Interesting Old-Time Rural Architecture

Say “interesting architecture” and places like Paris, Barcelona or Rome will most likely come to mind. Well, that’s what first came to my mind, anyway… Then I thought I’d go another way and share some photos I’ve taken a few years ago at the Village Museum in Bucharest.

The houses have been rebuilt, restored and maintained in order to recreate images of rural history and lifestyle from various parts of Romania. I find them to be not only a fun way to discover a slice of local history, to learn more about old, traditional rural architecture, but also a very interesting lesson on how to make do with local resources, just with what nature has to offer. Of course, we’re talking about different times, but some of those old principles still apply. In some ways, our forefathers were wise in their modesty and sustainable architecture.

I remember watching my great-grandmother in awe every time I suddenly became aware of everything she and my great-grandfather had managed to literally build on their own. Their house, for instance – old, traditional, but not exactly small – they had built it with their own hands; most of the furniture, I was told, was also made by my great-grandfather in his youth. I can’t say it was very pretty, but it certainly was practical and sturdy. I doubt, however, that my great-grandmother would have known what having a manicure meant. She used to make fun of mine and my grandmother’s long polished nails, the way some men now make fun of other men who enjoy mani-pedis.

But more about my great-grandmother some other time. I will only add that one can still find houses like these in actual villages, but sadly they are often abandoned, in ruin. I’ll leave you to the photos now. It was a very bright sunny day, I was exhausted and I fully relied on my phone to take them, but hopefully they manage to tell a story – an Interesting Architecture story for Tina’s Lens-Artists Challenge. Thank you for the interesting subject, Tina, and for urging us to pay attention to our surroundings!