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Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 188 (2015) 276 – 281

Heritage as an Alternative Driver for Sustainable Development and Economic Recovery in South East Europe

Rural tourism and its implication in the development of the

Fundata Village
Mariana Bălana,*, Cristina Burgheleab
a
Institute for Econiomic Forecasting-NIER, Romanian Academy, Calea 13 Septembrie no.13, Bucharest, Romania
b
Hyperion University – Bucharest, Calea Călăraúilor 169, Bucharest, Romania

Abstract

The role of tourism in the national economy of various countries is particularly important because of the complexity of this
phenomenon. The powerful economic and social transformations in the contemporary period created and developed tourism
which in turn stimulated the development of other branches of the national economy through the subject of its activity such as
industry and agriculture, construction, transport, trade, etc. Thus, the development of tourism and his transformation into a huge
phenomenon with far-reaching implications of economic, social, cultural, etc. has resulted in the establishment and consolidation
of tourist market rural tourism is one of the forms of tourism that incorporates aspects of sustainable development, environmental
protection, development of entrepreneurship, both in direct activities and those related to the practice of this form of tourism
traditions and customs, ancient and unspoiled, rural life, computer games, and architecture, gives a specific identity of Fundata,
the highest village in Romania. The identity of Fundata is complemented by natural landscape, lined the Bucegi and Piatra
Craiului mountains. The paper presents aspects of rural tourism developments in the village of victory, as well as some methods
and techniques to promote rural tourist offer in this locality.

© 2015 The ©Authors.

2014 The Authors.
Published byPublished by This
Elsevier Ltd. Elsevier
is an Ltd.
openSelection andunder
access article peer-review under responsibility
the CC BY-NC-ND license of Institute of National
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Economy from Romanian Academy
Peer-review under responsibility of the Scientific Committee of Heritage Sagittarius 2014.

Keywords: rural tourism, Fundata village, sustainable development

1. Historical background of Fundata village

At about 40 km from Brasov, on national highway those links Brasov to Campulung-Muscel, there are other
villages as well, like Brănene watched by the Bucegi and Piatra Craiului mountains. Fundata is a beautiful mountain
village that closes in the South-East the picturesque Rucar-Bran aisle, being placed at the highest altitude in the
country (1360 m) (Figure 1).

*Corresponding author: Tel.: +40-746-154-305.

E-mail address: [email protected]

1877-0428 © 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Peer-review under responsibility of the Scientific Committee of Heritage Sagittarius 2014.
doi:10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.03.393
 Mariana Bălan and Cristina Burghelea / Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 188 (2015) 276 – 281 277

Climbing up towards to Fundata one can discover the sight of one of the biggest and nices views on the highway
that goes winding, high mountains and endless tree forests. During the year, through these places numerous
passengers are passing. Some come to breathe the cleanest mountain air (demonstrated by Weather Station Fundata),
and others just to see the beautiful mountain landscapes or to know the Customs and traditions of unspoiled,
authentic architecture and enjoy traditional dishes.

Fig. 1 The tourist map of Bran

The etymology of the word seems to be that of "dead end". It is difficult to say where the toponym comes from.
The majority argue that the hypothesis was derived from geographical features. As toponym the Fundata mountain
was discovered in Wallachia documents dated from the year 1642. As oiconim, appears in 1713, then in 1732 years
when historians indicate that it is the year of founding of this village. Early was lost in times of settlement, about
which we have little evidence left by. However, documents that are still preserved are often referring as the oldest
and at the same time the most significant trade route of Principality of Wallachia leading from the Câmpulung to
Barsei and Braúov through Fundata. It was the closest link between the capital of Wallachia and the powerful
fortress of Brasov and Transylvania as a whole. Fundata village has experienced an economic and social
development since 1836 by moving the customs from Bran to Fundata (Giuvala step) and also between 1879 and
1881 when was rebuilt the old road that was linking the Brasov from Câmpulung-Muscel. From the administrative
point of view, until 1848, Bran, all villages respectively, formed a single municipality collective which was then
administered by the Lord of Bran Castle, having a mayor elected in each village. In 1872, two parishes were formed:
Bran on down with three villages and Bran on top with eight villages, including the village of Fundata, sitting on the
border between Transylvania and Wallachia. In each village there was a mayor elected by the villagers. During the
period 1884-1885 were established a number of ten municipalities in the Bran, among them the Fundata village as
well. In all this time have been build up a number of two notary offices, that we can even called them town councils,
based in Bran and Moieciul de Jos of which Fundata village had been allocated. The administrative territorial in
1925, Fundata village received FundăĠica, a village belonging up to that point to the village of Dragoslavele,
Muscel. Since 1930, Fundata village has become self-reliant with their own notary. During this period, over time,
the Town Council had several elected mayors where various notaries have worked. All have brought an important
contribution to the achievement of socio-economic objectives and administrative to their municipality.

2. Local traditions

Year after year, Fundata is hosting several festivals, which have become traditional in the way that they managed
to maintain the attention of those who love the beauty of tradition and nature. The oldest secular traditions preserved
celebrated in the place are: “The Fate of the Mountains”, which is held on 20th July when is held the feast of Saint
Elijah (Figure 2).
278 Mariana Bălan and Cristina Burghelea / Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 188 (2015) 276 – 281

Fig. 2 Nedeia Mountains on the Giuvala plateau

In 1969 at the initiative of a worthy son of the village, Professor John e. Gibbs, was staged this village folk
holiday on a pasture in Fundata village namely Giuvala plateau. As an organization, the Feast was magnificent
especially since the time was extraordinarily beautiful. The most important issue was that of the folk custom which
represent the base of this event, because the term "nedeie" is defines as a "pastoral party of popular rural festival
origins, usually made on the occasion of a celebration or a dedication day". From another point of view the term
"nedeie" is defined as a "a plan place on top of a mountain".
Connected with the manifestation called "The Fate of the Mountains" from Fundata, we believe that both
meanings of the term "nedeie" (the fate) is included in the content of the Festival, in the sense that it takes place on
the feast of St Elijah which has as base a shepherd custom who is usually held on the Summit of Mount Sintilia
(Sântilia) in the vicinity of Tipperary town and is located on the Transylvania County territory. There are documents
from the second half of the 18th century that show that this nedeie is linked to the fair from Elijah held at
Câmpulung, and that, in some years, when the time is sunny, this fair is organized in Poiana Stănicioii, on the
mountain or plateau Sintilia Giuvala. At this traditional fair are served products which are typical from that region:
polenta ball, truckle cheese also served in pine bark, or nuts, smoked cheese, jintiĠă, lamb mutton and other
derivatives thereof. In today celebration in Fundata village the traditions are same, nothing is changed from what
was done in the early years and this make this holiday to have a special importance and full of charm in that: the
pride of being “fundăĠean”, customs and traditional crafts, folk costumes (Figure 3), music and good will, shepherds
and merchants, the affairs and beautiful love stories. Every year this event has been developed and has been
enriched by the presence of the participants.
At every the end of June, Fundata is hosting the event called "The sons of the village", a valuable resource for the
challenges faced by the villagers. The idea in which the village children are able to solve specific problems of the
community and to generate positive social change was founded by Prof. Dr. Elenor Ciurea from the "Bran sons and
Friends Association-Branch of Fundata". The main purpose of this Association is to contribute to the preservation of
local cultural heritage and to the cultural and artistic value and historical village, old traditions actually achievable
through musicological arrangements, through the creation of brochures, leaflets and websites on the internet,
publishing articles and books.
 Mariana Bălan and Cristina Burghelea / Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 188 (2015) 276 – 281 279

Fig.3. Introducing the popular costume

The sons of the village feast are a special day, enlightened by faith and tradition. Thus all Fundata citizens dress
up for holiday to enjoy the places where they were born and where they lived, remembering memories and bringing
the old traditions of the village is actually a return to the roots. Youth and elders celebrate the village's sons, former
householders worthy or complex personalities that "have written and write the history of the Romanian people".
Gather to celebrate those who have migrated to other parts of the country and even in other corners of the world
leading away the name of the village. Those present at the celebration were not forgot to remember the heroes who
have sacrificed in the first and second world war. Memories full of sincerity are heard from war veterans. The
festival of historical of Fundata (1916) is the most important event dedicated to a Romanian World War I battles
(Figure 4).

Fig.4. Monument dedicated to the heroes of the World War I

Gather here for two days (25-27 May 2012) historical re-enactment enthusiasts live as if it would be in the
campaign. They cook at boilers and they eat all together, at fixed hours, doing training, they take care of their
weapons, uniforms or saw uniforms and clean them up. Because the replenishment to be utterly truthful all the
elements of modern life are excluded during a few days.
280 Mariana Bălan and Cristina Burghelea / Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 188 (2015) 276 – 281

The lesson of history, in which they use the pyrotechnic effects, for the purpose of fighting in Moieciul,
conducted in the fall of 1916, participates associations of reconstitution of the Romanian army in the Great War and
foreign associations, specialized in the presentation of the German and Austro-Hungarian army. The Festival is
dedicated to military operations carried out between the Romanian army and the armies of the central powers in the
Giuvala Step, in the autumn of 1916. The event includes cultural demonstrations, uniforms and weapons
presentation, exhibitions.

3. Rural tourism at the Fundata

In recent years at so called Flowers Sunday, the A.N.T.R.E.C. Brasov Branch together with the Local Council
was founded in the village the National Day of Rural Tourism. This action takes place at the Community Home of
Fundata. The priest opens the celebration through the sanctification of willow-branches, ancient custom of flower.
At the event was presented the village, with all that it implied in recent and past years. The women’s from village
were coordinated by Marioara Voinescu, a professor at the School of Fundata. Workshops were held, where they
held demonstrations of handicrafts from area (spinning, weaving, knitting, sewing, embroidery, painting,
woodworking), various exhibitions with works of folk art (loom, forks, household objects, folk costume of Fundata
citizens), tasting of traditional products area (polenta with cheese specific Fundata village, cheese in the crust,
cheese, smoked cheese, ricotta). Also during this event has taken place the traditional Harbour Parade and visits to
the local hostels classified from 2 to 5 stars. Therefore, we are moving towards the new attention and remarkable
tourist resort (tourist resort) developed strongly in recent years. Since 1990, a worthy son of Bran, an avid skiing,
Professor Ovidiu Garbaceanu anticipated the tourist potential of the area and opened the first pension in Moieciu.
The son of a peasant, student, athlete and coach of the National ski lots and biathlon during the period 1978-1990,
today has a very valuable business. After he retired he decided to do something else, than what had made at the ski
lots. Initially he thought, taking into account the specifics of the area, to develop a farm animal, but he faced the lack
of water and electricity. Then he came up with the idea to logging. He bought a tractor, a quantity of wood mass
(500 m3) and a sawmill. The money obtained he began to invest in a first holiday complex, located in an ideal area
for tourism.
As a sportsman he travelled a lot and thus was able to see mountain resorts in the Alps and in the Nordic
countries where are held specialized winter sports competitions. Professor Ovidiu Garbaceanu says that when he
started the business tourism he was first inspired by the Nordic countries projects in the sense that all he was seen
there was determined to make at home as well. Thus, in the early 1990s he transformed the parent’s home into a
boarding house with seven bedrooms, sauna, and swimming pool with water, toilets and shower. In a relatively short
time the whole villa was leased. After the construction of the first youth hostel another one followed, then a hotel,
and so on until it has been able to coagulate the whole complex rule with hotel and guest houses, tennis courts,
volleyball and soccer, horse-drawn sleigh rides, rental of sports equipment, children's play park, indoor pool, pub
with billiards, table tennis, pond with swans and mountain trails in two steps. At the same time, was introduced the
idea of a mountain stream that sets in motion a small woolen mill located in the traditional restaurant which was to
become the centre of attraction of tourists.
Seeing that the business was profitable and free tax for rural tourism (introduced after 1994) , he begin to expand
the buildings on six hectares, the highest occupancy in Braúov at the small and medium enterprises level. He gave a
great importance of highways, arrangement of fiber-optic line and fitting-out of the rooms. In 2006 he organized for
the first time The Cup of Gradiste Keys, cross-country skiing and biathlon, with a large participation and awards.
Then, in 2008, followed the seniors Balcaniada and junior Nationals. Among those who come to training camps
were lots of handball, volleyball, fencing, rowing and boxing. The beauty of pine forests, extensive pastures, high
altitude and spectacular views of Piatra Craiului massifs (Figure 5 a) and the Bucegi mountains have impressed and
encouraged Mr Garbacea to start construction for the second 5 star tourist complex as there are abroad-The Gradistei
Keys Fundata (Figure 5 b). This includes three hotels (Bucegi, Piatra Craiului and Sports), ten villas with names
inspired by the reality of the surrounding forest, and seven wooden boxes.
 Mariana Bălan and Cristina Burghelea / Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 188 (2015) 276 – 281 281

Fig.5 a. View of the Massif Piatra Craiului b. Keys Grădiútea Fundatei

At the end of January and beginning of February took place in chronological order, The Dynamo Cup, the Keys
Cup Gradiste cross-country and biathlon National Championships and Balkan Championships of cross-country
skiing competition assigned to Romania, as a test for verifying the capacity to cope with the requirements imposed
by the European Youth Olympic Festival that took place in our country in 2013. On the sport base of the Keys
Gradiste Complex have completed the most talented skiers from Romanians, Greece, Bulgaria and Turkey. Concern
for the future development in Fundata is complementary to tourism, and the latter in the rural form is one of the
strengths of the commune because of agro tourism is highly dependent on the well-being of the inhabitants.
Therefore, it is a good example of how you can turn a small settlement, located at high altitude, to renowned tourist
resort.

Conclusions

The hearth of the village lies between the rivers Moieciu, Grădiútea and FundăĠica and consists of a limestone
block with intercalations of conglomerates, whose altitude is maintained between 1250-1360 m. This makes it the
highest permanently inhabited village in Romania. "The view which offers banks covered with forest, with meadows
dotted with farms and hamlets spread throughout is the most picturesque". Fortunately, the tourism development of
the village of Fundata did not affect the beauty of the local landscape. The tourists that arrive in the village of
Fundata has the opportunity to discover: Plateau Deasupra, Tâncău Point, Ridge (Creasta Cocoúului), Tip (Vârful)
Ionelelor, Edge (Pe Muchie), Padima Peregrine Falcon (Padina ùoimului), Culmea Grădiútea, În Moúoroaie, ùleul
Mândrului, Vârful lui Teleleu, ùerbeúti, Podul Băúoaiei, La Puroia, La Pajură úi Lacul fără fund, iar în ùirnea, Piscul
Păltiniú, Stânca Seninare, La Trei ùipote, Padina lui CenĠiu, Curmătura Groapelor, ğurĠudău, ColĠul Spărturilor,
Valea lui Cioacă, În Padină, vârful Gâlma Pleúii úi Poiana Lungă. In the vicinity of the village, lies the cave of Bats
(Moieciu village), at Chiúătoare (Moieciu village) and Dâmbovicioara Cave (Dâmbovicioara village). It is said that
in the beauty and majesty of the mountain we can admire the God smile. We urge you to climb Bran defile and
discover how close to heaven the beauty of the places in which we live is.

References

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Moúoiu, I. (1930), Branul úi cetatea Branului, Editura Turing Clubului Român, Bucureúti.
*** DicĠionarul explicativ al limbii române, (1975). Editura Academiei Republicii Socialiste România, Bucureúti, pag. 591.