A PLACE TO VISIT AT ONE HOUR FROM BUCHAREST, IN IALOMITA COUNTY
Looking for places to visit on the weekend that wouldn't involve being blocked in traffic on DN1 road, the famous road to the Prahova Valley, I turned my attention to other areas of the country, but not too far from Bucharest. That's how I came across Manasia Mansion.
Although the visit only lasted few hours, including dinning at the restaurant in the complex, our trip to Manasia achieved its goal, namely to relax. If you are also interested in visiting this location, then you have found the right page. In this article I will provide all the necessary information about visiting the mansion.
THE HISTORY OF MANASIA MANOR
The Manasia Mansion, or Hagianoff Mansion, as it is also known, is one of the few historical monuments built in this area of the country. It has passed through numerous events over time, due to the political changes that the entire country has undergone.
In 1605, the first Romanian boyar mansion was built in Manasia, by the first Cantacuzino family ever mentioned in history, and later on, in 1899 this mansion was built, which can still be admired and visited today.
From the Cantacuzino family to the Bulgarian Foreign Minister Ion Hagianoff, who built the current mansion, there were numerous people who owned the property, including Prince Alexandru Voda Ispilati and Prince Efrem Obrenovici of Serbian origin.
After World War II, the mansion went through a less pleasant period. It was confiscated by the communist regime from the Hagianoff family and used as a kindergarten.
As we well know, the communist regime did not appreciate or promote the appreciation of historical values, especially if they promoted social inequality, so all the original furniture was replaced by bunk beds for children, and the art and design of the walls were replaced by socialist slogans and messages that can still be observed today.
Currently, the estate is owned by Ariadna Lowendal, who restored it and gave it new life. Although she no longer keeps the original furniture, Ms. Lowendal has managed to preserve the personality of the interior, through vintage collectible furniture chosen especially for the rooms of the mansion.
THE VISIT AT MANASIA DOMAIN
Visiting the mansion can only be done as part of a guided tour, where you will learn many interesting things about the history of the place and the multitude of changes it has gone through. This tour includes a presentation of the interior, but also of the cellars. A phone reservation is required in advance for both the visit and the restaurant. The price of the guided tour is 60 lei/person, or free if you choose to dine at the restaurant.
The location also has a garden where you can admire among the greenery and flowers, the exterior of the mansion, an artesian fountain, but also several old carriages exhibited in the yard. The carriages have absolutely no connection with the mansion, they were recently purchased by the current owner. In front of the main entrance to the mansion, you can admire the magnificent plane trees, very old, which offer a timeless air to the place. For me, they represented the most beautiful part of the garden and I am glad that this species of tree is considered a natural monument, being thus protected.
MANASIA MANSION RESTAURANT
If you make it to Manasia, it's worth trying the food. The menu is a la carte, which changes occasionally and you'll see it when you make your reservation. You'll find the menu for the day you're going on the official website, or you can ask for it when you call to plan your visit.
As for the food, I personally liked it a lot, but obviously, it also depends on what you choose to order, so opinions can be divided. The service was impeccable, and dining in such a location is definitely something I've been wanting to do for a long time.
OTHER ACTIVITIES IN MANASIA VILLAGE, OR IN THE AREA
Manasia is a village-commune that has 5 monuments inscribed on the list of historical buildings. Besides the Hagianoff Mansion, the "Inaltarea Domnului" church is also a historical monument built between 1842-1852. Also, the City Hall building built in 1934, the Ion Negrea House, built in 1938 and the Ion Stanciu House are also historical monuments.
If visiting Manasia is not enough to fill a day of exploring, then you can turn your attention to other tourist attractions in Ialomita:
Lake Amara, whose mud is known for its therapeutic properties;
National Museum of Agriculture in Slobozia, which houses a wooden church, a historical monument;
Ruins of Helis Fortress;
Slobozia - a limousine ride (may be a gift idea for someone, details and bookings.
CONCLUSIONS ABOUT THE MANASSA DOMAIN:
The visit to the mansion is not as complex as that of a museum, but the location has an interesting history, which is worth discovering. If we also take into account the fact that it is one of the few places of its kind in this area of Romania, and the restaurant on site serves good food, then we can say that the Manasia Estate deserves to be put at the top of the "to-check" list, when you want to take a short getaway outside of Bucharest.
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Read also about other places to visit in Romania: Danube Gorge, Danube Delta, winter route to Susai Chalet, or Bran Castle.
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