Vistea, Dragus, Sambata de Sus
|
|
Those who want to discover a part of Tara Fagarasului (Fagaras Region) can go to the centre of the big fan made up by Fagaras Mountains, to the South of Olt River and to the North of the biggest peak in Romania, Moldoveanu, at the bottom of Fagaras Mountains. There lay three neighbouring localities creating a coherent entirety still preserving their individual features. The nature from these areas is fascinating and intact; Fagaras Mountains display their entire splendour and the history, culture, traditions and folk art make these three communes highly attractive among tourists.
Vistea
Vistea is situated in the centre of the country, to the West of Brasov County, on DN1, at the bottom of Fagaras Mountains. It includes the villages Vistea de Jos, Vistea de Sus, Vistisoara, Oltet and Rucar. It was documentary attested in the 14th century. The "Granicereasca" School (Border Patrol School) was created here in the 19th century. In 1939 the folk dance group from Vistea de Jos won the 1st place at the international congress of ethnographic science and folk dances from Stockholm. All these traditions were passed from father to son and turned into account. Food lovers can taste oven or spit roasted stuffed lamb, mutton pastrami, game or trout.
Dragus
Dragus is situated in the centre of the country, to the Western border of Brasov County, at the bottom of Fagaras Mountains, to the North of the highest peak in Romania, Moldoveanu Peak. The locality was documentary attested in the 14th century. Old folk art traditions are still preserved today here and may be admired at national and international tourism fairs.
In 1929 ethnographer Harry Brauner collects in Dragus village a successful song which later on will be introduced in the repertoire of folk music singer Maria Tanase and known as "Cine iubeste si lasa" (He who loves and leaves).
Tourists may taste the dessert, the traditional cozonac cake, a dish always present at holidays or events.
Sambata de Sus
Sambata de Sus, documentary attested on January 20th 1437, is the administrator of Brancoveanu Monastery, built in 1657, by the order of High Steward Preda Brancoveanu. It contains interior wall paintings, executed in 1766 by painters Ionascu and Pana. The restored church was sanctified in 1946.
Another objective is Brancoveanu Castle which now undergoes restoration and rehabilitation works as a tourist attraction.
Besides the local customs and traditions, tourists can enjoy the traditional cuisine with consistent dishes including polenta with cheese, milk and scrambled eggs or bacon, meat-stuffed rolled cabbage leaves, sour soups, chicken or pork dishes with influences from the Saxon or Hungarian cuisine.
