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Curtea de Arges, Transylvania, Moldavia

Town on the River Arges, 150 km (93 miles) northwest of Bucharest. In the 14th century Curtea de Arges became the capital of the former principality of Walachia. It contains the ruins of the princely palace. The Church of St. Nicolae Donnesce is the oldest feudal monument in southern Romania (14th century). The church of the monastery, built by one of the ruling princes in the 16th century and restored in 1875, contains the tombs of the first monarchs of Romania. Transylvania Romania

Region in the centre and north of the country, covering 55 166 km2 (21 300 sq miles). It consists largely of a triangular plateau some 400-650 m (1310-2130 ft) high. It is enclosed on the north, south and east by the CARPATHIANS, and is cut by the Mures river. Transylvania was once part of the Roman province of Dacia. In the Middle Ages it was conquered first by the Hungarians, then by the Turks. It was incorporated into the Hapsburg Empire in 1799 and became part of Hungary in 1867. After the First World War it was ceded to Romania.

Moldavia Romania

Fertile northwest region containing the rugged eastern CARPATHIANS. Moldavia is noted for its beautifully decorated monasteries and vividly painted houses. Established as a principality in the 14th century, largely under Hungarian control, it was taken over by the Turks in the 16th century and, with WALACHIA, became the core of Romania in 1862. The region consists mainly of rich farmland and covers 38 046 km2 (14 690 sq miles).

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