Romanian mountain roads revitalize isolated villages
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In Romania’s Apuseni Mountains, communities in the Râmeț commune are experiencing change as new roads connect once-isolated villages.
For centuries, residents of the 13 settlements within Râmeț, including Boțani and Florești, relied on animal transport across steep paths. Recent construction of roads like Transapuseana and Drumul Mănăstirilor is replacing those trails and drawing tourists to the area. Less than 400 people now live in the commune, a region historically known for its isolation and resulting depopulation.
Locals like Maria of Florești remember a life centered around animal husbandry and infrequent trips to market. However, the new roads are bringing economic opportunities as some residents open guesthouses and shops catering to visitors. The Transapuseana road, modernized between 2019 and 2024 at a cost of over 73 million euros, spans nearly 80 kilometers. Another road, Drumul Mănăstirilor, is currently under construction.
Authorities hoped these projects would offer a lifeline to the dwindling communities and halt the decline in population, a goal that appears to be taking hold as tourism increases and new businesses emerge.
