Colti
Encyclopedia
Colţi is a commune in Buzău County
, Romania
, located in the Pătârlagele hollow, at the curvature of the Carpathian mountains
, 13 km away from the town of Pătârlagele
. It is composed of four villages: Aluniş, Colţi, Colţii de Jos and Muscelu Cărămăneşti.
Colţi is known for having been the only place in Romania where amber
was extracted. The old amber mine has been closed since 1948, but the commune is the location of the only amber museum in Romania. The museum was opened in 1973 and exhibits pieces of amber and other minerals as well as deed
s and documents that refer to amber mining.
The most important exhibits are some pieces of amber that weigh over 1.5 kilograms, an earring
with a piece of amber that preserves a 3 million year old ant
, and another piece that kept the shape of the tree from whose resin
it emerged.
Amber is a common ornament for the people of Colţi, who wear amber pieces as good luck charm
s.
s, and served as a monastery until 1871. Since then, it has served as the village Eastern Orthodox
church.
Buzau County
Buzău is a county of Romania, in the historical region Muntenia, with the capital city at Buzău.-Demographics:In 2002, it had a population of 496,214 and the population density was 81/km².*Romanians – 97%*Roma – under 3% declared, and others....
, Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
, located in the Pătârlagele hollow, at the curvature of the Carpathian mountains
Carpathian Mountains
The Carpathian Mountains or Carpathians are a range of mountains forming an arc roughly long across Central and Eastern Europe, making them the second-longest mountain range in Europe...
, 13 km away from the town of Pătârlagele
Patârlagele
Pătârlagele is a town in Buzău County, Romania. In 2002 it had a population of 8,414.- Geography :Pătârlagele is located in the western part of the county, along the national road connecting Buzău and Braşov...
. It is composed of four villages: Aluniş, Colţi, Colţii de Jos and Muscelu Cărămăneşti.
The amber museum
Amber
Amber is fossilized tree resin , which has been appreciated for its color and natural beauty since Neolithic times. Amber is used as an ingredient in perfumes, as a healing agent in folk medicine, and as jewelry. There are five classes of amber, defined on the basis of their chemical constituents...
was extracted. The old amber mine has been closed since 1948, but the commune is the location of the only amber museum in Romania. The museum was opened in 1973 and exhibits pieces of amber and other minerals as well as deed
Deed
A deed is any legal instrument in writing which passes, or affirms or confirms something which passes, an interest, right, or property and that is signed, attested, delivered, and in some jurisdictions sealed...
s and documents that refer to amber mining.
The most important exhibits are some pieces of amber that weigh over 1.5 kilograms, an earring
Earring
Common locations for piercings, other than the earlobe, include the rook, tragus, and across the helix . The simple term "ear piercing" usually refers to an earlobe piercing, whereas piercings in the upper part of the external ear are often referred to as "cartilage piercings"...
with a piece of amber that preserves a 3 million year old ant
Ant
Ants are social insects of the family Formicidae and, along with the related wasps and bees, belong to the order Hymenoptera. Ants evolved from wasp-like ancestors in the mid-Cretaceous period between 110 and 130 million years ago and diversified after the rise of flowering plants. More than...
, and another piece that kept the shape of the tree from whose resin
Resin
Resin in the most specific use of the term is a hydrocarbon secretion of many plants, particularly coniferous trees. Resins are valued for their chemical properties and associated uses, such as the production of varnishes, adhesives, and food glazing agents; as an important source of raw materials...
it emerged.
Amber is a common ornament for the people of Colţi, who wear amber pieces as good luck charm
Good Luck Charm
"Good Luck Charm" is a song recorded by Elvis Presley and published by Gladys Music, Elvis Presley's publishing company, that reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 list in the week ending April 21, 1962. It remained at the top of the list for two weeks. The song was written by Aaron Schroeder...
s.
The Aluniş cave-church
6 km away from the commune's center lies the village of Aluniş, where medieval cave settlements can be found. A cave-church was dug in stone in 1274, by local shepherdShepherd
A shepherd is a person who tends, feeds or guards flocks of sheep.- Origins :Shepherding is one of the oldest occupations, beginning some 6,000 years ago in Asia Minor. Sheep were kept for their milk, meat and especially their wool...
s, and served as a monastery until 1871. Since then, it has served as the village Eastern Orthodox
Romanian Orthodox Church
The Romanian Orthodox Church is an autocephalous Eastern Orthodox church. It is in full communion with other Eastern Orthodox churches, and is ranked seventh in order of precedence. The Primate of the church has the title of Patriarch...
church.