This is one of the most impressive and important monuments in Romania's history, as it is dedicated to the valiant resistance of the Romanian army against the German attacks, in the summer of 1917, when all seemed lost and defeat unavoidable. The victory recorded by the Romanian army at Marasti was a costly one, with a great number of dead and wounded, but proved to be a crucial turning point in the war. The monument we can still see today is an impressive and highly interesting body of work, an architectural achievement that is still a wonder.
The story of this mausoleum marks one of the most decisive moments in the history of the country. In the summer of 1917, when World War One was raging all over Europe, Romania was almost defeated by the Germans and their allies and seemed to be doomed. Yet, with all of the last armies and equipement, the Romanian Headquarters decided to organise two last, desperate offensives against the enemy. On July 24th 1917 the battle began at Marasti, under the leadership of Alexandru Averescu, one of the best known and respected figures in the history of the Romanian army. After six days of fierce fighting, the battle was won by the Romanian armies, who lost around 2000 men and other 3000 were wounded. It was one of the major victories for Romania and in no small part it further influenced the course of the war.
After the war, in June 1928, the construction of a mausoleum began, dedicated to the sacrifice and courage of the soldiers who fought against a better equiped and trained army, achieving a splendid victory. The idea of such a monument was older, but only after 10 years the money and architects were found. In the end, the Marasti Mausoleum was to be one of the largest and most important monuments in Romania. The decorative reliefs on the outside of the structure, inspired by the battle, were signed by A. Bordenache, while the names of those who had falled were inscribed on the 15 marble plates.
At the basement of the mausoleum there is a small museum, of great interest for those who want to know more about the history of the Romanian army, with weapons and equipement used in the battle of Marasti, as well as several engravings and documents. It is a special, easily recognasible monument, although it has lost much of it's popularity, it still atracts a large number of tourists.
2008-04-01
