The Lisa Whirlpools, the Lucky Ohaba Mill & Făgăraș Fortress

The Lisa Whirlpools are another tourist attraction especially for foreigners. Whirlpools can be called the ancestors of our washing machines. They are baskets made of wire that use the force of water and work according to an ancient technique. They are used to process woolen cloths and clean carpets using only spring water. The technique of this hydraulic installation is very simple. Processing the cloth reproduces the phenomenon of the whirlpools on the swirling mountain streams.

The tradition of the Lisa village near Făgăraș has been handed down from father to son, and now the fifth generation is in charge of the whirlpools. The family has preserved, untouched by time, the old craft of processing woolen cloths, blankets and rugs. Since 1848, his ancestors have been building a spinning wheel, the technology of which has been known in this region since ancient times. The whirlpool works perfectly and cleans the dirt without any detergent, just spring water.

Explore the traditional architecture, breathe in the fresh mountain air, and learn about the local culture from your knowledgeable guide.

The Lucky Mill from Ohaba (Moara de apă cu Noroc de la Ohaba): Next, we’ll journey to the unique Ohaba Water Mill, a historic gem that has stood the test of time.

The Ohaba Mill is the oldest still operating mill in Romania. The water mill in the household of Virginia and Nicolae Popa in Ohaba dates back to 1873. It has been handed down from generation to generation for almost 150 years. It is still operational, but in recent years it has become a tourist attraction. The lucky mill in Ohaba looks exactly as it did more than a century ago, and the parts are the original ones. The owners preferred to keep it as it was in 1873 and not to spoil its charm with modern parts.

The mill is powered only by water, which sets the whole mechanism in motion. It has solid wood belts and rollers and two stones: one fixed and one movable. The movable one turns and crushes the grains. The flint stones were brought all the way from Lyon in France in 1873. Each stone weighs a ton, and how they were transported to Ohaba remains a mystery. Repairing them requires great skill and is done with special hammers that maintain the striations for perfect grinding. Any wrong blow could destroy them and the mill would be compromised.

This fully operational wooden mill is a testament to the ingenuity of the past and offers a glimpse into traditional milling techniques. Witness the rhythmic turning of the millwheel as you learn about its significance to the region.

Făgăraș Fortress (Cetatea Făgăraș): Our final destination is the majestic Făgăraș Fortress, one of the most important historical landmarks in Transylvania. This formidable fortress boasts centuries of history, serving various purposes from a medieval stronghold to a Renaissance residence. Explore its well-preserved architecture, admire its massive walls and towers, and delve into the rich history of the region.