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cycling	Cycle Romania on a bicycle
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skiing	Skiing holidays in Romania
where to stay	Overnight in Romania hotels, guesthouses, homestays

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Romania and UNESCO

The project allowed the renovation of the monastery, which is one of the Churches of Moldavia. It was financed by Japanese funds. These Byzantine masterpieces are inscribed on the World Heritage List and are a prime example of cooperation between Romania and UNESCO.

Romania joined UNESCO on July 27, 1956.

The country hosts the UNESCO European Centre for Higher Education (CEPES). The CEPES, which is also the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Education in Europe, has been working since 1972 on the drafting of legislation aimed at improving higher education in Europe.

Properties inscribed on the World Heritage List:

Properties inscribed on the World Heritage List:

Cultural

Churches of Moldavia (1993)
Abore, Humor, Patrauti, Probota, Suceava, Voronet
With their painted exterior walls, decorated with 15th- and 16th-century frescoes that are considered masterpieces of Byzantine art, these seven churches in northern Moldavia are unique in Europe. Far from being merely wall decorations, the paintings represent complete cycles of religious murals on all facades. Their outstanding composition, elegant outline and harmonious colours blend perfectly with the surrounding landscape.

Dacian Fortresses of the Orastie Mountains (1999)
Built in the 1st centuries B.C. and A.D. under Dacian rule, these fortresses show an unusual fusion of military and religious architectural techniques and concepts from the classical world and the late European Iron Age. The six defensive works, the nucleus of the Dacian Kingdom, were conquered by the Romans at the beginning of the 2nd century A.D.; their extensive and well-preserved remains stand in spectacular natural surroundings and give a dramatic picture of a vigorous and innovative civilization.
Justification for Inscription
Criterion (ii): The Dacian fortresses represent the fusion of techniques and concepts of military architecture from inside and outside the classical world to create a unique style. Criterion (iii):The Geto-Dacian kingdoms of the late 1st millennium BC attained an exceptionally high cultural and socio-economic level, and this is symbolized by this group of fortresses. Criterion (iv): The hill-fort and its evolved successor, the oppidum, were characteristic of the Late Iron Age in Europe, and the Dacian fortresses are outstanding examples of this type of defended site.

Historic Centre of Sighişoara (1999)
Founded by German craftsmen and merchants known as the Saxons of Transylvania, Sighisoara is a fine example of a small, fortified medieval town which played an important strategic and commercial role on the fringes of central Europe for several centuries.
Justification for Inscription
Criterion (iii):Sighisoara is an outstanding testimony to the culture of the Transylvanian Saxons, a culture that is coming to a close after 850 years and will continue to exist only through its architectural and urban monuments. Criterion (v): Sighisoara is an outstanding example of a small fortified city in the border region between the Latin-oriented culture of central Europe and the Byzantine-Orthodox culture of south-eastern Europe. The apparently unstoppable process of emigration by the Saxons, the social stratum which had formed and upheld the cultural traditions of the region, threatens the survival of their architectural heritage as well.

Wooden Churches of Maramureş (1999)
Bârsana, Budesti, Desesti, Ieud, Plopis, Poienile Izei, Târgu-Lapus Rogoz, Surdesti
These eight churches are outstanding examples of a range of architectural solutions from different periods and areas. They show the variety of designs and craftsmanship adopted in these narrow, high, timber constructions with their characteristic tall, slim clock towers at the western end of the building, either single- or double-roofed and covered by shingles. As such, they are a particular vernacular expression of the cultural landscape of this mountainous area of northern Romania.

Justification for Inscription
Criterion (iv): The Maramures wooden churches are outstanding examples of vernacular religious wooden architecture resulting from the interchange of Orthodox religious traditions with Gothic influences in a specific vernacular interpretation of timber construction traditions, showing a high level of artistic maturity and craft skills.

 

 

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