Transfagaras
Roads are different. . .
Broken-killed, asphalt and dirt, country and highways, paths and avenues…
But all roads are dear to travelers, because it is an essential means of carrying out the journey and reaching the ultimate goal.
However, the road can be not only a means, but also the purpose of travel. No wonder reviews and ratings are published from time to time about the most beautiful, most dangerous or most romantic roads in the world.
Having driven along one of these "rating" roads, I want to tell you a little about it.
First, a few words about the history of the road.
Having seen enough of how Soviet Russia, in 1939, made an attempt to bite off part of Poland, in 195.3000 Soviet tanks invaded Hungary and further, in 1968.18 Soviet divisions captured Czechoslovakia and Soviet tanks stood on the streets of Prague - the leadership of Romania, in particular Nikolai Ceausescu decided to build a road through the Carpathians, to enable the rapid passage of troops near Bucharest, if the aggressor neighbor decides to attack Romania.
As a result, in 1974, a road was built connecting the Romanian Wallachia and Transylvania, passing through the Fagaras mountain range. Fortunately, the road was not used for its original purpose, perhaps because the aggressor was busy preparing an invasion of Afghanistan. But be that as it may, today everyone can use this route. And it's worth using.
The track, called Transfagaras, also called C1, is invariably included in any ratings of not only European, but also world roads, as one of the most beautiful roads in the world.
Apparently so it is. In any case, I did not have to drive on more beautiful roads. Firstly, the pavement - despite the fact that the top point of the road is at an altitude of more than 2000 meters above sea level. and for more than half a year there is snow here - the road surface is close to ideal!
If you've never driven a Formula 1 car, don't worry! Here you can fully feel like a Schumacher! Despite the fact that almost the entire route has a speed limit of 40 km, there is no particular desire to go faster. Firstly, because of the beauty that you want to fully perceive, but at the same time you need to carefully monitor the road, and, secondly, constant turns force you to slow down in order to beautifully, with pleasure fit into a small turning radius and enjoy obedience car to your desires. I will not describe all the turns that wind like a snake, but I recommend looking at the photo.
At the very top of the pass there is a wonderful mountain lake Bylya. The water in the lake is perfectly clean and has a malachite-green hue. Beauty! Several cozy hotels have been built around the lake, and those who wish can enjoy the beauties of the road and the surrounding nature with all amenities. But there are many who want to spend the night here just in a tent. And in the immediate vicinity of the hotels and along the road itself there are many lovers of tent rest.
The route can also be viewed from the cable car, which passes over the most interesting section of the road. By the way, the cable car itself is also an attraction - it has one of the longest spans between the towers in Europe.
Having passed the entire Transfagaras highway from north to south, we will find ourselves on the shore of another huge picturesque lake - Vydraru. The road runs right along the magnificent dam. The dam is also an interesting attraction. It is the ninth tallest dam in the world and the fifth in Europe. It was built in 1966, and the height is 166 meters.
But that's another story…
