Wonderful Romania

You’ve probably never heard of the Tunnel of Love but it is a truly gorgeous location. In the southwest of Romania, along the rail tracks that connect Caransebesh with Boutzari there is a beautiful spot that evokes such romantic and peaceful feelings. Enveloped by thick shrubs and bushes, the stretch of abandoned railway has been dubbed the Tunnel of Love.

Now, there is a similar version in Ukraine but Romania is blessed to have its own version as well.

A Little History

This railway was initially built in the very early days of the 20th-century. A simple and non-electric line it was constructed as a rack railway and inaugurated on November 11, 1908. Originally used with steam engines, the line eventually became less critical. In 1978, the section between Bouţari and Sarmizegetuza was closed to passenger trains followed by the section that connected Sarmisegetuza and Hatzeg in 1995.

Once the railway was abandoned, nature began to reclaim her space and the result is this magical and charming tunnel.

Getting There

Reaching the Love Tunnel does require a bit of effort. Head to the western side of Romania to the city of Caransebes which is about an area southeast of Timisoara. Follow DN68 east towards the village of Obreja. You will soon come upon a crossroads at the outskirt of the village which abuts some abandoned tracks. You should see a dirt path on your right that cuts into the forest. Once you locate the rusty rails simply follow them until you find the Tunnel of Love.

Summary

So, if you’re looking for a tranquil and romantic spot that is literally off the beaten path, make some time for the Tunnel of Love. Whether you’re looking for a photo op to celebrate an engagement or just to capture the beauty of nature, you wont’ be disappointed.

Over time, Timisoara (city in West Romania) recorded several firsts. Besides the fact that the municipality is known as the first city in Romania in which horse-drawn trams circulated, in 1884, in Timisoara has also recorded a great premiere: it became the first European city with street lighting.

Energy essential moments of the city on the ‘Bega’ River:

1882 – on December15, The City Hall concluded a concession contract with Anglo-Austrian Society Bruch Companz Electrical Ltd. for electrical lighting of Timisoara streets;

1884 – European first: on November 12, 731 electric lamps were put into operation, a total length of 59 kilometers. The filaments of the incandescent lamps were made of coal;

1889 – July 12th, began supplying electricity to the trams previously pulled by horses;

1893 – January 1st, the Power Station Timisoara was bought with 200,000 florins by a British company and entered into joint ownership as the Uzina Electrica Timisoara (Power Plant Timosoara);

1910 – May 3rd, a Hydroelectric Plant is put into operation, equipped with three turbines during the war. Beyond that time the plant development has stagnated;

1938 – April 1st, the Power Station and Trams Community (Tramvaiele Comunale) were merged under Electro Timisoara’s name, which functioned until 1948, the year of nationalization;

1942 – During the war, street lighting was removed on September 16th, except for 63 lamps which were camouflaged. Great efforts were made to keep the plant in operation;

1948 – After nationalization CET Arad and CET Timisoara merged, except Timisoara’s tram public transportation operations. The new merged entity, was called Banat Electricity Company, which after one year, in 1949, was renamed Regional Electricity Enterprise Timisoara – IRET;

1995 – New solutions were introduced in designing of the electrical networks of medium and low voltage, the service transformers were modernized, the informational systems was developed, and the public lighting was also modernized;

Presently, the System Application and Product Development, SAP, was implemented in the electric power distribution in Timisoara, a complex integrated information system, which provides proper conditions for an efficient management of all the specific activities for the electric supply and distribution.

2004 – July 19th, the Enel SpA, an Italian investor signed the privatization contract for the two electrical Distribution and Supply Subsidiaries of Electrica Banat and Electrica Dobrogea SA, achieving the first privatization in the energy sector in Romania.

Source: http://stirileprotv.ro/stiri/timis/in-urma-cu-129-de-ani-timisoara-devenea-primul-oras-din-europa-iluminat-public-stradal.html