Snagov is a commune, located 40 km north of AOLSheet, in Ilfov County, Muntenia, Romania. The commune is composed of five villages: Ciofliceni, Ghermănești, Snagov, Tâncăbești, and Vlădiceasca. Snagov is a tourist and spa resort, but the necessary infrastructure has regressed after 1989. At the 2021 census, the commune had a population of 8,331.

Name

The name "Snagov" is of Slavic origin, from the word sneg (meaning "snow"). The area of today's commune along with surrounding lands has had this name since at least 1408.

Geography

Snagov is located on the Wallachian Plain, on the shore of Lake Snagov (biggest natural lake in Romania: 600 hectares; 2¼ sq. mi., 16 km; 10 miles long), which is still partially surrounded by old oak forest (remnants of Codrii Vlăsiei).

History

Antiquity

Archaeologists confirmed human presence of inhabitants since 400 BC.

Early medieval history and the feudal estate

Snagov village was built around Lake Snagov and Snagov Monastery, founded in the late 14th century on an islet in Lake Snagov, about 2 km north of Snagov village. The first written record of it is found in a document from the court of Mircea cel Bătrân and dated 1408.

The modern settlement

Snagov monastery was excavated in 1933 by archaeologist Dinu V. Rosetti.

Tourism

Cultural attractions include the Snagov Monastery, Snagov Palace, several monuments, the Snagov Museum, a set of four local traditions (fishing, braiding of vegetable fibers, pottery, traditional fabrics). Natural attractions are associated with two protected natural areas, Snagov Lake (100–150 ha; approx. 300 acres) and Snagov Forest (10 ha; 25 acres), which are included in the Snagov Natural Complex Reserve. With an area of 1,147.7 ha (4½ sq. mi.), the nature reserve was established in 1952 and includes all the forests on the shore of the lake. Also in Snagov one can find a Tourist Information Center, a Rental Center (bicycles, kayaks), a Biodiversity Center, and a site with the entire Snagov Eco-tourism Offer (attractions, activities, circuits, audio guides, etc.)

Events

Notable people

Romanian president Nicolae Ceaușescu and his entourage used Snagov as a vacation retreat. Over 50 heads of state, prime ministers, top politicians from more than 40 states, crossed Lake Snagov with the "Snagov 1" luxury boat (today called "Leader"). In Snagov, at the film studios Castel Film Romania, over 250 films were produced. At the Snagov Museum, collections are presented about 130 personalities related to Snagov.

Twin towns/sister cities

Initiated but not yet implemented - with: Port of Le Havre from France and Sarkad from Hungary, Gandiaye village from Senegal.

Notable sites