luxury houses for sale Romania (page 5)

The buildings in the Old Center incite, attract, tempt; we stare at the facades trying to take in everything with our eyes and hope that a heavy door opens, a window with the curtain drawn to see, understand, discern the mystery of these merchant houses that make up the Old City. At number 27 is one of these, large and stylish enough to attract attention and give rise to curiosities. Its French-influenced facade features the typical first-floor wide wrought-iron balcony, floor-to-ceiling windows, and false balconies/balustrades on the second floor. The attic has elegant arched protective gables. The ground floor is a commercial space – traces of the bar can still be seen and echoes of recent laughters can be heard. It is a high space, about 92 square meters; an additional level was built on its side. On the upper floors there are rooms and bathrooms - on the 1st floor we find 6 rooms of 8-30 sqm and 5 bathrooms; the 2nd floor has 6 rooms with surfaces between 7 and 32 m plus 5 sanitary groups and passage spaces. The high and functional bridge measures 391 sq m. Each floor has its own individual cadastral number. The basement also adds ample space, the function of which remains to be explored through the lens of current regulations. There is also an inner courtyard. The apartments are accessed through a separate entrance from that of the commercial space. The building requires repair and renovation and can be converted into an apart-hotel, residential units or space for commercial and cultural activities. An old street of the city, Smârdan street appeared in the 17th century, being known a century later as Uliţa Târgului din Năuntru, then in the 19th century as The bridge that goes from the Old Court to the Şerban Vodă Inn, German or German Street It was called Smârdan after the war of independence. Not far from the property, at number 39, was the old Hotel Concordia in whose room 5 Alexandru Ioan's double election was decided on January 23, 1859. In the villa at number 27 we know that in 1927 Anette Horoviceanu was making haute couture creations parisiennes and in 1938 the Gla Company operated Trade ind. and the representative Electrical items, offices, Electro-Technical - Electrotechnical, enterprises; Romanian Technical Warehouse - Technical Offices, Company Flă. Ind. and Rep. Central heating. Sources: https://turistinbucurestiro.blogspot.com/2014/02/strada-smardan.html Photo: Tudor Prisecaru.

The castle was built during the 17th century by Gyulay Ferencz, an Austrian general, the only child of Hungarian nobleman Gyulay Ignacz. Ferencz built the mansion on the site of a smaller building. The general’s family ruled the town called Mintia, that was renamed Marosnemeti, a term derived from the Hungarian word nemet, that translates to German. Several descendants of the Gyulay family lived at the castle. Historical documents from 1806 state that the Mintia mansion was owned at that time by Gyulay Istvan, followed by Albert and K.R Gyulay. Countess Gyulay of Mintia, who married Ladislau Kuun of Osdola, later inherited the domain together with her brother, Ludovic. In 1848, the Gyulay family took refuge at Cluj and, after the revolution, Ludovic, Ladislau Kuun, his wife Constance, and their children, Irene and Geza, returned to Mintia. Ludovic was the last heir of the Gyulay family. He wrote over 100 journals about the mansion and about Mintia. All of them are preserved at the Cluj-Napoca history museum. Ludovic Gyulay modified the building in 1834, giving it the shape it has today. Ludovic Gyulay never got married and, therefore, never had any heirs. His fortune was inherited by his brother-in-law, Ladislau Kuun, followed by his son, Geza Kuun. Geza studied Hungarian and German literature at the Universities of Budapest and Gottingen, and was a member and vice president of the Budapest Academy of Sciences. He was part of Vienna’s elite social circles, and became friends with the famous composer Franz Liszt – one of the most prominent pianists of all time. It was then that he also met writer Elena Ghica – daughter of Mihai Ghica, niece of Grigore Ghica the 4th, and the first woman to have climbed the Mont Blanc peak, on June 1st 1860. After 1870, Geza Kunn settled at Mintia and married Vilma Kemeny, the daughter of baron Kemeny of Magyar-Gyeno Monosto. His presence here transformed the town into a gathering place for eminent representatives of the cultural and scientific scenes, which included V. Zakrzewski – professor at the Cracovia University, Al. Szilagyi – secretary of the Historical Society, baron Balazs Orban, A. Szecsen –Imperial Court marchal. The beauty of the mansion located on the bank of Mureș River was also admired by the president of the Archeological Society – Solyon Fekete, the director of the Deva History Museum – Teglas Gabor, and by scientist Samuel Brassay – regarded as Transylvania’s last polymath. The immense library of the Mintia Castle and the salon, decorated with family portraits and precious objects, were visited by prefect George Pogany, subprefect Coloman Barcsay, count Coloman Esterhazy – director of the Transylvania Museum, by Otto von Keller – professor at the University of Prague, Zsolt Beothy – professor at the Budapest University, and by Norwegian scientist Conrad Nielsen. Baron Miklos Josika also traveled from Brănişca to Mintia, either on foot, by car, or on horseback. He also traveled by boat on Mureş River in order to admire the park that surrounded the castle. The rare species of plants and trees that embellished the park were mesmerizing. Count Kuun named the trees after the most important Hungarian writers, many of whom had been his friends. One of the trees, for example, bore the name of Attila, in the memory of Attila Gerando. Amid the rose bushes, the visitor could also discover numerous honorary or mortuary shrines. Geza Kuun died in 1905, on April 10th, and was entombed at Cluj. Legend has it that, although the body of count Geza was inhumed at Cluj, his heart was buried in the cemetery of the Mintia Reformed Church, alongside other members of his family and former owners of the castle. The Mintia domain, that comprises the castle and the park, is classed as a historical monument of national and universal importance, class A.

A pension with restaurant built in 2007 in Olimp resort, right on the shore of Lake Tătlăgeac and near the Black Sea, protected from noise and crowding. It is located at the entrance in Olimp from DN 39B, in a quiet natural environment. The construction project was carried out by a German architect, who combined the modern design with traditional features, using predominantly natural materials. The reed roof is specific to the lake area - besides the pleasant appearance, this material also has excellent insulation properties. The guesthouse has 12 duplex rooms equipped with living room, separate bedroom with access through the interior stairs and bathroom. Seven of the rooms have view of the lake (N-E) and from their terrace you can admire the sunrise. The restaurant with indoor lounge has a capacity of 60 seats and is equipped with bar, sound system, video projector and LCD TV, being also usable as conference room. The terrace has a capacity of 150 seats. The property has a parking lot of 460 sqm and a free land of 2200 sqm, suitable for new constructions, with an opening of 40 linear meters to the lake, thus offering the possibility of expanding the tourist complex. The Reed House benefits from its own 120 sqm outdoor pool, close to the terrace and the lake, plus a private 300 sqm beach set with natural sea sand on the lake shore and a recreation area for adults and children, with facilities for tennis, basketball, soccer, badminton, trampoline, pool for the little ones, billiards, darts, poker, chess. The construction of the Olimp resort started in 1971, in the north of Neptun resort, following a project carried out by a group of architects led by Arch. Aron Ghimberg-Solari, the same who built between 1964 and 1965 the Spring Pallace in Bucharest, the residence of Ceaușescu family. The resort entered the tourist circuit in 1972 and was reserved for important dignitaries and guests of honor invited by Nicolae Ceaușescu. During the communist period, Olimp was a very expensive resort. The Reed House offers the opportunity to take over a profitable business in the field of tourism and event hosting, with hundreds of positive reviews on profile websites. The main strengths of the property are the quiet and isolated location, in the middle of nature, the clean air offered by the Black Sea and lake, the land of 5964 sqm and its overall facilities.

Alexandrescu Manor from Guranda has a history of more than one century, being built at the order of the spouses Mihai and Mathilde Alexandrescu, Mihai being a Wallach boyar who settled down in Moldova at the end of the 19th century, around 1890. Situated at approximately 40 km from Botoșani, the property of the family Alexandrescu was about to become not only residence, but also a source of income, the domain being extended with hundreds of hectares. The main building was buttoned up in 1905, the project being signed by a Venetian architect. The estate borrows obviously from the typical architecture of those times, Neo-Romanian style, the Neo-Romanian style being the most dashing at the turn of the centuries. Notwithstanding, the estate is marked by different decorative effects that offer a special aspect, monumentally – the use of the brick in the decoration of the borders or of the wooden frames in the tracing of small balconies. The heiress of the manor was the only daughter of the Alexandrescu spouses, Yvonne (1890-1974), who had to enter in the big Cantacuzino family, getting married with Ion Cantacuzino (1888-1954), with whom she had a daughter, Claudina (born 1914). After the dispossessions from the year 1948, the manor enters in the property of the communist state, which, since 1949, has set up in the manor from Guranda a hospital unit. In the 2000s, the mansion is taken into family ownership, by his heirs.

Built in 1913 by merchant Ghiţă Popescu, the house on Speranţei street hides between its walls the charm of one of the central and chic streets of the capital. Located between Carol Boulevard and the Italian Street, it appears with this name in the city plans from the end of the nineteenth century. On this street there was the first home of Mihai Eminescu after his arrival in Bucharest in 1877. Ioan Slavici states that it was a spacious room with a wide anteroom in an old eighteenth-century house. From this street, the poet walked down to the editorial office of the conservative newspaper, Timpul, located on Calea Victoriei, writes Alexandru Ofrim in Old Streets of Nowadays Bucharest. And Mihai Eminescu is not the only important figure in the history of this area. The founder of the Romanian neurosurgery school, Dumitru Bagdasar, also lived on Speranţei Street. Unfortunately, the last decades have affected the elegance of the buildings in the area. However, the house of merchant Ghiţă Popescu is the exception. Nationalized after the 1960s, when owned by Dr. Elias Haim, the residence had over time landlords who have cherished it and who invested a lot in its conservation and restoration - a careful work that turned it into an architectural jewel today. The over 400 square meters of the property on Speranţei street, built on SB+GF+F+A, have recently undergone a meticulous renovation process. After a six-month work, under the coordination of the designer Irina Neacsu, the semi-basement has been transformed into what can be considered one of the most beautiful offices in Romania. Numerous pieces of personalized furniture, British accents in an eclectic setting, digitally drawn wallpapers and then printed on paper, the floor heating, are just a few of the elements that give uniqueness and charm to the property. In fact, it is a modern reinterpretation of a building dominated by classic architectural features specific to the beginning of the nineteenth century Bucharest. The modern terrace offers a wide panorama of the Armenian area of the capital, a landscape dominated by inter-war avant-garde, modernist buildings, along the Neo-Romanian and Eclectic style properties. The villa is available for rent as well.

Located right at the feet of Ciucaș Massif and surrounded by the stunning landscapes of the Balaban, Babeș and Zăganului mountains, the small depression of Cheia offers an exquisite painting of meadows, shady forests and clear waters. Initially developed as a small settlement around Cheia Monastery, Cheia Mountain Resort gradually increased due to the expansion of logging. The name Cheia and Cheița actually reflect the narrow aspect of the steep-walled valleys. In the middle of the resort, on the bank of Teleajen river is situated the Villa with Birch Trees, with its large garden, in terraces, decorated with statues of Roman inspiration, from the 19th century. The building is composed of 3 distinct units, with different height regimes, built in a traditional stylistic manner, specific to the mountain area. The interiors are richly decorated with art and collectibles, from hunting trophies and popular objects, to traditional ceramics and works of art. The construction was completed in the late 1970s, with improvements done up to 1990. The Villa with Birch Trees can function both as a residence or a multi-family holiday house, as well as a tourist accommodation unit, following a conversion project. The property is located in the heart of the many birch forests with mountain flowers that unfold during the spring an idyllic landscape, while in autumn, in the mountain valleys, the spruce trees portray marvelous autumnal paintings through their rusty crowns. The main tourist attractions in Cheia and its surroundings are: Cheia Monastery, built between 1835-1839 by two shepherds from Săliștea Sibiului; The Mine Flowers Museum, which houses a valuable collection of 170 pieces with a wide variety of shapes and colors; The Francisc Rainer Museum of Anthropology, the former holiday home of the great scientist, founder of Romanian anthropology, the Suzana Monastery, founded by Suzana Arsicu in 1770, along with the numerous mountain trails in the Ciucaș Mountains. A fairytale house, in a dream location... would be the perfect description for the Villa with Birch Trees. Sources: Maria Rodica Niculescu, Masivul Ciucaș: ghid turistic, Munții Noștri Collection, Bucharest: Sport-Tourism Publishing, 1986 tvr.ro, Cheia, o stațiune cu potențial turistic editiadedimineata.ro, Descoperă România. Stațiunea Cheia, locul perfect pentru iubitorii de natură

Built in the middle of the nineteenth century by baron Urban Petru of Monyoro, the mansion is located on the 79th National highway, on the road between Arad and Oradea, 28 km from Arad. In 1994, the mansion was completely renovated, and all the original architectural elements were preserved. The mansion provides the modern comfort, as it is connected to the water network, it has its own sewage and three gas central heating systems. There is an annex to the main building, equipped with all the standard utilities. As the yard is quite big, another house is being built, which will be used for residential purposes. In front of the mansion, there is a 50 sqm pool. There are thermal water springs at a depth of 700 m, which can be used to fill up the pool. Urban of Monyoro family was one of the important noble families of the Hungarian aristocracy. As mentioned in official records (1828), the first family member was Joseph Urban, and the family’s home was in Monyorod (today Manerau, Arad). The neoclassical mansion in Simand (only a few kilometers from Monyorod) was built in the second half of the 19th century. The mansion most likely belonged to Gyula Urban, the father of the most important member of the family, Peter Urban (1870-1935). Starting with the Eneolithic period up to the year 953 – when it is officially mentioned for the first time -, and on the modern times, Simand was one of the most important places in Transylvanian history. Moreover, in the 19th century, Simand was a strong economic hub, organizing fairs, having also present a strong Jewish community (in 1828 there were 400 Jewish people). For approximately 100 years, by the time when the mansion was built, the domain was owned by Urban of Monyoro family members. Most of them were high governors, politicians and even prefects in Arad county Photo: Cristina Budusan

Outside the daily life of Bucharest, just a few minutes from the Băneasa forest, is the Pipera district, with well-structured areas and blocks that benefit from numerous amenities: kindergartens, international schools, restaurants, parks, etc. The property, built in neo-Romanesque style, combines aristocratic fragrance with tradition and good taste. The exterior architecture of this villa is characterised by large windows and wooden balconies, very similar to those of the manor houses. The design of the interior space, based on the concept of a building originally from the USA, has been remodelled for the requirements of a family with children, but also as a space dedicated to guests, using a mix of styles, starting with the classic style and continuing with the rustic-style wooden attic. The location has a bohemian air that invites you to relax, perfectly harmonized with the generous green garden. The house has a built area of 497 square meters, a plot of 1900 square meters and is arranged on three levels, mezzanine, ground floor and first floor. At the entrance there is a living room of 54 square meters with a height of 4 meters, where the fireplace becomes the centre piece. The ground floor is completed by a kitchen area, a dining area, a bedroom and a bathroom, with direct access to the terrace that reveals the entire garden to the viewer. The second exit from the ground floor area leads to the garage which can accommodate two cars. On the first floor there are three bedrooms, one master with integrated bathroom and two bedrooms with shared bathroom. Also in this area is a mixed activity area with office and library. The attic, made mainly of fir wood, has two bedrooms. The basement can serve as a recreation area, perfect for sports or time with friends. The land surrounding the house, totalling 1900 square meters, benefits from a corner of the forest, an orchard with apple, cherry and cherry trees, a flower garden and a greenhouse that can provide the vegetables needed by a family. In addition, it offers the necessary space to add a swimming pool or a special place for children, this option being left to the choice of the future beneficiary.

The mansion known today by the name of its second owner, Timișoara-born businessman Koșca, was built in the 19th century by the Polish Hagianopol. He sold the property in 1930 but the time that has passed over it since then has not touched it; perfectly preserved and with a young spirit the domanin stands proud today, with new and attractive accessories such as the sky-reflecting pool. Protected by a belt of bushy trees strategically placed on the property boundary, the main building is white, bright and warm under its reddish new brick roof. The interior keeps the light and associates the white walls with a lot of wood - decorative beams on the ceiling, old furniture, carpentry. In one room high semi-columns are painted with flowers in autumn rust colors, outlining a chromatic leitmotif. The bedrooms are generous, gently dominated by the warmth of wood; brown terracotta stoves preserve the rustic character of the entire mansion. A gorgeous tile stove in blue and white is the piece de resistance of the living room. The area of over two hectares includes 4 buildings with their own central office and various annexes and facilities. First of all, the Mansion stands out with a built area of 306 square meters divided into 6 rooms, living room, 4 bathrooms, kitchen, cellar, porch, terrace with garden and swimming pool. The secondary house has a built-up area of 238 sqm - 4 rooms, living room, kitchen, bathroom, indoor garage, an outdoor terrace and an indoor one with a semi-round shape and large windows that offer a superb view of the valley above which the property sits. Separately we find another building - a former warehouse partially furnished as an apartment of approximately 60 useful square meters with 2 bedrooms, bathroom and kitchen. A large part of this building, however, is empty and waiting to be given a purpose. All three buildings have, in addition to the mentioned areas, high attics over the entire surface of the ground floor, attics that can be transformed by the future owner at will into useful spaces. A special building present on the land is the former nobleman's wine cellar; it has a footprint of 218 sqm and is built on three underground levels. In the past these premises had an industrial use being a mini factory of dairy products but it can be used again in its own right or as spaces for events. The orchard that surrounds the property has more than 300 fruit trees per fruit that delight guests and turn autumn celebrations in the courtyard of the mansion into real feasts. Conceived at one time as accommodation for tourists interested in the south of the country (Bucharest and Ploiești are 60 km away, Târgoviște 20 km and Pitești 40 km) the mansion receives its guests as a space for recreation and events but just as well it can support a reconversion with an emphasis on its agricultural or orchard potential. Or, why not, it can become a vacation property where the rich history and beauty of simple architecture intertwine with the amenities necessary for the comfort of modern life

Located in the Vrancea Mountains along the Putna River, on the road which connects Braşov to Focșani, Lepșa is a true hidden jewel, with the potential to be one of the most appreciated tourist destinations in Romania. Old settlement of woodsmen and livestock breeders, Lepșa resort has fructified the benefits of the mountain area in which it is located, extremely rich in tourist attractions, with numerous trails for hiking, monasteries, waterfalls and the Tişiţei Gorges Nature Reserve. In this natural setting, in Tulnici, we encounter a perfect holiday home which meets all the criteria of such a property. Located on a 3.000 sqm plot, it is a real fairytale cottage built on two levels, with a built area of 504 sqm and with many necessary and useful facilities: large bedrooms, a large living room, a beautiful garden, a wooden gazebo for the summer days along with friends, large terraces and balconies. The proximity of the mountains and the forest gives this holiday home a special charm and round out the atmosphere of the ideal mountain home. The vacation house is turn key, fully finished and furbished, waiting for its future owners. Among the attractions of the surroundings, we highlight the Putna Waterfall Geological and Landscape Reservation. After the confluence with the Tişiţa brook, the Putna River flows through a narrow valley, dug in hard sandstones. The tumultuous waters of Putna have dug differently, depending on the hardness of the rocks, forming a fall of more than 12 m, thus, the area is known as the Putna Waterfall. To safeguard the natural setting, the area of 10 ha was declared protected. Also, the forestry, geological, zoological and floristic reservation Tişiţa is a protected wild area that measures not less than 5400 hectares. It includes secular forests on the Tisaru Massif and the Tişiţa Gorges. The flora and fauna are spectacular comprising many endemic and rare species: black goats, bears, deer and stag. Other tourist attractions in the area are the Lepșa Monastery, founded in 1774, Putna Natural Park, Lepşa-Zboina Natural Reserve, Mount Goru Natural Reserve, Lepşa Trout Farm, Moș Ion Roată Memorial House. Located in the heart of the mountains and the hills of Vrancea county, Lepșa is an oasis of quiet and beauty, a place where the tourist always returns to meet the wild nature but also to find himself or herself. Hiking in the wilderness of the gorges, resting on the banks of Putna river, in a wonderful landscape, or experiencing the peaceful rebounding at the Lepșa monastery are some of the pleasures of a wonderful holiday you can spend in Tulnici.

Residence is an understatement. Rather, it is about a large-scale residential concept, surrounded by positive energy, built in the heart of Codril Vlăsiei, a short distance from the future A0 - ring highway, Henri Coandă International Airport and Băneasa Shopping City. Hidden from the hectic life and pollution of the city, in an area where you can hear the chirping of wild birds from the window, this unique property has a plot of 14,000 square meters, a privilege that few residential properties enjoy in the immediate vicinity of the Capital. Generous rooms, solid wood floors, stained glass windows, woodwork and classic, timeless finishes are just a few of the attributes of the home that looks like something out of a modern fairy tale. The indoor pool and fireplace welcome frosty days, and the seemingly endless garden, which together with the tree-lined lake and relaxing walks through the private forest, emphasize the true definition of luxury. The property has photovoltaic panels with a power of 17 kw and a prosumer function, an internal elevator and a covered garage for 3 cars. It is a rare purchase opportunity with a beautiful story behind it, where the owner over time joined several parcels of land, including a piece of oak forest, which is now an integral part of the property. In addition to practical compartmentalization and tasteful finishes, the house can be lived in by two families by separating the areas. Being at the first sale since the construction, the owner confesses that it is hard to part with it, sharing the following story: Many times when I was preparing for the launch of the project I asked myself, what should my house look like? I browsed dozens of sites with famous projects, photos of famous houses, medieval villas and historical monuments. Neither seemed to be the expression of my expectation. I always told myself that I wanted it to reflect the situation of my childhood home, where no one could look in unless invited but, on the other hand, it had its back to the garden and the forest. And at the same time, to have a wide opening to the forest, to be separate but also connected to a service area. Well, if they could let the forest penetrate inside, that would be even better. And if I can get the vegetation to spread, symbolically, into the house, it would be wonderful to be able to light a fire that doesn't screen my view of the garden and the oak trees. From the beginning, I imagined a house with large windows, the size of a football goal, with wide doors, with openings through which nature and the forest could pass and embrace it from all sides. When I first stepped into the clearing with waist-deep grass, surrounded by tall oaks, I said to myself: This is the place for my house! Photo: Dan Călin

Only 45 km from Cluj, at the crossroads of Valea Ierii and Valea Negrii, a road through the forest suddenly opens up, reminiscent of a wonderful grove, a clearing flooded with greenery around an pond. A guesthouse all set in stone, wood and red flowers welcomes its guests with modern rooms and bohemian terraces. The mountain air feels cold and strong when it enters the nostrils, reaches the veins and ozonates. Here everything is under the sign of green - the rich and seemingly wild vegetation is left to dominate, to overflow, to fill the gaze with green. The plaster and buttresses of the exposed stone evoke the durability, stability and stature of a medieval settlement. Everything is made of wood, inside and out. The architecture follows the local rustic style, but the interior, all wood-paneled. has the atmosphere of a contemporary cottage. The wood reflects light creating a quiet, gentle and warm cocoon. Lighting accessories and chromatically coordinated contemporary furniture make a modern gray-yellow-black combination. There are 10 rooms with balconies above the lake, another 7 rooms in the main building (two of them have their own terrace and private tub with air massage) and 4 apartments (one with an area of 48sqm, shower and whirlpool tub/ ciubăr; its terrace is above the waterfall; other two apartments have private tub/ ciubăr). The property is perfectly designed and equipped for corporate and private events. It has large areas with carefully manicured grass for garden parties and a restaurant with a capacity of 300 people. The salt room, the sauna, the fireplace, the grass sunbeds or the tub are opportunities for relaxation or socializing, as you wish. Then there are the barrel-built dining areas, sauna and the jacuzzi in the tub that can be practically assimilated to a half-barrel - all elements that create a fairytale atmosphere suitable for both team buildings, weddings and holidays in nature. Children have a wonderful park but also a playground inside, while for the teens/ adults there is airsoft, paintball, rummy, backgammon, chess, playing cards, wireless access). There is also a well-stocked bar and a generous terrace with 80 seats in the air free and 36 things covered) and 9 covered parking spaces. The project for equipping 210 sqm with photovoltaic panels (40 kw) is currently being completed. Activities in the area: • Scărișoara cave • Muntele Rece, Băișoara, Rimetea, Posaga monasteries, Plopi hermitage • Gelu's fortress • Accumulation lakes: Tarnița, Gilău, Beliș • Runcului Gorges • Băișoara ski slope (20 km) • Turda Salt Mine - nature reserve • Turzii Gorges • The tomb of Mihai Viteazu Photo Florin Pepene

The villa, built in 2014 on 2,600mp of land, is a testament to the contemporary style - modern architecture based on asymmetric volumes, wide openings and straight, clean lines, stripped of superfluous decorations. The fence and walkways are flanked by carefully selected mature vegetation; a long pedestrian walkway runs parallel to a 6x12m ornamental pond and driveway, one leading to the entrance to the house, the other to the double garage. The villa has 400 useful square meters on the ground floor (living room, kitchen, technical space, spa area, bathroom, garage) and the first floor with 6 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, dressing room and laundry room. The whole life of the house is oriented towards the back area - the living room on the ground floor and the elegant terraces on the first floor lead to the 5x10m pool heated with panels and guarded by shrubs and plants that lend it a vague Tuscan air. This location provides peace and privacy. The interior has a soothing color that oscillates between shades of tobacco, ivory and chocolate; the atmosphere is calm, quiet, refined; a modern fireplace that preserves the clean and straight lines of the house also contributes to this. Large glazed surfaces, curtains and blinds carefully negotiate the dosage of natural light inside, and the opening of the living room to the terrace and pool is done fluidly, as a natural extension when the season allows it. The hand of an interior designer can be discreetly felt everywhere. The master bedroom surprises with soft textures and a fireplace; bathrooms are stylish with monochrome trends and premium sanitary ware. The entire villa shows great care for the quality and refinement of the finishes and furnishings - it has a French oak staircase, underfloor heating, corian boards, fiber optics. The relaxation area is not neglected either, the villa having a sauna, spa and jacuzzi. The property enjoys the advantages of being located in Păulești, the select residential area of the city of Satu Mare. photo Florin Pepene

In a long and broad valley cut through thick woods stand few houses, clustered here and there, rather spread among large tracts of green land—on such land, with forest on three sides, a lover of green has built in 2007 a solid stone foundation on which he then aligned, horizontally, round, neat and straight logs in the shape of a house. A wide terrace, house to red geraniums, allows one to take possession of the property with a glance - everything is green, welcoming and alive; the vocabulary of the house does not include concrete, asphalt and plasterboard. Soft and warm logs are used inside as walls; mbroidered curtains, local pottery and a door painted with folk designs join the carved entrance gate and anchor the house in tradition; the computer and photovoltaic panels stand as symbols of the present. On the surrounding land, long branches hang heavy to the ground; somewhere in between them there is a bear watch shelter. Here at dusk there’s that ineffable feeling when the body feels the day slowing down and the soul vibrates in communion with nature. The ground floor means common spaces - living room, kitchen, dining area and bathroom. The corner stove promises to burn hot in the winter; in summer, the wood does its duty and keeps cool. The sleeping area consists of three bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs. For summer days, the gazebo with grill/oven solves the eternal dilemma what are we eating today, and the table tennis room breaks the tranquility with a little competitive spirit. When too much forest threatens the balance, the Sovata resort is 15 km away, ready to offer its attractions: lakes with chlorinated and sodium waters, restaurants or hiking on the Salt Mountain and Gurghiu Mountains, towards Vârful Cireșelu or Saca Hill; Praid, Corund, Odorheiu Secuiesc, Călimănesti, and Rimetea are not far away either. photo Florin Pepene

Somewhere on the edge of the forest, with the Bistrita River flowing in front, a private and quiet street leads to a secluded property where the perfectly manicured greenery induces a feeling of well-being; the impression it leaves is bright, neat, with clean lines, a strong aspirational component and a vague Mediterranean air perhaps given by the vegetation or the whiteness of the walls under the roof tile that falls heavily on the building. A silver fir tree punctuates the crowded green garden; the walkways take up in stone the idea of the curve found on the property in other areas too - the corrugated roof, the cut of the glass in the living room, etc. The interior is comfortable, the atmosphere warm, restful and ready to provide comfort for a large number of people - the common areas such as the open kitchen’s island and the living room are meant to gather around the table an extended family. The bathrooms attract attention with a modern design in which the stand alone bathtub is the piece of resistance. The layout of the space follows the civilized standard - in the basement the technical room - boilers, heating system and pool installations - but also the recreation room and wine cellar, plus a light courtyard with access to the pool. The ground floor allows parking for two cars in the garage and from there access to the living room with its fireplace, the dining area and the open kitchen (a second, closed kitchen and an ironing room are nearby). Also on this level are the guest bedroom with bathroom, the office and a vestibule. In the attic, under the skylight, there are 3 bedrooms with a bathroom each. In total, over 730 sqm of usable area finished to the highest standards. photo Florin Pepene

Famous for having hosted the United States Embassy for over 70 years, the Palace located on Tudor Arghezi street regained its lost history for over a century. Known as Maurice Blank Palace, the residence of one of the most important bankers of modern Romania, was built in 1891, under the guidance of its first owner, by the hand and project of the famous Swiss architect Louis Pierre Blanc (1860-1903). He created some important Romanian public buildings, such as, the Palace of the Ministry of Agriculture, the Palace of the Faculty of Medicine, the University of Iaşi Headquarters and the Victor Babes Institute. Louis Blanc left behind an important series of private residences as well, having a great influence over the image of Bucharest from 1900 to this day. Working only 20 years in Romania, and especially in Bucharest, Louis Blanc arrived in the capital city in 1884, brought by his friendship with Ion Mincu, but also by a favourable environment for the development of an exceptional career. His style reminds us of the French Neoclassicism, especially in monumental buildings, and when it comes to private residences we notice an architect with a passion for the French taste, from Neo-Renaissance to beaux-arts. Louis Blanc succeeded within 5 to 10 years to become one of the most important architects and decorators of Bucharest at the end of the nineteenth century. The relations created through the two marriages, with Elena Şuţu and later Irina Berindei offered him contracts and contacts with the high Romanian society. Thus, in the spring of 1891, Louis Blanc, together with his associate Luigi Scolari, began the work at the Palace of Maurice Blank, co-founder of the well-known Marmorosch Blank & Co bank (1864) along Iacob Marmorosch being one of the most important bankers of the late nineteenth century (i.e. the bank lent the Romanian state in the campaign for the War of Independence). Even though today Maurice Blank is remembered mainly for having built the famous headquarters of the bank on Doamnei Street and the Băneasa Forest mausoleum, the palace on Tudor Arghezi Street is undoubtedly an architectural jewel that will remain permanently in the Romanian history and culture. Having a L-shaped design, 2.500 built square meters in the 50 rooms, and a generous garden decorated with pine trees and a fountain, the Maurice Blank palace became an architectural landmark for the residences located in the proximity of the University square. In 1934 the palace was purchased by the lawyer and politician Eduard Mirto, who was the last rightful owner until the installation of the Communist regime. Eduard Mirto will initiate the links between the Blank Palace and the United States Embassy, renting the building in 1939 after some authorized renovation, consolidation and modernization works. He installed a system of centralized heating and plumbing extending the construction in the area of its secondary façade right on the verge of the outbreak of the Second World War. The US Embassy will remain there until 2011 when the building re-entered the private circuit as one of Bucharest’s architectural masterpieces. Sources: Oana Marinache and Cristian Gache, „Louis Pierre Blanc. o plansetă elvetiană în serviciul României”, Istoria Artei publishing house, 2014 Photo: Reptilianul

Contemporary architecture plays with volumes, full and empty, overlapping parallelepipeds with elongated sides - as is this villa, a perpedicular universe of right angles tamed by carefully placed vegetation, thick-crowned trees and bushy shrubs. Ample, modernly designed terraces are designed to allow life outside, in the fresh air of this quiet, secluded part of Breaza. The ground floor appears fluid, the space having continuity and lightness in a slightly masculine atmosphere where the chromaticity is concentrated in olive tones, anthracite and declinations of the chocolate-caramel spectrum. The vague sobriety is also maintained in the private spaces, in the bathrooms receiving monochromatic tones of granite with dramatic accents. The two fireplaces, in the living room and the master bedroom, bring warmth and style. The dining area is placed between two glazed walls which provide light and a view to the greenery outside; on hot days, the meal is taken on the terrace where a barbeque is set up, area accessible both from the kitchen and living room. A stylish, Japanese spa-like atmosphere is provided by the 72m2 indoor pool, a perfect example of minimalism, that extreme simplification of lines and form for a reduction to the essentials of function and aesthetics. In fact, the house also shares the passion for technology classically associated with Japanese culture - it is a smart home, the commands can be given from the application installed on the phone or from the switches - security system, air conditioning, dimming lighting, music are fully integrated. The chosen level of comfort means individual air conditioning in each room, underfloor heating throughout the house, external defrosting, water softener, lightning rod with long protection radius and grounding socket, solar panels and HDMI wiring in all rooms as well as a Variovac Premium 240VIP central vacuum with 12 m hose and controllers on the handle. The vegetation created by a landscape architect benefits from an irrigation system that can be fed from the network or from its own well and the pump from the underground technical room. The indoor pool is controlled by an Orpheo automatic with pH and ORP dosing plus a sand filter, has a Dantherm dehumidifier and can be illuminated with 6-color LEDs. To the rear of the house there is a shed with generous space for tools and gardening. The property is connected to the sewer, it also has its own pit and two deep wells with stone walls for rainwater. Safety is also a key aspect taken seriously - all rooms have a glass break sensor and a motion sensor, and the hallways have a smoke and temperature sensor; in addition, all rooms where there are water pipes have a flood sensor. There is a system of video cameras outside and inside plus sensor lights in the car park, on the building and perimeter (trees) as well as on the 70m access road. The two gates are automatic and have control light, and access is via an Aprilaire video intercom. In conclusion, the villa is an ideal home or place of refuge in nature and in the fresh air of Breaza, offering facilities rarely found even in big cities. There is the option to also purchase a 500m2 plot of land next to the villa, with a non-functional building at present, if an extension of the property is desired. Photo: Tudor Prisecaru

One of the truly authentic and spectacular areas of Romania is the Danube Delta, always an important touristic attraction of Europe. In Periprava, very close to the Ukrainian border, where Chilia branch and Letea Forest decided to join and create one of the most beautiful places of the Delta, we find a place where nature gave way to a small resort that blends in just perfectly. The resort covers 3025 sqm and hosts 18 rooms, a terrace, 2 dining rooms with a total capacity of 60 pax, a fully functional kitchen, a gazebo, docks and a pier. Everything that is needed for a complete experience of the Danube Delta. The entire resort was fully renovated in 2019 and is as good as new given that it was mostly used for personal pleasure by the actual owners. The property is sold turnkey, with fully furnished rooms that are ready to use and a functional kitchen that can provide for up to 60 customers. If you crave for a piece of the Danube's Delta magic, you will find it here, where the wild nature blends perfectly with today's comfort that the humans brought

The birth certificate of the monumental place that would definitively enter into the city life of Craiova and the country through the name, utility and brilliance of “Minerva Casino”, was signed more than a century ago, when the architect Toma Dobrescu handed over the plans for the new construction to a society in which entrepreneurs and workers were predominantly Italian. The Moorish-style building, completed in 1902, had a restaurant and hotel at its inauguration, later adding, through clever arrangements, the wine cellar and the summer garden. Later, under the care of extraordinary restorers (Vasilescu, Bazavan, Andronescu, Mândreanu, Istrățoiu, Barbu), the famous Moorish hall and beerhouse became the city’s main attraction, Minerva competing and surpassing all other party venues. The motto of that time - All the fine people gathers at Minerva’s made the regular attendance of the place to be an event for the citizens of Craiova. From the very beginning, Minerva brought together on the concert stage the most appreciated fiddlers of the times, such as Cristache Ciolacu or the Buică troupe, Dinicii, Tandinii, the instrumentalists from the Piculeata and Julea family. It must be remembered that artists that created a name for themselves in the country's artistic life made their debut on the Minerva stage. This is where Madelaine and Manu Nedeianu, Iodănescu-Bruno, Ion Vasilescu, Mia Braia, Ioana Radu, Dorina Drăghici, Petre Alexandru and many, many others started. When Giani Spinelli sang, the tables also occupied the entrance hall, many waiting outside, because there was no more room in the hall. It should also be remembered that Minerva was a real citadel of culture, here the artists spending their free time, over a drink, discussing art issues and making plans, giving birth to ideas. Here could be seen Amza Pellea, Gheorghe Cozorici, Constantin Rauțchi, Silvia Popovici, Sanda Toma, Ioana Bulca, Andreea Năstăsescu, Rodica Tapalagă, Ioana Măgură, Vasile Constantinescu, Vasile Nițulescu, Remus Comăneanu, Geo Barton, George Marutza or Costel Rădulescu, Mircea Bohoreanu, Benedict Gănescu, George Apostu, Victor Roman, Ilie Purcaru, Paul Anghel, Ion Caraion, Haralambie Grămescu, Mihai Ungheanu, Adrian Petringereanu, Horia Pătrașcu or Petre Dragu. Ion Voicu or Constantin Piliuță whenever they came to Craiova, Minerva was their host. Minerva hosted important people of the world: General Charles De Gaule, Ciu-En-Lai, Emperor Pahlavi of Iran, President Gomulka of Poland and so many others. The Minerva Garden hosted the first boxing galas in which many champions of the country competed: Anton Osca, Marin Gaspar or Gheorghe Lungu. Minerva remains an exceptional achievement in Craiova's urban planning, impressing in size and architectural exuberance. A monumental construction made in Moorish style, with a rich exterior decoration, with an entrance that stands out for its monumentality. The Maur salon has a huge skylight, with Viennese mirrors on the side that highlight the splendor and grandeur designed by the architect. Today Minerva is in a project state and is patiently and nostalgically waiting for the time to shine again. Consolidated and partially renovated, the building needs a renovation project in order to be used again as a hotel with restaurant, beerhouse and summer garden facilities and to become again the main attraction of a city that has been missing for too long.

This contemporary mansion, built in 2018, is ideally suited to both holiday and permanent living. Furthermore, the size and the layout of the domain are ready to cover various commercial purposes and services, such as office area, a store, a restaurant, an event venue or a kindergarten. The city of Baia Mare is only 8 km away and the European Route E58 is within easy reach. We are talking about a mansion arranged on GF + 1F + AT, which spans 1000 m² of dynamic living space and 1,5 ha of surrounding land, including: a lake with fish, gardens and pedestrian alleys through the yard. The imposing mansion comprises eight spacious rooms and six bathrooms. Each space was conceived in detail and personalized to provide a spacious oasis of relaxation, where natural light floods. The entire property has been designed to meet all the current requirements of modern living, and is built with its own two heating systems. A timeless spiral staircase, with an undeniably elegant allure, leads us to the upper floors. The materials used in the construction of the property, among which we list the oak, sessile oak, teak and ash wood, announce the highest quality and they succeed in increasing the value that the future owners can give to the property, in consideration of the purpose they decide upon, be it residential or commercial. Here, anyone can fall in love with the view, the tranquility of the area and the refreshing, clean air.