Romanian Royal Train opens for tourists in Targu Jiu railway station

It has carried kings, a dictator and an American president across Romania and now the Royal Train sits Targu Jiu railway station waiting for visitors. Made in 1928 in Milan, the train was used by royal family until 1948, when King Michael, in its luxurious carriages, took his last lunch on Romanian territory before going into exile. During communism, the train, furnished with Cordoba leather, nut tree and rose wood, Murana glass and Bohemia crystal, served as the presidential train for Nicolae Ceausescu until 1977, after which it was replaced by a Romanian-made train. In 1975, the train hosted American president Gerard For and state secretary Henry Kisinger, who travelled across Romania together with Ceausescu. Made of 5 wagons, it is currently owned and managed by the Romanian railways company CFR. It is open for visits until Wednesday, September 11. Its showcasing is among Gorj county's attempts to increase tourism in the area. A series of other events are being organized in the county, including folk music shows organized in Targu Jiu, and a cycling caravan to Hobita, the village where mater sculptor Constantin Brancusi was born, and at the ensemble in Targu Jiu comprising Brancusi's House of Silence, The Gate of the Kiss, and the Endless Column. A concert by Mike Godoroja & Blue Spirit is scheduled for Wednesday evening (September 11) at the Gate of the Kiss. editor@romania-insider.com