Could it be that Hoia Baciu and the Bermuda Triangle are both inter-dimensional zones where it is easy to accidentally find oneself in another universe? In the late 1960s, a biologist by the name of Alexandru Sift is said to have taken pictures of a disc or flying saucer hovering over the forest. 'The lake is growing rapidly, and there are still people living in the area who live with the threat of poisonous water encroaching on their homes. Haunted Happenings guests on this tour have been invited to attend the famous Vampire Ball at the Castle on 29th October and the Exclusive Overnight Ghost Hunt on 30th October. On 18 May 2009 administration of Bran Castle was transferred from the government to Archduke Dominic and his sisters, Baroness Maria Magdalena of Holzhausen and Elisabeth Sandhofer. It is a national monument and landmark in Transylvania. 5 out of 5. It's easy, free, and your work on the wiki can be attributed to you. And its pretty special, too. And while some people may seem content with the story as it stands, our view is that there existcountless mysteries, scientific anomalies and surprising artifacts thathave yet to be discovered and explained. Source: / Adobe Stock, Andreescu, A. All rights reserved. Your email address will not be published. Known by his murderous moniker, Vlad epe (the Impaler), the 15th-century Wallachian nobleman was said to have skewered up to 80,000 enemies on long spikes. This one-of-a-kind lake in Romania appeared after the collapse of a cave ceiling. Crater-sized potholes and the odd stray dog are your biggest challenges. Bucharest - Curtea de Arges - Poienari Castle - Vidraru Dam - Transfagarasan Road - Balea Lake - Sibiu - Sibiel. Known for being home to Transylvania, a mysterious place that inspired the creation of monsters such as Dracula, Romania is also famous for being ruled by some of the most gruesome and brutal leaders in history. The village was sacrificed for the sake of a nearby copper mine that needed somewhere to dump its. Today, ethnic Hungarians make up around 19% of the population of Transylvania. One tale tells of a young girl who disappeared into the forest, only to reappear five years later unable to remember where she had been. And its not just for pre-dinner drinks. Outside this country is known as Dracula's Castle, a popular tourist destination in the historical region of Transylvania. A drive through Eastern Europe's twilight zone. political prisoners, the so-called enemies of the state, condemned to many years of forced labor, Its located in Stanisoarei Mountains, close to Piatra Neamt, and hasalmost150 hectares. Throughout the history of civilization, the concept of the apocalypse has been ever present, in one way or another. Feeling brave? A hike to Gales Lake (1,990 meters)is one of the best ways to uncoverRetezat National Park. All the images will be on display at the Royal Geographical Society, London, from 22 June to 10 July; the winners will be announced on 25 June. Were especially keen to stop somewhere near a lake , as our 9 year old is coming along too and she is a keen swimmer. This is Geamana, Romania, an abandoned village in the Apuseni Mountains of Transylvania. The Red Lake got its name from the nearby Red Creek, which is filled with various alluvia of a reddish color, such as iron oxides and hydroxides. I . Capra Lake is one of the most beautiful from the high-altitude Fagaras Mountains. At least 50 ships and 20 airplanes have famously disappeared within this region, seemingly without a trace. Traveler favorites. The castle is now a museum dedicated to displaying art and furniture collected by Queen Marie. Located under the Closed Gates (Portile Inchise) at 2,070 meters altitude, Taul Tapului has 2.3 hectares and a depth of six meters. It is known as the King's Road; it is closed most of the year because there are no protective walls, and driving is dangerous. So, before hiking, it's in your interest to find out whether there are likely to be bears in the area and what to do if you encounter one. After all, the region has a fantastic culture, some of the best universities in the country, beautiful nature, and a unique cultural mix. Plus, youre also a short distance from smaller glacial lakes like Lia, Ana, Viorica, and Florica. Norimitsu Odachi: Who Could Have Possibly Wielded This Enormous 15th Century Japanese Sword? Its a perfectly pleasant recreation area, letting locals and visitors take a break from urban Cluj-Napoca. The Prince of Walesis involved in conservation of rural villages and has bought and restored a handful of farmhouses that visitors can rent. The Real Dracula: Vlad the Impaler in Live Science . #dailynewshungary #hungary #transilvania Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. Every year, thousands of people come to see this 11 hectares lake and enjoy the scenery of the many tree trunks that rise from the water. The lake, supplied by an underground karst spring, never changes its color and never freezes. According to local legends, ghosts and spirits lurk among the crooked trees. No date. The Iliad can provide new insights on the role of motherhood among the ancient Greek gods, and by extension, amongst ancient mortal Greek women themselves. At the bottom of the hill is a small open-air museum exhibiting traditional Romanian peasant structures (cottages, barns, water-driven machinery, etc.) Some even call it the Bermuda Triangle of Romania.. Other nearby attractions are an open-air museum and the oldest Neolithic archaeological site in Romania, Gura Baciului. It spans across 250 hectares of Transylvania and is considered one of the most haunted places on the planet because of strange paranormal phenomena that is consistently reported. 1. The Carpathian Mountains are home to wolves, lynx and Europes largest population of brown bears. The two most popular explanations for the strange nature of the Hoia Baciu forest seem to be that it is either haunted or a realm with portals to other dimensions. The village was sacrificed for the sake of a nearby copper mine that needed somewhere to dump its tailings the sludge left over after the valuable minerals have been separated from ore. Some people claim that the forest is haunted by the ghosts of peasants that were murdered and who now wander the forest in anger from being trapped within it. Could there be a perfectly normal and mundane explanation to the strange activity and legends associated with Hoia Forest in Romania? Despite its beauty, the dam has its tragic side. An out-of-place grove of sequoias thrives in northern Spain. What is the Bermuda Triangle? in National Ocean Service (NOAA) . No purchase necessary. 2015. This natural dam appeared in the first part of the 19th century on the valley of the Bicaz River, closeto Ceahlau Mountain and Bicaz Gorges. Gura Baciului dates to perhaps 6,500 BC. It is associated with the Starcevo-Koros-Cris archaeological complex which is believed by most researchers to represent some of the earliest farmers in Europe. The Hoia Baciu forest, whether it is deserved or not, has earned the reputation of being the Bermuda Triangle of Romania, and probably all of eastern Europe. Available at: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/archaeology/research/directory/early-neolithic-settlement-archaeology-north/process-neolithic-settlement, Lallanilla, M. 2017. Romanias Enigmatic Trovants: Living Rocks That Grow and Move! Are the Misty Peaks of the Azores Remnants of the Legendary Atlantis? People also report seeing strange lights in the forest, hearing footsteps from unseen figures, capturing otherwise non-existent faces in photographs, and hearing laughter or female voices. Two main hypotheses are used to explain how Middle Eastern agriculture and technology spread through Europe. According to local legends, ghosts and spirits lurk among the crooked trees. Add to Compare. AtAncient Origins, we believe that one of the most important fields of knowledge we can pursue as human beings is our beginnings. Our list includes the largest artificial and natural dams, glacial lakes, and more surprising destinations. The guys travel across Transylvania to hunt for Dracula, searching Targoviste Castle, Hoia-Baciu Forest and Hunedoara Castle for answers. TRANSYLVANIA. Built as a military route in the 1970son Ceauescus order, it winds up and over the towering Fgr Mountains. The natural dam blocked the entire valley of the Cuejdel River in the early 90s, after several earthquakes and heavy rains. It is claimed that he had no reason to make the story up since he had nothing to gain. Camping here will also give you easier access to the highest peaks of Retezat, Peleaga (2,509 meters), Papusa (2,508 meters), Retezat (2,482 meters), and Bucura I (2,433 meters). Although many castles of the time belonged to members of the nobility, it has been established that Bran Castle was built almost exclusively for fortification and protection of German colonists in Transylvania. For the commune that bears those names in German and Hungarian, see, "Visit Transylvania:: Via Transylvania Tours: self-drive & guided tours of Romania", "Romania: Did Dracula Ever Set Foot In Dracula's Castle? This is the Cultural Diffusion Model. Many times, the inhabitants of Transylvania, the Romanian region that everyone knows thanks to Bram Stoker's Dracula, are quite annoyed by the fact that people have only heard about it from the novel. But the lake is rising on average 3ft a year and edging closer to where they now call home. The Hoia Baciu Forest is often referred to as the "Bermuda . The blue lake from Cheile Nerei-Beusnita National Park opens our list. A hike to Gales Lake (1,990 meters)is one of the best ways to uncoverRetezat National Park. Romania attacked to the north-west after declaring war on August 27 1916, but this brought a swift and vicious response from the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, the Ottoman . This forest also happens to be near the oldest Neolithic archaeological site in the country. This is just speculation, but Gura Baciului may have been considered valuable real estate compared to the more challenging terrain to the west. The stunning shots capture the Romanian ghost village of Geamana, which was evacuated and deliberately flooded in 1978 to make way for one of the continent's largest copper mines. The communist government at the time considered belief in the paranormal to be a sign of insanity and a threat to the state. Tongue-twisting Hungarian is the default language in eastern Transylvania. [6], The first documented mention of Bran Castle is the act issued by Louis I of Hungary on 19 November, 1377, giving the Saxons of Kronstadt (modern Braov) the privilege to build the stone castle at their own expense and labour force; the settlement of Bran began to develop nearby. No date. This is because the water in the lake comes . Understanding the Mysterious Kingdom of Shambhala, Alleged Sighting of the Mythical Manananggal in the Philippines Causes Public Anxiety, The Truth Behind the Christ Myth: Ancient Origins of the Often Used Legend Part I, The Evidence is Cut in Stone: A Compelling Argument for Lost High Technology in Ancient Egypt, Caesars Savage Human Skewers Unearthed In German Fort. He is especially interested in classical Greek history and Read More. This is also speculation, but when dealing with strange events, should not the more likely and less fanciful explanations be considered first? Some people also report missing time and have no recollection of what they did during that missing time. This is the Demic Diffusion Model. Home Attractions Attractions Nature Top 10 Lakes in Romania You Should See, If youd like to explore nature in Romania,check our tours on www.uncover-romania-tours.com. We'll start with the most famous place to visit in Transylvania just to get it out of the way! Pilot Amanda Harrison wanted to fly solo from England to Australia. , updated Could the situation be similar for the Hoia Baciu forest? Over time, the forest has gained a reputation for being hauntedby unfriendly spirits, a site of UFO activity, and a place where cultists open portals to other dimensions. The Hoia-Baciu Forest (in picture), also known as Romania's Bermuda Triangle, is situated near Cluj-Napoca and covers 250 hectares. House For Rent In Pancota - Id : Rh-30973-property 2.500 /month. Roll the word around in your mouth and see what it conjures. about The Sinaia Lead Plates: Dacian Treasure Trove or Impressive Fakes? Private Tours. This could have led to miscalculations in navigation which could have been disastrous. The lake appeared as the result of successive landslides starting from 1978. While the medieval Saxon architecture has survived, the population has dwindled. The Red Lake is the largest barrier lake in the Eastern Carpathian Mountains.It is located in the foothills of the Hmaul Mare Mountain, near the Bicaz Gorges, and it was formed after the collapse of a slope caused by an earthquake in 1838.. Some may think it's fictional, but this central Romanian region is a real place. No date. It is one of the oldest Saxon settlements in Transylvania. Explore the lore Located on a scenic trail that goes above 2,000 meters, Gales Lake is one of the best images of the spectacular nature of the Carpathians. It became the favorite home and retreat of Marie of Romania, who ordered its extensive renovation conducted by the Czech architect Karel Zdenk Lman[cs]. Trains are slow, so buses are your best bet between towns and cities (check timetables here), but youll need to hire a car to explore the countryside (try Autonom). We depend on ad revenue to craft and curate stories about the worlds hidden wonders. You can even see it from the top of the nearby. After one experiment, Johnny turns into a monster and everyone else becomes human. Bucura is the largest glacial lake in the country, 8.8 hectares, and a symbol of Retezat National Park. The fictional character, described as a Transylvanian blood-thirsty count, is often associated with the Wallachian ruler Vlad the Impaler, a ruthless despot who enjoyed impaling criminals of his time. al. 3. The lake is only three meters deep and so transparent that youll see many lucky trouts who swim undisturbed. Vlad Tepes, also known as Vlad the Impaler or Vlad Dracul (Vlad the Devil - but more on this later), was a very strict, yet cruel leader who had terrible punishments for those who broke the law or offended him - no little how small their mistake was. Izvorul Muntelui or Bicaz is the biggest artificial lake in Romaniaand one of the most impressive in the country, . Plus, youre also a short distance from smaller glacial lakes like Lia, Ana, Viorica, and Florica. Transylvania is Romania's best-known region and home to numerous historic sites and natural areas that delight visitors from all over the world. SOLD: Bungallow-Villa in Klnok (Calnic) - Transylvania | Price: 122 000 Euro or 172 000 Euro FOR SALE: Industrial building in Hilib (village) in county Covasna - Transylvania | Price: 27,000 Euro SOLD: Bungallow-Villa in Blvnyos (Baile Balvanyos) - Transylvania | Price: 79,000 Euro Outside of Romania, however, Transylvania is most-widely associated with Bram Stoker's famous novel, Dracula. Transylvania makes up the western central part of Romania and is located near a boundary between two topographic and ecological zones, the hills to the east that are covered in old oak forests and the Hungarian plain to the west that extends almost to Vienna. Our open community is dedicated to digging into the origins of our species on planet earth, and question wherever the discoveries might take us. 2019. Enter dates. The Forestry Commission owns a number of hides where you can observe bears in the wild with a ranger, including the popular Stramba Valley hide north of Zrnesti. To the surprise of many, Dracula's Castle is a real place going by the historical name of Bran Castle - a medieval castle truly impressive even without the added fame! Inhaling the gas can be fatal, so its strictly under medical supervision. As a steady supply of acidic grey-and-red liquid filled Geamana's valley following the mine's opening, 20 villagers refused to leave and simply moved to higher ground. Perched on a peak with turrets and towers, Bran Castle looks straight off the pages of your favourite vampire novel. The waste products from the mine were washed into the man-made valley, which spelled the end for the remote community. The stumps of trees are also said to have unexplained charring. In his conversations with the character Jonathan Harker, Dracula reveals himself as intensely proud of his boyar culture with a yearning . The Libearty Bear Sanctuary near Braov cares for more than70 bears rescued from cages and circuses. We will also be visiting the Real Castle of Dracula at Poienari. As such, its a place that lends well to stories steeped with darkness. Over the next several thousand years, the use of Middle Eastern domesticates spread across Europe until the continent was mostly populated by farmers. Locals like to welcome guests and toast most happy occasions with a shot. Location: Fagaras Mountains, Sibiu County. It may be helpful to compare the phenomenon of Hoia Baciu to the Bermuda Triangle to gain a better understanding of what might be happening in the seemingly haunted forest. It is largely due to American cinema that Vlad III is considered the inspiration for the Dracula character.[15]. The buoyant, balmy waters of Ocna Sibiului near Sibiu right up there with the Dead Sea when it comes to salinity are good for arthritis. A crumbling rooftop also appears to float on the red and yellow sludge caused by a nearby mine. See. Demic and cultural diffusion propagated the Neolithic transition across different regions of Europe in Journal of the Royal Society . Youll recognize it as soon as youll see its small green island rising one meter above the water, but there is no marked trail down to the lake. In 14381442, the castle was used in defense against the Ottoman Empire, and later became a customs post on the mountain pass between Transylvania and Wallachia. The other model is that Anatolian settlers contributed little to the genetics of European Neolithic populations. Bram Stokers 1897 vampire novel was inspired by centuries-old superstition and the real-life exploits of Vlad Dracula. Even Transylvania's more recent history is complex, but here goes: Transylvania's populationof just under 7 millionhas a mix of ethnic Hungarians and Romanians: Around 70% Romanian, 18% Hungarian, with much smaller populations of Roma, Ukrainian, and German. I have read and accepted the Privacy Policy *, By signing up, I agree to the Privacy Policy, Automated page speed optimizations for fast site performance, Diana is a tourism consultant, tour guide, travel writer and amateur photographer. Transylvania has a number of resort towns, famed for their therapeutic waters. 'The sad story began in 1977, when Nicolae Ceausescu moved the population from Geamana village to make a waste disposal site for the Rosia Poieni copper mine,' said Mr Lipovan. Murdaugh is heckled as he leaves court, Ken Bruce finishes his 30-year tenure as host of BBC Radio 2, Moment teenager crashes into back of lorry after 100mph police race, Alex Murdaugh unanimously found GUILTY of murder of wife and son, Isabel Oakeshott clashes with Nick Robinson over Hancock texts, Family of a 10-month-old baby filmed vaping open up, Ukrainian soldier takes out five tanks with Javelin missiles. Still, its best to visit during spring or autumn as summers tend to be too overcrowded. Take a day trip to Bran Castle and Peles Castle. [4] This castle was destroyed by the Mongols in 1242. Must-see spots include the pastel-hued city ofSighioara and the churches of Biertan and Viscri, all Unesco World Heritage Sites. Mudlarker Finds Bronze Age Shoe on a UK Riverbank Dated 2,800 Years Old! Its also widely spoken in cities such as Miercurea-Ciuc, Trgu Mureand Cluj-Napoca and the counties of Covasna and Harghita. Mr Lipovan said: 'Geamana is a missing village, a ghost village, swallowed by a lake that has vivid, unreal living colours. It is also a recreational area with numerous hiking trails and biking paths. Romania is said to have around 6,000 brown bears in the hills and mountain areas of the country, quite a bit of which covers Transylvania. We rent a 10-room house in Pancota, on the ground floor 2 rooms, 2 kitchens, 1 bathroom, living room, dining area, pantry, upstairs 8 rooms, 4 bathroo. We added more than 2,500 places to the Atlas this year, and these are the ones that really stuck with us. 2014. Be careful if you decide to descend anyway. [3], In 1212, the Teutonic Order built the wooden castle of Dietrichstein as a fortified position in the Burzenland at the entrance to a mountain pass through which traders had travelled for more than a millennium. It should also be noted that, although ships and airplanes have gone missing in the Bermuda Triangle , the vast majority that have passed through the area have not. You can reach the lake in only 50 minutes, starting from the popular Balea Lake (2,037 meters), a bit more if youre traveling with kids on a road trip in Romania. [1] Stoker's description of Dracula's crumbling fictional castle also bears no resemblance to Bran Castle. In the days before accurate weather prediction, it is possible that ships could have encountered bad weather that was not expected. These are 10 of the most beautiful lakes in Romania, but youll discover more in your travels across Romania. On 18 May 2006, after a period of legal proceedings, the castle was legally returned to the heirs of the Habsburg family. It was once believed that he was imprisoned there after he was captured by the Hungarians in 1462, but historians now conclude that he was imprisoned in a fortress in Budapest. Its served at room temperature and downed in one with a hearty Noroc! Transylvania Ghost Tour Two. Available at: https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsif.2015.0166#:~:text=The%20demic%20diffusion%20model%20assumes,neighbouring%20farming%20populations%20%5B2%5D, Hervella, M. et. While its hard to avoid the creepy count, youll also find hardwood forests, lush pastures and wildflower meadows. about Romanias Enigmatic Trovants: Living Rocks That Grow and Move! Romania Transylvania Transylvania's forested valleys and Gothic castles are forever embedded in the popular imagination. By bringing together top experts and authors, this archaeology website explores lost civilizations, examines sacred writings, tours ancient places, investigates ancient discoveries and questions mysterious happenings. Layer by Layer: A Mexico City Culinary Adventure, Sacred Granaries, Kasbahs and Feasts in Morocco, Monster of the Month: The Hopkinsville Goblins, Paper Botanicals With Kate Croghan Alarcn, Writing the Food Memoir: A Workshop With Gina Rae La Cerva, Reading the Urban Landscape With Annie Novak, How to Grow a Dye Garden With Aaron Sanders Head, Making Scents: Experimental Perfumery With Saskia Wilson-Brown, The Frozen Banana Stands of Balboa Island, The Paratethys Sea Was the Largest Lake in Earths History, How Communities Are Uncovering Untold Black Histories, The Medieval Thieves Who Used Cats, Apes, and Turtles as Accomplices, Romania: Castles, Ruins, and Medieval Villages, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoia_Forest, https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/europe/hoia-baciu-transylvania-haunted-trees-ufo-ghosts-how-to-visit-camping-alex-surducan-marius-a8023136.html, https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2017/oct/29/transylvania-hoia-baciu-haunted-forest-cluj-napoca-romania-culture.