Romania travel: Six places to visit during the December 1 break
The end of November comes with a short holiday for many Romanians as November 30, when the country celebrates St. Andrew's Day, and December 1, its National Day, are public holidays. For public sector employees, these add up to a five-day…
Iulia Asproiu · Journalist
· Updated · 4 min read
The end of November comes with a short holiday for many Romanians as November 30, when the country celebrates St. Andrew's Day, and December 1, its National Day, are public holidays. For public sector employees, these add up to a five-day holiday after the government declared December 2 a legal day off for them. For those who want to take the opportunity to travel at this time, here is a list of six destinations to consider.
Alba Iulia
December 1 is Romania's National Day, marking the union of Romanian-majority provinces of Transylvania, Banat, Crişana, Maramureş, Bessarabia, and Bucovina with the Kingdom of Romania, which at the time was made up of Wallachia and Moldavia.
Alba Iulia (opening photo), one of Romania's most stunning cities, has a special charm to the celebration of the union. The city is ideal for history lovers, as here is where The Great National Assembly was held and where it was agreed to have Transylvania, Banat, Crișana, and Maramureş unite to the old Romanian kingdom.
Make sure to visit the Alba Carolina Bastion Fortification, which was built more than 300 years ago. Here you can travel back in time and witness the strongest fortification used to defend against the Turks.
Moreover, there are numerous additional attractions in Alba Iulia that visitors shouldn't miss, including the Batthyaneu Library, the Horea, Cloșca, and Crișan Obelisk, the Coronation Cathedral, the National Museum of the Unification, and many others.
A short trip there might be insufficient to see all the historical sites within or close to the city, but the charm of Alba Iulia is sure to leave an impression.
Maramureș
For a unique Romanian experience, Maramureș is the place to visit on December 1. Among the major attractions in this region are historical sites and winter scenery. You may have a vacation in the true Romanian spirit in many of the region's villages, as they have managed to maintain their cultural identity and customs.
Do not miss Săpânţa's Merry Cemetery to see the hilarious messages on the crosses, which make it unique. Stan Ioan Pătraș was the architect of this location, and a memorial house, exhibiting other works by him, can be found nearby.
