Historical Tales from the Romanian Highlands Now in Dreamland

Discover the little-known stories that influenced the history and folklore of Romanian highlands now in “Dreamland,” described as “a captivating read, delightful and fascinating” and “a magical tour through Romania’s history and folklore” through skillfully written 100-word stories.

If you enjoyed traveling to the lush Romanian Banat region via forgotten stories you will love today’s highland tales: wolves, witches, gothic warrior women and shepherds!

Reading Dreamland you will enter into a realm where the hazy, enthralling tapestry of Romania’s  highlands is woven together by giants and maidens, monarchs and hajduks, warriors and witches. Here, tucked away in the regions of Bistrița-Năsăud, Banat, Crișana, Maramureș, and Transylvania, history coexists with folklore, resonating in the secret valleys where time has hardly left its mark and throbbing in the veins of rivers.

But what about the historical tales from the Romanian highlands, I hear you say.

A Tale of Full Moon, Magic and Wolves in Dreamland

According to Romanian mythology, missing wolf cubs can be guided back to their pack by the moon, which is said to shine best when it is full. The elder wolves howl to the watchful moon each month to express their gratitude.

“Full Moon, Magic and Wolves”is a symbolically rich story that symbolizes the connection between the natural world and the invisible realm.

Play Not with the Cursed Forest Ma

The terrifying Muma Pădurii, also known as Forest Ma, is a representation of the untamed, savage spirit of a vanished society. She is a strong protector of the woods who lives deep within her forested domain, away from both human sight and the blade of the woodcutter. Her grotesque visage and her uncanny, haunting cries are described by legends. At night, she moves like a dark ghost across the landscape, heading for vast plains or intersections where only the most unfortunate encounter her.

Ursula and the Gothic Knight from Bistrita Fortress

In addition, “Dreamland” tells the tale of Ursula, the Gothic Knight from Bistrița Fortress. The prosperous towns of Bistrița, a community molded by adversity and resiliency, were established by the Saxons who initially settled in Burzenland and Nosnerland. This is a story of generosity that has been told for generations: Ursula’s kindness and bravery saved her people and brought back the prosperity once lost.

Dipsa’s Sow Church, Where Pigs Fly

Not to be overlooked is the renowned “Sow Church” in Dipsa. Located in northern Transylvania, the Evangelical Church of Dipsa features a distinctive sow bas-relief. According to folklore, this sow helped fund the construction of the church, a striking example of how faith can withstand both religious and political upheaval.

Bánffy Castle’s Haunted Legend

The largest Baroque-style castle in Transylvania, Bánffy Castle, also referred to as the “Electric Castle” or the “Versailles of Transylvania,” lies tucked away along the banks of the Someșul Mic River. Constructed by the Bánffy family between 1437 and 1543, it served as a residence for many generations until German forces took control of it in 1944 and turned it into a WWII military hospital. It became known as one of Romania’s most haunted locations as stories of spooky encounters surfaced throughout time. Ghostly figures and faint murmurs are frequently reported by those who roam its halls.

The Shepherds of Dreamland: a Life Enough

In Dreamland, I tried to portray the shepherds with reverence, as they are the guardians of a way of life both simple and rich, ancient yet enduring. They are men of the fields, driven by a pull as old as the land itself.

“PHWEEEE!” whistles the shepherd, his call rippling through the valley, stirring his herding dogs into motion as they gather the flock. With his rod on his shoulder, he heads homeward along the road, “each step closer to his old woman, children, and love.”

The shepherd’s life may be rough, his roof leaky, his floors creaky, but he finds solace in the fields and bales, the scent of earth, and the feeling of freedom that runs deep in his veins.

There’s a cadence in this life, in “the bells hanging around sheep’s necks,” their varied tones creating a soft hierarchy, mingling with the shepherd’s flute, the forest streams, and the sigh of wind through leaves. Once, an old shepherd from Dobruja journeyed to the pastures of Bucegi, his heart leaping when he reached the familiar slopes of his youth, his footfall instinctively tracing paths well-trodden by generations before him.

And then, there are the memories shared by those who walked beside these men, like a grandchild recounting how “Gramps always took me along, the journey the same, a millennial trek flattened by generations of shepherds.” Together they walked the “whispering” fir trees and pastures, marking time with the wolves, the sheep, and the whey cheese.

Such are the historical tales from the Romanian highlands that are featured in Dreamland.

I tried to capture the rugged essence of shepherding life—a simplicity woven with the land’s wisdom, a life steeped in tradition and a freedom known only to those who live it. In Romania’s heartland, where history and folklore converge, I journeyed back through the stories passed down over generations. In these challenging times, when identity so easily crosses borders and is scattered like leaves in the wind, I hope that my tales offer a chance to remember who we all are, grounding our roots in the past and meeting some of the characters who live on through these timeless narratives.