Evangelical Church in Bistriţa

Located at the foot of the Bârgau Mountains, not far from the Borgo Pass (Pasul Tihuţa in Romanian) which connects Transylvania region to the Bucovina one, the town of Bistriţa is one of the oldest around. Archeological findings indicate that the area has been inhabited since the Neolithic age, long before Bram Stoker chose it as the setting of his fictional Dracula’s castle.


Saxon colonists, who settled here in 1206, helped develop the town into a flourishing medieval trading post. First mentioned in 1264 as Villa Bistiche, the name was later changed to Civitas Bysterce. Soon enough, Bistritz, as it was known to its German inhabitants, became one of Transylvania’s most important Saxon citadels.


The greatest attraction of Bistriţa's Main Square is the Evangelical Church built by Transylvanian Saxons centuries ago. Under the present church were found the foundations of an older worship house raised by the Saxon settlers. The first mentioned parish in official documents was Johannis plebanus de Bystricia, noted in the papal tax registers of 1332-1333. Construction of the Gothic church with Renaissance elements (i.e. the pews) began in 1470 and was completed almost 100 years later by Petrus Italus de Lugano, who added renaissance elements to the structure. A 76.5 m high steeple (Saxons' Tower) overlooking the city was added later, making it the highest stone church tower in Romania.


The building of the new church, in the second half of XIV century, led to the lifting of a Roman basilica with three naves, having a polygonal choir and two towers flanking the main entrance of the northern wall of the choir, which will be expanded in mid 16th century. In a second step, the church was rebuilt as a Gothic basilica, with naves separated by octagonal pillars, which were taken when the church was restored in the 16th century, and ceiling was made semi cylindrical. Inside the church and the cemetery perimeter were raised several altars and chapels mentioned in documents of the time. An example is a shrine for the holy apostles Peter and Paul which was built in the church in 1499.


A third phase of construction started in 1475 and ended in 1520, when it became a Gothic-style hall church. In start 1487 started the building of a defense tower, included later in the church body after the demolition of the northern tower and the lifting of a turret with spiral staircase that ensure independent access to the new tower. Between them were kept two windows of the old facade (10th century). The tower was built in several stages: in 1487 it reached the middle of the second floor, according to the inscription carved on the northern outer wall, then the year 1509 is carved on the upper edge of the northern wall of the third floor, 1513 on the fourth and the 1519 on the fifth floor, although the works were completed in 1544 (according the accounts of the City Hall). Simultaneously it was mounted a watch which was under repair in 1521, and in 1570 was covered with gold better visibility. In 1857 the top of the tower burned, then was then rebuilt and in 1861 was installed the clock in use today. The Saxon Evangelical Church was restored several times, in 1897, 1901 and 1927.


Completed in 1563, as recorded in the inscription on the western portal, the works of the Swiss master have incorporated also elements of the new Renaissance visual language. On this occasion, the western façade changes fundamentally by building a impressive masonry pillar with correspondence in Polish space - hence the name of Polish attic.


Unfortunately, in 2008 a fire ruined the steeple and the damages have been assessed at more than 1 million Euro. The restoration works would take at least until 2010.


Inside the church one can admire a collection of 23 flags which belonged to the town’s former craft guilds, valuable renaissance-style pews designed by Johannes Begler in 1516, and a 500-year old organ. The statues decorating the belfry (St. Nicholas, the Holy Virgin with Child and Knight Roland) are representative of 15th century Transylvanian art and are similar to those found in the Black Church in Braşov and the Church on the Hill in Sighişoara.

Târgu Mureş Citadel Church

The Reformed Church inside the Târgu Mureş fortress was built in the 14th century and include the former Franciscan convent, the chapel and the bell tower. A document issued by Pope Boniface II, of 23 November 1400, refers to the great altar of the Franciscan church.


Basically, there were three construction phases: during the first, between 1350-1370, were built the chapel and monastery, with stone moldings and other decorations similar to the former "St. Maria" church in Sibiu; between 1370-1400 was built the altar; finally, between 1400-1430 was built the church nave and between 1430-1450 the church tower.


The Gothic windows of the church had to be made later (1450-1460), with the support of John Hunyadi, who in 1442 made gifts for decorating the church. The two Flamboyant windows were made during Ştefan Báthory's reign. Sculptural works were made by stone mason Gheorghe (Gergius lapicide), which received 11 florins for his work.


The former Franciscan monastery was secularized by the Diet of Cluj (November 25 - December 7, 1556), and there was established the first laic school, Schola Particula. Here, after the reformed priest Gábor Nemes, was built a temple of worship for Romanian prince Michael the Brave.


In 1601 and 1602 the church was destroyed, and repaired in 1662 by Prince Michael Apofi I, then, in 1693, with the support of Chancellor Michael Teleki the church receives a wooden ceiling and a nearly flat roof, noted for his engravings made by Konrad von Weiss in 1736. In 1785 the architect Anton Tirck (Türck) transforms the church, which gains baroque forms.

Târgu Mureş Citadel

The first fortress in the town was erected in 1492 upon order of Transylvanian voivode Ştefan Báthori. The citadel was built by the strengthening of a fortified church, including a 5000 sqm area in the Southwestern part of the actual territory of the citadel, known as "Small Castle" (Kis-Kastély in Hungarian). It was accomplished somewhere between 1602 and 1652 under judge Borsos Tamás.


From the old fortifications have been preserved the Small Tower and the Square Tower. On 10 August 1601, Basta's mercenaries destroyed the town and the fortification as a punishment for the support the citizens gave to Michael the Brave. The fortification was destroyed again on May 30th 1602, when 400 of mercenaries led by Moise Secuiul and Németh Gergely enter the city. In August 1602 the inhabitants of the city, at the initiative of Borsos Tamás, go to strengthen the destroyed defense, making wooden palisades.


In September 8, 1602, the church is strengthened again, the goals being transformed into shooting holes. In 1605, Borsos Tamás obtain from Prince Ştefan Bocskai an agreement to build a new citadel. The new one was done in time, with towers of different shapes and sizes, adapted to new requirements imposed by increasingly heavy firearms. The first stronghold, at the gate (1613) still preserve medieval defense systems (pit-trap, pitch holes, ditch water). The Tanners' Bastion (1620) is similar to the urban bastions of the fortifications in eastern Germany and Austria. This important work was completed in 1652 and in 1657, 434 local craftsmen strengthening the fortress. The Târgu Mureş Citadel is the last urban fortress supported by the citizens who payed different amounts of money and worked themselves at the buildings.


After the occupation of Transylvania by the Austrians, it became the headquarters of the military garrison based in the town, several buildings being demolished (mid 18th century). In the mean time the Baroque style building was built (on the left hand side of the road in front of the entrance gate) and in the second half of the 18th century the construction works of the ‘barkey’ were started, an addition finished in the 19th century.


The monument has 1.20 m thick walls, (1.40 m the bastions), with holes for hot oil, with elongated slots to allow shooting different angles of pull or slit-shaped hole key reversed for light guns. This defensive system is completed by a pit trap under the gate bastion, water ditches with mobile bridges and a watch road for soldiers, on brick arches and wooden poles. The citadel has seven bastions, bearing the names of the guild which – according to tradition – supported its maintenance: the tanners’, the tailors’, the butchers’, the ironmongers’, the coopers’, furs', locksmiths'.


Today, the citadel became a living monument because of the numerous events organized here. A museum center was opened in the gate fort, presenting the history of the town and of the Citadel.

Mureş Prefecture Palace

The Mureş Prefecture Palace, originally the Palace of Târgu Mureş City Hall, is an edifice built between 1905-1907, at the initiative of mayor György Bernady as mayoral seat of Târgu Mureş.



The Palace was realized after the projects of architects Komor Marcel and Dezso Jakab, in Secession style, with ornaments inspired by folk art. It was the first building designed to provide a new look to the urban center in the early 20th century.


The singular tower (60 m high), originally built as a fire watchtower of the city, is placed asymmetrically and covered, the same as the whole building, with colored majolica, the material from which they were made also the outside floral decorations. It has a clock that has dials on all four sides of the tower and its bell-beat can be heard every quarter of an hour.



The majestic hall with vaulted ceiling in Gothic style and supported by marble carved columns, realized in the manner of Knights' Hall of Hunedoara Castle - and the Council Room were originally adorned with huge stained glass windows.



Since 1962 the Palace became the county seat of the Communist Party organization, and in 1990 the administrative headquarters of Mureş County.

Bucharest North Railway Station

Gara de Nord Bucureşti (Bucharest North Railway Station) is the main railway station in Bucharest and the largest railway station in Romania. The vast majority of mainline trains to/from Bucharest originate from Gara de Nord.


The Prussian Concession H.B. Strousberg pledges in 1868 to build in three years the Roman - Tecuci - Galaţi railway, with Tecuci - Bârlad branch, Bucharest - Craiova - Vârciorova railway and in two years and a half Galaţi - Buzău and Ploieşti - Bucharest railways. The construction of the 642 km railway began on September 22, 1869, and the same day was set the foundation stone for the main station of Bucharest, called Târgovişte Station - situated on a former property of Dinicu Golescu. The initial name comes from the ancient name of the current Griviţa Way, in that time, Târgovişte Route, which gained its current name after the War of Independence, in memory of the struggle for Griviţa redoubt.


The station was inaugurated on 15/27 November 1870, during the temporary opening of the Bucharest - Ploieşti railway. The architecture of the building imitates almost perfectly the railway station with the same name in Paris. Built between 1868-1870, the station was conceived as a transit station with six lines, with access to the three warehouses. Last line provided direct access to workshops.


The passengers' building had ground floor and first floor, a length of 93.4 m and was composed of a central pavilion guarded by two towers, with two side wings and main building facade parallel with Târgovişte Route. Between the two towers were three main doors for passengers' access. At a certain distance in front of the building was a garden with a central alley insight into Station' Place, the so-called "travelers' court".


Between 1870-1871 was built a covered hall, supported by metal pillars, parallel to the building for passengers, who sheltered the two lines of receipt / dispatch of trains and passengers exceeded the building itself, on both sides 22 m. In 1878 was added a new building, towards the end of the station from the workshops, located perpendicular to the two initial parallel buildings, thereby transforming the station from a transfer one in an end of line station.


In 1888 the station name was changed in Bucharest North Railway Station. Several modernization works were made in 1887-1889, 1897, 1906-1907, 1925, 1930-1932, 1966-1969, 1987, 1990-2003. The station and its surroundings were heavily bombed by the Allies in April 1944 during a campaign aimed at the German supply lines, since the station played an important part in the Romanian railway network and was the main departure point for troops headed to the Eastern Front.


Gara de Nord has now 14 lines (3 of them with high platforms) and 8 platforms, enlarged waiting rooms, departure/arrival on-screen displays, touch-screen information systems and electronic ticket sales system. As of 2009, Gara de Nord serves about 200 trains, including domestic trains operated by Căile Ferate Române (Romanian Railways), as well as international trains.

Ovidiu Lipan 'Ţăndărică'

Ovidiu Lipan 'Ţăndărică' (b. 1953, Iaşi) is the greatest Romanian drummer and percussionist. He is also an appreciated composer.


Ovidiu Lipan started his musical career at 9 yo, with his own group - 'Crystal', followed by a collaboration with 'The Dragons'. He attended the Negruzzi High School and the School of Music in Iaş. At 14 yo, he was considered an outstanding instrumentalist and in 1969, at 16 yo, he participated at the Pop-Rock Music Festival, where he won first prize with one of the most elevated bands of the moment - 'Roşu şi Negru' (Red & Black).


In 1970 he settled in Bucharest, where he had the opportunity to work with brand names such as Richard Oschanitzky, Peter Werthaimer, Marius Şeicu, Radu Goldiş and with the 'Romanian Radio Orchestra' led by Sile Dinicu. In 1974 Ovidiu Lipan joined the most valuable Romanian rock band, 'Phoenix', and released the LP Cantafabule (1975).


Lipan Connection Waiting 4 U
He left Romania in 1977, along with his band mates, establishing himself in Germany. He continued his musical work collaborating with international artists: Eruption, Yloi, Herman Rabbit from 'Scorpions', Ginger Baker. With his group 'Madhouse' he released in 1979 From the East and Giacca de Blue and with 'Phoenix' the LP Transsylvania (1981). With 'Rated X' he released Rock Bolded and Forbidden for the Youth. Meanwhile he toured in Germany and worldwide.


Ovidiu Lipan Ţăndărică - Rhythm Introduction
After the fall of communism in 1989, Lipan returned to Romania, with a mega-tournament 'Phoenix' in the largest Romanian cities. He released Symphoenix - Timişoara (1992), Aniversare 35 (1997), Ora-Hora (1999), Baba Novak (2005) with 'Phoenix', Excalibur (1997) and Transilvania (1998) with 'Lipan Connection' and some solo projects Visul Toboşarului (Drummer's Dream, 1999, 2005), Renaşterea (Rebirth, 2001), Aniversare (Anniversary, 2003), Bachiţa (2004), Getica (2004), La Passion (2006), Iskender (2007). Now he has solo projects and also plays with 'Phoenix'.

Village Museum Bucharest

The Village Museum, lying on the Herăstrău lake shore in Bucharest, is one of the biggest and the oldest outdoors museum in Europe.


In the 1930's, in Europe there were only two open-air museums: The Skansen Museum in Stockholm (1891) and Bigdo Museum in Lillehamer (Norway). In our country, at that time, existed the Ethnographic Museum of Transylvania in the Hoia Park in Cluj, founded in 1929 by Professor Romulus Vuia. In Romania, the idea of creating an outdoor museum appeared since the second half of the nineteenth century: Alexander Odobescu proposed the presentation in the Universal Exhibition in Paris, in a special pavilion, of monuments of popular architecture.



Later, scientist Alex Tzigara Samurcaş would consider bringing in the Ethnographic, National Art, Decorative Arts and Industrial Arts Museum in Bucharest, founded by him in 1906, of "authentic and complete of all households most important regions inhabited by Romanians". The project begun by exposure in 1909 in this museum, of the "Ceauru" house, a real wood architectural jewel of Gorj County. All these initiatives were the founding premises of the appearance of open air museums in Romania: the Ethnographic Museum of Transylvania in Cluj, with regional specific, and the National Village Museum "Dimitrie Gusti" in Bucharest, with national character.



The creation of the National Village Museum was the goal of an intensive and sustained research, also as museography experiments developed over more than a decade, coordinated by Dimitrie Gusti, founder of the Sociological School of Bucharest. As head of the Sociological Department of the University of Bucharest, Gusti organized between 1925-1935, with specialists in different fields (sociologists, ethnographers, folklorist, geographers, statisticians, physicians) and his students, research campaign with interdisciplinary nature, in a relatively large number of villages. At the end of those campaigns were organized, with items brought from the field, two major exhibitions in 1934 and 1935, as a prelude to the future open-air museum in Bucharest.



Based on these experiences, in 1936, in only two months, Gusti could build the outstanding National Village Museum. In that short time, teams of specialists and students (the same who participated in field campaigns), led by Professors D. Gusti and H.H. Stahl, purchased from studied villages buildings (houses, household annexes, churches, plant) and indoor objects (furniture, ceramics, fabrics, tools, etc.),considered as representative for their places of origin. In compliance with the criterion of authenticity and the respect for local traditions of construction, the buildings were reconstructed by craftsmen from the origin villages of the monuments, who worked under supervision of the specialists Henry H. Stahl and Victor Ion Popa. The official opening was on May 10, 1936, in the presence of King Carol II and for the public a week later, on May 17.


In its early stage, between 1936-1940, the Museum had a surface of 6.5 ha, with 33 authentic sites transferred from the villages studied. Their arrangement was made after a plan developed by the playwright and designer Victor Ion Popa. This plan, which is largely true today, tends to reproduce the map of Romania, by grouping the monuments of architecture and popular technique on the criterion of geographical proximity of villages of origin, in areas representing major historical provinces of the country. The museum has today over 100,000 m2, and contains 272 authentic peasant farms and houses from all over Romania.