Discover Lopătari: Nature, Legends and Holiday Apartments

At the entrance to Lopătari are the “Valurile de piatră”. The rocky edges of this formation are wave-shaped and show traces of waves; these traces are dated to approximately 16 million years ago. Focul Viu is located in the territory of the village of Terca in the commune of Lopătari and is a natural monument. Gases continuously escaping from the ground produce a flame approximately 0.5 metres high there.

Nature

The flames of Focul Viu near Terca are yellowish-red and can be viewed at night from several hundred metres away. The Malul Roșu nature reserve is also located near Lopătari.

At the “Valurile de piatră”, the rocky edges shape the scenery at the entrance to the settlement, while at Terca, gas escaping from the ground produces the visible flame. Malul Roșu, meanwhile, represents another designated natural area near Lopătari as a nature reserve.

Culture

The “7 Locuri de Poveste” Museum in Lopătari explores stories and legends from Ținutul Buzăului. The stories concern dragons, giants, man-eaters, protective spirits, magical stones and unusual remedies. The museum opened in 2016.

In Lopătari, craftspeople make musical instruments such as flutes and bagpipes. For this work, they use old methods handed down from generation to generation. The name Lopătari is associated with wooden shovels. Local craftspeople made these shovels for the princely court and the Vintilă Vodă Monastery near the settlement.

The folklore celebration is called “Pe Plaiul Nucului”. It is associated with the month of July and the village of Plaiul Nucului in the commune of Lopătari.

Geographical Location

Paths and roads run along both slopes of the Culmea Ivănețu. They directly connect the tourist areas of Lopătari and Aluniș with the Siriu, Penteleu and Podul Calului massifs.

The county road DJ 203 K is the main transport connection of the commune of Lopătari. Eastwards and southwards, it follows the Slănic River. It continues via Mânzălești and Cernătești to Mărăcineni near the city of Buzău. Westwards, a difficult and impractical route leads to Gura Teghii.

The DJ 203 K thus forms a connection in several directions and through several named intermediate places: along the Slănic, it leads eastwards and southwards via Mânzălești and Cernătești to Mărăcineni near Buzău.

Culinary Delights

The first edition of the cultural and gastronomic event “Focul Viu” included the cooking competition “Ciorba cu gust de acasă” in the village of Terca in the commune of Lopătari. This competition featured traditional recipes and familiar tastes from childhood.

The event thus combined the name Focul Viu with a cooking competition in the village of Terca. “Ciorba cu gust de acasă”, traditional recipes and familiar tastes from childhood were at its centre; these elements were part of the first edition of the cultural and gastronomic event.

More places to read about for your trip: Sarata-Monteoru, Valea Sălciilor, Măgura, Plaiu Nucului, Chiojdu, Mierea, Ciuta, Poşta Câlnău

To the overarching travel overview: Buzau.