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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.
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- Articles
- 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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Alba Iulia and Codex Aureus
Among Romania’s cities, Alba-Iulia is not even close to being the largest or the most populated. But, because of its long history and symbolic value, it is considered the Capital of the Romanian Soul.
It is situated in the central part of Romania, at a height of approximately 300 m, in the Eastern part of the Apuseni Mountains, at the conjunction of Ampoiu and Mures rivers and it is the capital city of Alba County.
Some traces of prehistoric life were found and it is certain that a Dacian settlement existed here, bearing the name of Apoulon. The name was changed in Apulum, after the Roman conquest. The name Alba-Iulia first appeared in the early medieval period, around 1000 A.D. when the Hungarian ruler of these parts became a Christian and adopted the Latin name of Julius (Gyula). Alba (meaning “white” in Latin and, consequently, in Romanian) was a common name for the fortresses in Transylvania and, in order to differentiate this one, it was named Alba Iulia.
Until the late Middle Ages, Alba Iulia was the capital city of Transylvania. It was the symbolic capital when the three Romanian countries, Wallachia, Moldavia and Transylvania, were united (although for a short period) for the first time in history by Mihai Viteazul (he ruled from 1593 to 1601) in 1600.
On the 1st of December 1918, immediately after the end of the First World War, people from all corners of Transylvania, gathered at Alba Iulia and declared their communion with the Romanians from the Old Kingdom (Moldavia and Wallachia, already united since 1859) and expressed their desire to unite with their countrymen (this moment is celebrated every year, as it has become Romania’s National Day). King Ferdinand I and Queen Maria were crowned as sovereigns of all Romanians at Alba Iulia in 1922.
If you plan to visit Alba Iulia, you should take your time, because there are plenty to see.
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