One ticket for locals, the other for foreigners -- at three times the price! Plus a surtax if you want to take pictures :-(. But the tickets are so pretty! (June/July 1998) Update: As of June 2000, entrance fees have been changed. Now foreigners pay the same as locals. Children and pensioners (seniors) enter for free. This has made a big impact in the number of visitors -- it was actually crowded when we were there, a very happy circumstance considering how few of the country's museums attract many visitors :-(.

Houses and other buildings from all regions of Romania are brought together in this open-air museum in Bucuresti. Most of the structures are made of wood, with shingle or straw roofs. There are no termites in Romania, and the air is much less humid than here in the U.S. Many of the structures at the Museum have survived for centuries. Above: A carved wooden gate. These are still widely popular in Bucovina and other parts of the country. Below: A painted cross. Before communism these were a common sight in front of villagers' homes. Bottom: A country house from the turn of the century, with thatch roof and woven fence. (June/July 1998)

A traditional thatched-roof house, above. The straw used for thatch has a natural coating that acts as an adhesive when it is soaked and then dried, and this keeps the roof together. Interior of a house, below. Rugs and tapestries have long been hung on walls as extra insulation against winter's cold. You can also see some intricately embroidered pillows and cloths used for decoration, including the "butterflies" on the wall. (June/July 1998)