Romania

Romania is a country of contrasts. We cover the Carpathian Mountains and Transylvania in the north, Moldavia in the east and the Danube Delta in the south. This page focuses on the capital Bucharest and the surrounding region.

Bucharest: National Military Museum

The capital city has a fine collection of museums. The very best is undoubtably the National Military Museum. Now refurbished it covers the military history Romania from early times to the present day.

There is a collection of weapons and equipment from the tribes who lived in Romania in ancient times. A section on the Dacians and the wars with the Romans follows this. The Roman occupation may not have lasted that long, but it left a legacy that includes much of the modern language. 

The medieval section reflects the two main states, Wallachia and Moldavia. Vlad Tepes, the Impaler is probably the most famous Prince of Wallachia and Stephan the Great also resisted the Ottomans. 

In the Early Modern period, we have further resistance to Ottoman rule, including Michael the Brave.

The 18th century and early 19th century exhibits include uniforms that you wont see anywhere else include Austrian border regiments based in what is now Romania.

Romania was formally unified in the 19th century and played a key role in the Russo-Turkish War of 1877.

Romania joined the First World War on the side of the Entente in 1916. After early successes they were forced behind the Siret Line in Moldavia.

Romania was allied to Germany in WW2, with its oilfields providing around one-third of Axis oil supplies. Romania joined the allies when the Soviet Union invaded in 1944.

After WW2, Romania was part of the Warsaw Pact. After the collapse of the Soviet Union it was admitted into NATO.

Bucharest: National History Museum

The National History Museum has plaster casts of Trajan's Column (depicting the Dacian Wars), which makes it a much more accessible resource than the original in Rome. 

The basement has a collection of national treasures, including Dacian arm rings and early armour.

The museum has special exhibitions. This one covered the 1943 Ploesti Raid. 

Bucharest: National Art Gallery

The National Art Gallery has portraits of Wallachian and Moldavian rulers and other historical paintings. These include Vlad Tepes and the Ottoman envoys, which didn't end well.

Bucharest Municipal Museum

This provides a detailed history of the city, a reconstruction of Michael the Brave's head, along with weapons and cavalry uniforms.

Snagov Monastery

North of Bucharest is the alleged last remains of Vlad Tepes, or at least his torso, as we know that his head wet to Constantinople. This is Snagov Monastery, which he founded, situated on a peaceful lake, very different to his turbulent life.

On the way you pass the CWGC cemetery at Tancabesti. Immaculate as usual. Near Ploesti, so mostly bomber crew attacking the oil fields. Also five crew from HMS Mersey a WW1 Royal Navy monitor that served in the Danube Flotilla. Plus Captain Russell, Scots Guards and SAS killed on an SOE mission. Lest we forget.