Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SUPERSTITION IN ROMANIA
Jonathan Harker noted in
Dracula
: '... every known superstition in the world is gathered into the horse-shoe of the
Carpathians, as if it were the centre of some sort of imaginative whirlpool'.
Few peoples cherish their old-world folk tales as do Romanians, with a colourful panoply of witches, giants,
ghosts, heroes, fairies and Nosferatu to keep them awake at night. Given that much of Romania is rural and remote,
it's not surprising that some of these superstitions and tales survive to this day. As much as 20% of people in Mara-
mureş still believe in witchcraft.
Some traditions are innocuous, like a tree strung with pots and pans in the front garden, advertising that there's a
daughter in the household who's free to marry. However, in certain remote areas there are more disturbing beliefs.
Garlic and crosses are still wielded, and bodies are exhumed and a stake driven through their hearts to stop them
haunting, as in the case of the village of Marotinul-de-Sus (west of Bucharest) back in 2004. During the total eclipse
of 1999, while urbanites were partying, others in Romania were lighting bonfires and ringing churchbells across the
countryside to ward off vampires, werewolves and evil spirits (all of which are associated with the lunar phenomen-
on).
Activities
Teofil Ivanciuc
( 0745-944 555;
www.amizadil.com
)
Teofil Ivanciuc is a local author who works as a
fixer with outfits such as National Geographic, and can take you to the mountains to ex-
plore remote villages (one-day tours €35 per person). Homestays can also be arranged in
his traditional wooden house (single/double €20/30 including breakfast).
TOUR
Sleeping
For homestays check out
www.ruraltourism.ro
or
www.pensiuni.info.ro
.
PENSION
Cobwobs Hostel $
Offline map
( 0745-635 673;
www.cobwobs.com
; Str 22 Decembrie 1989 nr; dm/d without bath-
room 40/100 lei; )
Friendly Cobwobs sits down a grassy lane in a pleasant house
whose garden is so crowded with apple and plum trees, rioting flowers and talkative
