luxury properties for sale Romania

If there was ever meant to be a corner of paradise in Romania, then nature, the best of the region’s traditions and the refined taste of skilled designers joined hands in the happiest of ways to create at Botiza one of the most beautiful retreats that exist today in Romania. On the green hills of Maramureș, preserved here as it once was, a family deeply in love with these places set out to create a story that would really stand out, taking all that tradition, the old Maramureș houses, and the highly skilled wood craftsmen of the region have to offer, and adding inside all the comfort and warmth that the highest standards could demand. Thus today, over no less than 94 hectares of rolling hills, we find an estate that offers a mix of authenticity and modernity, of ancestral life and the comforts of today, but above all, a blend of inner peace, awe at the grandeur of nature, and gratitude for everything these places have to offer. The living space offers no less than 700 square meters of built-up area, divided into four houses and a barn, all traditional, specific to the area, but fully and beautifully restored, renovated, and then finished, furnished, and equipped to a very high standard of quality. All the houses are designed to be self-sufficient, with their own kitchen, living area, and bedrooms, and each one of them offers unique interiors where designer furniture pieces from all over the world blend with traditional decorative items. The uniqueness and splendor of this living concept have also received international recognition, as this project has already featured in several top international lifestyle and design publications. And because we are in Maramureș, the estate also brings with it samples of life as it has always been here, but this too is mixed with foreign elements , as on the green hills you will find several dozen Highland cows and several dozen French Alpine goats, permanent residents and providers of local delicacies, as well as four horses specially trained for riding, which delight visitors and friends of the estate. Words are few and too poor to capture the beauty of the places and the warmth offered by the living spaces as they were envisioned. However, a cool morning with a warm coffee on the porch, where you can see the sun rising above the forests, an evening on the terrace, where the colors of the sunset move from the sky into a glass of chardonnay, or winter evenings where the play and sound of the fire bring back memories of childhood holidays at grandparents' homes, are instances that can be experienced here every single day.

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

As you cross the bridge from the old Citadel, on the border between the old Iosefin and Elisabetin neighborhoods, i.e. on the current 16 Decembrie Boulevard, once called Petrovaradin, the gaze rises in amazement to encompass the Franz Marschall palace – a spectacular stone canvas on which master hands carved rich decorations. Being part of the Citadel's esplanade, this area could only be developed after 1892, when the town planning plans accepted the expansion of the city and the construction of buildings. It is the time when the architect Martin Gemeinhardt designs beautiful buildings in the styles of the era - Secession and Art Nouveau. Participant in the First World War, politically active and entrepreneur (co-owner of a brick factory), therefore perfectly integrated in the realities of life, Martin Gemeinhardt obtained certification as a construction engineer in 1902 and used his skills to compensate for the everyday gray endowing of the city with fabulously decorated buildings. Generous with vegetal, zoomorphic and figurative motifs, h designed the palaces of Jakab Csendes, Ferencz Marshall, Johan Harlauer (House with Peacocks and Owls), Romulus Nicolin House, Timișoara Savings House Palace, Károly (Karl) Weisz Palace (former Royal Hotel) and Salamon Schnürer and Adolf Hanecker Palace. Their façades, elaborate, elegant and with life pulsating in them, captured the attention of his fellow citizens, who welcomed them with joy and with inaugurations mentioned by the newspapers of the time. As the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th bring the finalization of the boulevard 16 Decembrie, the area has a unity and a symmetry that adds to the monumentality of the buildings. The façades are richly decorated, the roofs are high and at the corners the architects went for towers or aedicula. Thus, the Franz Marschall palace is framed in continuous street fronts formed by buildings of the same style and height regime, arranged on the ground floor and two floors; as a rule, the owner lived in the front part, the rest of the apartments being rented out to those who wished.

Ineu is no longer the desolate land of pig farmers and luckly mills that Ioan Slavici wrote about in 1881. Just as it did back then, it knows how to keep up with the times and offer what is needed. The Sava Brancovici Manor stands proud and solid in this small town, always a waypoint for travelers coming from or heading to the east or west. In Michelin Guide terms, if it’s not a destination in itself, this manor is certainly a place worth a detour. Its restoration, carried out with care and good taste, preserves the facades in pastel colors like a baroque pistachio or mint cake, skillfully drizzled with white icing in carefully chosen patterns. The interior maintains stylistic unity, offering ten welcoming rooms featuring traditional elements such as brick, charred wood, traditional washtubs and lanterns, along with painted furniture and floral fabrics. Lively flowers captured in tapestries and on cream or green cupboards bring warmth and capture the light. A spacious restaurant, a 50-seat pizzeria, and a heated terrace with 120 seats provide the necessities, while the parking area includes free charging stations for electric cars. The manor is named after Saint Sava Brancovici, canonized by the Romanian Orthodox Church in 1955 for being religiously persecuted by the Prince of Transylvania, Michael Apafi I. The Serbian-origin Orthodox priest, a resident of Ineu, opposed Calvinist proselytism and served as the Metropolitan of Transylvania from 1656 to 1680. For these reasons, he is considered a guardian of the town and the Orthodox faith. Ineu, located 57 kilometers from Arad and about 100 kilometers from Timișoara, has a population of 8,000. It is situated on the national road leading to the border and is a point of interest for tourists attracted by the generous offerings of Zarand Country – the Ineu Castle, the Narcissus Meadow, and the wineries in the Miniș vineyard.

For passers-by, whether villagers or visitors, this is a proud household, beautifully renovated and respectful of the past and tradition - with a shingled roof, a porch made of intricately carved burned wood, and a fence, like all Maramures fences, protected from rain and bad weather; moreover, a formidable oven is ready to bake bread and pies in a well-equipped gazebo.For those who will inhabit it, the property elegantly blends tradition with the new; warm wood completely covers the attic on the walls, floor, and ceiling, making way for a minimalism that reaches its peak in the bathroom, where the tub overlooks the road that separates the greenery in two. The living room on the ground floor, however, retains the colours of childhood at grandma's - with walls painted with a roller and border with small and cheerful flowers; the benches and the green buffet, as generous as grandma's arms, blend well with the fireplace placed in the corner. The atmosphere is rich in contrast with the minimalism of the upper floor, but both are soothing, nurturing. From the hallway of the house, you enter two apartments, each having a room on the ground floor and one on the upper floor, a bathroom, and a small space, a niche for playing/reading. On the ground floor, there is a shared bathroom, and in the basement, there is a cellar. The attic has been raised by 50 cm to accommodate the rooms. The Velux windows are large to ensure natural light, and the small balcony is sufficient to allow for terrace furniture.A second gazebo is arranged along the property line; nearby are the wooden tub and an old stable, with the roof rebuilt over the three rooms in which traditional old objects are currently exhibited. There are three parking spaces on the property, but two more cars can be parked nearby. The property is connected to electricity, has a 5kw photovoltaic system installed, water is taken from the public network and from its own wells, one traditional and one utility, and there is a septic tank in the courtyard. ,photo Florin Pepene

Breaza was always a preferred weekend and vacation destination for people in Bucharest especially. The main advantages being the well known fresh air, beautiful nature with plenty of hiking options, so many attractions in the vicinity and also the easy access even during the weekends when the rest of Prahova Valley are a lot harder to reach. If Breaza is usually a place where one can find newer vacation homes, on one of the streets that meandres up the hill, we have the surprise to find a real architectural old gem , hidden behind the tall trees in front. The mansion clearly shows the signs of age, but this did not erase its beautiful features: the special structure with a small side on the front corner, the three-way arches across the entire terrace, the beautiful pillars and also the corner tower catch the eye even today. Built to offer all the luxury and confort of life in Breaza of its time, the mansion can be renovated and turned inti s very special second home. With a land plot of 1,880 sqm, the mansion has a total built area of 488 sqm, on two levels. From a structure point of view, the building looks good, the rooms are generally also in a good shape with the exception of the back area where a hole in the roof, now repaired, created some damage in that specific part of the house. Although generally in a good shape, the building will of course need a general renovation to really shed light on its beautiful architectural features. Separately from the main building, we can find a nice stone cellar that can be turned into a small wine cellar , and also a 40 sqm annex building that can be turned into usable space at will of the new owner. Easily accessible and very well located, the mansion can be turned into a really charming vacation residence.

The development of the Viforâta village is closely linked to the construction of the Viforâta Monastery, 5 km North of Târgoviște City. According to official records, Voda Vlad V founded the monastery about 500 years ago (1530), and the process was repeated a century later by Matei Basarab. Over time, the small village established at the foot of the monastery, towards Târgoviște, developed the textile craft tradition, and started attracting a large number of high-profile members of the Romanian cultural scene with its undeniably picturesque qualities. The Dărăscu-Enigărescu Castle was built on top of a hill northwest of Târgoviște, and the access road to the Viforâta monastery was completed on the command of the Dărăscu family in 1910, 20 years after the construction began. With a blurred history, the property would escape nationalization, even though, at some point, it did serve as the headquarters of the local Agricultural Production Cooperative. Afterwards, between 1975 and 1977, it was owned by Octav Enigărescu. A man of vast culture, baritone, radio man, actor, music professor and director of the Bucharest Opera (1969-1971), Octav Enigărescu immediately appreciated the architectural qualities of the small castle. Based on a terraced structure, the construction has two levels, and a high basement that covers the entire footprint of the building. The focus of the residence is indisputably the shape of its central tower, reminiscent of the medieval keep typology, the circular shape of which also influences the structure of the rooms. The building was strengthened by the Enigărescu family, who took care of the maintenance of the castle and reinforced the structure with steel beams in 1988.

Built by Italian stonemasons following the plans of three architects (George Sterian, H. Rick and Nicolae Ghica-Budești), the casino was erected in 1892-1894, thus being the first casino in Romania. It was quickly followed by casinos in Vatra Dornei (1898), Constanța (1910) and Sinaia (1912), all part of King Carol I's strategy to develop Romanian resorts after the model of more famous ones abroad (Slănic-Moldova was compared at the time to Karlovy Vary and Vichy, its mineral springs being awarded at international exhibitions in Paris, Frankfurt, Vienna). Although it is not an example of pure Art Nouveau, the casino in Slănic-Moldova manages to combine this dynamic and functional style with principles from other currents with surprising results. The decorative stone elements and the door and window frames come from the secular Neo-Romanian, but the towers are of Eastern religious architecture. Other elements are reminiscent of Neo-Renaissance correspondences - for example the symmetry of the composition and the painted decorative panels. The construction is arranged horizontally on UG + GF + 1F following the rules of perfect symmetry - a main building guarded by two towers connected to two other lower-rise buildings with covered corridors that function as terraces; the long row finishes with two pavilions that resume through the round roofs the idea of the main towers. Seen from a distance, the casino resembles a castle perched on a hillside, a slightly romantic, peaceful profile, with a discreet poetry enveloping it at dusk. In autumn, the forest in the distance lends it a bit of its leave’s auburne, winter dresses it all in white. However, from the front, it is obviously a building dedicated to community life - the platform with arched columns and a monumental stone staircase leaves no room for doubt, just as its location with the beautiful central park at the foot does not deny this either. After decades of listening to the sound of dice, spinning roulette and French Les jeux sont faits, rien ne va plus, witnessing the making of fortunes and the dissolution of marriages, the casino became a good citizen in 1948, functioning as a House of Culture, then performance hall, city library, art gallery and other public functions. The cinema functioned in the original hall with 350 seats, which today amazes us with its two colors - the white of the walls decorated with ton sur ton woodwork and the amber of the velvety chairs and curtains. The hall is still a jewel with its shell-based lodges, lacy arches and a chandelier, unfortunately not the original one, mounted on a rich ceiling decorated with a glass skylight captive in metal embroidery. Over time, the building has received two more terraces, a brasserie and a boarding house since 1960, and has undergone renovation and restoration work in the 1980s and 1994s and 1994s. Outside, street lamps guard the building in the typical Art Nouveau language - black wrought iron with gold accents and white glass bulbs like flower buds. Thanks to the spectacular architectural project and restoration works, the casino appears today vibrant, lively, dynamic, bold and not old or lethargic like, unfortunately, many other historical monuments of the time. Today, the casino is looking for its visionary owner who will exploit its tourist potential and give it back that joie de vivre that positioned it at the beginning of the 19th century as a symbol of Slănic-Moldova and beyond. Area attractions: - Nemira ski slope - mountain trails and hikes - Three hundred steps, Uzului Valley, Nemira Mare, etc. - salt mine from Târgu Ocna - Măgura Ocnei monastery - Valea Uzului dam Photo: Tudor Prisecaru

Captured in a photograph with the sun behind it, illuminating and hiding it from view at the same time, the Nagy mansion seems to have the power to transport its guest back to the 19th century, just as Gil, played by Owen Wilson, returned to the 1920s in the film Midnight in Paris, directed by Woody Allen in 2011. The idea of traveling back in time is often used in the description of properties and therefore subject to demonetization; in the case of the Nagy mansion, it stands in certain rooms where the past comes to life through a special stove, through pieces of solid wood furniture carefully crafted and polished by time such as the two sumptuous original Saxon beds. The mansion, built in 1802 by the Hungarian noble family Nagy, today completely renovated and brought up to modern living standards, preserves original architectural details, despite its troubled history - in 1992, when the property was reacquired, it no longer had doors or windows; after the nationalization in 1949 it was used by the local IAS including to house day laborers. The story goes that Szotyori Nagy Tamásné, mistress of the manor in the middle of the 19th century, was a fearless woman who not only went to the front to look for her hero son, but offered shelter to the persecuted and, after the revolution was crushed, sent parcels to those incarcerated. In 1884, during the election campaign, in the building that later became a granary, the owner of the place hosted the well-known writer Jókai Mór. Today, the entrance through the wide gate shows a circle of flowers whose role, in addition to the decorative one, is to guide today's horse-drawn carriages to the entrance of the building. With a decent exterior and a small portico the mansion consists of a spacious ground floor and a generous attic dominated by the protective red roof over them; the two windows placed above the entrance, on the left and right are known as the queen's eyes, belonging to the most desirable room in the building. The mansion functions today as a guesthouse and has 3 rooms with matrimonial beds and 4 double rooms, all with their own bathroom. The dining room can accommodate 70 people and the old cellar is now a wine cellar, keeping visible both parts of the original foundation wall and the old roof tiles reused as flooring. The sauna, the salt room and other ways to spend quality time complete the generous offer of the outside – walks through the silence of wheat fields and potato crops or visiting the Balvanyos baths, the Cheile Varghisului nature reserve, the birch forest in Reci, the Kalnoky castle and the Zabola domain (Covasna being also known as the Land of Manors). The town of Coșeni is 13km from Prejmer, 19km from Harman and 28km from the center of Brașov. photo Florin Pepene

Live amidst the architectural splendour of this meticulously preserved manor, embracing a lifestyle that seamlessly merges past and present.In the heart of the picturesque Transylvanian landscape, where tales of folklore intertwine with the echoes of history, Luxury Heritage in the Land of Legends stands as a testament to the enchanting allure of the region. Nestled at the very base of the iconic Rosenau Citadel, our haven beckons you to explore the rich tapestry of attractions that surround it. This exclusive property unfolds as a captivating ensemble of three meticulously restored Saxon houses, each transformed into a sanctuary of luxury accommodation. Tailored to accommodate a large family and/or group of friends, the property includes generous spaces for group gatherings and serene relaxation areas. It weaves together the rich tapestry of traditions and the graceful patina of time with contemporary elements, offering a haven of refined comfort. The kitchen is designed and equipped to support all sorts of events, from more intimate and private to larger and formal ones. The trio of houses, dating back to the 18th century, stands as architectural treasures, each with its unique character and charm. The Barn House is a space of charm and sophistication. The welcoming area is enveloped in an warmth of cozy atmosphere and hospitality, where every detail is designed to make the stay memorable. The lounge area serves as a retreat for relaxation and contemplation, inviting to savour the ambiance and leave the cares of the world behind. The breakfast salon where the aroma of freshly brewed coffee is blending with the scent of the gourmet delicacies is adjoined by the kitchen where culinary artistry meets functionality. Upstairs, the Barn House includes four two-stories suites, each being a sanctuary of comfort and style. The private retreat exudes elegance and every detail is curated to enhance the senses of well-being. In the Artisan's House, the space that is inspiring and inviting to creativity includes a ground floor apartment, a double room at the attic, as well as a generously space dedicated to a larger apartment that consists in a living room, kitchen, cellar, four bedrooms and three bathrooms. Also, the building includes a sauna and a relaxing area. The Painter’s House is a wonderful blend of historic traces and luxury comfort. The ground floor is dedicated to an elegant and spacious dining area adjoined by a sophisticated bar area. Upstairs the space includes three spectacular luxury duplex suites with a distinguished level of comfort and style. Adding another layer to this historical character and dating back to 1780, the original ceilings stand as venerable guardians of bygone eras. The walls are adorned with paintings that bear witness to the artistry of the late 18th century. These carefully preserved artworks serve as visual echoes of the past, offering glimpses into the cultural and artistic currents that prevailed during the era of their creation. As residents traverse the elegant spaces, they are enveloped by an immersive experience, surrounded by the tangible history of original ceilings and paintings that have withstood the test of time, inviting to admiration and contemplation. Within the curated spaces of the estate, the Donghia Chair - Anziano by the renowned American designer John Hutton takes center stage, marrying contemporary elegance with a touch of timeless allure. Elevating the comfort quotient to the pinnacle of timeless sophistication, the estate invites residents to luxuriate in the embrace of Chesterfield sofas or to indulge in William Holland bathtubs. The Porch is a newly built modern structure which provides a contemporary relaxation area. The architectural finesse of The Porch allows a seamlessly integration of the new element into the historical ensemble.The space extends its luxury experience beyond its cover into the tranquil atmosphere of the meticulously landscaped outdoor area.

Surrounded by abundant vegetation, the tower lifts its tiled roof to survey the distance. Times are quiet now, but at the end of the 18th century when it was built, Pazvantoglu, the pasa from Vidin known to the residents as Pazvante Chioru, used to raid the area. The Phanariot lordships did not have the ability to ensure the protection of the territories far from the capital, that is why the Oltenian boyars built forts, fortified houses meant to protect their wealth in case of attack. It is interesting to note the uniqueness of this type of construction, which was no longer built after 1821 because the attacks stopped after Tudor Vladimirescu's revolution, therefore their construction no longer made sense. The rarity makes the appearance of such a house on the real estate market an event, an opportunity. The word cula comes from the Turkish, where kule means tower, and names this type of one-story house that can be found here in the south of the country, but also south of the Danube, in Bulgaria, Albania, Greece, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia from North, Montenegro, Kosovo Region. The house of the Voiculescu family follows the classical architectural line, having compact, solid volumes, well placed on the ground, located in an isolated place, surrounded by countryside and peace, with good visibility over the area. With thick walls, internal stairs between floors, reinforced doors, hiding places, narrow windows and hatches, today the cule are private homes or appreciated and loved tourist units. The Brancoveneanu-inspired loggia is a wonderful place to avoid too hot summers, and the wine cellar has potential for winter shelter in front of a fireplace and mulled wine. Cula became the property of the current family in 1915, having been bought by Ion .V Voiculescu, landlord, son of the teacher Vasile Voiculescu and grandson of the peasant-deputy Ioan Voicu(lescu), who represented Gorj alongside the famous Gheorghe Magheru and Christian Tell (the historical moments were immortalized in Bucharest by the photographer Carol Popp de Szathmary - see photo). Although coming from a not very rich family, Ion V. Voiculescu still had some land that attracted the attention of the rebels during the 1907 peasant rebellion and later allowed himself to buy 250 ha from Dimitrie I. Mongescu. Cula is located on these newly acquired lands. The Mongescu family had close ties with Tudor Vladimirescu and the revolutionary movement led by him, one great-grandfather, Vasile Moanga (Mongescu), being a good friend of Tudor Vladimirescu and the treasurer of his revolutionary 1821 movement. History says that before reading the declaration in Pades, Tudor Vladimirescu and his people spent the night in the cula of Copaceni (the current Voiculescu cula in Cornesti), which at that time supposedly belonged to Barbu Viisoreanu, an influential administrator in the county and deputy of Gorj during the Organic Regulation. More recent history shows that Ion Voiculescu donated the house and the 10.5 ha that surrounded it to his son, Vasile Voiculescu, who later, in 1949, was forcibly removed from the house by communists in the middle of the night; his wealth was expropriated, the former nobleman receiving mandatory residence in a room in Targu Jiu and being forced to work as a porter in the city station, unloading freight wagons. The state neglected the cula; between 1947-1997 it was transformed into an I.A.S., with day laborers staying on the ground floor, chickens raised in the hallways and sheep sheltered in the attic in winter. The descendants of the boyar expropriated by the communists today own the building together with the 10.5 ha of land.

In a gentle valley, between Copșa Mare and Sighișoara, there is a Saxon settlement created by worthy people who built decent houses, nicely aligned with the main street. Proud, with a pitched roof and stuck together by opaque gates firmly fixed in the masonry, they can be seen from above like those Dutch ceramic houses brought as souvenirs from some Nordic holiday. Between these houses there is a beautifully renovated compound, a handful of buildings surrounding an inner courtyard with short grass and slight bumps reminiscent of childhood weed. The tile roof in a myriad of shades - brick, chocolate, orange, scarlet - is proof of the attention paid to the use of building materials specific to the area, patiently identified and carefully installed to the delight of the eye and the soul. On the street, the façade has a restrained color scheme, but the houses in the courtyard have whitewashed walls to let the sky be reflected in the shutters; however, the houses are modestly elegant, as befits Saxon dwellings. The interior is bright and the cellar, composed of rooms that communicate with each other, takes your breath away - vaulted, made of brick, it is more than generous and full of potential. The property consists of three distinct residential buildings situated on a 3756 sqm plot of land. The main house, built in 1884 and recently completely renovated with great taste and a passion for authenticity, has a footprint of 344 sqm and a total floor area of 527 sqm. The ground floor is fully furnished and equipped with careful attention to preserving and enhancing the building's character. The cellar is spectacular and invites the imagination to consider various uses: a noble wine cellar, a spa area reminiscent of top hotels, or a special relaxation zone. The second building has a footprint of 356 sqm, is entirely on the ground floor, and is currently a blank canvas, allowing the future owner the opportunity to transform it according to their preferences and the intended use of the property. Additionally, there is a separate annex building of 43 sqm currently used as a laundry facility. The area lends itself to rural tourism, as the fortified churches of Copșa Mare, Biertan and Mediaș (whose picturesque center combines Gothic with Renaissance, Neoclassical, Baroque and Secession styles), the tuberoses of Hoghilag (festival in August), Via Transilvanica, the famous Viscri and the beautiful fortress Rupea as well as the medieval fortress Sighișoara and the Bethlen Criș castle are just some of the sights that attract more and more tourists to the area.

In Bățanii Mici, a village located between Bățanii Mari and Herculian, in the Baraolt depression, there is this intimate mansion - an elegant and solid building, well maintained, with a high ground floor and a fence matching the stone of the property. Set back from the street, surrounded by a lawned courtyard and a generous paved area, the building impresses with its entrance under a portico with majestic, classicizing columns. The facade is exquisitely decorated with elegant boxes showing plant elements and fine window frames. The annex also has a special charm with its exposed brick façade and discreetly carved reddish wood pillars. Inside, the rooms are spacious and bright, what impresses is the huge library - the mansion belongs to the daughter of Elek Benedek, publicist, writer, educator, creator of Hungarian children's literature and collector of Szekler folklore.

Probably the most important private residence in Arad (if we exclude the palaces), Neuman House was the property of the most prestigious family in the history of the city. After the communists seized it, it became the Guest House of Arad county and was used as a protocol residence by the Ceaușescu family, including for official meetings between heads of state. Retroceded to the heirs in the 2000s, the imposing construction, today private property, is now ready to add new pages to its rich history. The Neuman House situated on Horia street is an architectural jewel that impressed over time many businessmen, artists or heads of state. The house discloses its secrets only for those who have the chance to cross its threshold: the street façade, with balanced proportions and mild decorative elements, does not offer any clue of the architectural exuberance that we find beyond the wooden gate that opens the way into the inner courtyard. Once inside, one understands the large dimensions of the U-shaped building, with the main façade marked by a grand neoclassical entrance, with a fronton and four columns. The interior retains the pomp of the last century: brightly colored stained glass windows, elaborately painted, wood carvings, wire stuccoes, fireplaces and many other decorative elements. The inscription on the façade indicates the years of the construction, 1925-1926. Arad benefited enormously from the rise and consolidation of the Neuman empire, the industrialist family being the largest tax payers for local budgets. Alfred's son, Francisc, was born in Arad in 1910. In 1935 his brother, Eduard, who ran the Yeast and Alcohol Factory, emigrated to Cuba, so Francisc took over all the family's business, at the age of only 25. The Baron increased the family's wealth, but was also the helpless witness of its loss, in 1948, during nationalization. He left to Switzerland without any money, from there to Salzburg and afterwards, to the USA. All the members of the family showed a real social involvement and solidarity, providing support through their charitable foundations. They showed increased care for their employees and contributed to improving the lives of the inhabitants. The Neuman family financially supported the construction of the imposing Cultural Palace inaugurated in 1913 and other palaces, exquisite jewels of the center of Arad. Today, their name is a true legend, not only in Arad, but throughout the entire Western part of the country. The Neuman House from Horia street fully reflects the grandeur of the famous family, being built with elements of neoclassical architecture and a ground floor rich in decorations, extremely exuberant, preserving today many of the original elements. The current owner has carried out a series of renovation and consolidation works (deepening and basement insulation, attic elevation, repairing the façade etc.). The house benefits from a project of complete remodeling and transformation of the building into a hotel with 23 rooms / 4 apartments / restaurant and SPA. The location of the building is ideal for a hotel - in the center of Arad, opposite the Szantay Palace. Additionally, the generous indoor courtyard can be converted into a summer garden.

Looking towards the street, an mansion like a copy of a dream palace proudly wears its slender straight tower while waiting for its new owner. With frames that seem to hold tall and elegant windows in their arms, the façade is very inviting through the open staircase looking towards the gate to welcome those who are interested, for example, in the recently opened baths in Ocna Mureș or those who have things to do in Alba, Cluj or Mureș, all the municipalities being less than an hour away (the Cluj-Sebeș highway is 10 km away, and the Transilvania highway 25 km away, while Cluj, Târgu Mureș and Sibiu airports are also close). The 16 rooms of the mansion lend themselves to being arranged as tourist accommodation in this locality with a history of but also the future of a spa resort with salt baths. With spacious rooms, tall windows, elegant double doors and a superb beautifully restored oak parquet the interior is permissive and generous. The central common area has a beautiful original stove and the atmosphere of a ballroom awaiting its dancers. The building has solid walls of solid brick and is equipped with three-phase electricity, water, natural gas, hydrophore, gas-fired boilers, treatment plant and septic tank; the sewerage is in the process of completion. There is also a wine cellar with a brick vault, cellars and outbuildings for storage plus parking spaces on 800 m2 of paved and lit yard. Firs trees, walnuts, hazelnuts, apples, pears, cork oaks, acacias, willows, a stream at the bottom of the garden and a small fish pond provide the natural setting for relaxation, and the swimming pool and the tennis court with night lights incites the spirit of friendly competition. The mansion was built by Romulus Triteanu, who remained in the big history as the first Romanian station master after 1918 in the Feldioara railway junction, today Războieni-Cetate, and in the small history as the cousin of that Lazar Triteanu, Orthodox bishop of Romanian, whose wife, Veturia, acclaimed soloist, the only Romanian translator accepted by Hitler in the relationship with Ion Antonescu and alleged spy, later became the wife of Octavian Goga. Restored after 1998, the manor functioned as a 4-margaret guesthouse from 2008 until recently. Compartmentalization also allows use as a company headquarters, sports center, casino, cultural center, hunting lodge or private residence. Photo Florin Pepene

Somewhere in Muntenia, on the Doamnei river valley, about halfway between Curtea de Arges and Campulung, in the Domnesti commune, there is a discreet property that, with its exposed brick pillars, brown wooden shutters and large flagstone paving, reminds a little of Tuscan houses. Those that, like this one, grow young trees in oversized pots, have terrace furniture of an essentialized rustic and trellises with red flowers, in our case geraniums. The river stone fence ensures the property has privacy. The house belonged to Dr. Teja Papahagi, an exceptional doctor and outstanding personality of the time, a man with a vast culture, full of initiative and organizational spirit. He gave his heart to the commune he loved and served throughout his life. Teja Papahagi was the son of Pericle Papahagi, born from the Aromanian nobility, but also from the princely lineage of the Bessarabians, being the one who founded, in Domneşti, a modern hospital with city utilities, a cultural society aimed at bringing the princely history back into focus. The street on which the house is located bears his name, and opposite is the hospital where he served his entire career. The house is on one level, having an almost imperceptibly raised foundation and a low roof supported by brick pillars. It is set back from the street and surrounded by ornamental trees and shrubs, contorted, wild, overgrown with ivy and an untamed vegetation that creates an atmosphere of vague solitude and interiorization. The house itself confirms the hypothesis - the libraries and the pieces of art that dominate the rooms determine the intensity of the natral light; there’s need for control because on the shelves there are old books of specialized literature in Aromanian, Romanian and French, plus writings and manuscripts of the owner’s father, the Aromanian linguist, philologist and folklorist Pericle Papahagi, the author of the first thorough studies on the Romanian Megleno group. In fact, the house, built of brick in 1959 to impeccable standards even today, has an office where the globe, carefully chosen decorative ceramics, lighting fixtures, the pipe resting on the leather map, the watercolors on the walls and the collection of rocks are elements that speak of the existence of an intellectual who sometimes slept here, surrounded by his passions. The living room still seems to carry the echo of the last conversations around the jewel-stove, made of tiles spectacularly decorated with lapis lazuli. The bedrooms have a sober air, softened by the carved wood of the furniture pieces such as the mirror or the wardrobe, or by the lively motifs of the fabrics - carpets, curtains, duvets and pillows. The kitchen keeps a wonderful old cooking machine with a hood between the walls paneled in the chocolate wood of the house. From the back terrace of the house one enters a small room full of books, a perfect place where one can retire to read in the summer. In the generous yard behind the house, there are outbuildings built in the same period. The attention to detail is overwhelming and visible right from the entrance - the door is made of wood, with a forged iron model like a broken embroidery, and the door knob is also a small artistic object, everything being perfectly integrated into the concept of the house. Heating is done with terracotta stoves; the property has running water from its own source, sewerage and electricity while street water and gas can be accessed from the street points.

Nestled within the enchanting landscapes of Dobra, the Poenaru Manor stands as a testament to the grandeur and elegance of a bygone era. Surrounded by lush vegetation and green hills, this stately residence exudes an air of mystery and historical significance, having once been the cherished abode of the illustrious boyar family of Poenaru. One of the most prominent boyar families of Oltenia, the Poenaru dynasty is a large one, with important representatives in the political, cultural and scientific life of Romania during the last two centuries. The story of the Dobra domain starts with Costadin (Dinca) Poenaru (1789-1874) who inherits and then extends family’s lands all across Mehedinți county. But is is Constantin Poenaru (1860-1946) the one that puts his entire life and energy into developing the Dobra Domain to what it is today. Approaching the manor, one is immediately struck by the imposing façade that speaks of both opulence and noble heritage. The architecture seamlessly combines Classical and Renaissance influences, resulting in a harmonious blend of intricate stonework, sober features but also delicate ornate details. As you step inside, a sense of timelessness envelops you. The interior exudes an aura of faded grandeur, with high vaulted ceilings adorned by old bricks walls that can tell some century old tales and historical events. The grand foyer, illuminated by the soft glow of antique chandeliers, leads to a series of once lavishly decorated rooms. The heart of the manor is undoubtedly the grand hall, a space designed to host extravagant gatherings and events. Towering windows allow natural light to cascade onto the large halls that lead to rooms who used to be used for living, for doing business or for spending time with friends. The expansive gardens that envelop the Poenaru Manor are a verdant paradise, with a large wallnuts orchard, vibrant flowerbeds, and meandering pathways that invite contemplative strolls. The domain contains a series of very valuable annex buildings: small renovated house (128 sqm), a beautiful former barn (166 sqm), the large storage (3 levels on a 327 sqm footprint) and a small block of apartments (2 levels on a 174 sqm footprint). The total land plot has 11 hectares , out of which 7 are owned and 4 are leased from the city hall. While time has inevitably left its mark on the Poenaru Manor, it remains a well preserved cherished jewel in Dobra's and Oltenia’s historical tapestry, a living testament to the legacy of the boyar family that once graced its halls. It can be used as such, as a beautiful residence for permanent living or for vacation, or can be turned into a small farm, a beautiful boutique hotel or a medical care center.

Located on Dinicu Golescu Boulevard, The Villa with Gorgons is one of the few buildings from the beginning of the 20th century that has been preserved on this important artery of Bucharest. The building was built in 1913 and bears the signature of Ion D. Berindey, one of the most famous and prolific Romanian architects of the first three decades of the 20th century. Among the 29 works classified as historical monuments of Ion D. Berindey are the Gheorghe Grigore Cantacuzino Palace (today the headquarters of the George Enescu National Museum and the Romanian Composers Union), the George G. Assan House (today the House of Scientists), Palace of the Journalists' Union (today the Very Small Theatre). The Villa with Gorgons was built as Colonel Andreescu's private residence as explained by Revista Poporului, a newspaper of the time, which emphasizes how a good architect can with a modest amount easily obtain a completely satisfactory construction from the aesthetic and comfortable point of view. From an aesthetic point of view, the building is tributary to the romantic style and has as a distinctive sign the gorgonles, sculptures that decorate the facade. Gorgons are taken from Greek culture where symbols on doors, walls, windows, floors and shields were intended to protect the ancient Greeks from evil. In terms of use, the villa is truly versatile and can be set up as a home, office space or a bohemian restaurant. Located on a land area of ​​309 square meters, with a footprint of 101 square meters, Vila cu Gorgone is a slim building, with a D+D+1E+M height regime. The spaces are generous and balanced on levels. The ground floor and first floor have three rooms each and spacious entrance halls. The rooms have wide windows and are bright. The same generous space also exists in the mezzanine, and the attic is open space and perfect for a bohemian design. The villa has two access ways: one pedestrian and another for car access. The building is strengthened and the facade is completely restored. Photo: Tudor Prisecaru, Alex Canjea.

With a green hill in the background as a theater setting, this mini-park of leisure promises and delivers well-being. On the property there are indoor and outdoor swimming pools with heated water, jacuzzi, wet & dry sauna, deckchairs that invite you to laze around in the afternoon, massage room, a synthetic football field that becomes an ice rink in winter, large and green courtyard, playground, generous terraces. A conference room equipped with video projector is ready to receive corporations for attractive team building sessions. The main building with its long sloping roof houses the spa, 10 guest rooms and the function room with a capacity of 60 people. The restaurant, with a similar capacity, occupies a separate building and the accommodation space is completed by the cabin, called Ursa perhaps in honor of the sky full of stars in this peaceful corner of the world. Built in 2016, close to the Bistrița river and the Colibița lake, the guesthouse is currently only rented in its entirety, in self-catering mode (7 double rooms with private bathroom, living & dining room, terrace, gazebo & grill). The beauty of the natural landscape inspires hiking, cycling through the woods, boating on the lake, carting or horse-drawn sleigh rides. Tourists can visit the nearby trout farm or sheepfold and, depending on the season, participate in agricultural activities in the guesthouse's garden. Extending the range of action throughout Bistrița-Năsăud county, natural reserves, lakes, churches and monasteries, caves and fortresses are popular points of attraction. photo Florin Pepene

The Cantacuzino-Ghica Castle from Deleni is one of Moldova’s most notable castles. The first building of the present-day architectural ensemble was the church erected in 1669, near a boyar’s court, probably the oldest in the principality. After Maria Cantacuzino’s marriage with Constantin Ghica in 1778, the estate entered the possession of the Ghica-Deleni family. The Refurbishment works the new owners commissioned gave the ensemble its current configuration. The inner stone wall and restoration and expansion works were carried out until 1802, and, afterwards, at the beginning of the 20th century, the castle was redesigned by architect Nicolae Ghika-Budesti. The castle has large and bright spaces – rooms, lounges, lobbies – spread across the ground floor, first floor and basement. During the Second World War, for two years, the castle served as a garrison for Soviet troops. Following the nationalization process, the building hosted the cultural house of Deleni. It then became a preventive medical unit, which has not changed to this day.