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- Targoviste – A Capital’s CharmDrobeta Turnu Severin – A Bridge Across The AgesSearching For Tranquility Around BucharestCalimanesti, Olanesti, Govora – Oltenia’s Health SpringsAlba Iulia and Codex AureusIasi – A City Imbued With History and CultureThe Deva Fortress – Active Witness to Transylvania’s HistoryRupea Stronghold, The Core of Brasov CountyScarisoara Cave, Glacier Chill in Summer TimeMuierilor Cave, Symbol of Fertility and HolinessOrsova – Heavy Industry Meets the Roman EmpireThe Heaven of Cherry Orchards, in CetateleCurtisoara Museum – a Cradle of SpiritualityBaile Felix – a Balneary Resort for All AgesIzei Valley – Maramures Finest Traditions and LocationsHarman – A Small Part of Brasov’s CultureMuseums and places to visit in OradeaVidraru Dam and Lake, a Wonder of Nature, Confined by ManAncient Cities in the Constanta AreaSfantul Ioan Domnesc Monument-Church – The Shadow of Stefan cel MarePutna Monastery – The Spiritual Center of MoldaviaOcnele Mari: Salt Mines, Spa and Rich HistoryBaile Govora – One of The Oldest Romanian SpasCraiova – The Heart of OlteniaRules for Visiting the Protected Nature AreasArad – One Millenia on the Banks of MuresTargu Jiu and the Endless ColumnBucura Lake – The Largest Glacier Lake in RomaniaTraveling to Sfantu GheorgheLipscani – “The Old Leipzig” of BucharestCule – Strange Strongholds of a Riotous PastVatra DorneiCluj NapocaDobrudja and the Danube DeltaBucharest – an european capitalBrasov – Part of the “Heart” of RomaniaTimisoara, Little ViennaRosia MontanaPeriam “Rock la Mures” FestSinaiaVama VecheSighisoara, medieval heavenHunedoaraSighisoaraSibiu – modernity with a German touchA visit in Piatra-NeamtVama Veche versus MamaiaThe mountain tourism in RomaniaA trip to Muntii ApuseniAn incursion in legends – BranTrips and winter sports on Valea PrahoveiTransilvania – The medieval land of StrongholdsBucovina and Northern MoldaviaMaramures – A Land From TalesTan and Fun at the Black SeaA wild land – The Danube Delta
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Cule – Strange Strongholds of a Riotous Past
Nowadays there are 18 cule left in Romania – most of them in Oltenia (region in the south western part of the country). Stepping inside these strange stone and timber fortresses is like travelling back centuries, in a tumultuous time of this country. Here are some of the most interesting and well preserved “cule”:
- Cula Greceanu – is the oldest one in the country and it dates back to 1517. The local legend tells us about Tudor Maldar, a handsome captain in the Mihai the Brave’s (Mihai Viteazul) army. The Tartars led him captive in a battle but the cunning young men managed to liberate himself and also to bring with him a precious trophy: the Tartar Khan’s beautiful daughter who had fallen in love with him. They took refuge in the Maldaresti Cula and managed to escape. Today you can visit this old building in the Maldaresti village situated only 4 km north – west from Horezu village (Valcea County).
- Cula Duca – this is a more recent edifice erected in 1812 by Gheorghita Maldarescu, a descendent of the first family who owned Cula Greceanu. It is obvious that this much newer building is no longer designed only for defense but it is supposed to be also a balanced and aesthetic piece of local architecture. You can admire a lot of medieval art objects inside the cula along with old traditional costumes, carpets, pottery and some pieces of furniture – all part of I.G. Duca (famous Romanian politician – the last owner of the cula at the very beginning of the 20th century) collections. It is situated only a few hundred meters away from Cula Greceanu and you can reach them coming from DN67 Targu Jiu – Ramnicu Valcea (Valcea county).
- Cula Bujoreni – it is a different type of “cula” – it is provided with an outdoor staircase and it is part of an entire household site plan made up of this cula plus a large hall, a church, a chapel and a few outhouses. All of them belonged to some rich landlords, the Bujoreni family. The building is situated inside the Valcea Village Museum area, 6 km north from Ramnicu Valcea town, on the DN7 – E81 motorway (Valcea county).
- Cula Tudor Vladimirescu – you can find it on a hill in Cerneti village (Mehedinti county), only 5 km from Drobeta-Turnu-Severin. Tudor Vladimirescu was a revolutionist and a national hero. He led the Wallachian insurrection against Phanariote regime in 1821. This cula was his residentship and the house was probably built at the very beginning of the 19th century.
- Cula Cutui – is situated in comuna Brosteni (Mehedinti county), only 10 km from Motru town and it dates back 1815.
- Cula Cornoiu – a very interesting building from 18th century located in Curtisoara (Gorj county). To reach it you have to keep north after Targu-Jiu on DN66 – E79 for 15 km and then turn right on DJ 665.
- Cula Poenaru – built in 1750, you can find it in comuna Almaj (Dolj county). Cula Izvoranu and Cernatescu are situated in the same county.
Author: Irina Petre
Photos: Marian Curelaru
Pages: Page 1 Page 2
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