Romania, Part 2

Just when I was trying to add the video interview in Solca with Bob, the Priest and Victoria the guide, something happened, I am not sure what, but the result is "Romania, Part 2".

The story of Bob's grandfather, as told by his parents goes something like this:  Bob's grandfather, Trifan, was born in Solca, Romania, the son of the Mayor-Ion Rusu.  Trifan had several brothers and sisters.  After his mother died, Trifan's father remarried.  The new wife sent the children of the first wife to sleep in the barn. This motivated Trifan and his brother Petru to leave Solca and journey to America.   The other story is that Trifan told his father that he was leaving for America because the girl he loved, Alexandra, was going to America.  Trifan's father told him not to leave and if he did leave, he would not consider Trifan as his son-he went anyway.  There may also have been some political considerations because World War I started in 1914 and Trifan left for America in 1913.

Anyway, the Romanian Orthodox church in Solca, Saint Peter and Saint Paul, was a fortified church with a stone and brick wall around the grounds.  The wall was not in good condition.   This is a modest / poor church compared to the painted monasteries we saw.  Here is the interview and a few photos of the church.  The priest also took us to the "secret" treasury room behind a low metal door and up about two flights on a narrow spiral staircase.  Only a few things were left in the treasury because the Austrians who took control of the region and their use of the church as a salt warehouse, left the church with few important pieces.

Sorry, I turned the camera to a vertical angle because the priest was so tall.   Trifan sent money to the church in 1923 to help the church acquire a bell.  The "Souvenirie" is the list of contributors.  The list has been hanging there in the church since 1923.

Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul built in the 1700s.  At one point was used as a salt warehouse by the Austrians.

Entry through the wall into the church grounds.

The priest, father Martin, standing next to a burial plaque for a body that is buried in the wall.

The Romanian Orthodox alter with traditional Romanian weavings hanging above the icons.

The treasury room.

We did visit Bran Castle.  It was difficult to get a good outside photo because it was so steep but Dracula, aka Vlad the Impaler, aka Vlad Tepes was thought to have visited this castle - maybe but not historically.   It was a very beautiful castle on a hill.

 Bran Castle.  It was a little cloudy.

 Inside Bran Castle.  Victoria and I are sitting at the window seat.

 Bob and I at the window seat.

 Bran castle, inner courtyard.

 Another inner courtyard.

Bran castle well in the courtyard.

A few more photos of Romania.

Horse wagons were on almost every road.  They have inflated tires.

Can't leave out the hand painted eggs.  Very popular.  They don't use chicken eggs because the shell is too easily broken.

 Soon to be included in the historical museum.

 The trees were huge.

 Loved the storks.  Many nests had 2-3 babies.

 A small town in the Carpathian mountains.

Hope you enjoyed seeing the photos from our adventure.  Romania is an undiscovered tourist destination with few tour groups and many beautiful and interesting sites.  The food is great too.

Beth