Nestled at the base of the Sub-Carpathians, Focșani is a lively Romanian city in the historic region of Moldavia. It once served as an important trade hub between the Balkans and the Russian Empire. Focșani also played a significant role in the union between Wallachia and Moldavia, the basis of the modern Romanian state.
Things to do in Focşani
Dominating the city centre are the domed towers of the Catedrala “Sfânta Parascheva”, which houses magnificent chandeliers, colourful frescoes and gilded icons. It's a short walk from the Union Museum where you can learn about the events that took place here in the 19th century. The museum occupies a storied building that once served as a hotel visited by politicians such as Mihail Kogălniceanu and Nicolae Șuțu.
Focșani is home to one of Romania’s most beautiful theatres, the Maior Gheorghe Pastia Municipal Theater, which was inaugurated in 1913 with a performance of “Fântâna Blanduziei”. It regularly hosts theatrical, musical and operatic performances, as well as touring comedy shows. In front of the theatre is a bronze bust of the museum’s benefactor, Maior Gheorghe Pastia, which was sculpted by Gabriel Taicuțu.
One of Focșani’s most popular green spaces is Parc Robert Schuman, which centres around an impressive fountain. In addition to a children’s playground and leafy walking trails, there are plenty of benches for watching the world go by. On the edge of the park are several eateries where you can grab a bite to eat, including Dabo Doner and the Simigeria Trani Pizzerie.
Getting around Focşani
Focșani is around 2.5 hours’ drive from Bucharest and Henri Coandă International Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe and the Middle East. Regular trains connect to the Focșani railway station and buses travel throughout the city. The centre of Focșani can easily be explored on foot.