In a Romania where technology and urbanization leave their mark on everyday life, there are still places where tradition and simplicity retain their charm. The Satu` Muscelean Tourist Complex, located at the foot of the Făgăraș mountains, in the village of Cândêști, Argeș county, is such a place.
Created out of the desire to revive authentic Romanian traditions and to offer tourists the opportunity to experience country life, this complex is the right experience for families with children who want to see what life was like in the past with grandparents in the country.
The story of the complex began in 2017, when the founders of this unique place decided to feed their passion for the traditional Romanian village by building their own cottage in the country. The idea came to life after a visit to the Village Museum in Bucharest, a place that has always fascinated them and inspired their desire to offer a similar experience, but with the possibility of overnight accommodation. In a short time the project evolved, and today there are 14 traditional cottages on the property waiting for those who want to experience the peace of life in the country.
Each cottage is built in a traditional style, with wide beams and authentic elements, faithfully reproduced by local craftsmen.
“We wanted to bring to life a set of traditional Muscelean cottages, where the guests feel that they have their own house in the country or that they are visiting their grandparents,” says Ileana Ciucă, co-owner and administrator of the Satu` Muscelean Tourist Complex. Although the cottages keep rustic charm, they are equipped with all the modern facilities necessary for complete comfort: private bathroom, TV, mini-fridge and premium mattresses.
In addition to accommodation, the complex offers a wide range of recreational activities for all ages. Tourists can fish in the complex’s two lakes, one with trout and one with carp and crucian carp, explore the area by bike or ATV, play billiards, table tennis or archery, darts and enjoy the fresh air of the mountain. For children, there is a specially designed playground where they can spend their time safely.
The complex’s restaurant is a real attraction for lovers of traditional Romanian gastronomy. Here, guests can enjoy dishes cooked in tuki, such as soups, stews, trout, meat as garnish, hearth bread and delicious desserts. The ingredients come from local producers, and the dishes are made with care and respect for culinary traditions.
“The dairy products come from a shepherd in the area, and the vegetables are provided by local producers. We are proud of our own dishes such as: homemade sausages and smoked lard, smoked ham, jams, zacuscă,” says Ileana Ciucă.
The Satu` Muscelean complex is located in a wild and unexplored area, in the vicinity of forests and at the confluence of the Bratia and Brătioara rivers. Another aspect that makes this place special, especially for children, is the presence of animals and birds. “At our place you can find birds (ducks, chickens, chickens, guinea fowls, rabbits), children having the opportunity to learn about life on the farm and connect with nature. The horses, sheep and cows of the area can be seen grazing on the neighboring meadows”.
I spoke with Ileana Ciucă, co-owner and administrator of the Satu` Muscelean Tourist Complex, about what life looks like in the complex.
How does a typical day unfold for a tourist staying at Satu` Muscelean?
As a rule, guests arrive in the afternoon. The first thing they want to do when they arrive at our place, is for the gentlemen to serve a house brandy or palinca, and for the ladies to serve the famous papanasi or the delicious tuci food. Until the dishes are ready, they are very curious to see what house they will have for the next few days. They are fascinated to have their own house in the country. The next day after breakfast, he prefers to go for a walk in the surroundings, on the hills, where he admires the splendid nature and everything that this unique place in Romania, not yet very well known to everyone, offers: MUSCELUL.
How do you choose local suppliers for restaurant ingredients?
The choice of a local producer is made “door to door”, literally. We used to go to the communes from Rucăr and look for all the dairy producers and taste. We have had the same producer for several years, he is serious, clean and makes some extraordinary products (bellow cheese, smoked curd, smoked cheese).
Have you had foreign guests? How did they react to the traditional Romanian experience offered by the complex?
Yes. Italians, Spaniards, Israelis (most of them), Swedes, Norwegians, Germans, pretty much from most of the big European countries, Turks, Americans, even from Africa come.
They are fascinated! They are very surprised by how authentic the complex is and especially how big it is. He is happy to find peace and lots of green.
What has been the greatest satisfaction/ fondest memory you have had since opening the complex?
The fact that they want to film a Romanian film that will be in all cinemas in Romania. Or that videos were shot. And the fact that many people ask us if “is the museum open today”. Many think it is a museum, which pleasantly surprises us.
What are your plans for the future?
Soon we will inaugurate a small house, the only one with two rooms, which is brought from Maramureș. It is an old house made of wooden beams. We dismantled it and reassembled it here at our place, in Muscelan lands. It is dreamlike, authentic with a lens. You can see the patina of time on the wood. If the guest ever wants to see a house from Maramureș or to experience a stay in such a house, and he does not want to go all the way to distant Maramureș, well, it is possible with us. We brought Maramureș closer with this house.
Located just two and a half hours from Bucharest, Satu Muscelean Tourist Complex is a place where families can rediscover Romanian traditions, where every house tells a story and where every guest can experience, at least for a few days, the tranquility of country life.
