Traditional Romanian architecture

[Daos]

The rustic architecture, which is the most complete, the most expressive creation of the old rural societies, reveals the way of living, the technical, social and spiritual acts of these societies. Building itself as a sign of human presence in nature, as an expression of man’s inner universe, the architecture shows the individuality of the community, revealing simultaneously its social command, the technical and material possibilities and last, but not least, its degree of artistic sensitivity.

http://www.romanianmonasteries.org/images/farmyard-calinesti-maramures.jpg

http://www.romanianmonasteries.org/images/harta-case-traditonale-taranesti1.jpg
1. Bogdan Vodă (Maramureș) 2. Moișeni (Satu Mare) 3. Alejd (Bihor) 4. Sălciua (Alba) 5. Chereluș (Arad) 6. Cîmpu lui Neag (Hunedoara) 7. Bran (Brașov) 8. Curtișoara (Gorj) 9. Măldărești (Vâlcea) 10. Plopi (Mehedinți) 11. Cuciulata (Brașov) 12. Rădești (Alba) 13. Șanț (Bistrița-Năsăud) 14. Viștea (Brașov) 15. Moșoaia (Argeș) 16. Stănești (Argeș) 17. Trăisteni (Prahova) 18. Cobia de Sus (Dâmbovița) 19. Periș (Ilfov) 20. Dragalina (Ialomița) 21. Rușețu (Buzău) 22. Chiojdu (Buzău) 23. Curteni (Vaslui) 24. Năruja (Vrancea) 25. Piatra Șoimului (Neamț) 26. Hangu (Neamț) 27. Voitinel (Suceava) 28. Oltina (Constanța)

http://www.romanianmonasteries.org/images/bogdan-voda-(Maramures).jpg
1. Bogdan Vodă (Maramureș)

http://www.romanianmonasteries.org/images/moiseni-(Satu-Mare).jpg
2. Moișeni (Satu Mare)

http://www.romanianmonasteries.org/images/alejd-(Bihor).jpg
3. Alejd (Bihor)

http://www.romanianmonasteries.org/images/salciua-(Alba).jpg
4. Sălciua (Alba)

http://www.romanianmonasteries.org/images/cherelus-(Arad).jpg
5. Chereluș (Arad)

http://www.romanianmonasteries.org/images/campu-lui-neag-(Hunedoara).jpg
6. Cîmpu lui Neag (Hunedoara)

http://www.romanianmonasteries.org/images/bran-(Brasov).jpg
7. Bran (Brașov)

http://www.romanianmonasteries.org/images/curtisoara-(Gorj).jpg
8. Curtișoara (Gorj)

http://www.romanianmonasteries.org/images/maldaresti-(Valcea).jpg
9. Măldărești (Vâlcea)

http://www.romanianmonasteries.org/images/plopi-(Mehedinti).jpg
10. Plopi (Mehedinți)

http://www.romanianmonasteries.org/images/ciuciulata-(Brasov).jpg
11. Cuciulata (Brașov)

http://www.romanianmonasteries.org/images/radesti-(Alba).jpg
12. Rădești (Alba)

http://www.romanianmonasteries.org/images/sant-(Bistrita-Nasaud).jpg
13. Șanț (Bistrița-Năsăud)

http://www.romanianmonasteries.org/images/vistea-(Brasov).jpg
14. Viștea (Brașov)

http://www.romanianmonasteries.org/images/mosoaia-(Arges).jpg
15. Moșoaia (Argeș)

http://www.romanianmonasteries.org/images/stanesti-(Arges).jpg
16. Stănești (Argeș)

http://www.romanianmonasteries.org/images/traisteni-(Prahova).jpg
17. Trăisteni (Prahova)

http://www.romanianmonasteries.org/images/cobia-de-sus-(Dambovita).jpg
18. Cobia de Sus (Dâmbovița)

http://www.romanianmonasteries.org/images/persi-(Ilfov).jpg
19. Periș (Ilfov)

http://www.romanianmonasteries.org/images/draglina-(Ialomita).jpg
20. Dragalina (Ialomița)

http://www.romanianmonasteries.org/images/rusetu-(Buzau).jpg
21. Rușețu (Buzău)

http://www.romanianmonasteries.org/images/chiojdu-(Buzau).jpg
22. Chiojdu (Buzău)

http://www.romanianmonasteries.org/images/curteni-(Vaslui).jpg
23. Curteni (Vaslui)

http://www.romanianmonasteries.org/images/naruja-(Vrancea).jpg
24. Năruja (Vrancea)

http://www.romanianmonasteries.org/images/piatra-soimului-(Neamt).jpg
25. Piatra Șoimului (Neamț)

http://www.romanianmonasteries.org/images/hangu-(Neamt).jpg
26. Hangu (Neamț)

http://www.romanianmonasteries.org/images/voitinel-(Suceava).jpg
27. Voitinel (Suceava)

http://www.romanianmonasteries.org/images/oltina-(Constanta).jpg
28. Oltina (Constanța)

Presenting significant clues to outline the frame of the daily life and the way of providing a lasting and permanent shelter (characteristic for the sedentary populations), the rustic homes are looked upon as a research material, particularly interesting and useful for archaeologists, historians, ethnographers and architects.

The essential characteristics of the Romanian rustic architecture are the functionality, the adequacy of the purpose and of the accomplishing means, the measure and the harmony in settling the décor and the proportions, the expressivity, the integration in the scenery. All of these give unity to the whole thing, personalizing at the same time the achievements of our rustic architecture. We mention below several aspects of general order that can be seen in all the regions of the country (with some exceptions, of course, exceptions determined by the local social-economical conditions).

http://www.romanianmonasteries.org/images/traditional-house-maramures.jpg
Section of a rustic traditional house from Maramureș

The first thing that is pointed out is the isolated position of the house, its position towards the other annexed buildings from the house-hold, the ordering in the scheme of the living rooms which are grouped along an axe that shows the orientation direction of the windows and the accesses of the house (East, South, South-East).

The accomplishing uniformity of the homes may be found in the structure uniformity of the dwelling organization, in forms specific to any kind of plan. The privacy and the warmth of the inner rooms (particularities that are defining for the environment of the rustic houses all over the country) can be achieved through a various and rich inventory of textiles, furniture and ceramics, paintings on wood and glass, rustic costumes, items for home usage. The reduced height of the rooms and the ceilings with visible girders are also specific to Romanian rustic houses.

http://www.romanianmonasteries.org/images/breb-maramures.jpg
A traditional farmyard - Maramureș. On the right is the barn built of logs and still with a shingle roof. On the left is the small wood shed and beside it a secondary dwelling.

The rooms, so well balanced and harmonious, aren’t isolated at all from the outside, on the contrary, because of the verandah they are always opened to it. Original architecture element and specific to Romanian rustic architecture, the verandah (prispa) is low or high, situated on one side of the house or on _ of house, with or without a balcony, it dominates and determines the position of the facades, assuring the fluency of the inside and outside spaces (of the house).

http://www.romanianmonasteries.org/images/traditional-farmyard-bucovina.jpg
A traditional farmyard - Bucovina. Around the yard are placed the summer kitchen, the barn and stable, and the main house.

Using natural resources-their joining and structure way together with the pure geometric forms of the volume of the walls and roofs, the subtle dosage of the shadow and the light, the harmonic chromatics- all these characteristics are elements in tight relationship with the nature. The houses, the house-holds, situated at a certain distance from the road, represent interference points of the natural places with those created by man; they are elements that determined the peasant to make a change in the nature through his creative intervention.

http://www.romanianmonasteries.org/images/interior-house-bucovina.jpg
The main room of a traditional house from Bucovina

http://www.romanianmonasteries.org/images/interior-house-maramures.jpg
The main room of a traditional house from Maramureș


Source (http://www.romanianmonasteries.org/romania/rustic-traditional-houses)

[Daos]

The plan of the house was simple: the older ones had two or three rooms: "tinda", "cămara" (a store room) and "casa", evolving toward the end of the 18th century to the house with several rooms which was very judiciously partitioned.

The walls of the buildings were made of wide thick beams, the oak beams being axe-carved from the wood core and hatchet-finished, while the fir of spruce fir around beams were joined in a Romanian joint ("cheutoare românească") and/or later (in the 19th century) in a German "blockbau" system ("cheutoare nemțească"). The gables joined over the walls supported the roof which was always four-sloped, made of roof boarding covered with shingle or, in some cases, with straw.

If the very old houses (from the 16th-the 17th centuries) had no pillar porch, in the 18th century it became generally used and known as "șatră". It was made of a succession of carved and decorated pillars, tied at the upper side with counter braces ("chituși"), making up wonderful archways, specific to the region. At the beginning, the porch was built only on the front side of the house. In the 18th century it was also built on the right side and later it was extended on all three sides of the house.

The Inside of the House

The indoor architecture was adapted to the home needs, and also to the aesthetic requirements.Site surveys and archives investigations disclosed the house inside of the 17th and 18th centuries, which was of great importance to the present research stage.

http://www.ici.ro/romania/images/cultura/mz_mar4.jpg

The living room, which in the local language was called "casă" (house), enveloped the domestic universe, corresponding to the aesthetic and pragmatic taste of the woman. The feminine touch was present everywhere, both as concerns the house arrangement, the partition and the designation of some places and objects used in everyday life, and as concerns the practice of various rituals.

The element determining the indoor organization, both at material and ritualistic level, was the main beam ("meștergrinda"). It ran along the house rooms and tied the opposite walls, and by means of the small beams which were equidistantly placed over it, it also tied the side walls and, of course, supported the whole roof structure.

The main beam divided the house into two: on the right, the space for living ("faptele de viață") - where the hearth, the oven and the bed were placed; here, under normal conditions, marriage was consummated, life was conceived, people were born and died; on the left, the space for rituals ("faptele de ritual")- where the ceremonies of christening and wedding were performed, the dead body was placed in the coffin on the table and the dead watch and the funeral service were carried out.

The ritual space walls were decorated with friezes consisting of holy icons alternating with beautiful pottery adorned with towels. On the corner, there was the table which had on both sides, along the walls, benches and/or cases arranged at a right angle. Over the bed, on the wall, there was the shelf ("ruda") on which counterpanes, carpets and towels, tablecloths and pillow cases were stored, the layers these objects were laid in having three functions: an aesthetic one (to adorn the inside), a storing one and of displaying the girl's dowry, all in a perfect syncretism. The dish cabinet was behind the door and on the opposite wall there the were the spoon-shelf and the pottery-shelf.

Behind the icons and above the main beam there were boxes with documents and papers, the razor, the Epiphany's cross, sweet basil the child's dried navel kept for the ritual of untying it within the trial of initiation. At the head of the bed, on a bench, the hope chest was placed.

The harmony of the inside was emphasized by the colour of the textile materials and of the objects decorating it.

http://www.ici.ro/romania/images/cultura/mz_marint1.jpg http://www.ici.ro/romania/images/cultura/mz_marint2.jpg
http://www.ici.ro/romania/images/cultura/mz_marint3.jpg http://www.ici.ro/romania/images/cultura/mz_marint4.jpg

House Annexes

The traditional house was conceived so that functional quality should prevail. Opposite the house, which was facing the sunrise or the east, there were the stable and the barn, the pig stays (all in the cattle pen); on one side there was the shed for the cart, wood and agricultural tools; the shadoof or wheel well was usually placed in the garden. The corn sheds and, of course, the sheds for the technical devices necessary in the house, such as: the hammer or screw oil presses ("uleinițe cu berbeci sau cu șurub"), the hand-operated grinding mill (from the plain ones to those fitted witch mechanical systems), the wood lathe, the thresher (in some cases), they all were basic components of the agricultural and shepherd life. In the garden, at the back of the house, there were the corn stacks, haystacks, corn cobs, the stacks ("pari") for lucerne or clover drying, the hay bushel ("oborocul") and also the pits for beet, potatoes and apples. At the back of the garden, isolated, there was the privy.

http://www.ici.ro/romania/images/cultura/mz_mar5.jpg

The house with double yard specific to the agricultural and shepherd life was also typical of this region.

http://www.ici.ro/romania/en/cultura/images/mz_marext1.jpg http://www.ici.ro/romania/en/cultura/images/mz_marext2.jpg

Gates were considered to have a cultural role, providing the regional identity, which was incontestably that of Maramureș. Some time ago the gate was the social mark of its owner. It separated the holy space of the house from the outside space, the peasants from Maramureș being proud of it. If present-day gates are over-adorned with various decoration motifs and sometimes even over-sized, the gates restored and preserved in the museum are of the classical type, having the ideal sizes, and the suitable decoration.

http://www.ici.ro/romania/en/cultura/images/mz_mar2.jpg

Losing their initial significance, the motifs carved were transferred from the magical and mythical level to the artistic, aesthetic level. On the gate-pillars the tree of life ("pomul vieții") prevailed as a symbol of life without death, solar and star emblems, Christian marks, but also the cock and the snake or anthropomorphic figures, all being the expression of deep encoded beliefs lost in immemorial times. The name of the owner and the date of gate building was frequently written on the upper threshold of the gate. And sometimes even the name of the artisan was engraved in a hidden place.


Source (http://www.ici.ro/romania/en/cultura/mz_cplan.html)

[Daos]

http://www.emaramures.ro/FotoMaramures/Baia%20Mare%20vazuta%20de%20la%20Piatra%20Virgina/Casa-Lapus.jpg

http://www.emaramures.ro/FotoMaramures/Baia%20Mare%20vazuta%20de%20la%20Piatra%20Virgina/Muzeul-Satului-Baia-Mare.jpg

http://www.emaramures.ro/FotoMaramures/Baia%20Mare%20vazuta%20de%20la%20Piatra%20Virgina/Muzeul-Satului-Baia-Mare_09.jpg

http://www.emaramures.ro/FotoMaramures/Baia%20Mare%20vazuta%20de%20la%20Piatra%20Virgina/Muzeul-Satului-Baia-Mare_08.jpg

http://www.emaramures.ro/FotoMaramures/Baia%20Mare%20vazuta%20de%20la%20Piatra%20Virgina/Muzeul-Satului-Baia-Mare_07.jpg

http://www.emaramures.ro/FotoMaramures/Baia%20Mare%20vazuta%20de%20la%20Piatra%20Virgina/Muzeul-Satului-Baia-Mare_05.jpg

http://www.emaramures.ro/FotoMaramures/Baia%20Mare%20vazuta%20de%20la%20Piatra%20Virgina/Muzeul-Satului-Baia-Mare_04.jpg

http://www.emaramures.ro/FotoMaramures/Baia%20Mare%20vazuta%20de%20la%20Piatra%20Virgina/Muzeul-Satului-Baia-Mare_03.jpg

http://www.emaramures.ro/FotoMaramures/Baia%20Mare%20vazuta%20de%20la%20Piatra%20Virgina/Muzeul-Satului-Baia-Mare_02.jpg

http://www.emaramures.ro/FotoMaramures/Baia%20Mare%20vazuta%20de%20la%20Piatra%20Virgina/Muzeul-Satului-Baia-Mare_01.jpg

[Daos]

Here's an interesting project: a virtual museum from Banat area (http://www.banat-media.de/ro/sat.php). :)

[Daos]

You can find a few examples of Transylvanian farmsteads here (http://www.muzeul-etnografic.ro/en/photo-gallery/zonal-types-of-farmsteads.php)...

[Daos]

http://badorgood.com/img/09-01-165754/muzeul-tehnicii-populare-sibiu.JPG

http://badorgood.com/img/09-01-165755/muzeul-tehnicii-populare-sibiu.JPG

http://badorgood.com/img/09-01-165756/muzeul-tehnicii-populare-sibiu.JPG

http://badorgood.com/img/09-01-165757/muzeul-tehnicii-populare-sibiu.JPG

http://badorgood.com/img/09-01-165758/muzeul-tehnicii-populare-sibiu.JPG

http://badorgood.com/img/09-01-165759/muzeul-tehnicii-populare-sibiu.JPG

http://badorgood.com/img/09-01-165760/muzeul-tehnicii-populare-sibiu.JPG

http://badorgood.com/img/09-01-165762/muzeul-tehnicii-populare-sibiu.JPG

[Daos]

These pictures are closer to the reality than the ones I've previously posted...

http://badorgood.com/img/06-04-150690/inainte-de-a-intra-in-pamant-micile-cladiri-cu-acoperisuri-de-paie-sunt-napadite-de-licheni.jpg
Before entering into the ground, small buildings with straw roofs are overrun by lichens...

http://badorgood.com/img/06-04-150691/-sau-inghitite-de-paduri.jpg
...or swallowed by forests.

http://badorgood.com/img/06-04-150692/povestea-catunului-cheia-este-identica-cu-a-altor-localitati-disparute-moartea-lor-nu-e-decat-efectul-izolarii-de-civilizatie.jpg
The story of Cheia hamlet is identical to other localities that have vanished. Their death is only the effect of isolation...

http://badorgood.com/img/06-04-150693/caci-aceeasi-munti-ce-odinioara-au-aparat-aceste-case-facandule-uitate-in-depresiunea-dintre-cele-patru-chei-ale-rimetului-geoagelului-pravului-si-baltii.jpg
Because the same mountains that once protected these houses, have led them to oblivion in the depression between the four canyons (Rimetului, Geoagelului, Pravului and Bălții)...

http://badorgood.com/img/06-04-150694/-le-sufoca-azi-cu-singuratatea-izvorata-din-lipsa-oricaror-cai-de-acces.jpg
...they suffocate them today with the loneliness arising from the lack of access roads!

http://badorgood.com/img/06-04-150695/adapostite-sub-versantii-cheilor.jpg
Sheltered under the canyons' slopes...

http://badorgood.com/img/06-04-150696/-sau-rasfirate-pe-culmile-din-jur.jpg
...or scattered on the peaks around...

http://badorgood.com/img/06-04-150697/-gospodariile-odata-locuite-ale-catunului-.jpg
...the once inhabited farmsteads of the the hamlet...

http://badorgood.com/img/06-04-150698/-parca-sar-prabusi-acum-in-ele-insele.jpg
...seem to collapse on themselves now!

http://badorgood.com/img/06-04-150699/cat-de-curand-ramanem-doar-cu-amintirea-unui-sat.jpg
Soon we will be left only with the memory of a village!

http://badorgood.com/img/06-04-150700/cu-toate-ca-unele-case-parca-sar-ascunde-in-padurile-tinere.jpg
Although some houses seem to hide in the young forests...

http://badorgood.com/img/06-04-150701/-sfarsitul-e-totusi-aproape.jpg
...their end is still near!


P.S.: I apologize for my appalling translation...:embarrassed

[d3cimat3d]

They look similar to Norse buildings:

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa29/powerup927/41-51chapelinthehills.jpg

[Daos]

I wouldn't go that far. Our churches are much simpler and smaller.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/aa/Biserica_de_lemn_din_Budesti_Josani.JPG

[d3cimat3d]

I wouldn't go that far. Our churches are much simpler and smaller.


:rolleyes:

Come on, there are obvious connections, you know it too.

[Daos]

Come on, there are obvious connections, you know it too.

Like what? The Goths thought us how to build them? I don't think Viking traders heading to Constantinople passed through Maramureș, so I don't see where you're going with this...

[d3cimat3d]

Like what? The Goths thought us how to build them? I don't think Viking traders heading to Constantinople passed through Maramureș, so I don't see where you're going with this...

Sure, it's quite possible the Goths are responsible for this building style. Do you think it's all a coincidence?

And it's funny how you jump from talking about Goths and then Vikings. The two were totally different people (Goths weren't Vikings, and Vikings weren't Goths)

Nor did Goths ever settle in Maramures.

[Murphy]

http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/5725/gypsycaravan.jpg

Regards,
The Papist.

[d3cimat3d]

http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/5725/gypsycaravan.jpg

Regards,
The Papist.

:D Those are Gypsy wagons are they not?

[Murphy]

:D Those are Gypsy wagons are they not?

Exactly.

Regards,
The Papist.

[The Lawspeaker]

Gypo's are as Romanian as Sioux are Dutch. :coffee:


Cereal Killer.. at least you could have bothered to look up the reason when and why they were build (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1d/S%C3%83%C2%A2rbi_Josani.jpg). They are not connected to the Vikings or the Goths or anything and relied solely on local craftsmanship and woodcarving traditions.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1d/S%C3%A2rbi_Josani.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f2/Budesti_Josani.sud.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/87/Budesti_Josani.vest.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1d/S%C3%83%C2%A2rbi_Josani.jpg

[Daos]

Sure, it's quite possible the Goths are responsible for this building style. Do you think it's all a coincidence?

No, I think it's a style we developed. Just take a look at the wooden gates. Or did some Germanic tribe teach us how to build those as well?:rolleyes:


And it's funny how you jump from talking about Goths and then Vikings. The two were totally different people (Goths weren't Vikings, and Vikings weren't Goths)

Thank you for the information, I had absolutely no idea.:icon_rolleyes:


Nor did Goths ever settle in Maramures.

I wouldn't know that, but they were allied with the Dacians and that's why I mentioned them.


http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/5725/gypsycaravan.jpg

Regards,
The Papist.

May you get molested by a gypsy catholic priest.

Regards,
The Zamolxian.

[d3cimat3d]

They are not connected to the Goths or anything


You're welcome to have your own opinion. ;)

[Daos]

The planimetric and volumetric typology of rural housing has been set since the Neolithic...

http://www.ziduldacic.go.ro/arhitectura/01/mare/1_cultura_boian.gif
Tangiru, Giurgiu county - middle Neolithic, ca. 4200-3500 BC - Boian culture, Vidra phase
Megaron type dwelling due to the arrangement of the semi-open spaces on the short side of the building.

http://www.ziduldacic.go.ro/arhitectura/01/mare/2_arisud-cucuteni.gif
Ariușd, Covasna county - late Neolithic, ca. 3500-2500 BC - Ariușd-Cucuteni culture
Megaron type dwelling

http://www.ziduldacic.go.ro/arhitectura/01/mare/3_neoliticul_mijlociu.gif
Petru-Rareș, Giurgiu county - end of the middle Neolithic - transition phase from Boian culture to Gumelnița
The dwelling has its porch on the long side, facing south, while to the north it has a shelter for animals. This distribution will later appear in the rural architecture.

http://www.ziduldacic.go.ro/arhitectura/01/mare/4_cultura_cucuteni_A.gif
Vădastra, Dolj county - middle Neolithic, ca. 4200-3500 BC - Vădastra culture, Vădastra II phase

http://www.ziduldacic.go.ro/arhitectura/01/5_neoliticul_tarziu.gif
Hăbășești, Iași county - late Neolithic, ca. 3500-2500 BC - Cucuteni A culture

Legend:
http://www.ziduldacic.go.ro/arhitectura/01/legenda_01.jpg - Walls made of trellis coated with yellow earth found "in situ"
http://www.ziduldacic.go.ro/arhitectura/01/legenda_02.jpg - Hypothetical route of the wall
http://www.ziduldacic.go.ro/arhitectura/01/legenda_03.jpg - Traces of poles stuck in the ground found "in situ"
http://www.ziduldacic.go.ro/arhitectura/01/legenda_04.jpg - Hypothetical position of poles
http://www.ziduldacic.go.ro/arhitectura/01/legenda_05.jpg - Hearths


Source (http://www.ziduldacic.go.ro/arhitectura/romania_neolitic_01.htm)

[Daos]

http://www.ziduldacic.go.ro/arhitectura/04/1_plan_templu.gif

http://www.ziduldacic.go.ro/arhitectura/04/mare/2_reconstituire_templu.gif

http://www.ziduldacic.go.ro/arhitectura/04/mare/3_interior_templu.gif
Sălacea, Bihor county - Bronze Age, c. 1800-1600 BC - Otomani culture

Edifices from the Bronze Age use the same volumetric, planimetry and structural solutions used in the Neolithic. In this period the prototype is the Megaron type sanctuary, found in religious architecture of the previous stages.

The sanctuary from Sălacea is composed, from a planimetric point of view, of three functional areas making up two well-defined spaces: the area that links with the outside, materialised through the semi-open space of the porch, placed between the pilasters on the north-western side, at the sanctuary's entrance and two areas for carrying out the ritual, arranged in enfilade, forming a well-defined closed space. The first area of the closed space, next to the entrance, acts as a lobby, being separated from the other area by a bump of 10 cm and is the place where vessels with offerings were placed, being a sort of small shrine. The second area, sheltering two shrines of remarkable dimensions, it's the place for the ritual ceremony. The architectural effect resulted from the arrangement of structural elements in two rows of interior columns and by articulating the functional areas and gradation of the space is remarkable.

http://www.ziduldacic.go.ro/arhitectura/04/mare/templu_megaron.jpg
Fragments of the ornamented panels adjacent to the altars

Structurally, the edifice uses traditional constructive elements perpetuated from the Neolithic: beaten clay floor, walls made of a wooden frame coated with clay, roof rafters covered with vegetation. The innovation consists of two rows of interior columns arranged parallel to the edifice's longitudinal axis, which supported the roof using the trabeated system known from the Neolithic. Beside supporting the roof, the poles also divided the interior space in three naves with distinct functional roles.

The edifice's monumentality and interior environment were underlined by the existence of decorative wall panels, arranged adjacent to the two main altars. Continuing the Neolithic tradition, the decorations from Sălacea, relief made by shaping and incising the clay paste with geometric polychrome motifs, represent an obvious evolution in this field. On one hand, an ornamental repertoire with geometric elements such as the rhombus, triangle and double or simple spirals is crystallised, and on the other an execution technology based on the direct moulding of the clay paste on site is being contoured.

The use of adobe bricks for the base of the north-eastern wall and for the porche's pilasters is also worth mentioning since this shows that the use of ceramic blocks has extended to walls as well.

The architectural characteristics of the sanctuary from Sălacea fit between the parameters of Mediterranean architecture and are the proof of an obvious evolution of the local architecture.

Following the Neolithic tradition of rural sanctuaries that adapted the planimetry and volumetry of the homes to the ritualistic functions, the sanctuary from Sălacea is individualised by the two rows of columns that announce the columns of Dacian temples that will appear later on. Also, the similarity between the sanctuary and a series of wooden churches from the plain regions is a proof that the architectural repertoire of the rural buildings of worship are perennial.

Source (http://ziduldacic.go.ro/arhitectura/romania_templu_neolitic_04.htm)

[Daos]

http://www.ziduldacic.go.ro/arhitectura/06/mare/1si2_slimnic.gif
Slimnic, Sibiu county, 1st c. AD

http://www.ziduldacic.go.ro/arhitectura/06/mare/3_popesti.gif
Popești, Giurgiu county, 1st c. BC - 1st c. AD

http://www.ziduldacic.go.ro/arhitectura/06/mare/4_gradiste.gif
Grădiștea Muncelului (Sarmizegetusa), Hunedoara county, 1st c. AD

The Geto-Dacian dwellings from the 2nd century BC to the 1st century AD (the Classical period) evolve and diversify compared with those of prior periods. The traditional construction system is kept: vertical support elements consisting of wooden posts embedded in soil, between the posts a filling consisting of twigs that form a reinforcement of the wall, coating of clay. This system is used for surface as well as for sunken or bellow-ground dwellings. It's used for rectangular buildings as well as circular or apsidal ones.

The dwellings in the Carpatho-Danubian-Pontic area begin to individualise, moving away from the original Megaron type. This differentiation is due to moving it's point of focus from the short side to the long one, which becomes the edifice's main façade. This focus point is marked by the arrangement of the entrance and/or semi-open spaces.

The edifices are either rectangular with a gable or hip roof or circular with a conical roof. The apsidal forms are a transition from the circular to the rectangular type. The plans are usually monocellular or bicellular, but we sometimes see more complex planimetric divisions, with three or more rooms.


Source (http://ziduldacic.go.ro/arhitectura/romania_antica_06.htm)

[Daos]

Hypothetical reconstructions (volumetry and planimetry)

http://ziduldacic.go.ro/arhitectura/07/mare/1_arpasul_de_sus.gif
Arpașu de Sus, Sibiu county, 1st c. BC - 1st c. AD

http://ziduldacic.go.ro/arhitectura/07/mare/2_gradistea_muncelului.gif
Grădiștea Muncelului, Hunedoara county, 1st c. BC

http://ziduldacic.go.ro/arhitectura/07/mare/3_gradiste.gif
Grădiștea Muncelului, Hunedoara county, 1st c. BC - 1st c. AD

http://ziduldacic.go.ro/arhitectura/07/mare/4_luncani-piatra_rosie.gif
Luncani-Piatra Roșie, Hunedoara county, 1-2st c. AD

The constructive system with wooden soles placed on stone foundations, presumed in previous stages, is attested with certainty in the case of Dacian architecture. The discovery of stone foundations used to support the wooden structure of the walls, the existence of tools which allowed the realization of the joints specific to this constructive type, followed by the in situ identification of diaphragms of squared beams, arranged horizontally and with smooth edges (crown system), as well as the images from Trajan's Column, confirm the present use of dwellings with horizontal and vertical wooden beam walls, supported by soles and with stone foundation. This constructive system, mostly specific to surface dwellings - predominant in the era -, corresponds planimetrically to the rectangular type with one or more rooms. The use of this type of construction with wooden walls on soles is presumed to be used mostly in richly forested areas with a high elevation.

The phenomenon of regionalisation of dwelling models based on the relief of the region and the variety and particularity of the construction material available is triggered in this period and will continue in the future stages, leading to the crystallisation of morphologically differentiated dwellings, from region to region, with a high coefficient of economical and constructive efficiency and an obvious planimetric, volumetric and decorative variety, representing the embryo of the regional specificity of the traditional Romanian architecture.


Source (http://ziduldacic.go.ro/arhitectura/romania_antica_07.htm)

[Daos]

Hypothetical reconstructions (volumetry and planimetry)

http://ziduldacic.go.ro/arhitectura/08/1_luncani-piatra_rosie.gif
Luncani-Piatra Roșie, Hunedoara county, 1-2st c. AD

http://ziduldacic.go.ro/arhitectura/08/2_ocnita.gif
Ocnița (Buridava), Vâlcea county,1st c. AD

http://ziduldacic.go.ro/arhitectura/08/3_luncani.gif
Luncani-Piatra Roșie, Hunedoara county, 1-2st c. AD

Amply sized dwellings with many rooms are frequently found in the Dacian Era, along with the usual family dwellings. Focusing major constructive efforts and assuming extensive building knowledge, these buildings usually have walls made out of wooden beams supported on stone foundations or with slotted in poles.

The rooms are arranged on two or three bays with one or two openings. This distribution involves the existence of a clear functional scheme, preceding the urban approach upon which to make the space grouping, starting with the destination and importance of each room.

The semi-open spaces (the porches and pavilions) are arranged on the sides (between the pilasters), thus perpetuating the „megaron” type, or surround the edifice on two or three sides. The persistence of the planimetric type specific to the „megaron” (with the main entrance on the shorter side of the building, which is kept as the main façade of the building) to a greater extant than in the normal dwellings is worth mentioning.

The organisation system of the planimetry, with bays and openings, confers the volumetric solution an obviously monumental character, underlined as much through the rhythm of the columns that mark the semi-open spaces, as through the use of some special materials (ridge tiles, roof tiles and so on).

The edifice's amplitude, being up to 40 metres long and 20-25 metres wide, as well as the gauge of some rooms with openings of 8-12 metres, implies, on one hand, elevated building procedures, sustained by adequate instrumentation, and on the other hand technical knowledge reaching to the realisation of „farms” made of wood, capable to support the aforementioned openings.


Source (http://ziduldacic.go.ro/arhitectura/romania_antica_08.htm)

[Vlach]

Houses from Moldova area:

http://www.moldovenii.md/resources/files/images/natura/51_Calaras-Sadova_casa_veche_boiereasca_221010_05.JPG

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mz5jlHMmnfU/TLbuka-OjMI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/IQ6iENb4dRA/s1600/DSC_4470+%28752+x+500%29.jpg

http://www.traseeromania.ro/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/MUZEUL-SATULUI-BUCOVINEAN-SUCEAVA-Casa-Campulung-Moldovenesc-Casa-Nemtan1.jpg

Houses from Banat plain area:

http://i44.tinypic.com/71k5f4.jpg

http://i43.tinypic.com/15z06rc.jpg

Houses from Banat mountain area:
http://i44.tinypic.com/2cp3hir.jpg

[Vlach]

Curtișoara-Oltenia region

https://scontent-b-fra.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t1.0-9/p180x540/10526065_812045165513455_7064009481622604980_n.jpg

http://www.casacartianu.ro/images/atractii/curtisoara.bmp

http://www.ambis.ro/img/continut/restaurare_acoperisuri_case/curtisoara/curtisoara-inainte.jpg

http://www.mycountry.ro/wp-content/flagallery/curtisoara/slide0003_image006.jpg

[Carpatz]

types of traditional dwellings by region

http://www.cooperativatraditionala.ro/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/harta-tipuri-case-taranesti.jpg

[Daco Celtic]

https://i.imgur.com/ThS69oz.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/9u9qN9e.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/7uort2J.jpg