The Bucegi Mountains are located in central Romania, south of the city Braşov. They are part of the Southern Carpathians group of the Carpathian Mountains.
To the east, the Bucegi Mountains have a very steep slope towards the popular tourist destination Prahova Valley (a.o. Buşteni and Sinaia). At a higher elevation is the Bucegi Plateau, where wind and rain have turned the rocks into spectacular figures such as the Sphinx and Babele.
They're grouped in three parts:
* Bucegi Mountains (Omul Peak - 2505 meters)
* Leaota Mountains (Leaota Peak - 2133 meters)
* Piatra Craiului Mountains (Baciului Peak - 2238 meters)
The Bran Pass separates the Piatra Craiului and Leaota ranges; it was marked by border crossings between Wallachia and Transylvania, and was defended by the Bran Castle.
The Bucegi is believed to be the Dacian holy mountain Kogainon, on which the mythical figure Zalmoxis resided in a cave
Caraiman Peak
The Heroes' Cross, monument located atop Caraiman Peak
Elevation: 2,260 metres (7,414 feet)
Location: Romania
Range: Bucegi Mountains, Southern Carpathians
Coordinates: 45°24′22.21″N, 25°29′51.72″E
The Caraiman Peak is a mountain peak located in Romania, in the Bucegi Mountains of the Southern Carpathians. It has a height of 2,260m. The nearest town is Buşteni.
The Heroes' Monument
Atop Caraiman peak lies the Heroes' Cross, a memorial of World War I. It was erected between 1926 and 1928, at the initiative of Queen Maria of Romania. The material needed for construction was carried up using a funicular, as well as carts carried by oxen. The monument's height is 29.5 meters and the arms' length is 14 metres.
The cross is lit at night using 300 x 500W bulbs. Until 1939, the lighting installation was powered by an electric generator located inside the base of the monument and was made up of only 120 bulbs. In 1939, it was connected to the national electrical network.
