Patricia Furstenberg, Writer of Historical Fiction, Children's Books
Travel via Stories
On the Night of Saint Andrew, on wolves’ night, in Romanian folklore it is believed that the boundary between the living world and the realm of the dead becomes blurred. Troublesome spirits, known as strigoii, moroii, or vampires, are said to roam the villages, especially the crossroads, tormenting the living and even inflict harm.
Continue reading “On the Night of Saint Andrew, on Wolves’ Night #Im4Ro”
Enjoy a Transylvanian tale where old superstitions and new horror go hand in hand and just in time for Halloween and the feast of Saint Andrew, Sfantul Andrei in Romanian, observed on the 30th of November.
Continue reading “A Transylvanian Tale of Old Superstitions and New Horror”
Join me in climbing the seven floors of medieval Council Tower of bewitching Sibiu, located in the heart of Transylvania. We’ll squeeze our shoulders and bow to history as we’ll make our way up, up, up, but slowly, along a narrow spiraling stone staircase. We’ll pause to gather our wits and breath deeply before climbing further up on the suspended wooden stairs, all the way to the top!
Continue reading “Being Bold, Climbing A Rare Medieval Council Tower, Bewitching Sibiu”
It was Christmas Eve and while it was still early afternoon, with the heavy clouds now lying low and everyone’s excitement buzzing like bolts of energy, the twinkling lights had begun to glow in the shops’ windows, on the eaves, hung in trees, tucked around door frames, or even adorning the houses of the village. As the wait for Christmas was nearly over and winter still had a long time ahead, mostly feasts and holidays, the cheer was barely contained.
Continue reading “Storytime, An Unexpected Christmas Gift – Un Dar Neaşteptat de Crăciun”
Sumedru’s Sacred Fires mark the beginning of pastoral winter and you can see them dancing in the heart of the night if you travel through the southwest of Romania, namely Oltenia or western Wallachia.
Continue reading “Sumedru’s Sacred Fires, the Beginning of Pastoral Winter”