calendar cretin-ortodox romn din series of machinery and tools, some of
aceeai perioad. them dating back to the 17th century, when
Unde altundeva s fie amenajat un ase- Constantin Cantacuzino established the first
menea muzeu dac nu n vechea cldire a salt mine in the region.
cmriei? Construcia n stil tradiional As for attractions, we mention a diorama of
prahovean a fost renovat n anii a worker surrounded by the objects he used
2002-2003, respectnd tehnicile de con- in his mining activity: a Davy lamp, a maul,
strucie tradiionale, cu pmnt bttorit a punch and a mining truck on rails. On the
ntre armturi de nuiele mpletite. first floor you can also admire a reconstruc-
Oraul Slnic se afl la 100 de kilometri ted administration office from the begin-
nord de Bucureti, pe DN1. ning of the 20th century, together with an
Orthodox Christian calendar from the same
period.
Are you salt enthusiasts? Of course Where else could such a museum be
you are, you need salt like salt in food. arranged if not in the old administrative
Those who like salt will be pleased to learn building? The traditional Prahova construc-
that in Slnic Prahova, close to Unirea Salt tion was renovated in 2002-2003, complying
Mine, there is an entire museum dedicated with traditional building techniques, with
to the industry that surrounds the precious pressed earth between fixtures of plaited
mineral. Since 13 May, 2003, the collection wicker.
has included reenactments and relevant The city of Slnic is located 100 kilometres to
documents for the history of salt exploit- the north of Bucharest, on National Road 1.
ation in Slnic Prahova, as well as a whole
eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 129
 teodor fereta
01
Telega
D
e-a lungul istoriei, numele
comunei Telega a fost strns
legat de exploatarea de sare.
Vreme de sute de ani, de aici
au plecat telegue (care destinate trans
portului de sare) ncrcate cu preioasa
resurs nspre Trgovite sau Bucureti,
spre a fi vndut mai departe, aducnd o
contribuie substanial la economia rii
Romneti, sau pentru a fi oferit drept
tribut Porii de la Istanbul.
Conform unor surse, sarea extras de la
Telega ar fi intrat n circuitul economic
al rii Romneti tocmai de la naterea
entitii politice de la sud de Carpai, satul
[fiind] cunoscut nc din anul 1354 ca
monopol de sare al lui Basarab I ntemeie
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2 Vreme de sute de ani,
de aici au plecat telegue
ncrcate cu sare nspre
Trgovite sau Bucureti.
For hundreds of years,
small carts called telegue
left from this place
charged with the precious
resource, heading to
Trgovite and Bucharest.
02
torul....
Cert este c prima atestare documentar
o avem abia la 1562, n timpul domniei lui
Petru cel Tnr.
Un amnunt inedit din lunga istorie a
comunei este c la 1812 servete ca furnizor
de sare pentru trupele franceze ale lui
Napoleon, n timpul campaniei acestuia
din Rusia.
Cea mai cunoscut dintre minele din
localitate - Doftana - se deschide la 1865.
Pentru prima dat pe teritoriul romnesc,
sistemul de extracie tip clopot este n
locuit cu puuri i galerii. Salina are dou
galerii n forma literei T, Carol - de 126 de
metri - i Elisabeta - de 96 de metri.
n 1872, ocnele din Telega sunt prsite,
03

iar la 1900 i ncheie activitatea i salina
Doftana, marcnd sfritul exploatrii de
sare de aici. n prezent, n locul vechilor
ocne sunt amenajate mai multe instalaii
balneoclimaterice, cunoscute ca Bile
Telega, i apreciate la nivel internaional.
Proprietile lor curative au fost recunos-
cute, iar comuna crete vertiginos n prima
jumtate a secolului al XX-lea.
Se tia despre existena pcurii n zon
nc de la sfritul Evului Mediu. Primele
exploatri din Romnia ale aurului negru
apar n preajma comunei Butenari, pe la
jumtatea secolului al XIX-lea. De la 1900
ncolo extracia se intensific, sondele de
la Butenari ajungnd n timpul celui de-al
doilea rzboi mondial s furnizeze cea mai
mare parte a materiei prime pentru rafin-
riile de la Ploieti.
Conflictul dintre tradiie i modernitate,
caracteristic comunei n plin expansiune
din perioada interbelic, este surprins de
Radu Tudoran n romanul Flcrile. Att
el, ct i mai cunoscutul su frate Geo
Bogza se numr printre fii satului.
Dei puurile de petrol ncep s sece la
nceputul anilor 50, Telega suprvieuiete
n prezent ca localitate cu specific urban.
Over the years, the name of the com-
mune of Telega has been closely related to
salt exploitation. For hundreds of years,
small carts called telegue (intended for salt
viziteaz judeul prahova
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transportation) left from this place charged
with the precious resource, heading to
Trgovite and Bucharest, to sell it further,
bringing a substantial contribution to the
economy of Wallachia, or to give it as tribute
to the Porte of Istanbul.
According to some sources, the salt ex-
tracted in Telega would have entered the
economic circuit of Wallachia from the very
birth of the political entity to the south of
the Carpathians, the village [being] known
from the year 1354 as a salt monopole of
Basarab I the Founder
What is certain is that the first documented
mention only occurred in 1562, during the
rule of Peter the Younger.
A novel detail in the long history of the
commune is that in 1812 it served as a salt
supplier for the French troops of Napoleon,
during his campaign in Russia.
The most famous of the mines in the locality
Doftana opened in 1865. For the first
time on the Romanian territory, the bell
pit mining type was replaced with wells and
galleries. The salt mine has two T-shaped
galleries, Carol 126 metres long and Elisa-
beta 96 metres long.
In 1872, the salt mines in Telega were aban-
doned, and in 1900 the Doftana salt mine
closed down, as well, marking the end of
the salt exploitation in the area. Currently,
several spa installations are arranged on the
spot of the old mines, known as the Telega
Baths, and appreciated internationally. Their
curative properties have been recognised,
and the commune expanded greatly in the
first half of the 20th century.
Fuel oil was known to be found in the area
since the end of the Middle Ages. The first
exploitations of black gold in Romania
appeared around the commune of Buten-
ari, around mid-19th century. From 1900
onwards, the extractions intensified and
the wells in Butenari came to supply most
of the raw materials for the refineries in
Ploieti during the Second World War.
The conflict between tradition and mod-
ernity, characteristic of the expanding
commune during the inter-war period, was
depicted by Radu Tudoran in his novel The
Flames. Both he and his more famous
brother Geo Bogza are among the offspring
of the village.
Although the oil wells started to go dry at
the beginning of the 1950s, Telega survives
to this day as an urban locality.
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Supranumit Bastilia Romaniei,
nchisoarea Doftana a fost folosit pentru
ntemniarea deinuilor politici de ctre
regimuri politice succesive, cu precdere
dictatura carlist i cea a marealului
Antonescu. n perioada interbelic,
marcat de frmntri politice pe plan
intern, ntre zidurile ei s-au aflat le-
gendarul comandant legionar Corneliu
Zelea Codreanu, urmaul acestuia, Horia
Sima, dar i o serie ntreag de anarhiti
i comuniti, al cror partid intrase n
ilegalitate n 1921.
Construcia ncepe la 1892, iar nchisoarea
este dat n folosin la 1895. Cele cinci
aripi ale cldirii erau mprite n dou
seciuni: partea ntunecat, botezat as-
tfel din cauza lipsei surselor de iluminat,
gzduia infractorii cei mai periculoi, i
132 eu iubesc romnia ediia de prahova | 2015
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nchisoarea Doftana
Doftana Prison
partea luminat, unde se gseau deinuii
ce aveau de ispit pedepse scurte.
Relativ modern pentru perioad, Dof-
tana beneficia de iluminat electric i o
serie ntreag de faciliti, printre care i
un magazin de mezeluri. Infama arip H
era destinat torturii i nefericiii ce se
gseau aici nu beneficiau dect de ctue,
cu care erau legai de o eava ce traversa
celula.
Cum att Gheorghe Gheorghiu-Dej, ct
i Nicolae Ceauescu au petrecut timp
n detenie la Doftana, nchisoarea a fost
transformat n muzeu i loc de pelerinaj
dup cel de-al doilea rzboi mondial.
n prezent, nu ne-a mai rmas din ea dect
o ruin, la care se poate ajunge de pe DN1,
din apropierea localitii Telega (o or cu
maina nspre nord de la Bucureti).
1 Apropiat
de ocna cu acelai
nume, scopul ei era
acela de a-i adposti
pe condamnaii la
munc silnic.
Close to the mine
with the same
name, its purpose
was to house those
sentenced to forced
labour.
01
Sometimes called the Romanian
Bastille, Doftana Prison was used for the
political prisoners of various successive
political regimes, in particular the dictat-
orship of King Carol II and that of Marshal
Antonescu. In the inter-war period, marked
by political unrest inside the country, its
walls closed around the legendary legion-
ary ruler Corneliu Zelea Codreanu, his fol-
lower, Horia Sima, as well as a whole series
of anarchists and communists, whose party
had become illegal in 1921.
The construction of the prison started in
1892 and the building was commissioned
in 1895. The five wings of the building were
divided into two sections: the dark part,
named thus because of the lack of lighting
sources, housed the most dangerous crim-
 viziteaz judeul prahova
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Att Gheorghe
Gheorghiu-Dej, ct
i Nicolae Ceauescu
au petrecut timp n
detenie la Doftana.

Both Gheorghe Gheorghiu-Dej
and Nicolae Ceauescu were
incarcerated at Doftana.

inals, and the bright part, where crimin-

als with short sentences used to stay.
Relatively modern for its period,
Doftana had electric illumination and a
whole series of facilities, among which
a deli store. The infamous wing H was
intended for torture and the unfortu-
nates who stayed there only had fetters,
with which they were tied to a pipe that
crossed the cell.
As both Gheorghe Gheorghiu-Dej and
Nicolae Ceauescu were incarcerated at
Doftana, the prison was turned into a
museum and a pilgrimage site after the
Second World War.
Nowadays, all that is left of it is ruins,
which you can reach from National Road
1, close to the locality of Telega (one
hours drive north of Bucharest).
02

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 diana zgrean
01
Urlai
O
raul Urlai este situat la 22
km de Ploieti i 81 km de
Bucureti, pe celebrul Drum
al Vinului, nconjurat de
podgoriile Dealu Mare, pe valea Cricovului
Srat.
Prima atestare istoric a localitii apare n
1515, pe un document semnat de Neagoe
Basarab, n care era menionat i un boier
din Urlai, pe nume Oancea.
Dintre conductorii rii, Constantin Brn-
coveanu a fost foarte ataat de vinurile din
podgoriile de la Urlai i a poposit adesea
n zon pentru o caraf de vin n vizitele
sale oficiale.
Muli boieri din ara Romneasc i-au
construit n secolele trecute adevrate
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2 Dei fcea parte din-
tr-un complex mai mare de
cldiri i acareturi boiereti,
Conacul Bellu a rmas
singurul n picioare dup
rzboaie, cutremure i sute
de ani de intemperii. Al-
though it used to be part of
a larger complex of buildings
and annexes belonging to the
boyars, Bellu Manor is the
only one to stand after wars,
earthquakes and hundreds of
years of bad weather.
02
case de vacan n zona Urlai, pentru a se
bucura de linite, umbra dealurilor i de
vinurile deosebite pe perioada verii.
Conacul Bellu, un
muzeu plin de istorie
Conacul Bellu din Urlai este doar una
dintre proprietile celebrului baron Ale-
xandru Bellu, un machedon dintr-o familie
foarte bogat i iubitoare de cultur, care
a donat inclusiv terenul pe care se afl
astzi celebrul cimitir omonim din Bucu
reti. Conacul este astzi parte a Muzeului
Judeean de Istorie i Arheologie Prahova,
dar i o adevrat bijuterie arhitectural,
03

perfect pentru o excursie de o zi aproape
de Capital.
Conacul Bellu a fost restaurat de multe ori,
pentru a pstra intact superbul stil vechi
romnesc i pentru a putea fi n continuare
vizitat de turitii dornici de o cltorie n
timp.
Conacul Urleanu -
degustri de vinuri alese
Conacul Urleanu a fost construit n 1922,
n stil brncovenesc, de ctre familia de
boieri-logofei cu acelai nume, i are o
cram superb.
Conacul Urleanu este inclus n deja
celebrul Drum al Vinului i aici putei
participa la degustri zilnice de vinuri roii
alese, din podgoriile Dealu Mare, Hale-
wood.
Degustrile zilnice de vinuri includ i o
vizit cu ghid n crame i detalii despre
procesul tehnologic de vinificaie. Costul
unei zile petrecute aici este de aproximativ
25 lei, la care se adaug i eventualul pre
al mesei servite la conac, pentru care se
face comand din timp, prin e-mail.
The city of Urlai is located 22 km from
Ploieti and 81 km from Bucharest, on the
famous Wine Road, surrounded by the
vineyards of Dealu Mare, on the valley of
viziteaz judeul prahova
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Cricovul Srat River.
The first documentary attestation dates
back to 1515, on a document signed by
Neagoe Basarab, which also mentioned a
boyar from Urlai, called Oancea.
Among the rulers of the country, Constantin
Brncoveanu loved the wines in the vine-
yards of Urlai and often stopped in the area
for a pitcher of wine during his official visits.
Many boyars of the Romanian Country built
true holiday homes in the area of Urlai in
the last centuries, so as to enjoy the quiet,
the shade of hills and the special wines
during summer.
Bellu Manor,
a museum filled with history
Bellu Manor in Urlai is just one of the prop-
erties of the famous baron Alexandru Bellu,
an Aromanian from a very rich family who
loved culture, who even donated the land on
which was built the now famous cemetery
with the same name in Bucharest. The
manor is now part of the County Museum of
History and Archaeology Prahova, as well as
a real architectural jewel, perfect for a day
trip close to the Capital.
Bellu Manor was restored several times,
to preserve the superb old Romanian style
intact and to be open for tourists willing to
travel back in time.
Urleanu Manor
exquisite wine tastings
Urleanu Manor was built in 1922, in the
Brancovan style, by the family of boyars and
logothetes Brncoveanu and it has a superb
wine cellar.
Urleanu Manor is included in the already
famous Wine Road, where you can attend
daily tastings of choice red wines from the
vineyards of Dealu Mare and Halewood.
Daily wine tastings also include a guided
tour to the wine cellars and details about
the technological winemaking process. The
cost of a day spent here is approximately
25 lei, which does not include the price for
a possible meal served at the manor, which
needs to be ordered beforehand, via e-mail.
eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 135
 diana zgrean
Valea
01
Doftanei
C
omuna Valea Doftanei (n
trecut Teila) este aezat n nor-
dul judeului Prahova, pe cursul
superior al Rului Doftana, la 25
de km de oraul Cmpina, i are o supra-
fa de 28.610 ha, ceea ce reprezint 6%
din suprafaa total a judeului Prahova.
Localitatea s-a format prin unirea celor
dou sate din care este format: Teila i
Tristeni.
Vechimea comunei Valea Doftanei nu este
cunoscut, dar este amintit n documen-
tele vremii pentru prima dat ca Teila
i munii din jur n anul 1444, apoi n
alte hrisoave n anul 1538, anul atestrii
documentare pentru Teila, i 1605 pentru
Tristeni, n timpul domniei lui Radu Paise
136 eu iubesc romnia ediia de prahova | 2015
primria valea doftanei, flickr
2 Din cauza reliefului
muntos pe care l are, comuna
este populat doar n partea
central-sudic. Because
of its mountainous relief, the
commune is only people in its
south-central part.
02
(1535-1545). Prin hrisoave domneti, acele
localiti devin dependente de mnstirile
Mrgineni i Sinaia.
Comuna i trage numele de la rul omo-
nim care o traverseaz. Acesta izvorte
din Munii Baiului, de la o altitudine de
1.260 m, din Pasul Predelu, i strbate
comuna n lungul acesteia pe o distan de
aproximativ 30 de kilometri, formnd n
sud lacul de acumulare Paltinu.
Comuna se nvecineaz cu oraul Scele
din judeul Braov la nord, cu Azuga,
Sinaia i Secria la vest, Brebu i otrile
la sud i cu tefeti, Bertea, Izvoarele i
Mneciu la est.
Este nconjurat de muni cu altitudini ce
depesc 1.700 m, fiind protejat de Munii
03

Baiului i Grohoti, care o nchid n Depre-
siunea Teilei.
Masivele muntoase din zona de nord sunt:
Orjogoaia, Radela, Cucioaia, Znoaga, Baiu
Mare, Baiu Mic, Unghia Mare i Unghia
Mic.
Legendele locale spun c localitile din
Valea Doftanei sunt mult mai vechi, poate
nc de prin secolele VII-VIII, cnd romnii
din ara Brsei i Sibiu, persecutai de
regimul austro-ungar, au fugit n aceast
zon, punnd bazele localitilor Teila i
Tristeni.
Printre cele mai interesante atracii turis-
tice din Valea Doftanei se numr: Lacul
Paltinu (zon ncnttoare, lac de acumu-
lare de peste 200 ha, zone de camping,
cabane etc.), Cheile Doftanei (asemn-
toare cu Cheile Bicazului, perei verticali
de stnc, peisaje spectaculoase), Vrful
Secriei (puni, peisaje bucolice, loc de
linite i relaxare, cai slbatici), ruinele
unei biserici de cteva sute de ani, Rezer-
vaia Natural Glodeasa (pdure virgin, over 200 ha, camping areas, cabins, etc.),
plante rare, peisaje superbe, chei, ape dulci
potabile, izvoare), Drumul Stnelor (Valea
Doftanei are peste 25 de stne) i cariera de
calcar.
The commune of Vale Doftanei
(formerly, Teila) is located in the north of
Prahova County, on the upper Doftana River,
25 km from the city of Cmpina, and it has
viziteaz judeul prahova
visit prahova county
an area of 28,610 ha, which is 6% of the
total area of Prahova County. The locality
was formed by uniting the two villages it
consists of: Teila and Tristeni.
The age of the commune of Valea Doftanei is
not known, but it is mentioned in historical
documents for the first time as Teila and
the surrounding mountains in the year
1444, then in other records in the year 1548,
when Teila was attested, and in 1605 for
Tristeni, during the rule of Radu Paise (1535-
1545). By princely charters, these localities
became dependent on the monasteries of
Mrgineni and Sinaia.
The commune was named after the river
that crosses it, Doftana. It springs from the
Baiului Mountains, at an altitude of 1,260
m, in Predelu Pass, and it covers the length
of the commune on a distance of approxim-
ately 30 kilometres, forming the Paltinu dam
in the south.
The neighbouring localities of the commune
are the city of Scele in Braov County to the
north, Azuga, Sinaia and Secria to the west,
Brebu and otrile to the south and tefeti,
Bertea, Izvoarele and Mneciu to the east.
It is surrounded by mountains with altitudes
over 1,700 m, and it is sheltered by Baiului
and Grohoti Mountains, which enclose it in
the Teila Depression.
The massifs in the northern area are: Orjo-
goaia, Radela, Cucioaia, Znoaga, Baiu Mare,
Baiu Mic, Unghia Mare and Unghia Mic.
According to local legends, the settlements
of Valea Doftanei are much older, perhaps
from the 7th-8th centuries, when the Ro-
manians in ara Brsei and Sibiu, oppressed
by the Austro-Hungarian regime, escaped
to this area, laying the foundations of the
localities of Teila and Tristeni.
Among the most interesting touristic
attractions in Valea Doftanei we mention:
Pltinoasa Lake (charming area, a dam of
Doftanei Gorge (similar to Bicazului Gorge,
vertical rock walls, spectacular landscapes),
Secriei Peak (pastures, idyllic landscapes,
a spot of quiet and relaxation, wild horses),
the ruins of a church a few hundred years
old, Glodeasa Natural Reserve (virgin forest,
rare plants, wonderful landscapes, gorges,
drinking water, springs), Drumul Stnelor
(Valea Doftanei has over 25 shepherds cots)
and the limestone quarry.
eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 137

La doar 20 km de Cmpina i n
apropiere de Lacul Paltinu gsii Cheile
Doftanei, care seamn foarte mult cu
Cheile Bicazului, doar c sunt mai aproape
de oraele mari din sud.
Cu o lungime de aproximativ 300 de metri,
Cheile Doftanei se ntind de-a lungul
Rului Doftana, care se vars n Prahova
n aval. Cheile Doftanei reprezint o zon
natural (pduri de foioase, pduri n
amestec, puni montane, fnee, abrup-
turi stncoase, grohotiuri) ncadrat n
regiunea alpin a sud-estului Munilor
Baiului (subunitate geomorfologic a Sub-
carpailor de Curbur) i cea continental
a bazinului Rului Doftana.
Cheile Doftanei sunt o zon perfect de
vizitat pentru biodiversitatea sa, pentru
peisajele care i taie respiraia i pentru
slbticia zonei, n ciuda apropierii de
138 eu iubesc romnia ediia de prahova | 2015
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Cheile Doftanei
Doftanei Gorge
civilizaie.
Pe Valea i Cheile Doftanei exist zone
protejate cu uri, cerbi, mistrei, cprioare,
broate estoase, precum i pduri de fag
vechi de pe vremea dacilor, puni i fne-
e unde florile i plantele medicinale cresc
mpreun, n linite deplin.
Casele din localitile din zon au pstrat
mare parte din datinile i tradiiile milena-
re, precum i portul popular din vechime.
Aici, pasionaii de sporturi montane se
pot bucura de o palet vast: hotelurile
i pensiunile de pe Valea Doftanei ofer
tot felul de servicii, nchirieri i cursuri
pentru caiac pe rurile i lacurile din
zon, mountain bike pentru pasionaii de
ciclism montan, plimbri i trasee mon-
tane, unde te poi bucura de frumuseea
i naturaleea locului, vizite i degustri Pltinoasa Lake, you will find Doftanei
la pstrvrii (zona este relativ faimoas
1 Majoritatea
ranilor de aici se
ocup de pdure sau de
pstorit, iar ntreaga lor
via parc decurge la
o vitez mai mic, fr
agitaie i fr stres.
Most peasants here
work in the forest or
they are shepherds,
and their entire life
seems to go at a slower
speed, without hassle
or stress.
01
pentru creterea pstrvilor), vizite la
stn, cu servirea mesei tradiionale a
ciobanilor (bulz, jinti etc.). Pasionaii de
pescuit care nu vor s-i ncerce norocul n
apele repezi ale Rului Doftana pot ncerca
s prind legendarii rpitori din lacul de
acumulare. De asemenea, cei care nu vor
neaprat s fac drumeii pe cheile nguste
i prin apele repezi se pot bucura de focuri
de tabr, plimbri prin pdure etc.
Cheile Doftanei sunt un bun exemplu de
carst modelat de apele rului i cei mici se
pot bucura de lecii pe viu de geografie sau
biologie, avnd n vedere cantitatea mare
de formaiuni geologice, animale i flor.
Only 20 km from Cmpina, close to
Gorge, which is very similar to Bicazului
 viziteaz judeul prahova
visit prahova county

Gorge, but is much closer to the large

towns in the south.
Approximately 300 metres long,
Doftanei Gorge goes along Doftana River,
which flows into Prahova downstream.
Doftanei Gorge are a natural area (de-
ciduous forests, mixed forests, mountain
pastures, meadows, steep rocks, scree)
located in the alpine region of the south-
east of Baiului Mountains (geomorpholo-
gical subunit of the Curvature Sub-
carpathians) and the continental region
of the Doftana basin.
Doftanei Gorge is the perfect area to visit
for its biodiversity, for the breath-tak-
ing landscapes and the wilderness of
the place, despite being rather close to
civilisation.
In Valea Doftanei and Doftanei Gorge
there are protected areas that are
home to bears, deer, wild boars, does,
tortoises, as well as beech forests from
Dacian times, pastures and meadows
where flowers and medicinal plants grow
together, in full harmony.
The houses in the neighbouring localities
have preserved most of the millennial
customs and traditions, as well as the
folk costumes of old.
Mountain sports lovers can enjoy here
a wide range of activities: the hotels
and boarding houses in Valea Doftanei
provide all sorts of services, rentals and
courses for kayaking on the rivers and
lakes in the area, mountain biking for
those who like it, hikes and mountain
trails, where one can enjoy the beauty
and naturalness of the place, visits
and tastings at trout farms (the area
is relatively famous for trout farming),
visits at shepherds cot, with traditional
shepherds meals (bulz, jinti etc.).
Fishing fans, who wish to try their luck in
the quick waters of Doftana Riveri, can
try to catch the legendary predators in
the dam. Moreover, those who do not
necessarily want to go hiking through the
narrow gorge and quick waters can enjoy
camp fires, walks in the forest, etc.
Doftanei Gorge are a good example of
karst shaped by the river and children can
have live geography or biology lessons,
given the large amount of geological
formations, animals and flora.

eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 139


Barajul Paltinu, numit i Lacul
Paltinu, este un lac de acumulare de pe
Rul Doftana, cu o lungime de 3 km i mai
multe zone, ca nite brae, unde afluenii
rului se vars n bazinul acestuia.
Zona este plin de uniti de cazare, att
turistice, ct i agroturistice, campinguri
etc., la o altitudine plcut, de 650 m i
ocupnd o suprafa de peste 200 ha.
Cazarea ieftin, alimentele tradiionale
i oamenii prietenoi nu sunt singurele
motive pentru care lumea viziteaz zona
barajului Paltinu. Aici, amatorii de pes-
cuit se pot bucura de testarea legendelor
locale, potrivit crora pe fundul lacului
de acumulare triesc peti rpitori uriai
i somni de sute de kilograme. Preul
pentru o zi de pescuit de agrement este de
circa 50 de lei, dar diversitatea speciilor
(biban, alu, tiuc, roioar sau clean) The area is full of accommodation units,
face deliciul mptimiilor de asemenea
sporturi.
Lacul Paltinu a fost finalizat n 1970, dup
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Lacul Paltinu
Paltinu Lake
ce s-a construit barajul pe Doftana, i are
o capacitate de 53 de milioane de metri
cubi de ap, cu o privelite minunat,
bucolic.
n plus, mprejurimile lacului de acumu-
lare sunt pline de atracii turistice natura-
le, cum ar fi Cheile Doftanei, ruinele Bise-
ricii Vechi din satul Tristeni, rezervaia
de brad natural Glodeasa, veche de peste
100 de ani, sau traseele montane ctre
Vrful Cazacu, Munii Baiului sau Pasul
Predelu.
Paltinu Dam, also called Pltinoasa
Lake, is a dam on Doftana River, with a
length of 3 km and several areas, like arms,
where the rivers tributaries flow into its
basin.
Church in the village of Tristeni, Glodeasa
both touristic and agri-touristic, camping
sites etc., at a nice altitude of 650 m, cover-
ing an area of over 200 ha.
1 Apa din Lacul
Paltinu este destinat
consumului de ap
potabil a municipiilor
Cmpina i Ploieti,
dar i pentru irigarea
culturilor din zona
Bicoi-Ploieti.
The water in
Paltinu Lake is inten-
ded for the drinking
water use in the muni-
cipalities of Cmpina
and Ploieti, as well as
for irrigations in the
area Bicoi-Ploieti.
01
Cheap accommodation, traditional foods
and friendly locals are not the only reasons
why people visit the area of Paltinu Dam.
Here, fishing fans can test the local le-
gends, according to which the dam is home
to huge predators and catfish of a few
hundred kilograms. The price for one day
of fishing is about 50 lei, but the diversity
of the species (perch, zander, pickerel, rudd
and chub) is the delight of those who love
such sports.
Paltinu Lake was finished in 1970, when
the dam was built on Doftana River, and
it has a capacity of 53 million cube metres
of water, with a wonderful, idyllic view all
around it.
Besides, the surroundings of the dam are
full of natural tourist attractions, such
as Doftanei Gorge, the ruins of the Old
natural fir tree reserve, over 100 years old,
or the mountain trails to Cazacu Peak,
Baiului Mountains or Predelu Pass.

Cariera de piatr de la Pricu
Pricu stone quarry
Cariera de la Pricu se afl la doar
civa kilometri de drumul de pmnt
care duce la Pasul Predelu i, respectiv,
n partea opus, de Vrful Pricu.
Dac vrei s faci o drumeie inedit, cu
pauze pe Valea Doftanei, poi ncepe chiar
din localitatea Comarnic sau, de cealalt
parte, din Cmpina.
Drumul este presrat cu pduri i pajiti
linitite, cu Lacul Paltinu n centru (loc
numai bun pentru un prnz pe mal, cu
picioarele n nisipul fin).
Dac vrei s v bucurai de comuniunea
omului cu natura, lsai n urm cariera i The Pricu quarry is located only a
vizitai Muzeul de Arte Plastice din cadrul
Cminului Cultural Teila.
Aici gsii peste 300 de sculpturi i
picturi, toate rezultat al celor aproape
20 de ediii ale Taberei Internaionale de
Creaie Plastic Valea Neagr.
Pentru a vizita pe jos zona Valea Doftanei
- Cariera din Vrful Secriei, putei porni
pe deal, n sus, de la Comarnic, apoi inei
viziteaz judeul prahova
diana zgrean flickr visit prahova county
1 Cariera din
Vrful Secriei se
gsete n stnga
drumului care coboar
spre Valea Doftanei
dinspre Secrie.
The Pricu quarry
is situated to the
left of the road
going down to Valea
Doftanei from Secria.
01
direcia spre Secria, Paltinu, Cmpina. perfect spot for lunch on the banks, with
ntre Comarnic i Secria sunt aproxi- your feet buried in the fine sand).
mativ 8 km de dealuri, mai mult sau mai If you want to become one with nature,
puin abrupte, peisaje superbe i mult leave the quarry behind and visit the Fine
linite. Arts Museum in the Teila Cultural Centre.
Comuna Secria se afl cam la jumtatea Here you can find over 300 sculptures and
distanei dintre Valea Prahovei i Valea paintings, all of them resulting from the
Doftanei, situat la o altitudine ce variaz almost 20 editions of the Valea Neagr
ntre 700 i 1.000 m, fiind strbtut de International Fine Art Creation Camp.
Prul Secria, iar casele sunt rsfirate pe If you want to visit the area of Valea
dealuri. Doftanei Pricu Quarry by foot, you can
start uphill, from Comarnic, then head to
Secria, Paltinu, Cmpina. Between Comar-
nic and Secria there are approximately
few kilometres from the earth road that 8 km of hills, more or less steep, amazing
leads to Baiului Mountains and to the landscapes and a lot of peace and quiet.
opposite side, to Secria Peak. The commune of Secria is about halfway
If you want to go for an interesting hike, between Prahova Valley and Valea
with a halt in Valea Doftanei, you can start Doftanei, located at an altitude that varies
in the locality of Comarnic or on the other between 700 and 1,000 m, it is crossed
side, in Cmpina. by the Secria Spring, and its houses are
The road is sprinkled with woods and quiet sprinkled on the hills.
pastures, surrounding Paltinu Lake (the
eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 141

Situat n comuna Valea Doftanei, la o
altitudine de aproximativ 900 de metri
i cu o suprafa de circa 500 de hectare,
Pdurea Glodeasa este parte din Rezervaia
Natural Glodeasa. Pdurea este format
din fagi i brazi cu vrste cuprinse ntre 200
i 300 de ani i nu a fost atins de mna
omului, fiind una dintre puinele pduri
virgine din Europa.
Nu numai c adpostete specii foarte vechi
de arbori, dar Pdurea Glodeasa este i locul
unde se gsesc cteva specii rare de plante
i animale slbatice.
Pe viitor, rezervaia ar putea fi vizitat cu
mocnia, potrivit unor proiecte de dezvol-
tare turistic. Traseul va avea 1,2 km i va
strbate ntreaga pdure, pe ruta unui drum
forestier deja existent.
Pn la implementarea acestor planuri,
Pdurea Glodeasa poate fi vizitat pe jos, n
drumeii, cu bicicletele, motocicletele sau
ATV-urile.
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Rezervaia Glodeasa
Glodeasa Reserve
n zon exist multe atracii turistice care
nu trebuie ratate, cum ar fi barajul i lacul
de acumulare Paltinu, biserica medieval
din Brebu, construit de Matei Basarab i
Constantin Brncoveanu ntre 1650 i 1689,
casele domneti medievale (Casa Dom-
neasc Brebu), locuinele tradiionale din
Tristeni etc.
Pe lng fagii i brazii seculari, Rezervaia
Glodeasa adpostete uri bruni, cprioare,
broate i melci din specii rare, pisici slba-
tice, cocoi de munte, ciocrlii etc.
Located in the commune of Valea
Doftanei, at an altitude of approximately
900 metres, with an area of around 500 hec-
tares, Glodeasa Forest is part of the Glodeasa
Natural Reserve. The forest consists of beech
and fir trees between 200 and 300 years old,
and it has never been touched by man, being
one of the few virgin forests in Europe.
It is not just home to very old species of trees,
1 Flora local
abund de specii
de zad, orhidee i
brebenei, pe lng
plantele subalpine
mai obinuite. The
local flora abounds
in species of larch,
orchid and hollow
wort, besides the
more common sub-
alpine plants.
01
but Glodeasa Forest is also the place where
a few rare species of plants and wild animals
can be found.
In the future, the reserve will be visited in the
mocnia train, according to some touristic
development projects. The tracks will be 1.2
km long and they will cross the entire forest,
following an existing forest road.
Until these plans are implemented, Glodeasa
Forest can be visited by foot, on hikes, by
bike, motorbike or ATV.
There are several tourist attractions in the
area that should not be missed, such as
Paltinu dam, the medieval church of Brebu,
built by Matei Basarab and Constantin Brn-
coveanu between 1650 and 1689, the medi-
eval princely houses (Brebu Princely House),
the traditional homes in Tristeni, etc.
Besides the centuries-old beech and fir trees,
Glodeasa Reserve is home to brown bears,
deer, frogs and snails of rare species, wild
cats, capercaillie, larks, etc.

Acest traseu de var are aproximativ
25 km i dureaz cam 8-9 ore, n funcie de
condiia fizic a drumeilor i de vreme.
Ruta cea mai des folosit este Tristeni
-Culmea Orjogoaia-Orjogoaia-Culmea
Petru-Culmea Zamora-Zamora-Buteni.
Se pornete din captul nordic al satului
i se merge pe drumul de exploatare, care
urc pe culme aproximativ 4,5 km. Urmea-
z o serie de cinci poieni de pn la 1.250 m
altitudine, apoi se merge pe aua Orjogoaia
spre Lacul Orjogoaia. De la lac, se ocolete
drumul nemarcat spre Culmea Neamului
i se continu traseul spre Vrful Petru.
De aici se continu drumul pe culme pn
la Vrful Cazacu (1.680 m altitudine). Mai
departe, se merge pe linia Culmii Zamora
(1.750 m), de la intersecia cu traseul 14. Se
coboar pn la stna Zamora i apoi pn You start from the northern end of the village
la fostul Ocol Silvic Zamora. Se cotete pe
drumul forestier pn la intrarea n pdure.
Atenie mare, deoarece drumul n pdure
diana zgrean shutterstock
Traseul de var
The summer trail
poate fi periculos, mai ales dac a plouat
de curnd! Se continu drumul pn la lap to Orjogoaia Lake. From the lake, you
cabana-adpost din intersecia drumurilor bypass the unmarked road to Neamului
secundare. Se coboar apoi dup bariera
drumului Zamora pn la indicatorul de in-
trare n traseu. Se continu drumul pn la
troia de ciment i apoi la intrarea Palatului
Cantacuzino. Se trece podul peste Prahova
i calea ferat, continund nainte spre DM1
i gara Buteni.
This summer trail is approximately 25
km long and it lasts about 8-9 hours, accord-
ing to the shape of the travellers and the
weather.
The most commonly used trail is Tristeni-Or-
jogoaia Crest-Orjogoaia-Petru Crest-Zamora
Crest-Zamora-Buteni.
entrance of the Cantacuzino Palace. You cross
and you follow the holding road, which goes
up to the crest for approximately 4.5 km.
Next is a series of five glades of up to 1,250
viziteaz judeul prahova
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1 Ruta cea mai des
folosit a traseului de
var este Tristeni-
Culmea Orjogoaia-Or-
jogoaia-Culmea
Petru-Culmea
Zamora-Zamora-
Buteni. The most
commonly used trail
is Tristeni-Orjogoaia
Crest-Orjogoaia-Petru
Crest-Zamora Crest-
Zamora-Buteni.
01
m altitude, then you cross the Orjogoaia
Crest and continue the trail to Petru Peak.
Then you keep going on the crest to Cazacu
Peak (1,680 m altitude). Further on, you
follow the line of Zamora Crest (1,750 m),
from the crossroads with trail 14. You go
down to Zamora shepherds cot and then to
the former Zamora Forest Division. You take
the forest road to the entrance in the forest.
Watch out, because the road in the forest
can be dangerous, especially if it has just
rained! You keep going to the shelter-cabin
at the crossroads of secondary roads, then
go down after the barrier or Zamora road to
the trail entrance indicator. You keep going
to the cement roadside cross and then to the
the bridge over Prahova River and the railway,
and you keep going towards National Road 1
and Buteni railway station.
eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 143
 teodor fereta
Vlenii
01
de Munte
D
ei originile sale se pierd n
negura istoriei, Vlenii de Mun-
te, aezat la poalele Carpailor,
pe Valea Teleajenului, este
menionat n mai multe rnduri ca trg
de pe drumul Teleajenului n vremea
domnitorului muntean Dan II. La 1431,
ni se vorbete despre un trg secuiesc n
preajma Vlenilor de astzi. La 1 octombrie
1473, tefan cel Mare pare s fi poposit la
o cetate a Teleajenului, unde svrete
genul de fapte care i-au cimentat faima
negativ pe plan local. Mai avem meniuni
de la sfritului secolului al XVI-lea,
despre o moie de peste valea Vlenilor
i despre hotarul Berevoietilor, nume
sub care este cunoscut azi un cartier din
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eu-romania.org
2 n 2001 s-a deschis
"Muzeul de Etnografie al Vii
Teleajenului". In 2001, the
building of the old school nas-
ted the "Ethnography Museum
of Teleajen Valley".
02
Vlenii de Munte.
La 1645, apare pentru prima dat menionat
numele actual al localitii, n calitate de
centru administrativ al judeului Scueni.
Vlenii de Munte va fi inclus 40 de ani mai
trziu n celebra cronic a lui Miron Costin
drept ora.
Pe la jumtatea secolului al XIX-lea, Vlenii
de Munte era clasificat drept comun ur-
ban, numrnd peste 3.000 de locuitori, ce
beneficiau de o farmacie, o coal, un spital,
telegraf, pot i toate facilitile specifice
unei reedine de jude. La 1848, Nicolae
Blcescu recruteaz din localitate mai muli
ofieri de propagand. Un alt mare istoric
este atras de urbe n 1907, Nicolae Iorga
deschiznd aici o universitate de var. La
03

1922, acelai Iorga nfiineaz aici coala de
Misionare.
Aproape 100 de ani mai trziu, n 2001, n
cldirea vechii coli se va deschide Muzeul
de Etnografie al Vii Teleajenului. Cum
Valea Teleajenului este situat la confluena
dintre Muntenia i aezrile secuieti de
la nord de Carpai, pe un drum comercial
intens folosit pe parcursul Evului Mediu,
studiul culturii populare locale se poate
dovedi semnificativ pentru nregistrarea
schimburilor culturale dintre cele dou
populaii (secuii i romnii).
Colecia muzeului pune emfaz pe activi-
tatea de prelucare a lnii, cuprinznd un
numr mare de obiecte populare din ln,
dar i unelte destinate acestui meteug. Or-
ganizarea lor este fcut pe criterii cronolo-
gice, ncepnd cu primele rzboaie de esut
orizontal din secolul al XII-lea, descriind
ntreg procesul de manipulare a lnii, de la
tunsul oilor i pstorit, pn la depozitarea
obiectelor decorate n lzi de zestre.
Muzeul se afl pe strada George Enescu, la
numrul 1.
Although its origins are lost in the
ashes of time, Vlenii de Munte, located
at the foot of the Carpathians, on Teleajen
Valley, it is mentioned several times as a bor-
ough on the Telejean road in the time of
the Wallachian ruler Dan II. In 1431, a Szkely
borough is mentioned around the Vleni of
viziteaz judeul prahova
visit prahova county
today. On 1st October, 1473, Stephen the
Great seems to have stopped at a Teleajen
citadel, where he does the kind of deeds that
consolidated his local negative fame. There
are other mentions at the end of the 16th
century, about a domain over the valley of
Vleni and about the mark of Berevoieti,
the name under which a neighbourhood of
Vlenii de Munte is known today.
In 1645, the current name of the locality was
mentioned for the first time, as the admin-
istrative centre of Scueni County. 40 years
later, Vlenii de Munte was included in the
famous chronicle written by Miron Costin,
having city status.
Around mid-19th century, Vlenii de Munte
was classified as an urban commune, with
over 3,000 inhabitants that had a pharmacy,
a school, a hospital, a telegraph, a post of-
fice and all the facilities specific to a county
seat. In 1848, Nicolae Blcescu recruited
several propaganda officers from the local-
ity. Another great historian was attracted by
the city in 1907, with Nicolae Iorga opening a
summer university here.
Almost 100 years later, in 2001, the building
of the old school hosted the Ethnography
Museum of Teleajen Valley. As the Teleajen
Valley is situated at the junction of Wal-
lachia and the Szkely settlements to the
north of the Carpathian Mountains, on a
trade route used intensely in the Middle
Ages, the study of the local folk culture
can prove to be significant in recording the
cultural exchanges between the two popula-
tions (the Szkelys and the Romanians).
The collection of the museum lays emphasis
on the wool processing activity, including a
large number of folk woolen objects, as well
as some dedicated to the craft. They are or-
ganised according to chronological criteria,
from the first horizontal weaving loom from
the 12th century, describing the entire wool
handling process, from sheep shearing and
shepherding, to storing decorated objects in
hope chests.
The museum is located at 1 George Enescu
Street.
eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 145

Muzeul de Art Religioas
The Religious Art Museum
n nite case vechi, boiereti, de secol
XIX, reputatul istoric i om politic Nicolae
Iorga organizeaz n 1922, la Vlenii de
Munte, coala de misionare Regina Maria,
o instituie pregtitoare pentru nvtoare
de ar.
Cu aceast ocazie, complexul iniial este
extins i mbuntit de ctre arhitectul Ci-
hodariu n forma sa de azi, cuprinznd mai
multe muzee cu caracter religios i istoric.
Urma al unei instituii similare ce a func-
ionat n perioada interbelic, Muzeul de
Art Religioas Nicolae Iorga din Vlenii
de Munte cuprinde un numr nsemnat de
obiecte de cult, ce acoper att o arie local,
ct i naional.
n cele trei camere dedicate ntregului
spaiu romnesc putei admira: icoane pe
lemn din secolele al XVII-lea i al XIX-lea,
cruci din lemn, argint i alam, elemente de
mbrcminte ecleziastic - mitr, epitrahil,
bederni, bru -, numeroase potire din
argint i aur datnd din secolele XVII-XIX,
acoperitoare de potir, climri de bru,
146 eu iubesc romnia ediia de prahova | 2015
teodor fereta eu-romania.org
candele, scoare din ln i nelipsitele cri Descendant of a similar institution that func-
bisericeti scrise de mn pe vellum.
Dei acoper o arie cultural substanial, Iorga Religious Art Museum of Vlenii de
prezentnd influene greceti, ruseti,
orientale i central europene, cea mai mare
parte a obiectelor sunt realizate de ateliere
locale.
Complexul muzeal este situat pe strada
George Enescu nr. 1, n Vlenii de Munte,
muzeul de art religioas fiind deschis de
mari pn duminic, n timpul orelor de
lucru.
In a few old boyar houses from the
19th century, the reputed historian and politi-
cian Nicolae Iorga organised in 1922, in Vlenii
de Munte, the Queen Mary Missionary
School, an institution that trained coun-
tryside teachers.
On this occasion, the initial complex was
extended and improved by the architect
Cihodariu, including several religious and
historical museums in its current form.
1 ntr-una dintre
cele patru camere
sunt expuse obiecte
din patrimoniul
Bisericii Mnstirea
din Vleni, realizate
n stilul specific Vii
Teleajenului. In one
of the four rooms you
can see objects from
the heritage of the
Mnstirea Church
in Vleni, designed in
the specific style of the
Teleajen Valley.
01
tioned during the inter-war period. Nicolae
Munte has an important number of ritualistic
objects, which cover both a local and a
national area.
In the three rooms dedicated to the entire
Romanian space you can admire: painted
wood icons from the 17th and 19th centuries,
wooden, silver and brass crucifixes, elements
of ecclesiastical vestments mitre, epitrache-
lion, zone , countless silver and golden
goblets chalices from the 17th-19th centuries,
chalice covers, ink pots worn at the waist,
votive candles, woollen covers and the ever-
present church books handwritten on vellum.
Although they cover a substantial cultural
area, presenting Greek, Russian, Eastern and
Central European influences, most of the
objects are made by local workshops.
The museum complex is located at 1 George
Enescu Street, in Vlenii de Munte, the reli-
gious art museum being open from Tuesday
to Sunday, during working hours.
 viziteaz judeul prahova
teodor fereta eu-romnia.org visit prahova county

1 Muzeul
memorial se gsete
n centrul oraului
Vlenii de Munte, pe
strada Nicolae Gri-
gorescu nr. 3. The
memorial museum is
located in the centre
of the town of Vlenii
de Munte, on 1 Nicolae
Grigorescu Street.

01

Muzeul Memorial Nicolae Iorga

Nicolae Iorga Memorial Museum
La nceputul secolului trecut, Personalitatea savantului este imortaliza- Iorga, a charming boyar manor built in 1833.
locuitorii din Vlenii de Munte erau t de exponatele din interior, mprite n The large loggia at the first floor reminds
binecuvntai s aib ntre ei o pace, manuscrise, selecii din oper i obiecte of the traditional Prahova style, while the
o bun nelegere omeneasc, att de cu un caracter utilitar. Printre ele se roof and the linear decorations around the
atrgtoare nct l-a cucerit ndat pe numr piese de mobilier rustic apreciate windows are a mark of the renovations at
marele istoric i om politic Nicolae Iorga, de Iorga pentru valoarea lor sentimental the beginning of the century.
care se stabilete aici n vara lui 1907. i artistic, cum ar fi lzi de zestre din This is the house where Nicolae and
Cei 30 de ani petrecui de savant n V- Moldova natal, scorare tradiionale Ecaterina Iorga worked, rejoiced and
lenii de Munte sunt comemorai de urbe basarabene, o litografie cu Alexandru i suffered is written on the marble plaque
printr-un muzeu memorial, amplasat n Elena Cuza i portretul pe care i l-a fcut that welcomes us at the entrance. The
vechea reedin a lui Nicolae Iorga, un fiica sa, Magda, n 1930. interior is particularly rustic, with its folk
atrgtor conac boieresc construit la 1833. style furniture, its icons from the 18th-19th
Logia larg de la primul nivel amintete centuries, Grigorescus paintings etc.
de stilul tradiional prahovean, n timp At the beginning of last century, the The personality of the scholar is immortal-
ce acoperiul i decoraiunile liniare din people of Vlenii de Munte were blessed to ised by the exhibits in the museum, divided
jurul ferestrelor le avem de pe urma reno- have such an attractive peace and good into manuscripts, selections from his works
vrilor de la nceputul secolului. human relations among them, that they and objects serving a useful purpose. They
Aceasta cas n care au muncit, s-au delighted the great historian and politician include pieces of rustic furniture appre-
bucurat i au suferit Nicolae i Ecaterina Nicolae Iorga at once, making him settle ciated by Iorga for their sentimental and
Iorga st scris pe placa de marmur care here in the summer of 1907. artistic value, such as hope chests from
ne ntmpin la intrare. Interiorul evoc The 30 years that the scholar spent in his native Moldavia, traditional rugs from
n primul rnd un aer rustic, prin mobilie- Vlenii de Munte are commemorated by Bessarabia, a lithograph of Alexandru and
rul de factur popular, icoanele de secol the locality in a memorial museum, located Elena Cuza and the portrait made by his
XVIII-XIX, tablourile lui Grigorescu etc. in the old residence belonging to Nicolae daughter Magda in 1930.

eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 147


Muzeul de tiine Naturale Cultura Prunului
The Plum Tree Growing Natural Science Museum
Parc pentru a reprezenta toate
ariile de existen uman specifice zonei
printr-o instituie cultural, pe lng un
muzeu dedicat notabilitilor locale (Casa
Memorial Nicolae Iorga), tradiiilor
locale (Muzeul de Etnografie) i spirituali-
tii locale (Muzeul de Art Bisericeasc),
n centrul localitii prahovene Vlenii
de Munte putei gsi i un muzeu ce are
ca obiect o activitate agricol pentru care
Valea Teleajenului este celebr: cultura
prunului.
Datorit solului specific, a climei umede
i rcoroase, cu temperaturi relativ stabile
de-a lungul anului, zona Prahovei este
propice pentru cultivarea pomilor fructi-
feri de dimensiuni mici: mr, gutui i mai
ales prun. Fructele lui sunt cu precdere
folosite pentru producia de uic, ce, al-
turi de exploatarea srii i a petrolului, a
constituit de-a lungul timpului principala
activitate economic a judeului Prahova.
Sfritul secolului al XIX-lea a vzut apli-
148 eu iubesc romnia ediia de prahova | 2015
teodor fereta shutterstock
carea metodei tiinifice asupra acestei
practici milenare i o explozie a numru-
lui de soiuri dezvoltate i a posibilitilor
de abordare a culturii prunului.
Adevrata aventur horticol de peste
veacuri, ce ne-a adus feluritele soiuri de
prune de care ne putem bucura astzi,
este nregistrat de colecia Muzeului de
tiine Naturale Cultura Prunului.
In an attempt to represent all areas
of human existence specific to the area in
cultural institutions, besides a museum
dedicated to important local figures
(Nicolae Iorga Memorial House), to local
traditions (Ethnography Museum) and
to the local spirituality (Religious Art
Museum), in the centre of the locality of
Vlenii de Munte you can also find a mu-
seum dedicated to an agricultural activity
that the Teleajen Valley is famous for: plum
tree growing.
1 Cu mult timp
nainte de a fi con-
semnai de istorie,
fermierii locali cultivau
i selecionau atent
diverse soiuri de prun,
unele pentru rezisten,
altele pentru calitatea
fructelor. Long
before being recorded
by the history, local
farmers used to grow
and select several
varieties of plum trees,
some for their resist-
ance and others for the
quality of their fruit.
01
Thanks to the particular soil, the humid,
cool climate, with rather steady temperat-
ures throughout the year, the Prahova area
is suitable for small-sized fruit tree grow-
ing: apple tree, quince tree and, above all,
plum tree. Its fruit is used mostly to make
uic, which, together with salt and oil
exploitation, has been the main economic
activity of Prahova County over the years.
The end of the 19th century saw the ap-
plication of the scientific method on this
millennial practice and an outburst of the
number of developed varieties and possibil-
ities to approach plum tree growing.
The true horticultural adventure over the
centuries, which has brought us the myriad
varieties of plums that we can enjoy today,
is recorded by the collection of the Plum
Tree Growing Natural Science Museum.

Dup dealurile mpdurite din
preajma Muntelui Ursoaia, ferit de
agitaia i grijile lumii, se afl Mnstirea
Crasna. Un omagiu adus celor eterne de
ctre Chesarie schimonahul fiul lui popa
Radu Potlogescu i cu fiul [lui] Nicolae,
membri ai unei familii de moieri locali,
care la 1 martie 1828 i doneaz ntrega
avere, mobilierul i o parte din teren
n vederea ridicrii unui aezmnt
monahal.
Schitul este sfinit la 6 decembrie 1829,
nainte de finalizarea construciei. Att ca
mrturie a extinderii domeniilor mns-
tirii, bogat druit de ctitorii ei, ct i ca
un exemplu de bun nelegere interet-
nic (cum numai ntre populaii cretine
i europene poate fi de gsit) menionm
c de obtea mnstirii aparin pe la
jumtatea secolului, deopotriv, munteni,
ardeleni, greci i srbi.
Biserica, al crui exterior nu impresione-
az din cale-afar, este o structur simpl,
teodor fereta eu-romania.org
Mnstirea Crasna
Crasna Monastery
n form de trefl, i cu un singur turn. The skete was consecrated on 6 December,
ns pictura din interior, realizat n anul
1834 de ctre Costache Eliade i de fiul finished. Both as a proof of expanding the
su, Toma, este de o deosebit frumuse-
e. A fost restaurat la 1992 de ctre Ion
Chiriac, n culori vii i puternice, ce se
potrivesc perfect cu bogia de detalii au-
rii a mobilierului. La mnstire se poate
ajunge din comuna Izvoarele, situat pe
DN1, la aproximativ 60 km de Ploieti.
Beyond the wooded hills around
Ursoaia Mountain, safe from the hustle
and bustle of the world and its concerns,
you can find Crasna Monastery. A tribute to
the eternal, paid by Chesarie the Schema-
Monk, son of priest Radu Potlogescu and
with the son [of] Nicolae, members of a
local noble family, who donated their entire
fortune, their furniture and some of their
land on 1 March, 1828, for a new monastic
settlement.
viziteaz judeul prahova
visit prahova county
1 Piesa de
rezisten o constituie
iconostasul mbrcat cu
foi de aur, realizat la
Viena n 1853 i pictat de
Anghel Tnase, n 1858.
The piece de resist-
ance is the altarpiece
covered with gold leaf,
made in Vienna in 1853
and painted by Anghel
Tnase, in 1858.
01
1829, before the construction works were
monasterys lands, richly decorated by
its builders, and as an example of good
interethnic relations (as we can find only
between Christian and European popula-
tions), we mention that the monasterys
congregation included, at the middle of
the century, Wallachians, Transylvanians,
Greeks and Serbians alike.
The church, whose exterior is not at all
impressive, is a simple, club-shaped struc-
ture with a single tower. But the paintings
inside, made by Costache Eliade and his son
Toma in the year 1834, is particularly beau-
tiful. It was restored in 1992 by Ion Chiriac,
in vivid, bright colours, which match
perfectly the richness of golden details of
the furniture.
The monastery can be reached from the
commune of Izvoarele, located on National
Road 1, approximately 60 km from Ploieti.
eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 149
 3 n
Prahova
zile Ziua 1
day one
oprete-te la bneasa shopping city.
Pornim n for sejurul de 3 zile, dar nu nainte
de a ne opri la Bneasa Shopping City pentru a
ne aproviziona cu o cafea lung, ct s ne ajun-
3 days in prahova g pentru toat ziua. Poate nu ar fi ru s luai
i nite hinue mai groase. La munte este frig!
Visit Bneasa Shopping City. To start our
three day journey in order and also to keep our
energy all day, firstly we need a delicious cup of
coffee which we can find at Bneasa Shopping
City. As long as we are here, maybe we should
buy some warmer clothes, we don't want to be
surprised by the mountain's cold weather.

Prahova ne-a artat c nu este o

destinaie doar de weekend, ca nu este
Ziua 2
day two
o destinaie doar de var sau iarn, viziteaz muntele rou. Dup un somn bun,
un mic dejun al campionilor, ne urcm frumos
este un loc ce poate satisface dorinele n main i mergem spre Muntele Rou pentru
a admira peisajul, a ne aventura ntr-o drumeie
tuturor, vrstnicilor i tinerilor, romnilor i a ncheia cu o ciorb de vcu delicioas.
Visit Muntele Rou. We can take the car and reach
i strinilor, prinilor i copiilor. Schi sau our next attraction - Muntele Rou. Here we will be
amazed by the breathtaking landscapes and also
drumeii, relaxare sau aventur judeul we have the chance to start a hicking aventure.
After this experience, we can delight ourselves
Prahova v ateapt chiar i numai with a tasty beef broth/beef soup.

pentru 3 zile.

Ziua 3

Prahova county has showed us that it has a lot to offer.

Therefore, we cannot just call it a weekend destination or
a simple summer or winter destination. We should see its
true nature as a place which can satisfy everybody's desires, day three
from young and old, romanians and foreigners, to parents
and children. If you want to ski or hick in the moutains, or
maybe you are the sort that wants adventure, or maybe you viziteaz cota 2000. Ultima zi o petrecem
just what to relax, Prahova has it all and is eager to offer n apropiere, la cota 2000 i putem pleca chiar
you 3 wonderful and memorable days. din Sinaia. Visit the 2000 m Mark. In our last
day, we stay close at the 2000 m Mark and we
e

can even leave Sinaia.

tim
re
su

e
it
lei

din
vis
ep

e
sle

e-t
i

nc
az
nd

n
ite
rm

sti

m
v iz
do

de
 viziteaza judeul prahova
visit prahova county

viziteaz muzeul de mnnc la doroftei pub. Revenim n

istorie i arheologie. Ne prezent i ne oprim n Pub-ul lui Doroftei s mncm
continum cltoria i facem ceva bun. Poate avem noroc i facem i o poz, un
un popas la Ploieti, la muzeul suvenir de neuitat, cu Mou', campionul mondial
de Istorie i Arheologie unde WBA. Eat at Doroftei Pub. After our trip down
descoperim istoria acestui history lane, it is time to come back to the present,
ora. Visit The History and where it's time to stop and taste the delicious food we
Archaeological Museul. We can find at Doroftei's Pub. Maybe luck will be on our
move along and stop in Ploieti. side and we can even take a picture with WBA World
Here we should visit The History Champion Leonard Doroftei or Mou, how romanians
and Archaeological Museum, that dearly refer to him. It will be a priceless sourvenir!
can help us discover this city's
inspiring history.
cazeaz-te la ginua de munte. Cu bateriile
ncrcate ne ndreptm rapid ctre Cheia, mai exact
ctre Ginua de Munte, un complex amplu agreat mai
ales de prichindei. Accommodate at Ginua de
Munte. Now that we charged our bateries, we reach Cheia
and head straight to Ginua de Munte, which is a beauti-
ful resort, loved eespecially by children.

viziteaz peleul.
Nu poi s vorbeti
viziteaz salina unira. despre Prahova, fr a
Este abia jumtatea sejurului te gndi la Complexul
aa c avem timp i pentru Sa- Pele, vizitat constant
lina Unirea din Slnic, cea mai de turiti din toate
mare din Romnia, de unde se prile lumii. Visit
extrage sarea pe care o folosim The Pele Complex.
zi de zi. Visit Unirea Salt When you talk about cazeaz-te la stna regal. Plecm i ne ndreptm ctre
Mine. Since we are almost Prahova, you imme- Stna Regal, la aproximativ 30 de minute deprtare, de mers cu
halfway in our journey, we diately think of The maina. Aici ne vom ospta i vom petrece, iar dac ne mai in pi-
have plenty of time to visit the Pele Complex, that is cioarele, putem urca pn la Stncile Franz Josef pentru a admira
biggest salt mine in Romania - anually visited by thou- de la nlime ntreaga Sinaie. Accommodate at Stna Regal.
Unirea Salt Mine, that is located sands of tourists, who It's time to take the rod again and after a 30 minute run, we reach
in Slnic. Did you know that our come to admire it from Stna Regal. Here we can eat and dance, and if our legs still resist,
everyday salt comes from here? all over the world. we can go higher to Frank Josef Rocks to admire Sinaia from above.

mnnc la piatra ars. Dac nu vrei viziteaz babele. Babele sunt

s iei telecabina din Sinaia i vrei s cltoreti primele care-i ies n cale. Se spune
cu maina, poi strbate Transbucegiul pn la c dac le atingi vei avea noroc tot
cabana Piatra Ars, de acolo, pe jos, urci vreo anul. Visit Babele. The first to
dou ore pn la Babele i Sfinx. Eat at Piatra greet you on the way will be Babele.
Ars. If you don-t want to take the cable car from There is an old saying that tell us that
Sinaia and prefer to travel by car, you can cover if you want to have luck all year long,
Transbucegi until you reach Piatra Ars cabine. all you have to do is touch Babele.
From here, you ca hick 2 hours to reach well-
known attractions like Sphinx and Babele. viziteaz sfinxul. Un pic mai sus este i Sfinxul, o piatr masiv
cu chip de om. Dac vrei s te bucuri de panoram, oprete-te la
o cafea, lng locul de staionare al telecabinei. Mai poi zbovi
la o poz cu un ciobnesc sau la tarabele cu ciocolat de cas i
susan. Visit The Sfinx. Just a little higher from Babele, you will be
amazed to see a stone carving that resembles the portrait of a man.
If your want to stay a while and admire the landscape, you can have
a cup of coffee at the docking station of the cable car. You can also
take a picture with a shepard dog or delight yourself at the stalls that
serve homemade chocolate and sesame.

eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 151

 Events Festivalul
Internaional Enescu
i muzica lumii
(10-26.07)
Sinaia gzduiete din anul 2000 ncoace, n
preajma zilei de natere a marelui muzician,
festival
un festival internaional de muzic simfonic
i seri camerale, alimentat de entuziasmul
orchestrelor de tineret i iniiat de violon-
celistul i profesorul Marin Cazacu. n 2015,
n Sala Casino i Parcul D. Ghica din staiunea
turistic prahovean, au concertat orches-
trele naionale de tineret, alturi de orchestra
invitat Wiener Jeunesse Orchester, dirijat
de Herbert Bock.

Since 2000, Sinaia has hosted, around the

birthday of our great musician, an international
festival for symphonic music and chamber
music evenings, nurtured by the enthusiasm of

Festivalul Cacavelei
youth orchestras and created by the cellist and
professor Marin Cazacu. In 2015, in Sala Casino
and the D. Ghica Park in the resort, the national
youth orchestras gave concerts along with the
guest orchestra Wiener Jeunesse Orchester,
(11-13.09) conducted by Herbert Bock.
Pe Valea Doftanei, fiecare toamn vine cu trei
zile de petrecere n cinstea cacavelei, emble-
ma comunei prahovene. Din tat cacaval i festival
mam telemea, cacaveaua este o specialitate
de ca fermentat, afumat i nu foarte srat.
Gustul cacavelei pare mpletit din arome
de flori de cmp i ctin, iar reeta este
transmis de sute de ani, n fiecare familie de
doftneni, din generaie n generaie.

In Valea Doftanei, each autumn comes with three

days of merriment celebrating the cacavea, a
symbol of this commune in Prahova County.
A mixture of yellow cheese and telemea, the
cacavea is a variety of fermented fresh cheese,
smoked and not very salty. Its taste seems to
blend the flavours of flowers of the field and
common sea-buckthorn, and the recipe has been
sent for hundreds of years, in every family in Valea
Doftanei, from generation to generation.

152 eu iubesc romnia ediia de prahova | 2015

 Festivalul uicii de la
srbtoare
Vlenii de Munte
(31.10-1.11)
Festivalul uicii, cel mai apreciat eveniment
al Serbrilor Toamnei, i-a celebrat n 2015
majoratul, n piaa oraului Vlenii de Munte,
dezlegnd limbile i pofta de mncare la cea
de-a XVIII-a ediie. Aici vin cei mai buni pro-
ductori de uic i palinc din ar, oferin-
du-i produsele spre degustare. i pentru c o
uic bun i face repede prieteni, buntile
tradiionale i ansamblurile folclorice com-
pleteaz de minune petrecerea.

The uic Festival, the most appreciated event of

Trgul Mierii din

the Autumn Festivities, celebrates its coming of
age this year in the square in the city of Vlenii de
Munte, loosening tongues and creating appetite

Cmpina
at its 18th edition. It is attended by the best
producers of plum brandy and plinka in the
country, offering their products to be tasted. And
since good uic makes friends easily, traditional
(20-22.02) dishes and folk ensembles come to make the
party complete.
n Cmpina, oraul din care soarele abia
se ndur s plece, albinele fac legea, adic
mierea, srbtorit la nceputul fiecrui an festival
n cadrul unui trg la care particip cei mai
iscusii apicultori. Vizitatorii se pot desfta
cu miere de toate felurile, de tei, de salcm
sau de snziene, cu nuci sau cu scorioar,
iar voia bun este ntreinut cu mied i cu
concursuri ntre cei mai mari mnctori de
miere sau cele mai dulci cupluri.

In Cmpina, the city that the sun barely ever

leaves, bees rule the land. Their rule is their honey,
which we celebrate at the beginning of each year,
at a fair attended by the most skilful beekeepers.
Visitors can enjoy honey of all types, linden tree,
locust tree or yellow bedstraw, with walnuts or
cinnamon, and good cheer is kept alive with mead
and contests among the greatest honey-eaters or
the sweetest couples.

eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 153

 Winter Air Sports
festival (1-6.03)

Pentru dependenii de adrenalin i iubitorii

de aventur n aer liber exist Winter Air
Sports, un eveniment sportiv de anvergur
care se desfoar pe platoul de la Cota 2000
din Sinaia. Experiena nu este obligatorie,
ns entuziasmul pentru snowkite, speedfly
sau parapant este indispensabil. Pe toat
durata festivalului se desfoar demonstraii
i acrobaii, iar petrecerile i concursurile
sunt nelipsite.

For adrenaline addicts and outdoor adventure

Sinaia Forever
lovers we have Winter Air Sports, a large-scale
sports event that takes place on the plateau at
2000 m in Sinaia. Experience is not compuls-
ory, but enthusiasm for snowkite, speedfly or
(4-6.09) paragliding is essential. Throughout the festival
various demonstrations and acrobatics take
S ne distrm trei zile ct alii ntr-un an, place, and parties and contests are everywhere.
aceasta a fost provocarea organizatorilor
Festivalului Sinaia Forever la cea de-a XXI-a
ediie. Uor de zis, uor de fcut. Pe Bulevar-
dul Carol, mprit n cele patru anotimpuri,
turitii au luat parte la toate activitile i sport
evenimentele specifice fiecrei perioade din
an, de la spectacole, demonstraii sportive i
tablouri vivante, pn la concerte de muzic
rock, jazz, clasic i uoar.

Let us have as much fun in three days as others

do in a whole year, this was the challenge of the
organizers of the Sinaia Forever Festival at its
21st edition. Easy to say, easy to do. On Carol
Boulevard, split into the four seasons, tourists
took part in all the activities and events specific to
each time of the year, from shows, sports demon-
strations and living statues to rock, jazz, classical
and pop music concerts.

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 romni de succes
successful romanians

Romni de succes successful romanian people

Leonard
Doroftei Campion
mondial
profesionist
la categoria

158
semiuoar

Ion Luca a versiunii

WBA.

156 C a r a g ia le
A professional
world cham-
pion at the
light-weight
category of the
WBA category.

Una dintre acele

personaliti ale
cror urme nu se
terg niciodat.

One of those figures
whose names are
indelible.

eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 155

 bio / awards
1879-1892 Sprijinit de
Titu Maiorescu i Junimea,
Caragiale debuteaz ca
dramaturg cu piesa O
noapte furtunoas i
public toate cele nou
piese de teatru n revista
Convorbiri literare.
Supported by Titu Maior-
escu and Junimea, Cara-
giale made his debut as a
playwright with A Stormy
Night and he publishes
all his nine theatre plays in
the magazine Convorbiri
literare.
1884 La premiera piesei
O scrisoare pierdut, n
prezena Reginei Elisabeta
a Romniei, Caragiale
este chemat la ramp de
dou ori pentru a primi
aplauzele publicului.
At the premiere of the
play A Lost Letter, in
the presence of Queen
Elisabeth of Romania, Car-
agiale was called to the
stage twice to receive the
applause of the audience.
1893 nfiineaz revista
umoristic Moftul
romn. He creates the
humour magazine Moftul
romn.
1904-1905 Se auto
exileaz la Berlin, dar
rmne conectat la reali
tile romneti pn la
ultima suflare, n 1912.
Goes to Berlin in self-exile,
but he remains connected
to the Romanian realities,
until his last breath, in
1912.

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 romni de succes
successful romanians

Ion Luca Caragiale s-a nscut n satul Haimanale

(1 februarie 1852), dar s-a rzgndit dup ce a cunoscut
Ploietiul, unde a nvat pn n 1867, declarndu-l ora
natal n nuvela Grand Htel Victoria Romn.

Ion Luca
Caragiale
Ion Luca
Caragiale
Ion Luca Caragiale was born in the village of
Haimanale (1 February, 1852), but he changed his
mind after he saw Ploieti, where he studied until

U
na dintre acele personaliti ale cror
urme nu se terg niciodat, pe Caragiale
parc l tim toi dintotdeauna. Vara ne
spunem unii altora Cldur mare, moner,
solicitm la nevoie puintic rbdare i uneori ne
codim n faa schimbrii: Ori s se revizuiasc, dar
s nu se schimbe nimic; ori s nu se revizuiasc, dar
atunci s se schimbe pe ici, pe colo.
La 26 de ani, Caragiale ncepe s gdile realitatea
social cu dou pene, sau mai bine zis penie: cu aceea
foto/photo: ilcaragiale.eu
1867, declaring it was his native town in the short
story Grand Htel Victoria Romn.
One of those figures whose names are indelible,
Caragiale seems to be someone we have known forever.
In summer we tell each other So hot, mon cher, we ask
for a teeny bit of patience, and sometimes we hesitate
before change: Lets either have it revised, but dont
change anything; or lets not have it revised, but change
it here and there.
At the age of twenty-six, Caragiale began to tickle social

a ziaristului energic i nemilos din redacia ziarului
Timpul (1878-1891), unde era coleg cu Mihai Eminescu,
i cu penia dramaturgului creator de tipologii umane
memorabile. Reacia societii? Binecuvntatul rs,
dar i suprarea, uneori transformat n dumnie memorable human typologies. The societys reaction?
la adresa lui Caragiale cel cu ochiul ager i cu vorba
usturtoare. Tocmai singura dram din repertoriul su
teatral i aduce necazuri. Tnrul poet C.Al. Ionescu,
rnit de ironia lui Caragiale, l acuz pe marele
de/by: cristina frncu
reality with two plumes, or rather with two pens: that of
the energetic, merciless journalist in the office of Timpul
newspaper (1878-1891), where he worked with Mihai
Eminescu, and with that of the playwright who created
Blessed laughter and annoyance alike, sometimes
turned to hatred towards Caragiale, with his sharp eye
and bitter tongue. It was the only drama in his theatre
repertoire that brought him trouble. The young poet

dramaturg c a plagiat Npasta dup opera autorului
fictiv Kemeny Istvan. Urmeaz un proces de calomnie
pe care Caragiale l ctig, ns dezamgirea este prea
mare i scriitorul se mut la Berlin.
Caragiale a murit la puin timp dup ce fiul su,
Mateiu I., a debutat cu un grup de poezii n Viaa
Romneasc.
C. Al. Ionescu, hurt by Caragiales irony, accused the
great playwright of plagiarising The Trouble from the
work of the fictional author Kemeny Istvan. A libel trial
followed, which Caragiale won, but the disappointment
was too big and the writer moved to Berlin.
Caragiale died soon after his son, Mateiu I., made his
debut with a collection of poems in Viaa Romneasc.

eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 157

 bio / awards
1997 ncheie un contract
cu clubul canadian
Interbox i devine boxer
profesionist. Signs a
contract with the Cana-
dian club Interbox and
becomes a professional
boxer.
5 ianuarie 2002 Devine
campion mondial de box
profesionist la categoria
semiuoar (versiunea
WBA). Becomes a
WBA world lightweight
champion.
24 octombrie 2003
Se anuleaz meciul cu
Miguel Callist pentru
c Doroftei a depit
greutatea categoriei sale
la cntarul oficial. Mou
pierde titlul de campion
mondial WBA. The
match with Miguel Callist
is cancelled because
Doroftei exceeded the
maximum weight for
lightweights at the weigh-
in. Mou lost his WBA
world champion title.
24 iulie 2004 Se retrage
dup ce pierde lupta m-
potriva lui Arturo Gatti.
Retires after losing
the match against Arturo
Gatti.
Prezent Preedinte al
Federaiei Romne de
Box i responsabil cu voia
bun n Doroftei Pub,
localul pe care l deine n
oraul natal, Ploieti.
President of the Romanian
Boxing Federation and in
charge of good cheer at
Doroftei Pub, which he
owns in his native city of
Ploieti.

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 romni de succes
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Leonard Dorin Doroftei s-a nscut la Ploieti, la 10 aprilie

1970. Paisprezece ani mai trziu a nceput s se antreneze
la Clubul Prahova, cu antrenorul Titi Tudor, dup ce s-a
remarcat pe strad ntr-o btaie pentru o eav de suflat
cornete din hrtie.

Leonard
Doroftei
Leonard
Doroftei
Leonard Dorin Doroftei was born in Ploieti, on 10
April, 1970. Fourteen years later, he started to train

D
e atunci, Doroftei a devenit campion
naional la juniori n dou rnduri, a obinut
cinci titluri la seniori (1992, 1993, 1994, 1996
i 1997) i a nceput s fie cunoscut i pe plan
internaional cu titlurile de campion mondial la Berlin
(1995), campion european (1996, 1997), precum i cu
medaliile de bronz la Jocurile Olimpice (Barcelona -
1992 i Atlanta - 1996).
Oferta din partea clubului canadian Intersport de a
trece la profesioniti a venit dup ce a pierdut titlul
foto/photo: leonard doroftei
at Prahova Club, with the instructor Titi Tudor,
after having made an impression in the street, in a
fight for a tube for blowing paper cones.
Ever since, Doroftei became the junior world
champion twice, obtained five senior titles (1992, 1993,
1994, 1996 and 1997) and started to be recognised
internationally with his title of world champion in Berlin
(1995), European champion (1996, 1997), as well as the
bronze medals at the Olympic Games (Barcelona 1992
and Atlanta 1996).

la Campionatul Mondial de la Budapesta. n anul
1997, Doroftei s-a mutat cu familia n Canada i, dup
patru ani de antrenament i munc intens, a devenit
campion mondial profesionist la categoria semiuoar
a versiunii WBA, nvingndu-l la puncte pe argenti-
nianul Raul Balbi. Poreclit Moul pentru c era mai
sftos de fel, dar i Leul pentru pasiunea cu care se
lupta n ring, pugilistul Doroftei a rmas n posesia
centurii versiunea WBA pn n 2003, cnd nu a reuit
s intre la cntarul oficial.
Un an mai trziu a fost nvins prin KO n meciul de
de/by: cristina frncu
The offer to turn professional, at the Canadian club
Intersport, came after he lost at the Budapest World
Championship. In 1997 Doroftei moved to Canada with
his family and after four years of training and hard work
he became a professional world champion at the light-
weight category of the WBA category, defeating the
Argentinian Raul Balbi. Nicknamed Mou because he
was wise, and Lion because he fought valiantly in the
ring, the boxer Doroftei held the WBA belt until 2003,
when he exceeded the weight at the weigh-in.
One year later he was defeated by K.O. in the match in

la Atlantic City cu nord-americanul Arturo Gatti. Au
urmat retragerea din box i revenirea n ar. n 2006,
a deschis barul-restaurant Doroftei Pub n oraul natal
Ploieti, situat deasupra cinematografului Patria.
Fostul pugilist Doroftei a devenit preedintele Federa-
iei Romne de Box n noiembrie 2012.
Atlantic City with the North American Arturo Gatti. He
retired from boxing and returned to the country. In 2006
he opened the restaurant bar Doroftei Pub in his native
city of Ploieti, above the Patria cinema.
The former boxer Doroftei became the president of the
Romanian Boxing Federation in November 2012.

eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 159

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 afaceri de succes
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Afaceri de succes
successful romanian businesses

eu iubesc romnia prahova edition | 2015 161

 Domeniile Tohani
Domeniile Viticole Tohani se ntind, ca-n poveti,
Domeniile Viticole
pe apte dealuri din regiunea prahovean a Tohani au primit
Podgoriei Dealu Mare, de unde soarele mai c nu distincia de
se ndur s plece. Furnizor al Casei
Regale
Domeniile Tohani
Domeniile Viticole Tohani
have become a Supplier of
Like in a fairy tale, Domeniile Viticole Tohani spread on the Royal House of Romania
seven hills in the Prahova region of the Dealu Mare vine-
yard, which the sun seems unwilling to leave.
cristina frncu domeniiletohani.ro, shutterstock

Z
ona din adpostul
arcului carpatic se bucur
de un microclimat special
mediteraneean, grbind
ajungerea la maturitate
a boabei de strugure, iar
culesul viei se petrece toamna trziu.
Astfel, vinul produs n Domeniile
Tohani are o savoare special, cu un
buchet unic.
Unic este i povestea fostului stpn
al moiei pe care se afl acum Domeni-
ile Tohani, nimeni altul dect Prin-
cipele Nicolae, fratele Regelui Carol
al II-lea. Principele s-a ndrgostit de
Ioana Dolette, o femeie de o frumusee
rvitoare, dar fr origini nobile, i, The area protected by the
n ciuda tuturor piedicilor, s-a cstorit
cu ea, pierzndu-i drepturile regale,
chiar la biserica i la primria din
Tohani.
Tohani SA a luat fiin n anul 1959, iar
la nceput avea o suprafa de 856 ha,
ajungnd s se ntind n prezent pe
mai mult de 1.300 ha. n 2003 a fost n-
fiinat societatea Domeniile Viticole
Tohani, care dein aproximativ 100 de
crame pe ntreg teritoriul Romniei i
6% cot din piaa vinurilor mbuteliate
din Romnia. Din 2008 s-a impus pe
piaa de vinuri din China, iar Polonia
este un important centru de export al
vinurilor produse la Domeniile Tohani.
Domeniile Tohani produc i comer-
cializeaz o varietate de sortimente
de vinuri vrac i mbuteliate, la cele
mai moderne standarde de calitate.
Vinurile Tohani au fost medaliate cu
aur la numeroase concursuri naionale
i internaionale.
portation centre for the wines produced
Carpathian arc enjoys a special Medi-
terranean microclimate, which makes
grapes reach maturity earlier, and the
harvesting takes place in late autumn.
Thus, the wine produced in the Tohani
Domains has a particular flavour, with
a one-of-a-kind bouquet. countless national and international
One-of-a-kind is the story of the former
master of the land occupied today by
Tohani Domains, Prince Nicholas, King
Carol IIs brother. The price fell in love
with Ioana Dolette, an incredibly beauti-
ful woman, but without noble ancestry,
and despite every obstacle, he married
her, losing his royal rights, at the church
and the mayors office of Tohani.
Tohani S.A. was established in 1959, and
it used to have an area of 856 ha at the
beginning, reaching over 1300 ha today.
In 2003 the company Domeniile Viticole
Tohani was established, which owns
approximately 100 cellars on the entire
territory of Romania and a 6% market
share for bottled wines in Romania. Since
2008, it has entered the wine market in
China, and Poland is an important ex-
in Tohani Domains.
Domeniile Tohani produce and market
a variety of wine assortments, in bulk
and bottled, complying with the most
modern quality standards. The Tohani
wines have received gold medals at
competitions.

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01

02 03 04

eu iubesc romnia prahova edition | 2015 163

 Tymbark Tymbark Maspex
Romniaeste
orientat ctre
Compania Tymbark Maspex face parte din grupul achiziia i
polonez Maspex Wadowice i este prezent n implementarea
Romnia nc din anul 1996, dar a activat iniial de noi tehnologii
sub denumirea de La Festa International. capabile s
menin calitatea
produselor la un
Tymbark nivel foarte ridicat.
The company Tymbark Maspex is part of the Polish group

Tymbark Maspex Romania
Maspex Wadowice and it has been present in Romania is focused on the acquisition
since the year 1996, but it initially functioned under the and implementation of new
technologies capable of
name of La Festa International. maintaining the quality of
cristina frncu fb.com/ tymbarkromania, shutterstock our products at a high level.

O
dat cu mutarea
capacitilor de
producie n Vlenii
de Munte, judeul
Prahova, compania a
demarat n octom-
brie 2001 un amplu i complex proces
de modernizare i retehnologizare a
echipamentelor de producie. n anul
2004, a aprut pe piaa romneasc
brandul Tymbark Nectar, foarte apre-
ciat de consumatorii de toate vrstele
datorit gustului intens de fructe i a
promovrii unui stil de via sntos.
n anul 2007, aproape de fabrica din
Vlenii de Munte, a nceput construi-
rea unei noi uniti de producie, care
beneficiaz de un spaiu de depozitare
mai generos i de linii de producie
ultramoderne, care folosesc tehnologia
de ambalare aseptic. Aceast tehnolo-
gie este extrem de important, ntruct
elimin necesitatea utilizrii conser-
vanilor. Tehnologia avansat folosit
de compania Tymbark Maspex asigur
respectarea celor mai nalte standarde
de igien nc de la demararea procesu-
lui de producie.
Din luna mai 2009, compania Tymbark
Maspex a nfiinat Fundaia Tedi i
Copiii, dorindu-i s se implice activ
n proiecte de responsabilitate social.
Primul proiect demarat de fundaie
se desfoar sub denumirea S.O.S.
pentru burtic, fiind adresat copiilor
din grdiniele i colile din Vlenii de it eliminates the need to use preservat-
Munte. n 2014, Fundaia i-a schimbat
denumirea chiar cu numele proiectului,
S.O.S. pentru burtic!.
Once the production capacity
moved to Vlenii de Munte, Prahova
County, the company started in
October 2001 a complex, large-scale
process of modernisation and updat-
ing the technology of the production
equipment. In 2004 the brand Tymbark
Nectar entered the Romanian market,
which became much appreciated by
consumers of all ages, thanks to its
intense fruity taste and promoting a
healthy lifestyle.
In the year 2007, close to the existing
plant in Vlenii de Munte, the construc-
tion of a new production unit started,
which is fitted with larger storage rooms
and ultramodern production lines, which
use aseptic packaging technology. This
technology is extremely important, as
ives. The advanced technology used by
the company Tymbark Maspex provides
compliance with the highest hygiene
standards from the very beginning of the
production process.
In May 2009, the company Tymbark
Maspex created the Tedi i Copiii
Foundation, in an attempt to become
actively involved in social responsibility
projects. The first project carried out by
the Foundation is called S.O.S. pentru
burtic, and it is intended for children
in the kindergartens and schools of
Vlenii de Munte. In 2014, the Founda-
tion changed its name into the title of
the project, S.O.S. pentru burtic.

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3 Tehnologia avansat
folosit Tymbark asigur
02 03
respectarea celor mai nalte
standarde The advanced
technology used by Tymbark
provides compliance with the
highest hygiene standards.

eu iubesc romnia prahova edition | 2015 165

 Suntem mndri
i onorai s tim
c beneficiem
Cris-Tim de ncrederea
consumatorilor,
lucru care
La Filipetii de Pdure din judeul Prahova a luat ne oblig, n
fiin, n anul 2003, fabrica Recunotina, cea mai acelai timp,
modern unitate a Grupului Cris-Tim, cunoscutul s ne dedicm
productor de mezeluri proaspete i gustoase. n continuare
realizrii de
produse sigure i
Cris-Tim de nalt calitate.
In Filipetii de Pdure, Prahova County, the Recunotina
factory was established in 2003, the most modern unit We are proud and honoured
of the Cris-Tim group, the famous producer of fresh tasty to know we have our
consumers trust, which
cold cuts. makes us, at the same time,
dedicate ourselves to making
cristina frncu fb.ro/ cristimromania safe, high quality products.

C
onsiderat nucleul
procesului de producie
i comercializare cu
care Cris-Tim s-a impus
pe piaa romneasc,
fabrica Recunotina
a facilitat atingerea unui foarte
important obiectiv strategic, i anume
exportul.
Fabrica Recunotina are o suprafa de
15.000 mp i 800 de angajai, iar capa-
citatea de producie atinge 150
tone/zi. Este una dintre cele mai mo-
derne fabrici de mezeluri din Romnia,
avnd i un laborator de cercetare
echipat cu cele mai performante echi-
pamente necesare analizelor fizico-chi-
mice i microbiologice specifice.
Aici se produc att sortimente
crud-uscate, considerate cel mai nobile
dintre mezeluri, ntruct au nevoie de
mult atenie i grij n fiecare etap de
preparare, ct i mezeluri fiert-afumate
i specialiti. n fluxul tehnologic mai
exist o secie de tranare-carmangerie
i nc dou secii adiacente procesrii,
aferente pregtirii materiilor prime i
ambalrii produsului finit.
Compania Cris-Tim, prezent n in-
dustria alimentar nc din anul 1992
cu un chioc de 12 mp, s-a dezvoltat
de-a lungul timpului, pstrnd mereu
n prim-plan grija pentru oameni,
tradiia, calitatea i inovaia. Cris-Tim a
investit ntr-o staie de epurare a apei,
iar n 2013 a ncheiat un parteneriat cu
Genesis Biopartner pentru furnizarea
de abur tehnologic obinut din surse
regenerabile.
Considered to be the core of the
production and marketing process that
helped Cris-Tim become a renowned
name on the Romanian market, the
Recunotina factory enabled the group
to reach a very important strategic
goal, namely export.
Recunotina factory has an area of
15,000 m2 and 800 employees, and its
production capacity reaches 150 tonnes/
day. It is one of the most modern cold
cuts plants in Romania, with a research
laboratory fitted with the cutting-edge
equipment for specific physical-chemical
and microbiological analyses.
It produces raw dried assortments,
considered the noblest of the cold cuts,
as they require a lot of attention and care
in each stage of preparation, as well as
boiled smoked cold cuts and specialties.
The technological flow also includes a
meat cutting-butchery section and two
adjacent sections, for raw material pre-
paration and end product packaging.
The company Cris-Tim, a player in
the food industry since the year 1922
with a 12 m2 kiosk, has developed
over time, always paying attention to
its care for people, tradition, quality
and innovation. Cris-Tim invested in a
water treatment plan, and in 2013 it
partnered with Genesis Biopartner in
order to obtain technological steam
from renewable sources.

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eu iubesc romnia prahova edition | 2015 167

 Agrisol Unul dintre
abatoarele Agrisol
este n mod oficial
singurul din ar
Compania prahovean Agrisol International este
autorizat de
una dintre cele mai importante productoare de
Muftiatul Cultului
carne de pasre i porc din Romnia. Musulman din
Romnia pentru
Agrisol sacrificri halal.

The Agrisol International company in Prahova County is One of the Agrisol
one of the most important poultry meat and pork produ- slaughterhouses is officially
the only one in the country
cers in Romania. authorised by the Great
Muftis Office of Muslim
Community of Romania for
cristina frncu agrisol.ro halal slaughter.

ntreprindere cu tradiie pe
meleagurile prahovene nc
din anul 1962, cnd a fost nfi-
inat ntreprinderea avicol
de stat Bicoi, unitatea s-a
bucurat mereu de aprecierea
consumatorilor datorit produselor
gustoase i sntoase. Dup trecerea la
economia de pia, s-a numit Avicola
Ploieti, pstrndu-i contribuia im-
portant n aprovizionarea cu produse
din carne.
De la preluarea fostei ntreprinderi
Avicola Ploieti de ctre investitori
strini, n contextul relansrii economi-
ei romneti din anul 1999, compania a
nceput o etap de investiii importante,
prin care s-a reuit impunerea grupului
pe pia.
Agrisol International deine n prezent
o structur integrat de producie,
ncepnd cu producerea nutreurilor
combinate i continund cu creterea
psrilor, abatorizarea, transportul i
comercializarea crnii pe piaa intern
i extern. Dup preluarea n anul 2002
a Complexului de cretere i ngrare a
porcilor din Czneti, a fost iniiat i
activitatea de cretere a porcinelor.
Agrisol International dispune de dou
fabrici de nutreuri combinate, patru
laboratoare pentru analize fizico-chi-
mice i microbiologice, trei ferme de
reproducie de rase grele, dou staii de
incubaie, opt ferme de cretere a puilor
dotate cu sisteme moderne de hrnire,
adpare, ventilaie i nclzire, cu un moving to poultry rearing, slaughter-
microclimat controlat electronic, o
infrastructur calitativ de transport i
distribuie, precum i o reea de maga-
zine n toat ara.
An enterprise with a long tradi-
tion in the region, since the year 1962,
when the Bicoi National Poultry
Enterprise was founded, the unit has al-
ways enjoyed consumers appreciation,
thanks to its tasty, healthy products.
After the changeover to market eco-
nomy, it was renamed Avicola Ploieti,
maintaining its important contribution
to meat product supply.
Since the former Avicola Ploieti was
taken over by foreign investors, in the
context of the Romanian economys
relaunch in the year 1999, the company
started a stage of significant investments
which helped establish the group on the
market.
Agrisol International currently owns an
integrated production structure, starting
with production of compound feed,
houses, transport and trading of meat on
the internal and external market. After
taking over the Pig Rearing and Fattening
Centre in Czneti in 2002, the pig-rear-
ing activity was initiated, as well.
Agrisol International has two com-
pound feed factories, four laboratories
for physical-chemical and microbiolo-
gical analyses, three heavy breed repro-
duction farms, two incubation stations,
eight chicken rearing farms fitted with
modern feeding, watering, ventilation
and heating systems, with an elec-
tronically-controlled microclimate,
a quality transport and distribution
infrastructure, as well as a network of
retail stores in the entire country.

168 eu iubesc romnia ediia de prahova | 2015

 afaceri de succes
successful businesses

01

3 Agrisol este una dintre

cele mai importante produ- 03
ctoare de carne de pasre i
porc din Romnia. Agrisol
is one of the most important
poultry meat and pork produ-
cers in Romania.
eu iubesc romnia prahova edition | 2015 169
 Triete
romnete live romanian

170 eu iubesc romnia ediia de prahova | 2015

 triete romnete
live romanian

Diversitate cu
care judeul a fost
binecuvntat i ofer
particularitate i l
difereniaz de orice
alt zon din Romnia.

This places are blessed with

diversity offering particularity and
making this county different from
any other area in Romania.

Ce vei gsi n continuare:

What's next:

172
Creat n Prahova
Spiritul locului este nchis n toate produsele
create pe aceste meleaguri. Testeaz-le pen-
tru a desctua sufletul judeului Prahova!

Made in Prahova
The spirit of the place is closed up on all the
products created in this region. Test them to
unleash the soul of Prahova county!

176
Portul Prahovean
Tot mai puini mbrac costumul tradiional,
dar el mai poate fi admirat astzi la ocazii
speciale.

Folk costumes of Prahova County

Fewer and fewer are wearing the traditional
costumes, but it can still be seen today on
special occasions.

eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 171

 Idee de milioane r idea
A million doll a

Marc romneasc. Ar putea s

v surprind, dar tiai c salamul
Euro grup n orice hotel ai merge, gseti mcar un spun de mini
cu care s te speli, dar unitile de cazare care se respect au i gel
de Sibiu a fost realizat la Sinaia? Iar
de du, i crem de corp, i ampon, past de dini etc. Nu cred c nu ceea ce este i mai interesant este
ai remarcat acest ambalaj pn acum. Sunt produsele realizate de
Euro Grup, ntr-o fabric de lng Ploieti. Da, sunt Made in Ro.. faptul c reeta a fost conceput
de un italian stabilit pe meleaguri
Wherever you may go, you will find at least a hand soap in your hotel,
but respectable accommodation establishments also provide shower gel,

romneti, pe nume Filippo Dozzi.

body cream, shampoo, toothpaste etc. I doubt you have not noticed this
packaging yet. These are the products made by Euro Grup, in a factory
near Ploieti. Yes, they are Made in Ro.

Romanian brand. It may come as a surprise,

but did you know that Sibiu salami was first
made in Sinaia? And what is even more
interesting is that the recipe has been created
by an Italian who had settled in our lands,
named Filippo Dozzi.

tiai c?
Did you know?
Designul noesatru
Sarea iodat pe care o utilizm la asezonarea pre-
paratelor culinare este obinut din judeul Pra-
hova? Mai exact, ea este extras din Mina Unirea,
peste hotar n a b r oa d
una dintre cele mai mari mine din Romnia. Our desig
sign
de fabrica Juso De
mo bil ier rea liz ate din lemn masiv lor
Piesele de frumuseea i unici
tatea
The iodised salt that we use to season our dishes gante. Calitatea,
sunt extrem de ele sin du -i loc n cminele
comes from Prahova County? More precisely, it
it gra ni ele , me sele i scaunele g inave.
au dep elveiene i scand
is extracted from Unirea Mine, one of the largest
ti , ne m e ti, ola ndeze, austriece, th e fa ct ory Juso
mines in Romania. engleze
itu re ma de of solid wood by ty and
Pieces of furn quality, beau
ar e ex tr em el y elegant. Their th e ta bl es and
Design
ve go ne be yo nd borders, with , Du tch,
uniqueness ha itish, German
fin di ng th eir own pl ace in Br
chairs an homes.
and Scandinavi
Austrian, Swiss
172 eu iubesc romnia ediia de prahova | 2015
 triete romnete
live romanian

Vinuri regale
Royal wines

Nu degeaba judeul Prahova se

laud cu Drumul Vinurilor, aici
se ascund podgorii renumite,
vinuri rafinate i premiate.
Crama Budureasca este una
dintre cele mai mari crame ale
judeului, ce deine miestria
producerii unui vin de calitatea
i istoria unui loc cu tradiie,
apreciat nc din epoca bronzu-
lui pentru roadele sale viticole.

Prahova County takes pride in

its Wine Road for a reason, and
here you can find renowned
Kids
corner
vineyards, refined wines, winners
of many awards. Budureasca
Cellar is one of the largest wine
cellars in the county, which
holds the craft of making a wine
of the quality and history of a
Ce ador copiii cel
place with a long tradition, ap-
preciated from the Bronze Age
mai mult dac nu
for its winery produce. ciocolata? Realizate
din cele mai bune
ncearc-m ! ingrediente, pralinele,
t ry m e ! trufele, tabletele,
Cacaveaua. Nici brnz,
nici cacaval, cacaveaua este
ciocolata-crem i
mndria Vii Doftana. Puin discurile de ciocolat se
srat, cu arome ce amintesc
de florile de cmp i de gustul fac i la comand.
amar al ctinei, cacaveaua
merit ncercat.
What do children love best if not
chocolate? Made with the best
Cacavea. No ordinary ingredients, the pralines, truffles,
cheese, no yellow cheese, tablets, cream chocolate and
chocolate discs can also be made on
cacavea is the pride of Valea
Doftanei. Slightly salty, with
flavours that remind of field commission.
flowers and the bitter taste of www.paulaana.ro
common sea-buckthorn fruit,
the cacavea deserves a try.

eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 173


Grota miresei
Toi locuitorii din Slnic Prahova tiu c Grota Miresei de
lng Baia Baciului are o poveste trist.
Se spune c Grota Miresei i-a luat numele
de la o tnr proaspt cstorit care,
nefericit cu alesul impus de tatlui ei, s-a
aruncat de pe muntele de sare i s-a necat
n apele srate. Ceea ce este straniu la po-
veste este c apa de la Slnic are o salinitate
de 300% i, teoretic, este imposibil s te
scufunzi sau s te neci n ea.
Unele variante ale legendei vorbesc despre
o fat de cioban nstrit care iubea un biat
srac din sat. Tatl ei s-a opus unirii celor
doi ndrgostii i a dat fata unui fiu de
moier bogat din localitate. De suprare, la
numai cteva zile de la nunt, fata a mbr-
cat rochia de mireas i s-a aruncat n lac.
The Brides Grotto
Everyone who lives in Slnic Prahova
knows that the Brides Grotto close to
Baia Baciului has a sad story.
As every local tells a different version, no
one knows exactly which the real one is, but
one thing is certain: the name of the place
foto/photo: eu-romania.org
really comes from a tragic story in the past.
It is said that the Brides Grotto got its name
from a newly married young lady who,
unhappy with the betrothed imposed by
her father, jumped to her death from the
mountain of salt and drowned in the salt
water. What is odd about the story is that
the water in Slnic has a 300% salinity, and,
in theory, it is impossible to dive or drown in.
Some versions of the legend mention a
de/by: diana zgrean
wealthy shepherds daughter who loved a
poor boy in the village. Her father opposed
to the union of the two lovers and gave
the daughter to a rich landlords son in the
town. Overwhelmed with sadness, only a
few days after the wedding, the girl put on
her wedding gown and jumped into the lake.
174 eu iubesc romnia ediia de prahova | 2015
Botezul caselor
n ajunul Bobotezei (Botezul Domnului, 6
ianuarie), preoii din toate localitile pornesc go carolling with Vasilic (or Siva, a pigs head decorated
s binecuvnteze i s sfineasc casele, with ribbons and shiny objects). After the pigs head dance,
gospodriile i oamenii pentru un an nou plin
de bucurii i ferit de necazuri. Tradiia spune c
preoii de la sate fac acest pelerinaj pe la casele
tuturor enoriailor i ca s i cunoasc mai bine,
s le afle problemele i speranele pentru noul
an. Agheasma cu care sunt stropite camerele,
oamenii, animalele i acareturile de prin
gospodrie sfinete i cur de rele, aducnd
lumina divin n fiecare cas.
The Baptism of houses
On the eve of the Boboteaza (Baptism of
Jesus, 6th January), priests of all localities start
blessing and consecrating houses, homesteads
and people for a new year filled with joy and
protected from trouble. Tradition says village
priests go in pilgrimage to the houses of all
parishioners to know them better, to learn their
problems and hopes for the new year. The Holy
Water they sprinkle rooms, people, animals
and objects in the homestead with consecrated
and protects from evil, bringing divine light into
each home.
Obiceiuri & tradiii
customs and traditions
Colindele de Sfntul Vasile
Pe 1 ianuarie, cretinii ortodoci srbtoresc ziua Sfntului
Vasile, iar n judeul Prahova exist cteva datini i obiceiuri
foarte interesante legate de aceast srbtoare anual. Pe
lng urrile fcute de copii cu gruleul (grul ncolit pus
de Sfntul Andrei) sau sorcova, locuitorii din anumite loc-
aliti din Prahova pleac cu Vasilic (sau Siva, o cpn
de porc mpodobit cu funde i obiecte strlucitoare). Dup
dansul capului de porc, ziua de Sfntul Vasile se termin, de
obicei, cu o petrecere mare, unde se servete sau se mparte
carnea de porc, se bea i se danseaz. O alt tradiie de
Sfntul Vasile se numete Dezlegarea anului, n care feciorii
satului pleac la colindat prin sat, btnd cu linguri de lemn
n oale i fcnd glgie mare ca s sperie spiritele rele.
St. Vasile carols - On 1st January, Orthodox Christians
celebrate St. Vasiles Day, and in Prahova County there are a
few very interesting customs and traditions related to this
annual holiday. Besides the wishes made by children with
little wheat sprouts (the wheat planted on St. Andrews
Day) or the sorcova, people from some localities in Prahova
St. Vasiles day usually ends with a large party, where they
serve or divide pork, they drink and dance. Another tradi-
tion on St. Vasiles Day is called Unravelling the year, and
the youth of the village go carolling, beating cooking pots
with wooden spoons and making a lot of noise to frighten
the evil spirits..
Sorcova
Un alt obicei strmoesc, care i are rdcinile n culturile
precretine din ara noastr, este sorcova. Iniial, Anul Nou
se srbtorea primvara, nu la 1 ianuarie, astfel c multe
obiceiuri romneti i chiar colinde au legtur cu florile
(florile dalbe) i rennoirea naturii. Astfel, sorcova era la
origini o crengu de mr sau viin nflorit, de care se legau
funde i clopoei sau mrgele pentru a sugera belugul din
anul ce abia ncepe i recolte bogate pe cmp. De sorcov,
oamenii nstrii din sat, i nu numai, ofereau recompense
sau cadouri celor care le colindau pragul, deoarece astfel
erau sigur ocrotii de rele n noul an.
Sorcova - Another ancient custom, whose origins are
in the Pre-Christian cultures of our country, is the Sorcova.
First, New Years Day was celebrated in spring, not on 1st
January, so many Romanian customs and even carols are
about flowers (white flowers) and natures renewal. Thus,
the Sorcova used to be a sprig of blossomed apple or sour
cherry tree, decorated with ribbons and bells or beads to
suggest wealth in the coming year and rich harvest in the
fields. For this holiday, the well-off people in the village and
other towns offered rewards or gifts to those who came
into their houses, because this way they would definitely be
protected from evil spirits in the coming year.

Aceast reet tradiional de
foto/photo: eu-romania.org
cacaval oprit i uor afumat
este ridicat la rang de cinste pe
Valea Doftanei, unde i s-a dedicat
chiar i un festival gastronomic.
This traditional recipe of
parboiled, slightly smoked yellow
cheese is much honoured in Valea
Doftanei, where a gastronomic
de/by: diana zgrean
festival has even been dedicated
to it.
Reet tradiional de
cacavea
Ingredientele necesare preparrii
cacavelei oprite i afumate sunt
urmtoarele: 9,5 litri lapte nepasteurizat
(crud), 2 ml cheag (se gsete la farmaciile
veterinare sau la pia, la productorii de
brnzeturi), 2 litri de ap, 1 linguri de
sare, afumtoare i lemn pentru afumat
(dac nu avei afumtoare, aceast etap
se poate sri sau nlocui cu adugarea
de condimente i/sau arome n etapa
opririi).
Mod de preparare a cacavelei ca la Valea
Doftanei: Se pune laptele pe foc mic
i dup circa 2 minute se adaug cheagul
(care poate fi sub form lichid, tablete
sau pudr - se poate ca instruciunile de
folosire s difere, urmai instruciunile de
folosire a cheagului cumprat).
2 Cnd laptele s-a coagulat (s-a brnzit),
se adun caul proaspt i se las la scurs
ntr-un tifon sau strecurtoare circa 24
de ore. 3 A doua zi, caul se pune ntr-o
oal cu ap fierbinte (dup ce ncepe apa
s fiarb, stingei focul i turnai o can
de ap rece, deoarece temperatura de
oprire a caului trebuie s fie aproape de
80 de grade Celsius) i sare i se amestec
viguros cu o lingur de lemn. 4 Se scoate
caul oprit i se pune la scurs pentru
24 de ore ntr-un tifon sau recipient de
scurgere rotund. 5 Se ia cacaveaua
astfel obinut i se d la afumat sau se
depoziteaz la frigider pentru consum.
Traditional cacavea recipe
(homemade smoked yellow
cheese)
The ingredients for parboiled, smoked
cacavea are the following: 9.2 litres of
unpasteurised (raw) milk, 2 ml rennet (you
can find it in veterinary pharmacies or at
the market, at cheesemakers), 2 litres of
water, 1 teaspoon of salt, a smokehouse
and wood for smoking (if you do not have
a smokehouse, this stage can be skipped
or replaced with adding spices and/or
flavours when parboiling).
Directions for the Valea Doftanei-style
cacavea: Heat the milk over low
fire and after about 2 minutes add the
rennet (which can be liquid, tablets or
powder the directions may differ, follow
those written on the label of the rennet
you have bought). 2 When the milk has
coagulated (curdled), collect the fresh
cheese and leave to drain in a piece of
gauze or a colander for about 24 hours.
3 The next day, add the fresh cheese to
a pot of hot water (once the water starts
to boil, turn off the heater and pour a
cup of cold water, because the parboiling
temperature for the fresh cheese should
be close to 80 degrees Celsius) and salt
and stir vigorously with a wooden spoon.
4 Take out the parboiled cheese and
leave to drain for 24 hours in a piece of sadder legend, is related to the competition between
gauze or a round colander. Take the thus
obtained cacavea and smoke or store in
the refrigerator for use.
tiai c?
the weather, stripping it of furniture, carpets, silver
mirrors and paintings. The castle in Buteni had an even
did you know?
Brnza de burduf este o
specialitate pe cale de dispariie,
deoarece ranii recunosc c tot mai the Securitate, which came to the nursing home more
puini semeni de-ai lor mai tiu s often than ambulances, of screams that sometimes
fac burduful din piele de oaie.
Brnza de burduf is an endangered
assortment, because peasants admit
that fewer and fewer of their peers know
how to make the sheepskin container.
triete romnete
live romanian
Castelul
blestemat din
Buteni
O alt legend, mult mai trist, are legtur cu ntre-
cerea dintre boierul Grigore Cantacuzino (supranumit
Nababul datorit averii impresionante a familiei sale) i
Regele Carol. Boierul visa la grandoare i spera s ridice
n Romnia castele i palate demne de comparaie cu
cele din Frana sau Germania. Dup ridicarea Peleului
de ctre familia regal, boierul a investit sume uriae
n dou cldiri impozante, care dorea s devin centre
culturale i artistice ale vremii: un castel la Buteni i
Micul Trianon de la Floreti. Din pcate, boierul a
murit la doar doi ani de la terminarea castelului din
Buteni, iar Micul Trianon a ajuns o ruin dup ce
rzboiul, comunitii, hoii i vremea au trecut peste el
i l-au dezbrcat de mobil, covoare, oglinzi din argint
i tablouri. Castelul de la Buteni a avut o soart i mai
trist, devenind sanatoriu pentru bolnavii de tubercu-
loz. Pe domeniul Cantacuzino de la Buteni nc exist
o grot misterioas, care pare n plus n decorurile
impozante ale grdinii castelului. Tot felul de legende
locale vorbesc despre mainile Securitii, care veneau
la sanatoriu mai des dect ambulanele, despre ipete
care vin cteodat din grot i lumini care danseaz la
intrarea n aceasta n nopile cu furtun.
The cursed castle of Buteni Another, much
the boyar Grigore Cantacuzino (also dubbed the Nabob
due to his familys impressive wealth) and King Carol.
The boyar dreamed of grandeur and hoped to build in
Romania castles and palaces worthy of comparison
with those in France or Germany. After the royal family
built the Pele Castle, the boyar invested huge amounts
of money in two impressive buildings, which he wanted
to become cultural and artistic centres of the time: a
castle in Buteni and Little Trianon in Floreti. Unfor-
tunately, the boyar died only two years after finishing
the castle in Buteni, and Little Trianon became a ruin
after the passing of the war, communists, thieves and
sadder fate, becoming a nursing home for tuberculosis
patients. On the Cantacuzino domain in Buteni there
can still be found a mysterious grotto, which seems at
odds with the impressive decorations in the garden of
the castle. All sorts of local legends speak of the cars of
come out of the grotto and lights that dance at its
entrance on stormy nights.
eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 175
 Obiceiuri
i trasdtoimiis
cu
s
& tr adition

Pluguorul
n Prahova, ca i n restul rii,
pluguorul este unul dintre colindele
speciale de Sfntul Vasile i are loc,
bineneles, n prima zi a Anului
Nou. Dei n multe sate plugul tras
de boi a fost demult nlocuit de
buhai i un plug mai mic, uor de
transportat, nc exist locuri n
care flcii pleac cu un plug mare
i greu tras de animale. Pluguorul
este o urare n versuri, strigat de
tinerii satului, care binecuvnteaz
culturile agricole viitoare i aduc
belug n casele oamenilor n prag de
01
an nou. Tinerii (numai biei i flci)
fac un adevrat spectacol din urarea
de pluguor, fiind acompaniai n

Portul Popu-
strigturile lor de bice, clopoei i
alte obiecte care fac zgomot, pentru
a alunga spiritele rele i bolile din

lar din judeul

recolta viitoare.
Pluguorul
In Prahova, like the rest of the coun-
try, Pluguorul is one of the special
carols for St. Vasiles Day and it is
performed, of course, on New Years
Day. Although in many villages the
plough pulled by oxen has long been
replaced by the friction drum and
a smaller plough, easier to carry,
there are still some places where
the youth take a large plough with
them, pulled by animals. Pluguorul
is a rhymed wish, made by the youth
of the village, which blesses future
agricultural crops and brings wealth
to peoples houses at the beginning
of the new year. The youth (only
boys and bachelors) make a real
show of the Pluguor wish, being
accompanied by whips, bells and
other noise-making objects, to ward
off evil spirits and disease from the
future harvest.
Prahova
Prahovenii tiu cel mai bine ce costume populare
se purtau pe vremuri n zona lor. Acum, costumele
tradiionale romneti din zona Prahovei mai pot
fi admirate la serbrile cmpeneti, la trgurile i
blciurile de peste an i la muzee. Puini localnici
din zon mai poart costume populare la ocazii
tradiionale, cum ar fi hore, nuni etc.
Folk costumes of Prahova County The
people of Prahova know best what folk costumes
used to be worn in their area back in their day. Now
Romanian traditional costumes from Prahova can
only be admired at village feasts, fairs and marts
during the year and in museums. Few locals in the
area still wear folk costumes for traditional occa-
2 Femeie din Prahova.
sions, such as dances, weddings, etc.
Woman from Prahova
County
02

176 eu iubesc romnia ediia de prahova | 2015


Datorit influenelor din judeele vecine i a
diversitii mari din punct de vedere al reliefului,
portul tradiional prahovean s-a dezvoltat diferit,
delimitnd trei zone principale.
Prahova are trei costume
populare
C
ostumul tradiional al femeilor de
pe Valea Prahovei nseamn maram,
ie cu broderii din a roie, bru i
fot n rou i negru, cu mult volum la
poale i pliuri largi. Brbaii de pe Valea
Prahovei purtau pe vremuri cma
cu guler rou, mneci brodate cu a roie i pieptar
brodat tot cu rou. Iarii din aceast zon sunt albi,
fr alte broderii sau model.
Pe Valea Teleajenului, femeile purtau haine mult mai
colorate: marama, ia, fota i brurile semnau mult
ca croial cu cele de pe Valea Prahovei, dar conineau
i broderii cu a galben, albastr sau verde deschis.
Costumele populare brbteti din aceast zon aveau
mai puine broderii, iar culorile dominante erau alb i
galben.
Pe Valea Doftanei se simt influenele sseti din Braov,
Sibiu sau Fgra, ceea ce nseamn c negrul nlocuie-
te adesea culorile, att la broderii, ct i la fote i veste.
Aceste costume populare prahovene se purtau cel mai
adesea la nuni i n zilele de srbtoare. Un fapt intere-
sant este c celebrul dans Perinia a aprut prima oar
ca dans de nunt n Prahova i nu este singurul dans
popular aprut pentru prima dat n aceast zon.
Alte influene ar mai fi dansul numit ruseasca, foarte
asemntor cu cazaciocul, venit odat cu urmaii cuma-
nilor (majoritatea ucraineni) n zon.
triete romnete
live romanian
Prahova has three folk
costumes
Due to influences from neighbouring counties and
the great diversity of landforms, the traditional
costumes of Prahova developed in different ways,
defining three main areas.
The traditional womens costume in Prahova Val-
ley means a maram, a Romanian blouse embroidered
with red thread, a belt and a fot in red and black, with a
lot of volume at the bottom and large pleats. The men in
Prahova Valley used to wear a shirt with a red collar, sleeves
embroidered with red thread and a vest embellished the
same way. The iari in this region are white, without other
embroideries or patterns.
On Valea Teleajenului, women wore much more colourful
clothes: marama, the Romanian blouse ie, the fot and the
belts resembled those in Prahova Valley in their cut, but
they were also embroidered with yellow, blue or light green.
Mens folk costumes in this area had less embroideries, and
the dominant colours were white and yellow.
On Valea Doftanei we can see the Saxon influences from
Braov, Sibiu or Fgra, which means that black often
replaces colours, both in embroideries, and in fote and vests.
These folk costumes from Prahova used to be worn most
often at weddings and on holidays. An interesting fact is
that the famous dance Perinia appeared for the first time
as a wedding gift in Prahova and it is not the only folk dance
that appeared in the region.
Some of these influences would also be the dance called
ruseasca, very similar to the Cossack dance (Cazacioc),
arrived with the descendants of the Cumans (most of them
Ukrainian), in the area.
eu-romania.org prahova edition | 2015 177
 Mulumim partenerilor
Thanks to our partners
Agrisol Turistic Green Village Much More Pensiunea Primria Cmpia Primria Topolog
International RO Sighioara Market Domeniul Turzii
Guban Regilor Primria Turda
Ana Aslan Helth Centrul de Muzeul de Istorie Primria Crucea
Spa Informare Hofigal Sighioara Pensiunea Primria Valea
Turistic Tulcea Fntna Primria Doftanei
Aqua Park Eforie Cesiro Sighioara Hotel Europa Muzeul de Art Filipetii de
Eforie Cluj-Napoca Pensiunea Pdure Puflene Resort
Asociaia Clujana Holiday
American Hotel Iaki Muzeul Primria Floreti Restaurant
International CoHotels Etnografic al Pensiunea La Boema
School Baia Mare Hotel Insula Transilvaniei Felinare Primria Gilu Cluj-Napoca
Complex
Asociaia Dunrea Hotel Delta Est Muzeul Apei Pensiunea Primria Gorgota Rezervaia
Litoral - Delta Sulina Mysterious Spa Biosferei Delta
Dunrii Consiliul Muzeul de Istorie Primria Isaccea Dunrii
Judeean Cluj HCM Baia Mare i Arheologie Pensiunea Perla
Aeroportul Constana Lacului Primria Rezervaia de
Internaional Consiliul Hotel BinderBubi Mahmudia Dune Marine
Avram Iancu Judeean Sighioara Muzeul de Art Pensiunea
Cluj Maramure Constana Popasul din Deal Primria Romstal
Hotel Biscuit Mangalia
Asociaia pentru Consiliul Cluj-Napoca Muzeul Art Pensiunea Royal Salina Turda
Promovarea Judeean Mure Popular Primria
Turistic Cluj Hotel Gabriela Constana Pensiunea Vila Mneciu Sarea-n Bucate
Consiliul Vals Turda
Biroul de Judeean Ploieti Hotel Grand Muzeul Marinei Primria
Traduceri Trgu Mure Pensiunea lui Murfatlar Secret Garden
Champollion Consiliul Muzeul de Matei
Judeean Tulcea Hotel Panorama sculptur Ion Primria Ocna Smida Park Beli
Camera de Business Inn Jalea Primria Anina ugatag
Comer i Consiliul Cluj-Napoca Sun Garden
Industrie Cluj Judeean Vlcea Moschee Carol I Primria Primria Ploieti Resort & SPA
Hotel Privo Trgu Aninoasa Cluj-Napoca
Casa Barolo Delfinariu Mure New Hotel Primria Poiana
Egreta Primria Alba Cmpina The Dungeon
Casa Olarului Doroftei Pub Hotel Univers T Iulia
Noor Stuf Primria Potlogi Tetarom
Casa Teo Dristor Kebap Hotel Victoria Primria Azuga Cluj-Napoca
Pensiunea Ana i Primria Spna
Castelul Dru Relax Institutul pentru Irina Primria Baia Transylvania
Cantacuzino Cercetri Eco Mare Primria Sfntu Trans Cluj
Edificiu Roman Muzeale Tulcea Pensiunea Gheorghe
Centrul de cu Mozaic Casa Iurca de Primria Baia Transylvania
Informare Lafayette Hotel Clineti Sprie Primria Sighetu College School
Turistic Cluj Electric Castle Bucureti Marmaiei Cluj-Napoca
Pensiunea Primria
Centrul de Episcopia Tulcii Lidas Cristian Bioara Primria Turist uior
informare Murighiol Sighioara
Turistic Federaia Share Maritimo Primria Brsana Universitatea
Cluj-Napoca 2015 Cluj Shopping Center Pensiunea Coral Primria Sinaia Babe Bolyai
Sulina Primria Beli
Centrul de Ferma Mirage Resort Primria Trgu Vila Jianu
Informare Zootehnic Pensiunea Andra Primria Bora Lpu Costineti
Turistic Mure Mobexpert Mahmudia
Gold Plaza Primria Buteni Primria
Centrul de Mocnia Pensiunea Techirghiol
Informare Green Delta Bianca Murghiol Primria Cavnic

178 eu iubesc romnia ediia de prahova | 2015

Eu Romnia ediia de prahova | nr. 6 | 15 lei prahova edition | no. 6 | 4 euro