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| The History of Busteni |
| (2011-10-31) |
| Last updated: 2011-11-07 14:31 EET |
The mountain town of Busteni is a very popular weekend getaway destination for Bucharesters, given its location just 135 kilometres north of the Romanian capital. With a population of just over 10,000 people, the town has a relatively short-spanning history, linked to the general modernization process that started in Romania in the mid 19th century.
The mountain town of Busteni is a very popular weekend getaway destination for Bucharesters, given its location just 135 kilometres north of the Romanian capital. With a population of just over 10,000 people, the town has a relatively short-spanning history, linked to the general modernization process that started in Romania in the mid 19th century.
The town’s location on the road linking the Romanian Plain to the Transylvanian Plateau is what fuelled its growth. During the Middle Ages, Saxon towns in southern Transylvania used roads along the southward flowing rivers to trade with the Balkans and later, the Ottoman Empire. Its mountainside location, hiking paths and ski slopes turned Busteni into a renowned holiday destination.
Historian Gheorghe Mihaila outlined bits and pieces of local history. He began by telling us about the origin of the town’s name, which is Romanian for ‘logs’, and the first official records mentioning it.
Gheorghe Mihaila: “The name Busteni is relatively new, dating back to the 18th century, when lumbering was a common practice here, where the Valea Cerbului creek flows into the Prahova River. The Prahova road was first mentioned in official documents dating back to the 14th and 15th centuries. One notable document was a deed issued by Michael the Brave at the dawn of the 17th century, allowing for sheep herders around Rasnov to bring their sheep to the Baiului Mountains, around Diham. Earlier, in the late 14th century, Vladislav Vlaicu also mentioned the road through the Prahova Valley. It was much later that a permanent settlement was established. Around 1750, an inn was built here, and 50 years ago, its foundation was still visible.”
Three hamlets – Slonu, Trestia and Gura Padurii, preceded the settlement that was officially founded in 1906, and declared a town in 1946. The first school was opened in 1866 for pupils from the entire neighbouring region. Key factors determining the town’s foundation and growth were the new road between Campina and Predeal, built in the mid 19th century, the railway dating back to 1879, to the reign of Carol I, the opening of the Schiel Brothers’ Paper Factory in 1882, as well as proximity to Sinaia, a royal residence. Gheorghe Mihaila highlighted some of the town’s main landmarks.
Gheorghe Mihaila: “I would note the Royal Church, a copy of the Horezu Monastery, built by king Carol I and Queen Elizabeth in 1889. It features two life-size paintings of the king and queen. The inside paintings were made by students of the Tatarescu school. There is also the Cantacuzino castle, an architectural jewel dating back to the 20th century, home to a collection of coats of arms belonging to boyar families related to the Cantacuzino family. I also wish to note a landmark that was one of a kind when built, the National Heroes’ Cross on Mount Caraiman, commissioned by King Ferdinand and Queen Mary, and designed by Romanian architects. Construction was completed in 1928 and is currently illuminated by 300 light bulbs. There is also the Last Grenade Monument, the statue right outside the train station, close to the Royal Church. The statue was erected to honour Romanian WWI heroes, under the patronage of Otto Schiel, owner of the paper factory. Another landmark is the Cezar Petrescu Museum, as the writer lived and wrote a significant part of his works right here in Busteni. A less-known landmark is the Diham Ossuary, close to the mountain hunters’ chalet, sheltering the remains of Romanian soldiers who died in WWI. I would also like to note the French-Romanian House, founded when Busteni was twinned with the French town of Moissy-Cramayel.”
One of the most noteworthy periods in the small town’s history was WWI. Gheorghe Mihaila told us about how the town commemorates the events of WWI today.
Gheorghe Mihaila: “The Prahova and Cerbului Valleys, the peaks of the Baiului and Clabucet Mountains, still feature trenches from WWI. A walk around the forests nearby will reveal trenches and pillboxes, traces of a not-so-distant past. A Cross March is held In Busteni, atop the Bucegi Plateau. Armies from once enemy states also pay respect by taking part in this event. In 1917, when the Romanian Army had retreated, the Royal Church and the old school were bombed by enemy aviation. Enemy armies occupied this gateway through the Carpathians and the Cantacuzino Castle became the headquarters of the Austro-Hungarian Army General Staff.”
Busteni is now in somewhat of a competition with neighbouring Sinaia. Even through renovations and modern construction projects, history still catches the eye of the visitor.
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