Ilfov County, lying in the southern part of Romania, is one of the country's 41 self-governing units. With an area of approximately 1,583 square kilometers, Ilfov is the smallest county in Romania. Ilfov's capital city and administrative center is Bucharest, which also bears a function of Romania's state capital city. However, the city isn't spatially part of Ilfov County, as it represents its own county. Other counties neighboring Ilfov include Prahova to the north, Ialomita and Calarasi to the east, Giurgiu to the south, and Dâmbovita to the west.[3] Historically, Ilfov territory has been inhabited since the prehistoric times of the Paleolithic and Neolithic eras. One of the historical towns within Ilfov County is Snagov, where Dacian relics have been found.[2] Apart from archeological finds, Snagov tends to be visited by tourists for its monastery, palace, and museum. The town is located on the shores of Lake Snagov, offering outdoor water recreation as well.[7] Furthermore, Snagov's surrounding area comprises forests, which are under protection as a Snagov Forest Nature Reserve. These forests are home to an array of plant species.[4] People seeking water and spa relaxation can venture into Europe's largest urban beach, part of the Therme București.[9]
Ilfov County's capital is Bucharest. The county surrounds Bucharest, however, the city's territory is not part of the county despite being its administrative center. Ilofv County features other cities and communes with considerable history and attractions. One such town is Snagov, which stands on the shores of Snagov Lake, the most extensive natural lake in Romania. Among its cultural monuments are the Snagov Monastery, the Snagov Palace, and the recently inaugurated Snagov Museum. This area is also known for its traditions, including fishing, vegetable fiber braiding, pottery, and traditional fabric craftsmanship.
Additionally, Snagov offers opportunities for recreation, such as the Yacht Club Snagov, now known as Complexul Sportiv Național Nicolae Navasart, featuring statues honoring Romanian nautical sports figures.[7]
Nestled within the once vast Vlăsia Forest, visitors can find Cernica Monastery. Its history began in 1603 when nobleman Cernica Știrbei constructed the Church of Saint Nicholas atop the foundations of an earlier religious site. This marked the inception of Cernica Monastery, a spiritual and cultural center.
Situated on two interconnected islets in Cernica Lake, named after the churches built upon them, the monastery boasts the Church of St. George, constructed in 1842. It resembles a fortress with thick walls. The first islet also houses memorial houses, the monastery museum, the trapeza (where meals are shared), and the library. There, tourists can observe the original frescoes dating back to Saint Calinic's era.
A pathway from the first church leads to the second, the Church of Saint Nicholas, erected in 1815 on the original founder's site. The third monastery church dedicated to St. Lazarus can be found in the cemetery of the Church of Saint Nicholas. This cemetery serves as an open-air museum with tombs of several Romanian figures, including writers, political prisoners, and theologians. Both churches also showcase interior paintings, while the monastery museum houses religious artifacts and documents.[8]
People seeking water recreation can visit Therme București, Europe's largest urban beach, located a ten-minute drive from Bucharest. The waterpark also houses Europe's longest indoor water slide system with 16-themed rides. For relaxation, the waterpark features The Palm's garden, which has numerous exotic plant species, sunbeds, a jacuzzi, and a thermal pool. Additionally, saunas with aromatherapy and a cinema are available to the visitors as well. Outside, there is a Pangea Park where healing plants and minerals are found.[9]
Ilfov County is the smallest of Romania's counties, spanning an area of 1,583 square kilometers. The county lies surrounding the capital city of Romania, Bucharest, which also bears a function of Ilfov County's capital. Situated entirely in a flat region, its elevation ranges from 50 to 120 meters above sea level. Ilfov area is part of the Vlasiei Plain, encompassing sections of the Snagov, Movilita, and Câlnau plains, along with the entirety of the Bucharest Plain. The region features a landscape with inter-river spaces spanning 48 kilometers, as well as hills, valleys, and lakes.
In the past, this territory was covered by the Vlasiei Forest, eventually transforming into the Vlasiei Plain. Today, it is intersected by several rivers, including the Ialomita, Arges, Sabar, and Dâmbovita. Additionally, numerous smaller rivers are located within Ilfov County, such as the Pasarea, Mostistea, Ilfov, Câlnau, Cociovalistea, Slotea, Cocioc, and Vlasia rivers.[3]
One of the protected natural areas in Ilfov County is the Snagov Forest. This natural expanse serves as a protective zone for various tree species. Among these species, beech trees (Fagus sylvatica) can be found, which are typically associated with hilly regions.
The forested vegetation comprises an array of trees and shrubs, including oak, linden, cherry, hazel, dogwood, white buckthorn, and elder.
Moreover, the area is home to several floristic species, such as lily of the valley (Lilium martagon), gorse (Genista tinctoria), and autumn thistle (Colchicum autumnale), to name a few.[4] Some of the animal species inhabiting the protected area include deer, pheasants, and wild cats. Furthermore, covering an expanse of approximately 550 hectares and situated less than 50 kilometers from Bucharest, Snagov Lake is the deepest lake in the Romanian Plain region, with a maximum depth of 9 meters.[5]
The climate in Ilfov County is of temperate-continental character, providing warm and dry summers and cold winters to the local area.[3] The warmest month in Bucharest tends to be August, with an average daily temperature of 31°C. Temperatures average approximately 4°C during the coldest month, which is typically January. February is often considered to be the driest month in Bucharest because it generally receives 40 millimeters of rainfall on average. The most precipitation falls during June, with an average of about 92 millimeters.[6]
The earliest indications of human habitation within the present-day boundaries of Ilfov County can be traced back to the Neolithic era, as evidenced by archaeological findings in locations such as Cernica, Glina, and Vidra. Subsequently, the Roman conquest during 101-102 AD and 105-106 AD, followed by their prolonged occupation from 106 to 275 AD, left a considerable impact on the region. The continuous series of invasions and occupations throughout the 3rd and 4th centuries had an influence on the lives of the local inhabitants, however, they did not displace them from the area.[3] Historically, part of present-day Ilfov County was enveloped by a forest of Codrii Vlăsiei. Amid the forests, several Dacian settlements developed, with reportedly the most significant being Argedava, located on the right bank of the Argeș River, near modern-day Popești. Argedava served as the capital under the rule of King Burebista.[1]
Later, Daco-Roman inhabitants of the Ilfov area unified to establish the Principality of Wallachia, marking the formation of the first state organizations in the 12th to 14th centuries. From its inception in the late 14th century during Basarab I's reign, numerous settlements and cities emerged until the 16th century. Examples include Snagov, Chitila, Afumați, and Tâncăbesti, which have endured to the present day. The name Ilfov was first recorded in a 1482 donation document when ruler Vlad Călugarul bestowed it upon the Snagov Monastery.[2]
In previous administrative structures, Bucharest, situated in the heart of Ilfov County, was historically part of this county. However, a change occurred on February 17, 1968, when Bucharest was designated as a municipality, gaining independence and becoming a separate entity outside the boundaries of Ilfov County.
The present-day Ilfov County covers a portion of the former county's territory, with a history dating back to the 15th century. The county underwent several territorial adjustments over time, especially in the latter half of the 20th century.[3]
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