Dâmbovița county holds the keys to the old royal history of the south and the dramatic gateway to the high mountains. You can walk through the ruins of the Royal Court in Târgoviște, where Vlad the Impaler once ruled from the iconic Chindia Tower. The tower offers a panoramic view of the old town and the distant Carpathian ridges that protected the medieval capital. It is a classic stop for any history lover, featuring thick stone walls and hidden cellars that whisper stories of princely power.
Head toward the mountains to find the high peaks of the Bucegi range, where the road winds through narrow gorges and deep woods. You find the Ialomița Cave, which features a small, white monastery built directly into the mouth of the cavern. The cave itself is deep and cold, filled with impressive stone formations and underground streams that echo through the dark chambers. It is a spiritual and geological wonder that offers a cool retreat from the summer heat of the southern plains. The path to the cave takes you past the Bolboci Lake, often called the sea of the mountains because of its vast blue surface.
The mountain meadows are full of wild flowers and grazing sheep that move across the high plateau. You can take a cable car from Padina to reach the highest ridges where the wind is strong and the air is crisp. The scenery is grand and offers a fresh break from the urban bustle, with trails leading to the famous Sphinx and Babele rock formations. Every turn of the mountain road brings a new peak into view, creating a perfect backdrop for a scenic drive. It is a great mix of ruins and nature, providing a complete journey from royal history to wild alpine peaks.
Dâmbovița (county) highlights
- Ialomița Cave Explore a massive limestone cavern hidden at a high altitude where a small wooden monastery sits directly inside the entrance. The path leads you through giant halls and past underground streams that echo against the cold stone walls. It is a stunning blend of natural wonder and quiet spirit located deep in the heart of the Bucegi Mountains.
- Bolboci Lake Find the "Sea of the Bucegi" where the deep blue water is held back by a massive rock-fill dam at the edge of the forest. The road around the lake is rugged and scenic, offering dramatic views of the high peaks reflecting on the still surface. It is a perfect spot to pull over for a mountain picnic or to breathe in the crisp, high-altitude air.
- Târgoviște Princely Court Walk through the ruins of the ancient capital where Prince Vlad the Impaler once ruled from his high brick tower. The Chindia Tower stands as a powerful symbol of the city and offers a wide view of the old fortress walls and gardens. It is a mandatory stop for history buffs who want to see the real seat of power from the middle ages.
- Padina Plateau Navigate your way to a high mountain meadow where the landscape opens up into a vast sea of green grass and wild flowers. This area serves as a gateway for many hiking trails and provides a breathtaking panorama of the surrounding limestone massifs. The drive up is winding and offers a thrilling experience for those who love high-mountain scenery.
- Zănoaga Gorges Hike along a narrow trail where the Ialomița River has carved a deep and rocky path through the solid mountain. The cliffs rise sharply on both sides, creating a cool and shaded environment even on the brightest summer days. It is a wild and beautiful spot that shows the raw power of water as it shapes the Carpathian landscape.
- Potlogi Brâncovenesc Palace Discover an elegant seventeenth-century estate that features beautiful stone carvings and delicate arches in the local royal style. The palace is surrounded by a quiet park and reflects the refined architectural taste of the princes of the old south. It is a peaceful cultural gem that offers a sophisticated break from the rugged mountain roads.
- Moroeni Forest Road Follow the winding path through thick forests of beech and fir as you climb toward the high mountain plateaus. This section of the road is cool and shaded, providing a quiet and intimate connection with the natural world. It is a great route for travelers who enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of a deep mountain woodland.
- The Seven Springs Waterfall Visit a unique waterfall that is said to have the purest water in the entire world, flowing directly from the mountain rock. The water falls in thin, silvery ribbons over a mossy stone wall, creating a scene that looks like it belongs in a fairy tale. It is a quiet and refreshing destination that is shrouded in local legends about ancient kings.
- The Bridge of Flowers Stop in the village of Gura Ocniței to see a charming local bridge that is seasonally decorated with hundreds of colorful blooms. This small but pretty landmark is a point of pride for the local community and makes for a wonderful photo stop. It adds a touch of simple, village beauty to your journey through the southern hills.
- Viforâta Monastery Seek out a quiet nunnery famous for its beautiful flower gardens and its long history as a center for religious art. The stone church and the surrounding cells are filled with a sense of deep peace and absolute silence. It is an ideal place to pause your road trip and enjoy the steady, calm rhythm of traditional monastic life.
The local Four
History of Dâmbovița (county)
Dâmbovița is the historic seat of the Wallachian power and the land of the long princely reigns. The city of Târgoviște served as the capital of the southern kingdom for over three centuries beginning in fourteen hundred. This was the primary residence of Vlad the Impaler who rebuilt the Chindia Tower in the fifteenth century to serve as a military lookout and a symbol of his authority. The ruins of the Princely Court remain the most significant architectural complex of the medieval era in the south where the fate of the nation was decided during numerous Ottoman sieges.
The county landscape transitions from the southern plains to the high peaks of the Bucegi mountains. The region was a center for early Romanian culture hosting the first printing press in the country at Dealu Monastery in fifteen hundred and eight. The high altitude areas are shrouded in prehistoric mystery with the Sphinx and Babele rock formations serving as natural monuments that have inspired Dacian myths for millennia. The Ialomița Cave located at over fifteen hundred meters altitude has housed a monastery since the sixteen hundreds showing the deep spiritual connection the local people have with the mountains.
A road trip through this region takes you from the royal ruins of the capital to the scenic fruit orchards of the Voinești valley. You can drive the climbing roads toward Padina and Peștera to see the dramatic limestone walls of the Zănoaga Gorges. The county also holds the history of the first modern oil refineries in the world near Ploiești which fueled the economic boom of the late nineteenth century. Dâmbovița is a journey through the military grit of the old princes and the rugged beauty of the high mountain sanctuaries.