ABOUT OUR COUNTRY, ROMANIA

Romania is situated in South-Eastern Europe, sharing borders with Hungary, Serbia and Muntenegru, Bulgaria, the Republic of Moldavia and the Ukraine, between latitudes 43-37'07'' and 48-15'06'' North and longitudes 20-15'44'' and 29-41'24'' East.
Area : 237,500 sq. km
The Carpathian mountains form an arch in the centre of the country, bordered on both sides by hills and plateaus and great plains off the outer rim.
Over a quarter of the country is covered by forests and the fauna is one of the richest in Europe including wolves, bears, deer, lynx and chamois.
The Danube forms the southern boundary of the country ending with the Delta or the Black Sea, a haven for countless local and migratory birds.
Population: over 22,500,000 of which 89% are Romanians, 6,6% Hungarians, 2% Gypsies, with small minorities of Germans, Ukrainians, Serbs, Slovaks, Turks, Czechs, Greeks, Jews, Armenians, Poles, Albanians...
History
The territory of Romania has been inhabited since the Paleolithic.
The ancestors of the Romanian people are the Dacians, brave warriors subdued by the Romans under Traian in two extremely difficult campaigns at the beginning of the 2nd century AD. The relatively brief Roman occupation (165 years), left the Latin language which survived the numerous invasions of migratory peoples.
Over the years a Romanian identity developed progressively with the formation of the feudal states of Wallachia and Moldavia in the 13th and 14th centuries. Centuries of fighting against the Turks ensued in these states. Moldavia and Wallachia were united in 1859 as Romania, and achieved the independence in 9 May 1877.
Transylvania was occupied successively by the Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian Empires and achieved the Great Union with Romania., in 1 December 1918. This date, which is the National Holiday, symbolize the union of all Romanians within a single state.
The communist regime, established after the 2nd World War lasted for 45 years and ended with the Revolution in December 1989.
Climate
The climate is continental-temperate, characteristic for Central Europe, with hot summers, cold winters, lot of snow especially in the mountains, very distinct seasons. The southern regions are the warmest.
Major Cities and population
Bucharest: 2,060,000; Brasov: 320,000; Timisoara: 333,000; Iasi: 348,000; Cluj-Napoca: 330,000; Constanta: 348,000; Sibiu: 169,000; Targu Mures: 150,000; Suceava: 116,000.
Language
The official language is Romanian, a language of Latin origin.
English, French and German are widely spoken.
The citizens belonging to ethnic minorities may freely use their mother tongue in schools, administration, justice, the media, culture.
Religion
Religious freedom is guaranteed by the Romanian constitution. Most Romanians are Orthodox Christians (87%). Catholics of the Oriental and Roman rites are well represented (5%). There are also Reformed / Lutheran (3%), Unitarian (1%), Neo-Protestant, Armenian, Muslim and Jewish communities.
The Political System
Romania is a parliamentary republic with a bicameral Parliament. The president of the country, the senators and the members of the lower chamber are elected every four years by universal secret ballot.
The ethnic minorities also have a representation in Parliament.
Democratic rights and freedoms are guaranteed by the Constitution.
The national flag is red, yellow and blue.
Romania's national holiday is December 1, the day when the national unitary state was founded in 1918.
Romania's territory is divided into 41 counties (judete, singular - judet) administered by prefects and 1 municipality (municipiu): the mayors of municipalities, towns and villages are subordinated to the district administration. Bucharest, the capital, has its own administration, similar to that of the districts.
The districts: Alba, Arad, Arges, Bacau, Bihor, Bistrita-Nasaud, Botosani, Braila, Brasov, Bucuresti*, Buzau, Calarasi, Caras-Severin, Cluj, Constanta, Covasna, Dimbovita, Dolj, Galati, Gorj, Giurgiu, Harghita, Hunedoara, Ialomita, Iasi, Ilfov, Maramures, Mehedinti, Mures, Neamt, Olt, Prahova, Salaj, Satu Mare, Sibiu, Suceava, Teleorman, Timis, Tulcea, Vaslui, Vilcea, Vrancea
Getting here
By Air
Regular and charter flights of Romanian airlines (namely Tarom) and of the foreign airlines with offices in Bucharest ( Delta, Air France, Lufthansa, Alitalia, Swissair...) connect Bucharest with the world's major airports.
Romania's international airports are Bucharest-Otopeni, Constanta-Mihail Kogalniceanu, Timisoara, Cluj-Napoca.
Otopeni International Airport in Bucharest is situated 18 km away from the city centre. The centre can be reached by airport coach or by taxi. In the latter case it is wise to agree with the driver upon the price before beginning the journey.
By Rail
International express trains connect the main central European capitals with Bucharest, the Black Sea coast and the main cities in the country.
By Road
The access ways to Romania are: Berlin, Warsaw, Budapest-Petea E 81: Vienna, Prague, Budapest-Bors E 60 or Nadlac E64 or Varsand E 671: Trieste, Belgrade-Moravita E 70 or Portile de Fier E 70: Athens, Tirana, Sofia-Giurgiu E 85; Istanbul, Sofia- Vama Veche E 87: Moscow, Kiev, Kishinev-Albita E 580; Warsaw, Kiev, Chernowitz-Siret E 85. All roads are marked in accordance with international regulations. Cars are driven on the right side of the road and can overtake on the left.
Distances between Bucharest and the main cities are: Athens-1252 km, Berlin-2154 km, Berne ( Zurich)-2125 km, Brussels-2394 km, Bonn-2100 km, Budapest-893 km, Copenhagen-2587 km, Frankfurt-2100 km, The Hague (Amsterdam)-2428 km Helsinki-2900km, Istanbul -704 km, Kiev-1065 km, Kishinev-445 km, Lisbon-4120 km, London-2577 km, Madrid-3530 km, Minsk-1650 km, Moscow-1963 km, Oslo-2820 km, Paris-2401 km, Prague-1465 km, Riga-1955 km, Rome-2149 km, Sofia-407 km, Stockholm -3100 km, Vienna - 1100 km. Warshaw-1797 km.
If one comes to Romania by car, it’s necessary to have the driving license, car papers and green card.
By sea and river
Cruise ships call at the Port of Constanta (on the Black Sea coast), the country's biggest port. Passenger boats also operate on the Danube and the new European riverway Rotterdam-Constanta, includes the Romanian Danube-Black Sea Canal. The former calls at the ports of Sulina, Tulcea and Braila and the latter at Drobeta-Turnu Severin and Giurgiu.
Formalities
Tourist Visas
Entry or transit visas may be obtained from the diplomatic and consular offices of Romania abroad by all those in possession of a valid passport, recognized by the Romanian state. Applicants must prove they have the means to support themselves financially for the period of their stay in Romania.
Information about visas can be found at www.embassy.romania.org
Customs
Romania applies the international regulations of the Convention for Customs facilities for Tourist Traffic.
It is forbidden to import, unless in possession of a special license, lei (the Romanian currency) ammunition, explosives, narcotics, pornographic material.. It is forbidden to export articles of cultural, historic or artistic value.
Anti rabies vaccination certificates are required for cats and dogs.
Currency Exchange
The national currency is the LEU (plural LEI). Coins come in units of 500, 1000, and 5000 lei. Bills come in units of 10,000; 50,000; 100,000 and 500,000 lei. Euro and dollar bills are the most readily negotiated currency in Romania.
Avoid the black exchange market as this is an illegal operation and subject to punishment according to the law.
Foreign currency can only be exchanged at banks and authorized exchange offices. As rates can vary from one place to another it is wise to shop around. Keep the exchange receipts as they may be requested when you pay for things in lei.
• Distances from Bucharest to major cities
Alba Iulia: 344 km, Brasov: 171 km, Cluj - Napoca: 446 km, Constanta: 266 km, Oradea: 595 km, Sibiu: 273 km, Targu Mures: 344 km, Timisoara: 567 km, Tulcea: 263 km.
• Public Holidays
January 1 and 2; Easter Monday; May 1; December1 (the national holiday); December 25 and 26.
• ELECTRICITY
The electric current in Romania is 220Volts / 50 Hz (EU standard)
• Cuisine
Romanian cooking is rich, tasty and substantial. Food is still naturally cultivated, fruit and vegetables follow their normal season.
Pork is a special favorite, but also beef, veal and chicken are all delicious just grilled.
Some of typically Romanian specialties:
- "Ciorba" is a range of soup, with sour taste
- "Sarmale " is a spicy dish of pickled cabbage leaves stuffed with minced meat and rice.
- "Mamaliga", a maize porridge, like polenta.
- "Mititei" or “Mici” – small grilled sausages perfumed with aromatic herbs.

A range of excellent white and red Romanian wines of the famous vineyards of Murfatlar, Cotnari, Jidvei, Dealu Mare, Odobesti, Valea Calugareasca accompany local and international dishes to perfection, while Tuica and Palinca, the local plum brandy is drunk as an aperitif. But beware, it’s a very strong drink!
The local Romanian beers are excellent.

WELCOME TO TARGU MURES!

Târgu Mureş is situated at the intersection of three geographic and economic areas – The Transylvanian Field, The Mures Valley and The Nirajului Valley. This territory of has been inhabited starting from ancient times. Numerous material proofs attest the presence of Neolithic cultures and then those of the Bronze and Metal ages. The archaeological diggings have brought to light Roman relics at the surroundings of the town.
The settlement has affirmed at the beginning of its history as a locality of fairs, a character that has determined its destiny during the centuries. In the earliest document, dating from 1300, the locality appears under the name of Forum Siculorum (Market of the Seklars ), and then in 1332, its name is Novum Forum Siculorum (The New Market of the Seklars ). The actual name, Targu Mures, has a quite similar significance, meaning “Marketplace on the Mures River”.
The urbanization process of the locality has begun at the end of the XVth century.
Starting from the XVIth century, the town of Târgu Mureş is excelling as an important cultural and educational centre. The first school appears in 1492.
Târgu Mureş was lead, since the earliest times, by a mayor, supervised by a council, whose structure and attributions are continuously changing. Presently, the Târgu Mureş municipality is lead by a mayor, two vice mayors and a local municipality council constituted of 25 councillors voted by the residents.
Târgu Mureş has become a modern town in the second half of the XIXth century, by the time of the railway construction. The two mayors Dr. Bernady Gyorgy (1864 – 1938) and Dr. Emil Dandea (1893 – 1969) are considered to be the initiators of the town modernization.
Târgu Mureş has gone through an intense industrialization period. Big factories were built, having various profiles: chemical, food producing, wood and leather processing, electric apparatus and products, machine building, photosensitive materials and others. Nevertheless, Târgu Mureş has remained a powerful cultural and university centre.
Presently, there is a branch of the Romanian Academy in Târgu Mureş, the “Gheorghe Sincai” Social-Human Research Institute, the University of Medicine and Pharmacy, the “Petru Maior” University, The Theatrical Art University, as state universities and some other private higher education institutions.
Statistic data
According to the results of the last census of 2002, the municipality of Târgu Mureş has 149577 inhabitants.
Ethnic composition: Romanians – 75317 (50.53%), Hungarians – 69825 (46.68%), Gipsy – 3759 (2.51%), Germans – 275 (0.18%), other ethnic groups – 367 (0.17%).
Religion: Orthodox (46.62%), Protestants (29.28%), Roman-Catholics (13.48%), Greek-Catholics (2.71%), Unitarians (2.60%), other denominations (4.6%).
The fastest access to Targu-Mures is by air, the most used is by car. The city is placed on European road E60, between Brasov and Cluj-Napoca, in the central part of Transylvanian Plateau, surrounded by the hills.
Museums
To reach the city centre from the airport is just a 15 minutes affair (about 12 km). The first important edifice in the central square is the “Small Cathedral”. It was built between 1926-1936 as a smaller version of Rome’s San Pietro Cathedral, managed by the Greek Catholic Church until 1948. The County Hall is another landmark, a “secession” building made in 1907.
In the same area, the Palace of Culture was built between 1911 and 1913 with rich ornamentation, as blue-white-rosy porcelain roof cover, monumental mosaic, carved porticoes and frescoes. Its giant hall is made of Carrara marble and has Venice mirrors, while the concert hall boasts a large organ with 4463 pipes. The Mirrors Hall, the “jewel” of the Palace, has six tinted-glass windows, which were to symbolize Europe at the 1914 International Exhibition in San Francisco, but all that was stopped by the First World War. Nowadays, the Palace of Culture is also housing the Philharmonic orchestra and Art Gallery, with paintings by masters Theodor Aman, Nicolae Grigorescu, Stefan Luchian, Munkacs Mihaly, Nicolae Tonitza, and so on.
The Rural Art and Civilisation Museum, is occupying a Baroque building, once Toldalagy Palace. It was built between 1759 and 1772 and, next to its main artifacts, also can be admired the unique porcelain terracotta stoves, dating to the 18-19th centuries.
Apollo Palace finished in 1822 by count Teleki Samuel is the highest in the central square. This is the place where musical balls were organized and where theatre companies came to play.
Modernity and tradition
The Roman Catholic Church was built in Baroque style in the 17th century. The pulpit is the finest in the country, due to the wonderful color-painted and gold-plated woodcarvings. In a similar vein, the Orthodox Church has Romania’s largest painted surface, its interior walls are all covered in sacred frescoes.
The city center is symbolically protected by the medieval fortress on the hill, whose seven bastions needed 50 years to be finished (1602 - 1652). The pentagonal fortress harbors the Protestant Church, its 70 meter high main tower and the smaller 4, symmetrically displayed.
In the Old City, visitors can see the Teleki Library, a Baroque monument that took shape between 1799 and 1808, as a favorite offspring of count Teleki Samuel (Transylvania’s Chancellor of the time). The public library has a basic treasure of over 40,000 tomes (many rare and precious editions) of the Count’s personal collection.
The two departments of the Targu-Mures National Theatre (Romanian and Hungarian) are putting some premieres every year; the same energy is to be found at the Ariel Youth Theatre. Both institutions have the advantage of a local Theatrical Arts University.
The Cornesti Plateau, the highest plateau of the city (488 meters above sea), is the traditional fun and relax place of the locals. The one hundred year-old restaurant, the narrow-rail train are attractions in their own rights. The local Zoo is Romania’s second and the only that has a European recognition, as it is located in the middle of the forest, the best position for the furry pensioners. Symmetrically, the lowest point of the city is another entertainment area, the “Muresul” Entertainment and Sport Complex, known under the name Week-End Park, which covers 250 acres next to Mures River. The sports fans will find here: swimming pools, tennis courts, beach-volley, bowling alleys, rowing on the river.
Spas, Reservations, Fish ponds - One or Two Day Trips
Targu-Mures is also a starting point for expeditions in the countryside around, and the effort pays. Here is just a glimpse:
The Sangeorgiu de Mures Mineral Baths are 5 km away on the road to Reghin, they have the highest iodine contents in Europe. The super thermal waters, mineral waters and medical mud that, subsequently, make exceptionally valuable cures, are extremely appreciated by those coming here for relief or treatment.
Zau de Campie (40 km) hosts the plains peony reservation – unique in Romania, and fish ponds;
Sovata (54 km) with Ursu Lake, the largest heliothermal lake in Europe;
The mountain lakes Alunis, Verde, Negru, Rosu, Mierlei and Serpilor, with chlorinated and sodium waters;
Sighisoara (50 km), the only inhabited medieval fortress in Eastern Europe, a genuine architectural jewel, with huge walls and imposing towers;
Mures Deda-Bistra Strait, 40 km long, with a bunch of small spas, each one with its own network of rural accommodation B and Bs (agro-tourism).
Clubs, Discos
The Cuba Libre Disco – Nicolae Grigorescu str. No.17, Tel 217441
The Appolo Disco – Week-End Complex, Tel 213 326
The Show Club Jo Disco – Livezeni str. No.4, Tel 254470
After Dark – Mihai Viteazul str.
Lodging possibilities
Hotel Continental – Teatrului square 6, Tel 260999.
Hotel Grand – Victoriei 26-30, Tel 230289.
Hotel Parc – Primariei str. No.2, Tel 260286.
Hotel Transilvania – Trandafirilor square 46-47, Tel 265616.
Hotel Tineretului – Nicolae Grigorescu str. 19, Tel 217441.
Hotel Concordia – Trandafirilor square 12.
Pensiunea Tempo – Morii str. 27, Tel213552.
Pensiunea Ana – Gh. Marinescu str. 52, Tel 214977.
Pensiunea Ana-Maria – Papiu Ilarian str. 17, Tel 264401.
Pensiunea Doina and Jeno – Evreilor Martiri str. 25C, Tel 255926.
Pensiunea Cleopatra – Republicii str. 28, Tel 219010.
Pensiunea Cristina – Piatra de Moara str. 1/A, Tel 266490.
Complexul Stejaris – E60 km 7 to Sighisoara, Tel 233509.
Pensiunea Tip-Top – Plopilor str. 7, Tel 226248.
Vila Monica – Libertatii str. 3, Tel 221921.
Villa Helvetia – Borsos Tamas str. 13, Tel 216954.
Pensiunea Atlantic – Libertatii str. Tel 268381.
Casa Bavareza – Cuza Voda str. 68-70, Tel 264466.
Restaurants
Triumf – 22 Decembrie Bd., tel: 213120
Boema – Bolyai str. – tel: 260550
Continental- Teatrului square 6, Tel 260999
Transilvania – Trandafirilor square 46-47, Tel 265616.
Tempo – Morii str. 27, Tel213552.
Grand – Victoriei 26-30, Tel 230289.
Parc – Primariei str. No.2, Tel 260286.
Casa Bavareza – Cuza Voda str. 68-70, Tel 264466.
Leo - Trandafirilor square
Supermarkets/shops
The shops in the town are usually open from 8.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. during the week Saturday included. On Sunday most of the shops are closed. There are supermarkets with extended shopping hours and several non-stops.
Targu-Mures has a chain of shops and commercial centres: the Romarta Tineretului - in the centre; the Romarta Lux and Luxor – in the neighbourhood of the National Theatre; the Euromarket and Minion Supermarkets – situated on Bvd. 1 Decembrie 1918 and the Transilvania Commercial Centre within the industrial area of the town, on the Depozitelor street; Miniprix – in the down-town; the Univers’all Commercial Centre situated on Bvd. 1 Decembrie 1918 and the Selgros Cash and Carry in the nearby village Ernei.
Festivals/celebrations
During certain periods, the city reaches boiling point: festivals, celebrations, fairs.
Martisor – the Romanian traditional celebration of spring. It is held in the 1 March.
Valentine’s Day – in February.
The Targu-Mures Days – It is held annually in the last week of June, since 1997 out of the initiative of the Townhall of Targu-Mures and the Municipal Council.
The Targu Mures Musical Days – in May.
The Folklore Festival “Jocul din Batrani” – in July.
The Beer Festival – in September.
The Musical Festival “Constantin Silvestri” – in October.
The theatre festival “Dramafest” – in October.
The Wine and Must Celebration – in October.
The New Year’s Eve in the street – in December.
Public Transport
Buses and maxi-taxis operate on predetermined routes, connecting all areas of the town between 5 a.m. – 22.30 p.m. For the first time in our country, a GPS monitoring system was introduced in all the buses, maxi taxis and panels in the bus stops which permanently inform the citizens about the arrival time and the route of the buses and maxi taxis.
Local Transport joint stock company – tel/fax 269007, centre: 250702.
Taxis/cabs can be found at specially created stands within all areas of the town. They can also be reached by calling taxi companies.
Taxi companies:
Voiajor – Tel 260111.
Cornisa – Tel 943, 211111.
Mondo – Tel. 254445.
Relaxa – Tel 945, 226555.
TicoTransaldea – Tel 941, 263333, 243333.
Venus – Tel 949, 260444.
Viva – Tel 945, 216222.
Taxi Marfa – Tel 263725.
Petrol stations
Petrom – PECO 1 – Tusnad str.
PECO 2 – Marasti square 24;
PECO 3 – E60 km1;
PECO 4 – str Gheorghe Doja 297;
MBO – E60 km1, towards Cluj-Napoca.
OMV – Gheorghe Doja street 70.
Shell – Calea Sighisoarei km 1.
Mol Romania – Gheorghe Doja str. 76.
Voiajor – E60 km1 – Calea Sighisoarei.
The Integrated Emergency Dispatch Centre – 112
It is an independent service, established within the Targu-Mures Town Hall. Its main activity is taking over, registering (in audio and electronic form) of emergency calls, then separating the emergencies on codes, transmitting the data to sub dispatch centres, as well as coordinating and following the activity (by satellite in case of ambulance and sub dispatch centres). The dispatch centre takes over all the emergency medical calls (for the County Ambulance Service and the SMURD) as well as those specific to the communitarian services of intervention: Police, Firemen, Gendarmerie and Civil Protection. The phone numbers of the Dispatch Centre are:961, 981, 982, 955 and the unique number 112.
Pharmacies
Atlas Farm – Trandafirilor square 55.
Europharm – Calarasilor str. 10.
Aesculap 1 – Bvd. 1 Decembrie 1918 no 11-13.
Aesculap 3 – Victoriei square 35.
Farmacia Iris – Calarasilor street 58.
Farmacia Magnolia – Bolyai square 18.
Tehno-Farm-Optica – Bartok Bela str. No. 2/B.
Exchange Offices
The Romanian currency is "LEU" ( plural LEI). If you want to change money you can choose a bank or an Exchange Office. Do not change money in the street and you will avoid troubles.
Alicante Office – Trandafirilor square 43.
IDM Exchange – Trandafirilor square 27.
Voiajor – Trandafirilor square 6-7.
Gulden 4 – Victoriei square 26.