Even if in Dobrogea we find the most peony reserves, the national flower of Romania can also be admired in other areas of the country.
The Romanian peony is a unique plant in Europe, protected by law
Unique in Europe, the Romanian peony has a special place in the local culture of Băneasa in Galați County. Every year, the Peony Festival is organized in the Breana-Roșcani Forest – for some a reason for fun, for others a reason for concern, because people would pick peonies from the area, even if this is prohibited by law. Located near the village of Roșcani, the forest area covers an area of 153 hectares, being a natural reserve where the peonies and the oak forest create an almost magical space, which inspires to connect with nature and charge with positive energy. Local legend says that the red peonies appeared here following the blood shed by the Moldavian soldiers who fell at Roșcani in 1574, when Ioan Vodă the Brave was defeated by the Turks.
Near the protected area, you can visit the Church of the Dormition of the Virgin in the village of Roșcani, a place of worship famous for its atypical shape, but especially for the paintings with themes similar to those on the walls of some monasteries in Moldova: Moldoviţa, Suceviţa or Voroneţ . The construction of the current brick church was completed in 1827, probably being erected on the site of a former small wooden church. Those who arrive at the place of worship can notice that, from an architectural point of view, the church has a flat plan, being wider on the west side, and contains a pentagonal porch. Although it has no spiers on the outside, it has a dome in the shape of a skull located on the nave. The interior still preserves the original wooden paneling on which neoclassical elements can be observed, and the mural painting is done in neo-Byzantine style.
Walking through the meadow
The Romanian peony also displays its beauty in Dolj county, respectively in the Peony Glade in Pădurea Plenița, also a protected area of national interest. The reserve is located almost 60 kilometers from Craiova, on the border with Mehedinți county, in a plain area. And in Plenița, the Peony Festival is organized every year, reaching its 54th edition in 2024. At this time of the year, hundreds of tourists go to the area to enjoy the spectacle of nature, the inviting smells and the natural picture full of colors. “The wild peony reserve, unique in Romania's landscape, is arranged on an area of approximately 50 hectares, and during the flowering period it is a true enchantment. The forest is home to a variety of wild peony, called Paeonia Peregrina”, it says on the Discover Dolj website. Tourists are urged to enjoy the beauty of nature, but not to try to take home a “little souvenir” in the form of a peony, as this is prohibited by law, and those who dare to pick this flower risk fines of thousands of lions. Various routes through the forest can be made in the area, both on foot and by bike.
Steppe peonies are also distinguished by their dill-like leaves
Zau de Câmpie
Another reserve that really comes to life at this time of the year is the Zau de Câmpie Botanical Reserve, Mureș County, located on the border with Cluj County. It seems that the steppe peony arrived here 10,000 years ago. Scientifically named Paeonia tenuifolia, the steppe peony also occurs at altitudes above 450 meters. In this reserve there are 350 species of rare plants, some endemic or protected, which cover an area of almost 3.5 hectares.
In the vicinity of the peony reserve, you can also visit several tourist attractions such as the wooden “Adormirea Maicii Domnului” Church in Valea Largă built in the 17th century, the Reformed Church in Zau de Câmpie dating from 1883, the Ugron Castle complex (consisting of the and the dendrological park) – historical monument, the settlement of Zau de Câmpie, the necropolis in Valea Largă village, as well as the Zau de Câmpie site, included in the European ecological network Natura 2000. This year, the Peony Festival was organized for the first time at Ugron Castle, and the visitors could admire the peonies, even if, due to the weather, they bloomed too early, some of them even from March.
Peony of Comana
The peony is not missing from the southern part of the country either, being found in the Comana Natural Park in Giurgiu county, less than an hour away from Bucharest. The peony reserve is located in the Padina Tătarului Forest, with an area of 231.44 hectares. Within it, a tourist route was also opened that can also be traversed by bicycle.
Those who want to enjoy nature can follow a route of approximately 23 kilometers by bike that crosses the Oloaga Gădinari Thorn Reserve and the Padina Tătarului Peony Reserve, both of which are part of the Comana Natural Park. Also, in the area located almost 40 kilometers from Bucharest, there are other tourist attractions. Adventure lovers can enjoy thrills in the Comana Adventure Park, where they can do trails or climb through the trees or go ziplining. “The main attraction of the Adventure Park is the Tyrolean Waterfall (10 ziplines through the trees) and the 130-meter zipline over the lake that takes the bravest above the Casa Comana lake, a high-altitude experience that offers an extra adrenaline rush and a amazing view. The year 2021 brought with it the inauguration of the 300-meter Dragon Zipline that starts from the Tower of the Sun from a height of 20 meters above the Casa Comana lake”it is mentioned on the Comana House website.
Those who tear the peony flowers from the reserves risk fines of thousands of lei
Also, near the Peony Nature Reserve, you can visit the Comana Monastery, the “Gellu Naum” Memorial House, the Vlad Țepeș Fountain (the Cuckoo Spring) and the place where he was killed, the Neajlov Delta – where you can take a kayak ride – , the paper mill – a museum-workshop – as well as the Comana Ornithological Observatory. Those who want to spend several days in the area have various accommodation options.
The Romanian peony, under the protection of the law
Even though the peony has been the national flower of Romania for only two years (starting from 2022), the steps to assign this status began as early as 2013. Only nine years later, the Romanian Parliament approved the law by which “the peony flower, from the family Paeoniaceae, as the National Flower of Romania”. In Romania there are several natural reserves of Romanian or forest peony, but also of steppe peony. In fact, in the flora of Romania we find five peony species that grow spontaneously or in nature reserves protected by law, but also three cultivated species that have over 100 varieties and varieties.
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