Traditional Households Periprava – Stănescu Bogdan Family

A trip to the village of Periprava in the Danube Delta is a unique experience that comes with a lot of rewards. You will find here a special atmosphere and a time that seems to stand still. Also here, in the quiet of the streets, you will hear the echoes of times, but also of long-gone sufferings. The beauty and richness that nature allows here, along with the stories and hospitality with which Lipovan fishermen will welcome you, transform the time spent in Periprava into an experience you will never forget.

With just over 200 inhabitants, many of the houses here still keep intact the architecture and the specifics of the place, being built from natural materials: adobe and reed.

The name of the village is, unfortunately, also linked to a dark period in the history of our country, because during the communist period a labor camp operated in Periprava where prisoners from other penitentiaries in the country were brought, who ended up in difficult conditions. Many teams of historians and archaeologists have come here over the years, even today, to dig up bones and honor the memory of these victims.

Nature was generous and protected, however, because here we also encounter a jewel, unique in Romania: the Letea Forest. Spread over an area of over 500 hectares, this is the oldest natural reserve in Romania, which constitutes the habitat of an impressive number of wild horses, which can sometimes be admired in the area called "Hasmacul Mare".

Periprava is among the settlements in the Danube Delta with the largest community of Lipovan Russians in the entire region. These inhabitants proudly preserve the Lipovan traditions, culture and language, being recognized for the practice of traditional fishing, for textile crafts and for the unmistakable architecture of their churches.

The faith of the Lipovan Russians in Romania is Old Rite Orthodox, and the religious services held in the village church are officiated in the Slavonic language. They also use the Julian calendar, which is 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar. In addition, there are small folklore ensembles in the community that preserve and present to tourists the traditional dress and dances specific to this ethnic group.

Periprava was the place of terrible deeds during the communist regime in Romania. Here, political prisoners transferred from other prisons in the country were forced to work in inhumane conditions, often picking reeds. The merciless treatment and poor conditions led to the death of many of these innocent people.

The Periprava camp remains a symbol of suffering and repression under the communist regime. The Institute for the Investigation of the Crimes of Communism has carried out numerous campaigns to search for and recover the remains of political prisoners who died at Periprava.

Letea Forest is one of the most fascinating ecosystems in Romania. What makes it special is the presence of centuries-old broad-crowned oak trees, which reach impressive heights and give the forest a mystical air. It was formed approximately 6000 years ago, following the withdrawal of the waters of the Black Sea.

What makes it special is the fact that it does not grow on ordinary soil, but on seabed sand, giving it a unique feature in the natural landscape. Forest hikes, bike rides and boat trips through the nearby canals are just some of the activities you can enjoy once you're here.