A walk around Bucharest’s surroundings will reveal authentic architectural styles specific to each historical era, from ancient Orthodox churches and eastern-like villages to castles surrounded by an aura of mystery.

Not far from Bucharest is Cernica monastery, a Romanian Orthodox establishment whose beautiful interior frescoes are certainly worth seeing. Among the tales enshrouded in mystery there’s one of a mystical creature, a dragon which allegedly lives in the lake surrounding the monastery.

After visiting Cernica you’ll head to Mogosoaia Palace, a former royal residence built in a traditional Romanian architectural style.

Another interesting sight is Iulia Ha
_deu Castle which was built by a grieving father on the instructions he received from his dead daughter, during spiritism s□ances.

You will also visit Snagov monastery raised by Vlad
bepes - the Wallachian prince who inspired Bram Stoker’s novel and numerous legend.

Iulia Hasdeu Castle:
The story of the castle is very sad: Iulia Hasdeu whom the castle is named after was considered a child prodigy - at the age of four she could speak and write in three foreign languages, and at the age of 16 she was admitted to the University of Sorbonne. At the age of 19, however, Iulia died from tuberculosis. Unable to accept the death of his daughter, her father Hasdeu starting practicing s□ances and immersed himself in the study of life after death. Six months after Iulia’s demise, he is said to have made contact with her spirit, and during the communication she asked him to build a castle according to her strict specifications. The castle was built for her, between 1893 and 1896.

Snagov Monastery
The history of the monastery is tied to the name of Vlad the Impaler, the historical character that served as inspiration for Bram Stoker’s novel 'Dracula'. One legend says that after Vlad’s death, rival aristocratic families prevented him from being buried according to the Christian custom.