Buzau, found in the southeastern part of Romania, is one of the country's 41 self-governing units. The county lies surrounded by Brasov, Covasna, and Vrancea to the northeast, Braila to the east, Ialomita to the south, and Prahova to the west, covering approximately 6,103 square kilometers of land.[4] The capital city, also called Buzau, can be found in the southern part of the county, featuring several historical and cultural landmarks which tend to be visited by tourists.[8] However, one of the main attractions of Buzau County is its nature, as a considerable number of geological phenomena can be observed within the county's borders. Among such natural sights are the Eternal Flames near Treca, Mud Volcanoes, sandstone concretions, and salt domes. People seeking historical monuments can also explore rock-hewn dwellings dating back to Late Antiquity.[9] Regarding the geography, there are mountains in the northern part of the region, while plains occupy the south. The middle part is represented by an intermediate Sub-Carpathian hilly region. Mountainous areas in the north encompass the Vrancea and Buzau Mountains, which include five massifs: the Penteleu, the Podu Calului, the Siriu, the Monteoru, and the Ivanetu.[4] Presumably, the best time to visit Buzau County is in August, which tends to be the warmest month on average.[7]
The city of Buzau features several historical and cultural attractions, including the "Nasterea Maicii Domnului" church complex with its tower, the 20th-century courthouse, "Buna Vestire" church, "Adormirea Maicii Domnului" church complex, an 1841 chapel, and a 19th-century administrative office with a church tower and wall from the 18th century, to name a few. Furthermore, the city features the 17th-century Vergu-Mănăilă house, now functioning as a museum of ethnography and folk art.[8] However, Buzau City isn't the only place in the county displaying historical monuments. Within the Buzau region, engravings, symbols, and inscriptions in both Cyrillic and an unidentifiable script have been found on rocky cliffs and boulders scattered across the county's forested landscapes. Among its landmarks are the rock-hewn dwellings, dating back to the Late Antiquity period, which later became inhabited by Christian monks. In the present time, more than 20 such dwellings have been discovered within Bazau County borders.[9]
Buzau territory reportedly offers a range of natural phenomena attracting tourists and visitors. One such sight is the Eternal Flames near Terca village, showcasing methane gas leaking from beneath the Earth's surface and igniting into continuous flames. Bazau nature also displays sandstone concretions, known as "trovanți" or "Old Ladies and Old Men." Furthermore, the area features salt domes, white valleys, canyons, and a variety of salt formations.[9] One of the predominant natural attractions—found in the heart of Buzoian hills within the Curbură Subcarpathians—is the Mud Volcanoes. Situated across Berca and Scorțoasa communes, the landscape comprises volcanic cones that release cold, dark lava. Gas emissions from the Earth's interior push groundwater to the surface, creating mud that triggers continuous eruptions and sculpting small craters and cones. The Mud Volcanoes of Buzau are divided into four areas. One of them, "La Fierbători," features circular craters containing liquid mud, while Pâclele Mari spans an arid plateau with numerous active and fossilized formations. Pâclele Mici hosts smaller mud volcanoes, and Beciu displays active boiler-like activity on a smaller scale.[5]
Buzau County encompasses the largest expanse of the Buzau River's hydrographic basin, featuring a variety of geographical features. The northern part is characterized by mountains, the southern by plains, and a hilly Sub-Carpathian region in between.
Among those, the Buzau and Vrancea Mountains form the mountainous region. The Buzau Mountains consist of five massifs: Penteleu, Podu Calului, Siriu, Monteoru, and Ivanetu, with the hilly terrain being recognized as the Buzau Sub-Carpathians, marked by a sequence of crests and low points, with elevations spanning 400 to 800 meters. Some of the notable plains include the Gherghita Plain, Middle Baragan Plain, Buzau-Calmatui Plain, and Râmnic Plain. Reportedly, the primary local waterway is the Buzau River is the primary waterway, accompanied by the Râmnic and Calmatui rivers. Several lakes with varying origins, such as a periglacial, natural barrage, karstoline, and artificial barrage lakes, can be found within the county's landscape as well.[4]
Encompassing 1,036 square kilometers within Romania's Carpathian Bend Area, the Buzau Land UNESCO Global Geopark features a hilly and mountainous terrain and is inhabited by around 45,000 people. The geopark region experienced the convergence of various tectonic plates, resulting in the formation of an intricate fold and thrust mountain range. Subsequent glacial processes contributed to the shaping of the landscape. Known for its geo-dynamic activity, the geopark offers insights into 40 million years of geological evolution. During that period, tectonic forces uplifted mountains and transitioned an underwater environment into a terrestrial one. Notably, the Carpathians preserve fossils spanning marine species, terrestrial flora, mammals, and birds from the last glaciation, providing a considerable historical record of the area's evolution.[10]
In terms of weather conditions, the climate of Buzau County is of temperate-continental character.[4] The warmest month in Buzau is August, with an average daily temperature of 30°C. Reportedly, January is the coldest month, as temperatures average highs of 3°C. February tends to be the driest month in Buzau because it generally receives 24 millimeters of rainfall on average. The most precipitation that falls annually typically occurs during June, with an average of about 68 millimeters.[7]
The historical records of the city of Buzau can be traced back to Wallachia when the city was documented as a trading and customs hub during Voivode Dan II's era. Dating back to 376, an ancient document cites the river "Mousaios," giving the city its name. In the 4th century, the Goths were displaced by the Huns in the Buzo area. In the following years, during the medieval era, Buzau had a fortress and an established fair, evolving into an Orthodox episcopal center by the 16th century.[1]
During the 17th century, Buzau endured war and invasions, impacting the town and environs from Michael the Brave's time in the Long Turkish War until the Wallachian uprising of 1821. Natural disasters occurred during that time, but Buzau's inhabitants consistently rebuilt the city, adopting the Phoenix bird on its seal as a symbol of renewal. In the 19th century, cultural and economic development occurred, marked by the growth of industry and rail connectivity in the 1870s. However, World War I led to German occupation, prompting a considerable number of residents to seek refuge.[2]
In terms of the history of Buzau as a county, it was situated in the central-southern region of Greater Romania, specifically in the northeastern area of the historical Muntenia region. Its territorial boundaries encompassed the present-day southern and western portions of Buzau County, along with several localities now part of Prahova County, including Mizil town. The county used to share its borders with Prahova County to the west, while to the north, it was adjacent to Brașov, Trei Scaune, and Putna counties. To the east, it bordered Râmnicu Sărat and Brăila counties, and to the south, it was connected to Ialomița County.[3]
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