Romania and Bollywood | 5 Iconic Gems of Romania | Travel Inspiration
Romania’s Bollywood Connection
The first time I visited Romania with Experience Bucharest and Experience Romania in the summer of 2018, I was unaware of Romania’s Bollywood Connection, as I could hardly see any Indians around. However, just before I was about to visit Romania for the second time, in July 2019, I accidently ended up watching Singh is Bliing – A Bollywood movie, starring Akshay Kumar, and I was like – I am definitely checking out these places for myself too, a considerable portion of the movie was shot in Romania.
So, without much delay, here are 5 Iconic Romanian Gems, where the Bollywood movie Singh is Bliing was shot, and I was fortunate enough to have experienced a different shade of Romania this year with Experience Romania, along with 40 other travel content creators from around the world.
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Palace of Parliament, Bucharest
The Palace of Parliament is the world’s second-largest authoritative structure (after the Pentagon) and will presumably be the first spot you visit in Bucharest.
This 270 m by 240 m Neoclassical structure exists as much underground as it is visible over the ground, and on the off chance that the measurements don’t give you a legitimate picture, at that point simply note that the structure has more than 1,100 rooms!
It was commissioned under the communist dictatorship of Ceausescu, who employed 700 planners for this venture and, you too can visit this fortress and see the grandeur for yourself. However, please note that the entry is by guided visit only, so please book ahead. Entry to the palace is from B-dul Naţiunile Unite on the structure’s northern side (to discover it, face the front of the palace from B-dul Unirii and stroll around the structure to the right).
If you happen to land in Bucharest, you will definitely be amazed by the sight of this, as you make your way towards the city of Bucharest from the airport.
Also, did you know that you can drive your way around Bucharest, on your own without depending on cabs or anything. Just use Blinkeee (Like I did) – The electronic scooters, which are the cheapest way of commuting point to point in Bucharest.
Romanian Athenaeum, Bucharest
The Romanian Athenaeum, which has been dubbed as the Romanian temple of arts, is an architectural jewel, and an iconic place of interest in the heart of Bucharest. The Romanian Athenaeum built between 1886 and 1888 is essentially a grand concert hall, and is the home to the George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra and normally only opens during concerts.
The George Enescu Philharmonic offers a wide array of classical-music concerts from September to May as well as a number of one-off musical shows and spectacles throughout the year. The tickets can be bought at the venue box office, and tickets go on sale on the Tuesday of the week a concert is taking place.
Majority of the scenes from the song “Aaja Mahi” were shot inside and outside the Romanian Athenaeum.
Biserica Sfantul Anton – Curtea Veche, Bucharest
This is the oldest church in Bucharest, and is conveniently located in Old Bucharest – also known as Little Paris. The church also served as a place of coronation of the Romanian Country princes for over two centuries.
Owing to its location, you are bound to cross it a few times, when you explore Old Town of Bucharest on your feet at your own pace.
Transfagrasan, Romania
Popularly labeled as “the Road to the Sky”, “the Road to the Clouds“, “the Best Driving Road in the World”, and spanning more than 150 kilometres in length the Transfagarasan Highway is Romania’s most spectacular and best-known road, and one of Romania’s most popular tourist destination.
Many scenes of the popular song – “Aaja Mahi” from the Bollywood movie Singh is Bliing were shot here and in the Fagaras Mountains.
The highest point of this route is at 2042 metres at Lake Balea, and covering the whole route takes around 3 hours.
Corvin Castle, Romania
This imposing castle was the backdrop of where the climax of the Bollywood movie – Singh is Bliing was shot.
Corvin Castle, also known as Hunedoara Castle is a Gothic-Renaissance castle in Hunedoara, Romania. It is one of the largest castles in Europe and figures in a list of the Seven Wonders of Romania.
A fairytale castle in the heart of Transylvania, Corvin Castle is split into three large areas: The Knight’s Hall, the Diet Hall, and the circular stairways. Each of these three parts is surrounded by both circular and rectangular towers that were used for both defense and as a prison.
A number of legends are associated with the castle. One such is that Vlad the Impaler (Dracula) spent some seven years in the dungeons of Corvin Castle, a stay which resulted in his eventual madness.
The castle makes for some amazing photos, and is almost always, flooded with tourists, so make sure to head there early during the day.
Quick Facts About Romania
- VISA is required for Indians. However, if you have a Valid multiple entry Schengen VISA, then you don’t need a specific Romanian VISA.
- However if you hold a passport from any of the EU nations, USA, Australia, New Zealand – you do not need an entry VISA to travel to Romania.
- Romania is home to 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
- Romania has the World’s second largest Administrative building (Palace of Parliament).
- Romania has the best-preserved Delta in the world – The Danube Delta.
Now that you are all inspired to take a trip to Romania, its a good idea sort out your travel insurance first. And we recommend SafetyWing – The Travel Insurance for Travellers by Travellers
Disclaimer : No compensation was received for this article, however I was invited to explore Bucharest and Romania, as a part of the ongoing Experience Bucharest and Experience Romania campaigns. As always, the opinions on theETLRblog.com are (and always will be) my own!
