My hometown – Targoviste, Romania.
What to see in Targoviste?
1. THE ROYAL COURT WITH CHINDIA TOWER
The Royal Court and Chindia Tower, the symbol of Targoviste
Targoviste is a city full of history. It used to be the capital of Wallachia in the 15th-16th century.ย The Royal Court hosts Chindia Tower (the symbol of Targoviste) which was built by Vlad the Impaler (Vlad III Dracul, or Dracula).
Chindia Tower, view from the park
2. CHINDIA PARK
It’s the biggest park in Targoviste, where you can walk, relax and admire the nature, or take a boat on the lake.
The lake in Chindia Park, Targoviste
Chindia Park, the biggest park in Targoviste
You can rent a boat and enjoy the lake in Chindia Park
Chindia Park in Targoviste with view over the Chindia Tower
Alley in Chindia Park in Targoviste
Statue of Radu Paisie in Chindia Park, Targoviste
Tall, thin trees around the lake in Chindia Park
A stray dog in Chindia Park. He had such a kind look and patiently waited for me to take a photo of him.
3. THE CENTRAL PARK (Parcul Mitropoliei)
It’s a beautiful park just in the city center. Have a walk and admire the beautiful Orthodox Church built in 1889 (Mitropolia Targovistei), watch men gathered for a game of Chess, Backgammonย or Remi or have a rest on the ruins just in front of the Church.
Cathedral in Central Park Targoviste
The same orthodox cathedral, in Central Park Targoviste
Alley with a stray dog in Central Park, Targoviste
Ruins in the Central Park
A beautiful architecture
The central park in Targoviste
Michael the Brave square in Targoviste
The bell tower of the church
Detail of the church in Central Park
Behind the flowers
Michael the Brave Statue, in Targoviste
Between bushes
Men know how to enjoy their time, playing Chess or Remi in the park, while their wifes are probably at home cooking or washing laundry ๐
Alleys in the Central Park of Targoviste
the church and the lamp in Central Park, Targoviste
4. THE CITY HALL and THE OLD CENTER
The old center has recently renovated buildings and many pubs and shops. Unfortunately, in Romania smoking is still permitted in bars and pubs, so going for a coffee or beer is not one of my favorite activities there, because I end up smelling like a walking cigarette.
The City Hall in Targoviste
The Old Center in Targoviste, with many pubs, restaurants and shops
The City Hall in Targoviste
The City Hall in Targoviste
5. THE CITY CENTER
In the Center of Targoviste there is the Prefecture, the Main Square and Valahia Hotel. Around the year 2000, the Central Square used to be a dating place for friends and lovers, evenings were gathering big groups of high school teenagers and during day there were children with bikes and roller-skates. Now this tradition got lost, the socializing I assume is done on Facebook and during evening the Main Square looks deserted.
The Prefecture in Targoviste (the big, white building on the right) and Valahia Hotel (the small, green building on the left)
The central square with Valahia Hotel and the Prefecture
Center in Targoviste
Center Targoviste
Big intersection in Targoviste Center
6. WALK TO SEE THE CITY
Walk through the city and see the communist style buildings (now many of them renovated), find the 1 May market place (markets are opened daily and you can find fresh veggies and fruits that taste very good), walk around Chindia Park and visit the History Museum just next to it. If you find a stray dogย give him affection; some of them are very kind and would be more than happy for a sign ofย love or a scratch on the belly (beware though, not all of them are very friendly).
Merloni, a small shopping center in Targoviste
The History Museum in Targoviste
Old communist buildings in Targoviste
An everyday market in Targoviste, where you can find fresh fruits and vegetables that actually have a taste, not like the western junks that are tasteless
The Old Post Office in the Old Center of Targoviste
St. Friday Church in The Royal Court of Targoviste
The new courthouse in Targoviste
Saint Friday Church in Targoviste
LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL. I will let them.
The old children’s library
Old communist buildings in Targoviste
The Red Cross building in Targoviste. And a dog with a red scarf.
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A bookshop in Targoviste
Sidewalk towards City Center
Stelea Monastery in Targoviste
Nice gate at Stelea Monastery
“Minisat” is the first company who brought cable TV in Targoviste
Apartment buildings in the Center of Targoviste
Saint Friday church towards Chindia Park
A very cute stray dog
School number 8. My school ๐
Targoviste landscape
The school no 8, where I studied 7 years of my life
The courtyard of School number 8, where I’ve spent 7 years of my life, between 2nd and 8th grade ๐
Is there anyone in this world who is not nostalgic about the places where they grew up, rode their first bike, broke the knees while running or roller-skating?
Targoviste is the city I grew up in. Kindergarten, school, friends – memories of the past and the most wonderful period in someone’s life: the childhood.
The first 7 years of my life were spent during communist regime. Luckily, as a child, I didn’t know better and it felt normal to grow up not having access to various types of food, toys or clothes. What mattered the most was the love of my parents and the joy of when grandma or my aunts came to visit. I was a happy child.
Targoviste is the city where Romania’s communism was put to an end through the execution of Nicolae Ceausescu and his wife Elena Ceausescu on Christmas Day, 1989. A crime that haunts me till today. Even though the times were hard under his rule, I cannot stop wondering: was/is death penalty justified?
Do you have any favorite memories from you childhood? In what city/town did you grow up? I would love to know your stories ๐
GREAT work all over !
This is absolutely beautiful from beginning to end. *Thank you* for sharing it with all of us! It is gorgeous to look at and wonderful to hear about as well.
Kathryn
A lovely and soothing series ๐
Would love to travel there one day – your photos are great ๐
Superbe pozele! Ce camera folosesti?
Multumesc ๐ Am un Nikon D90 si un D600, cu diverse obiective