2. Lopătari is a commune in Buzău County, Romania. It is
composed of eleven villages: Brebu, Fundata, Lopătari,
Luncile, Pestriţu, Plaiu Nucului, Ploştina, Potecu, Săreni,
Terca and Vârteju.
3. The Living Fires of Lopătari, Buzău
are among the most mysterious, and
unusual, phenomena you may find in
nature, on a hiking path, within your
reach.
4. In one of the villages of this commune, Terca, there are
the Living– a natural phenomenon, unique in Europe, but
not unique to Romania. You’ll find a similar one,
considered even more spectacular by some travelers, at
Andreiaşu, a commune in Vrancea County, in the
historical region of Moldovia, north of Buzău; and one in
Reghiu commune, Vrancea, in the village of Răiuţi .
5. The natural emanations of gas are lit at the surface, under
the rays of the sun. The fires burn at night as well, when the
scenery is at its most spectacular display. At times you can
see a flame rising up to 1 m into the wind above the ground.
For travelers, the fires are a natural curiosity. For the locals
however, they are a source of legends, mystical beliefs, and
superstition. Many local traditions have been inspired by
these “eternal flames,” some no longer practiced, others still
leaving their mark on local pottery, costumes and so on.
6. If their story has triggered your interest, then take a trip to
Terca. In the summer, make sure you have enough water
with you, the weather in Romania tends to get very hot,
and the area around the Living Fires was not developed
for tourist purposes.
7. To reach the place, drive through the city of Buzău, on the
route Mărăcineni–Sapoca-Manzalesti-Lopătari-Terca .If
you drive through Berca, it’s better to use a four-wheel-
drive vehicle. In fact, it’s good to have a good car to drive
from Lopătari to Terca anyway. Prepare for a hike as well:
the car cannot take you to the Fires. You have to cross a
handmade wooden bridge, that looks ancient and wobbly.
Then the road takes you on uneven terrain up the hill, on
a hike that, although not difficult, it could be pure torture
after the rain
