Welcome to Unseen Romania!
You are here because you want to read articles about the places you can visit while you're traveling to and through Romania. Enjoy your stay and have a look through our articles about the Romanian culture, history and tourist attractions.
We hope you're going to find our site useful and you'll consider to travel Romania.
- Articles
- Dragomirna Monastery – Fortified SpiritualityThe Wooden Churches from Maramures – Orthodox GothicThe Trovants – Living StonesMarasesti Mausoleum – Honoring The SacrificeAgapia Monastery – Nature, Spirituality, ArtMysteries And Symbols In Romanian SculpturesSarmizegetusa Regia – The Heart of the Dacian KingdomTwo Sisters from Cluj-NapocaCraiova’s Art Museum – a Jewel Containing Other JewelsDecebalus Head at Mraconia – The Romanian Mount RushmoreCartisoara – The Memorial House of Badea CartanStavropoleos Monastery – Treasure Trove of Byzantine CultureBucharest Aviation Museum – Wings of HistoryRomanian Pyramids of Sona: Decebalus’ Tomb?Polovragi Cave Takes You Back in TimeThe Clock Museum from Ploiesti, RomaniaThe Cave From Romanesti – The Cave That RocksSighisoara Medieval FestivalCetatea Neamt – The Strongest Moldavian FortressThe Carpathians – A Cathartic ExperienceBanffy Bontida Medieval Castle – the Versailles of TransylvaniaUnseen Monasteries from Oltenia“George Enescu” Memorial HouseSapanta – The Merry CemeteryAdamclisi – Talking HistoryThe “B.P.Hasdeu“ Memorial MuseumThe Momarlani – A Special PeopleThe Berca Mud VolcanoesRasnov FortressLake Sfanta AnaFagaras FortressThe Palace of the Parliament in BucharestRomanian MotorcyclingTaking the Tour of BucharestThe Danube Delta – a wild land
Afterwards, locations can be added by right clicking on the map.
The Momarlani – A Special People
In a world of contrasts, the Jiu Valley situated in the North-Western part of Romania is also a land of the extremes. On one hand, it is a place that was known for a long time for the coal mining activity that took place in the area. However, there is much more to this region than its industrial background. It is here where you can come face to face with a community that remained untouched by the modern way of life. In our agitated world, this comes to be something truly rare. Meet the Momarlani people.
The Momarlani, a Dacian Legacy
Entering the archaic universe of the Momarlani does not come easy. Their world is closed under a sort of crystal ball. During their existence, they did not venture far from their native lands much, but outsiders did not have easy access to their society either. This is the reason why the “momarlani” were able to hold on to their traditions, some of which date back to Dacian times. In fact, they take pride in proclaiming themselves successors of the Dacians. This is also the explanation behind their name: “momarlan” comes from the Hungarian “maradwany” which means “remain” (as in “remains of the Dacians”). These people chose to live in freedom on the mountain cliffs, nurturing their sheep. So far, they were spared from the hassles which inevitably result from tourist propaganda.
Ancient Superstitions of the Momarlani
Momarlani are known as brave people. They know their lands like the palm of their hand and are not afraid of anything. Well, almost anything. A lot of the Momarlani still believe in the existence of the “strigoi”. The word is Romanian for “living dead”. There is a strong belief among the “momarlani” that those who cast spells during their lifetime turn into “strigoi” after their death and come back to haunt their loved ones. This is not the only superstition these people believe in. Another example is the Day of the Bear when most of the “momarlani” avoid working. They believe that unless they take a break from work, the bear will come to destroy their households.
Write a comment
Required fields are marked with *.