| Bucegi Mountains | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Highest point | |
| Peak | Omu |
| Elevation | 2,505 m (8,219 ft) |
| Coordinates | 45°26′44″N25°27′22″E / 45.44556°N 25.45611°E /45.44556; 25.45611 |
| Dimensions | |
| Area | 300 km2 (120 sq mi) |
| Geography | |
 | |
| Country | Romania |
| Counties | |
| Geology | |
| Orogeny | Alpine |
| Rock age | Neogene |
TheBucegi Mountains (Romanian:Munții Bucegi[ˈmuntsijbuˈtʃedʒʲ]ⓘ) are located in centralRomania, south of the city ofBrașov. They are part of theSouthern Carpathians group of theCarpathian Mountains. At 2,505 m (8,219 ft),Omu is its highest point.[1]
To the east, the Bucegi Mountains have a very steep slope towards the popular tourist destinations in thePrahova Valley, such asBușteni andSinaia. At a higher elevation is the Bucegi Plateau, where wind and rain have turned therocks into spectacular figures such as theSphinx andBabele.
The Bucegi is believed to be theDacian holy mountainKogainon, on which the GodZalmoxis resided in a cave.[2]
The exact origin of the name "Bucegi" is disputed by philologists. "Buceag" or "bugeac" seems to be the source of the name, a word designating in the language ofmountain people both themoss in the forest and the wilderness or thejunipers. An archaic version of the name "Bucegi" is "Buceci", name still used today by elders in the mountains, and about which linguists say it is derived from "huceag", "buceag" or "bugeac".[3]
LinguistSextil Pușcariu claims that the name of Bucșoi, one of the mountains that reach the Omu Peak, derives from "Buc", "Bucur", just as "Buceci", "Bugeci" derives from "Buc" with the same suffix like "Măneciu" or "Moeciu". And "Bucur" is a genuine Dacian name.[3] InIorgu Iordan's work,Toponimia romînească, the name of the mountains is derived from Slavicbuk, meaning "beech".[4]
The mountains are grouped in threeranges:
TheRucăr-Bran Pass separates the Piatra Craiului and Leaota ranges; it was marked byborder crossings betweenWallachia andTransylvania, and was defended by theBran Castle.
The Bucegi Mountains are bordered byPrahova Valley, an area with the mostski resorts in Romania. Since 1935, part of the Bucegi Mountains has been included in the list of protected areas in Romania, with national park status.[5]
Among the most popular ski resorts within the Bucegi Mountains areSinaia andBușteni. Nicknamed the "Pearl of the Carpathians",[6] Sinaia offers the possibility of performingwinter sports. Ski slopes within the resort are serviced byski lift, accessible bycable car. The main tourist attractions arePeleș Castle,Pelișor Castle, Royal Station,Sinaia Monastery, Casino, and theGeorge Enescu Memorial House.
Bușteni, located at an altitude of 800–900 m, features a diversified base of accommodation and meals (hotels, rest homes,chalets, tourist stops). A cable car links Silva Hotel and Babele Chalet, on the mountaintops. This area has unusual rock formations, such as theSphinx andBabele. Bușteni is the starting point oftrekking on some of the most attractive routes in the Bucegi Massif. In the winter months, Bușteni offers the possibility of practicingskiing andsleighing. There are ski slopes with varying degrees of difficulty. Bușteni is also a cultural point, featuringCantacuzino Castle andCezar Petrescu Memorial Museum. There is a trout farm in the area.
The Rucăr-Bran Corridor is amountain pass that has the Bucegi Mountains on one side and thePiatra Craiului Mountains andIezer-Păpușa Mountains on the other side.
The Bucegi Mountains area, whereof exist references since the 15th century, has been proposed for protection in 1936, due to peerless landscapes and great diversity of plant and animal species. This proposal was taken up only in 1990, when materialized through the Minister's order no. 7/1990. Bucegi Natural Park covers an area of 32,663 hectares across three counties (Dâmbovița,Prahova andBrașov), having more than 60% of the territory covered with forests.[7]
Divisions, Groups, and Ranges of theCarpathian Mountains | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Carpathians |
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| Eastern Carpathians |
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| Southern Carpathians | ||||||
| Western Romanian Carpathians | ||||||
| Serbian Carpathians | ||||||
| Adjacent regions | ||||||
| Grouping by country | ||||||
| International | |
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| National | |
