Romania set to establish the largest national park in Europe

Romania is on the verge of creating the largest national park in Europe, spanning an impressive 250,000 hectares. This ambitious project will encompass areas from the Făgăraș Mountains and Piatra Craiului, marking a significant milestone in the country's conservation efforts.

The idea of transforming this beautiful region into a national park was proposed two decades ago. Since then, progress has been made, thanks in part to the dedication of biologists Barbara and Christoph Promberger, who arrived in Romania in the 1990s. Their commitment led to the establishment of the Conservation Carpathia Foundation, created specifically to restore the devastated forests in the Piatra Craiului area.

With 28,000 hectares already acquired by the foundation, it is poised to donate these lands to the state once the area meets international standards for a national park. The foundation has undertaken extensive groundwork, including a study in collaboration with the Romanian Academy, to support this vision.

Future plans for the park include the integration of the Natura 2000 site in the Făgăraș Mountains, the Piatra Craiului Natural Park, and the Iezer-Păpușa mountains. However, the project still requires approval from the County Councils of Sibiu, Argeș, Brașov, and Vâlcea to move forward.

In 2025, the Romanian government allocated approximately 35 million lei for the establishment of 13 national parks. This allocation follows a long period during which no new national parks were created in Romania, with the last one—Buila-Vânturarița—established in 2005.

The Conservation Carpathia Foundation has also reintroduced species such as bison and beavers to the area and organized events like the Făgăraș Fest to promote local engagement. Barbara Promberger highlighted that national parks not only protect the environment but also generate income for local communities and preserve cultural heritage.

While 67% of Romanians have visited a national park, a significant 82% struggle to define their characteristics. The establishment of this new park could help raise awareness and appreciation for Romania's rich natural heritage, which currently comprises 13 unique national parks covering 317,500 hectares, or 1.3% of the country's total area.