Traditions of Bucharest
The Romanian capital where Mărțișor red-and-white strings welcome March and Easter is a long midnight feast.
Bucharest, once called Little Paris, is a city of belle époque buildings and a large Soviet-era palace. Romanians keep a calendar of customs in which spring, harvest and Easter are the most important. The mărțișor, a red-and-white string with a small charm, is given on 1 March to wish health and luck.
Mărțișor and Easter
On 1 March, friends and relatives exchange mărțișoare, strings of two twisted threads, which are worn through the month and then tied on a tree. At Easter, Orthodox Romanians attend midnight service, carrying lit candles home, then eat lamb, drob, and painted eggs, which they crack in a game of tapping.
At the table
Mici, small grilled sausages, are eaten with mustard and beer. Sarmale, cabbage rolls, and ciorbă, a sour soup, are staples. Papanași, fried doughnuts with cream and jam, are a famous dessert. Cozonac and pasca are baked at holidays. Țuică is a brandy.
Signature traditions of Bucharest
Also part of it, and being written: Sarmale (The cabbage rolls.), Mici (The sausages.), Papanași (The doughnuts.).
A trail idea for Bucharest
- Village Museum See rural houses.
- Old Town Walk Lipscani.
- Obor Market Buy cheese and honey.
Written by the EveryParampara desk with AI assistance. Opening hours, markets and festival dates change; check locally before travelling. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.
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