Brief entry on Tirgoviste

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The pictures from Tirgoviste were taken the second to last weekend before leaving Ploiesti. Our gazda’s son, Ciprian, is an advisor to the archbishop of the town so we went for a visit and a tour. Tigroviste is a traditional capitol of Romania and is home to some beautiful churches and monasteries. The ruins of the old capitol itself (see Princely Court) house a beautiful church with an interesting tour guide. We were the only ones there at the time and he asked us “do you know why Romania is so messed up?” “No, why?” we asked, not having realized that it was “because everyone throughout history has come and f@#%ed us up, that’s why…” our cue to back away. In the middle is a watchtower erected by Vlad Tepes (aka Dracula, aka Vlad the Impaler which was all “bull s#$@” according to our silver tongued guide).

After taking our time in the 15th century church, we headed up to the first monastery where we were given a private tour and fed lunch (good to know the advisor). The private tour included the private chapel which was amazing. Not large but all painted in pointillist style. For those of you who have seen the large pointillist Sunday Afternoon on the Seine in the Chicago Institute of Art (or have seen Ferris Beuhler’s Day Off), imagine that quality of work floor to ceiling on an entire chapel. Also impressive was a 14th century silver gothic candelabra in the shape of a cross that was the only surviving item in a large fire that occurred in the monastery. A miracle that it survived.

Also a picture of Alecia cooking with gazda in Ploiesti.

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Photos

train station
Ploiesti Sud Station - gateway to Romania

sunflower fields
everywhere in the south at this time of year

princely court
view from Vlad's tower over the ruins