There are many misconceptions about Romania, be it that we’re Russians or Budapest and Bucharest are the same thing. But if you’re planning a trip in this beautiful country, you should have your data straight. And this article is here to make light on all those things that people have got wrong about Romania.
Misconceptions about Romania: Budapest is Romania’s capital city
Still with a B, but it’s Bucharest and it’s quite a lovely and lively city. Bucharest is an architectural mosaic with both old and new buildings that reflect the period of their construction. The streets of the old city and Calea Victoriei, Romania’s oldest boulevard, are home to one of Bucharest’s best-preserved buildings. Nearby you’ll find traces of the communist era in the shape of the Palace of Parliament, the second largest administrative building in the world after the Pentagon.
With the Bucharest Sightseeing Walking Tour, you will get a chance to explore both the city center and other important landmarks like parks, museums, and experience daily life in Bucharest by riding the subway. By the end of it, you’ll never confuse Little Paris, as Bucharest is also known, with Hungary’s capital city.
Misconceptions about Romania: Romanians are Russians
Ok, I hear you. We have the same word for yes, “Da”. We’re neighbors and Russia has had a great influence on Romania’s history and language. But Romanians are not of Slavic descent. Actually, Romanians are Latins just like the Spanish, Italians, and French and Romanian language is a Latin language. And we’re pretty proud of that heritage.
Right in the middle of Bucharest’s old city, you can see the statue of the she-wolf with Remus and Romulus. There is also the much-debated statue in front of the History Museum of Traian, Roman emperor, with the wolf. Also in several spots around the country, you can find Roman ruins.
Misconceptions about Romania: Romanians don’t speak English
Stop anyone on the street below the age of forty and you’ll be able to have a chat in English. You see, Romanians have attended in their childhood one of the best English school in the world, CartoonNetwork without subtitles.
Romania is also a francophone country. Parlez-vous francais? Also with the rise of telenovelas and also due to work migration, a big part of Romanians can speak Italian and Spanish.
Misconceptions about Romania: Romania is all country-side and donkey carts
Romania has many beautiful authentic villages that still keep the traditional way of life. Just visit Măgura and Peștera and be amazed of the tranquility and the simple way of life. But Romania also has big, busy cities full of nightclubs, museums, theaters and business centers.
Although those donkey-pulled carts are still in use in some villages, I’m sorry to tell you that Romanians use cars just like everybody else. You might have heard of Dacia, a Romanian car producer (and a car) that derives its name from Romania’s old country name. The manufacturing plant in Mioveni, Argeș County is Europe’s fifth-biggest car manufacturing facility by volume.
So Romanians going to work in donkey-pulled carts is just one of the misconceptions about Romania.
Misconceptions about Romania: Romanians are fascinated with Dracula and vampires
These getts a little bit old and annoying sometimes. While Romanians are happy of the attention that the Dracula myth brings to our country, we’re more proud of the real stories and sites that stand behind it. Let me explain.
Dracula is a fascinating story, but by all means, it’s not Romanian. Vampires do not exist in the Romanian folklore, but we have some pretty interesting creatures of our own: iele, mamoarca, moroi etc. Also, Vlad the Impaler, the man believed to be Dracula has a fascinating story of its own being the ruler of Wallachia. Furthermore, Bran Castle, the Dracula Castle, besides being an impressive construction, has a beautiful story behind it, a story linked to Romania Royal Familly and the most beloved Queen of Romania.
Find out all the stories and decide for yourself if Dracula is just a myth or has some truth in it with the Two days Dracula Tour.
Don’t believe everything you hear. Come, visit Romania and see for yourself!
