Telega, Prahova

Telega is a commune in Prahova County, Romania. It is composed of six villages: Boşilceşti, Buştenari, Doftana, Meliceşti, Telega and Ţonţeşti.

Telega is a community situated some 5 km. from Campina (along the E60 Highway Bucharest-Brasov). Following the signs in Campina, Telega can easily be reached by car. Telega is about a 1 ½ hour drive from Bucharest and is a pleasant village with some grocery shops, a police station, and last but not least the 'salt baths' ('Băile Telega') which make Telega a popular summer attraction. The 'salt baths' ('Băile Telega') are reportedly good for your health. In summer it can be quit busy here with visitors often traveling from as far away as Bucharest. Most of the visitors however are local tourists staying overnight in one of the many second homes or holiday homes of this area. In fact, the Telega area is the closest hills area to Bucharest and ideal for a weekend trip to the country side. Basic supplies should be bought in Telega before one embarks on the trip to the top of the mountains (some 6 kilometers from Telega).

Melicesti is a village on about 5 kilometers distance from Telega and the wide spread home steads cover a relatively large area. From Telega up to Melicesti, one notices the nice scenery with undulating hills, green forest patches and grassy fields. The road leading to Melicesti is the road to the top of the mountains. Once reached on the top, one can make magnificent walking trips in the undulated hills. On clear days the Bucegi Mountains (in the North-West) and Baiul (in the North East) can be seen. One of the closer destinations at the top of the hill of Melicesti (at an altitude of about 800 meters above sea level) is 'the Cross', a statue positioned on the top and over- viewing the endless forests. The Cross was erected in honor of Carol I of Hohenzollern when he made his first trip to Romania in 1866. As Carol I of Hohenzollern was searching for a suitable place for his summer residence to be built, he admired the magnificent views over the endless forests from the hills of Melicesti. However, during one of the field trips, his horse broke one of his legs, and Carol I interpreted this as a bad sign. He finally preferred to build his summer residence in Sinaia. The Cross, made by sculptor Paul Focşeneanu, can still be seen on the top of the hill of Melicesti, from where hikers can start for endless trips in a beautiful environment of forests, fields, small streams and tiny villages.

Forests cover the hills till the horizon, and in between the hills are various smaller villages situated. Pure nature and Romanian rural life & culture to be discovered by the adventurous hiker.....This is Bucharest’s closest 'holiday area' and yet not discovered (although during recent years more and more people from outside the village have bought property here) ! Melicesti is one of the 6 villages of Commune Telega. Positioned deep inside the hills, Melicesti is an authentic Romanian village, with farm houses and traditional farm practices. Many plum orchards produce the raw material for the indigenous ţuica (locally brewed strong drink). The village is comfortably spread throughout the valley and protected by the surrounding hills against any extreme weather condition. Due to its altitude, it experiences a pleasant climate during summer while the winters can be long and cold. Abundant hiking and game observation opportunities (bird watching, wild boar, bear, etc.) are possible in the endless forest. During winter time, one can meet the bears around the houses as they come closer to the homes searching for fruits (plums). 'Casa Twiga' (Twiga means Giraffe in Swahili language, referring to the long outstanding links of the Dutch management of this establishment with Africa) is a bed-and-breakfast development in Melicesti along the 'main road', approximately 40 minutes before you reach the top of the hill. As former house of a well established family in the village, the establishment (which includes an authentic restaurant building) is still under renovation, but might provide visitors in future the possibility to have a rest with refreshment on the terrace as a break during the steep climb to the top of the hill.... ‘Casa Twiga’ can be reached from Telega on foot, by motorcycle, 4wd vehicle or by horse. For the time being, stranded visitors can approach Florin Dudui and his wife who provide basic accommodation and food in case of unexpected bad weather conditions or any other reason forcing visitors to stay overnight in the mountains. Florin can be approached for guiding services in the area as well. Florin lives at the top of the mountain in Melicesti.

Notes