Motto: Nature and legend  in the region of Hercules

 

Weather now in Herculane:

 

 

 

        

   

 

        There is one locality inside the national park, Cerna-Sat, as well as a few hamlets which includes Prisacina (the largest hamlet of 22 families), Poiana lunga (8 families), Tatu (7 families), and Inelet (6 families).The population in these areas is not very large and the average age of permanent residents is 50.  There have been some minor environmental changes in these communities over the years, but the impact of these was minimal. 

        The changes that can be seen are mostly from where people have become permanent inhabitants, thus increasing land use for grazing, while also constructing homes.  The inhabitants from these areas cultivate legumes, corn, fruit trees, and breed animals.  They have also built permanent houses and water mills, which produce electric energy.  To travel between these settlements, residents use walking paths, horses, donkeys and wagons, when wider roads permit. The main occupation of the inhabitants is sheep and cattle breeding, which is reflected in the local architecture, ethnography and folklore.

        The local architecture presents particular interest for all travelers who love nature.  Shelters, dwellings, cribs, and manor houses are found in pastures and hay fields and are inhabited in the harvest season. Local children must travel by foot through the forest, sometimes as much as 4km in bad weather, to the hamlet’s primary school, which has no electricity. 

        Another example of the unique local communities is the Scarisoara hamlet, which has only three families. To avoid walking long distances around the Cerna Mountains, the residents constructed wooden stairs to connect their houses to the closest town of Baile Herculane.  Their homes are built of wood, have only one room and have a stable attached on the outside.  They also have a fold for cattle and a garden for fruit trees and legumes. 

        Local traditional crafts are also made in these hamlets.  Some of these including remarkable leather goods and wooden crafts, such as cradles.  The traditional furniture is simple and rarely ornamental, but local houses are often decorated with homemade textiles (carpets, sheets, blankets, cradle blankets, and wall clothes)

        The traditional folk clothing is kept carefully by the women, who wear it proudly to church on Sunday, at Romanian round dances (hora), or at other special events.

        The folk customs are not very diverse but they have their own special charm.  This is clear at local weddings and outdoor round dances, where family, neighbors, and travelers alike are received with warm hospitality.  Travelers can also participate in the New Years, seasonal celebrations, and traditional activities (sheep counting and grazing cattle in mountain pastures). 

     The local folk music is representative of the Banat region in Romania.  This music varies between the joyful music sung at traditional round dances, to the melancholy songs which require skillful interpretation.  The musical instruments that accompany the songs are mainly the oboe, violin, and the taragot (an early saxophone which has a conical tube similar to the oboe and the single reed mouthpiece of the clarinet).

        One celebration worth participating in is called “nedee”.  This is a festival of traditional music and clothing.  The atmosphere is alive with joy and music and many take this opportunity to showcase their local festive clothing, while hosting and entertaining visitors.  The locals organize festive meals at their homes and then meet at the local community center in the evening, for traditional dancing.  This event is a special opportunity for travelers to connect with local traditions and customs.