Dawn Berkoski

To find the summer home of Vlad III, the son of Dracul, the guards at the Palace of Parlaiment told me to cross the Dîmbovița River and cut through the park.

Easy enough, I thought. But, despite traversing the Carpathian Mountains of Transylvania in search of vampires, crossing the Dîmbovița River proved harder.

Google Maps tried to take me through restricted areas, fun times, which led to a seven-block tour of the wall surrounding the Palace of Parliament. I caught a peek at the The People’s Salvation Cathedral, a massive Orthodox Cathedral currently under construction. And somehow, after finally finding a pedestrian bridge, I wound up cutting through two parks and completely bypassing the heart of Old Town.

I wasn’t disappointed in my alternate destination, however, because I found a 19th century treasure. The Romanian Anthenaeum is a breathtaking music venue. and another example of the beauty and artistry in Romania.

The towering rose marble columns reminded me of the Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church in Sibiu, whispering to me of love, hope, and everything pretty in pink. Ceilings so gorgeous that I wanted to lie on the floor and take it all in. I was hopelessly in love with this romantic space.

Of course, the Concert Hall was built after Vlad the Impaler’s reign, so I didn’t find any vampires. But I thought of them, in my velvet seat, as I stared up at the elaborate, blood-red ceiling in the main Concert Hall. My fingers itched for my keyboard, wanting to document every inspiring detail. I could hear the music, an otherworldly sound, but no one was there.

I was adrift in a city that lured and captured me at every turn. But I sought something else, and I had plans for the evening.

Dawn B~