Târgovişte

Târgovişte is the biggest town in Dâmboviţa county, nevertheless a rather peaceful one (at least during the weekend), with a population of around 90000. Situated at about 80km from Bucharest, it is most famous for its history. The town was capital and political-economic center of Wallachia (Ţara Românească) between 1396 and 1714.

This region has been inhabited since the neolithic age, with traces from the Stancevo-Criş, Gumelniţa and Coţofeni cultures. The town was first attested in 1396, in the "Travel Accounts" of Johannes Schiltberger. The most important landmark is the Royal Court Museum Complex (Curtea Domnească), which is believed to have been built before Mircea cel Bătrân (1355 – 1418). Standing as a symbol of the city, the Chindia Tower (Turnul Chindiei) inside the Princely Court was built during the reign of Vlad III the Impaler (Vlad Ţepeş), with it's final form dating back to the XIX-th century. Nowadays the ruins are being reconditioned and are opened to the public for visiting. Inside the complex one can see besides the ruins and the Chindia Tower the royal church and "Sfânta Vineri" Church. The location on the map can be found here, and some more info on wikipedia.

While in town, one shouldn't miss the Chindia Zoo, with all sorts of animals and a very relaxing place, as well as the Chindia park. Some of my personal photos follow, while more can be found here (and also here, but it's not specified what pictures are from the zoo).

Being a town rich in history one can also visit the following (a more complete list can be seen here):

• Stelea Monastery Complex - with medieval buildings, the newest one dating back to the XVII-th century
  
• the park of the Metropolitan Church (parcul Mitropoliei) - where the ruins of the old church can still be seen along the new church (finished in 1933)
  
• the History Museum
• the Dealu Monastery (just outside the town), dating back to the XV-th century.
• the Art Museum
• lots of historic buildings and churches, dating from the end of the Middle Ages to the XX-th century.

As a side note, Târgovişte is also the place where the romanian dictator Nicolae Ceauşescu and his wife Elena Ceauşescu were executed.

Kavala (Καβάλα) & Ferryboat

Before finishing with my Thassos (Θάσος) posting I have to say something about the sea crossing. You can get to/from Thassos by the ferryboat from Kavala (Καβάλα) or (closer) Keramoti (Κεραμωτή). There are also flying dolphins (hydrofoils) but every normal people takes the ferry (especially if having a car :D). What's so special about the crossing ? Seagulls :) . I've never seen so many seagulls and getting that close, so i figure it's worth posting some photos.

Regarding Kavala (Καβάλα), formerly known as Neapolis and Christoupolis, much more info can be found on Wikipedia or on kavalanet.gr. Coming from Thassos, for me it seemed much too crowded, and the air was suffocating. Far from my ideal Greek town.

Nevertheless it's a town to be included on your visiting list for it's history and the historical monuments (or for bigger shops than the ones on the island if you want). Its most important historic figure is Muhamed Ali Pasha, viceroy of Egypt. But guarding over the city is the castle (dating back to the V-th century) on top of the hill just above the harbor.

Unfortunately I only had a couple of hours for the visit. Some of the main touristic attractions that I'd like to mention are:

• the monument of Imaret (1818) built by Muhamed Ali. Nowadays it is a unique luxury hotel.
• the house of Muhamed Ali
  
• the ancient aqueduct
• the church of the Virgin Mary
• the Archaeological Museum of Kavala
• the Municipal Museum