Fonts, Ferenc Puskas and flying coffee cups. The mysteries of Sfântu Gheorghe

October 2025. Sfântu Gheorghe. Romania.

A week in Romania seemed a bit of a risk with Dad and Mrs RM’s folks on the decline; most of our trips have been a 5 day blur. But you need the extra time to tackle Transylvania’s problematic transport.

And so it proved, as Bran Castle, inspiration for the famous roughage-based cereal, proved just out of reach on a Monday with more closures than you see in micropubs in Thanet.

Not to fear, I had an alternative, and at 8am that morning we were back at the Ceausescu-era Brasov station drinking cheap Americano (too cheap, in truth).

28 minutes later we’re slowing down on the approach to Sfântu Station, the factories hinting at industry,

but Wiki hints at underused industrial capacity in a city of 50,080, down by a third since Ceausescu.

75% speak Hungarian, and Hungary has helped fund the local football team Sepsi’s recent success (2 Romanian cups and European competition).

So, an unvisited town of 50k, traditional industrial base, allegiance with a neighbouring country.

Surely this is the Corby of Romania. And who on earth would blog about Corby ?

Wiki gives me a list of Sfântu Gheorge’s famous sons and daughters, mostly second-tier footballers. Annamari Dancs is their star singer, though since an attempt to gain a place at Eurovision 2012 her career has rather stalled. It is one of the worst songs you’ll ever hear.

Note it was an entrant in the Hungarian contest.

In 2018 I dragged Mrs RM to chemical city Ploiesti during our first Romanian trip. Would similarly unsung Sfantu have any redeeming features ?

Well, there’s some interesting fonts ?

I suspect this is a niche interest, except for M. Lawrenson of Preston.

Honestly, I could make it look rubbish;

But I could also make it look quite pleasant*,

particularly in the smart neighbourhood between Elizabeth Park and the orthodox church on the hill.

By the time we’d explored the brutalist masterpiece that is the abandoned Trade Unions Cultural Centre, Mrs RM had had enough.

And when she knocked the Julius Meinl espresso cup flying in the smart café (I left a note for breakages) it was time to leave.

But, hang on, what’s this Untappd registered venue I see…

*Same as everywhere, in fact (almost).

Unknown's avatar

Published by retiredmartin

Retired NHS, doing long walks around UK and the world to record the great bits. Focused on Good Beer Guide pubs and live music.

7 thoughts on “Fonts, Ferenc Puskas and flying coffee cups. The mysteries of Sfântu Gheorghe”

  1. “as Bran Castle, inspiration for the famous roughage-based cereal,”

    (slow golf clap)

    “and at 8am that morning we were back at the Ceausescu-era Brasov station drinking cheap Americano (too cheap, in truth).”

    There’s no such thing as too cheap.
    (well, maybe Katy Perry’s antics)

    “75% speak Hungarian, ”

    It’s almost like lines on a map are just that; lines on a map. 😉

    “It is one of the worst songs you’ll ever hear.”

    In that case, I am NOT going to click.

    “In 2018 I dragged Mrs RM to chemical city Ploiesti during our first Romanian trip.”

    I think you’re confusing Romania with romance.

    “I suspect this is a niche interest, except for M. Lawrenson of Preston.”

    Remind me to never look M. Lawrenson up.

    “But I could also make it look quite pleasant*,”

    (looks up)

    What the hell is that?

    (looks down)

    Ah, you meant the pic below.

    “By the time we’d explored the brutalist masterpiece that is the abandoned Trade Unions Cultural Centre, Mrs RM had had enough.”

    Good woman that.

    “And when she knocked the Julius Meinl espresso cup flying in the smart café (I left a note for breakages) it was time to leave.”

    I think she did that on purpose?

    “But, hang on, what’s this Untappd registered venue I see…”

    To be continued?

    Cheers

    Like

    Reply

      1. – Katy Perry was merely spur of the moment, as she was rumoured to be snogging our former PM, one Justin Trudeau. Which is odd as he seems to have a preference for surfer dudes in Tofino, BC.

        – Your welcome for the Rom/Rom thingy

        – (smacks head) I remember Matthew, now that you’ve mentioned it. Ta.

        Liked by 1 person

  2. I think Puskás was among the first footballers whose names I knew.

    Jimmy Greaves, of course, and most of the Spurs double winning side in the early 60s. But Puskás was definitely up there, even before I knew it was the name of a footballer.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

Leave a reply to Russtovich Cancel reply