Hanu Ancuței: the romanian restaurant listed in Second Life Destinations Guide

Hello again, my dear reader. This article is about traditions, history, people, hospitality – and the beauty of our mother nature. There is this place in Second Life where, once you cross the threshold, you find yourself in a very cozy, welcoming inn: Hanu Ancuței. A place where my love, Cris, and I wanted to convey a part of the beauty of our country’s customs and music, with the only wish that any resident of Second Life who would visit us to have a truly beautiful experience.

Romania is very much associated with Dracula and his legend – and since my very first day in Second Life i have noticed that there are very few other things people know about this country. I really like to find out where the people around me come from, what are their favorite places, both RL and SL, what is their favorite music or what kind of traditions they love, and I just wished people to know things about the country where I was born too, to learn about its rich past and places full of history and unique beauty, to listen the beautiful music we have here and to learn more about our traditions. There is so much to see and enjoy on these lands! Looking for a place that would represent our country beautifully, i realized how difficult it was to choose one, Romania having so many picturesque lands, full of traditions and surrounded by nature torn as if from fairy tales – but in the end i chose Hanu Ancuței, a famous tourist inn located along one of the main European roads.

The story of the real Hanu Ancuței began 300 years ago… Wisely placed at the intersection of the roads leading to Piatra Neamt and Roman, Hanu’ Ancutei was built at the beginning of the 18th century (year 1718, as written on the plaque at the entrance of the Inn). It was famous throughout the country but also beyond the borders, especially for its unique hospitality and such delicious traditional dishes. Moreover, in addition to the fact that it was a stopover sought by so many travelers and merchants, Hanu` Ancutei also inspired Mihail Sadoveanu, a famous Romanian novelist. Thus, the volume of 9 stories called “Hanul Ancutei ” was published with all the stories of travelers and the archaic life of the Romanian village.

The building lasted for a long time until, around 1943, the owner demolished it, leaving only the cradle of some wonderful stories of the people of Sadoveni. Deprived of the warmth of guests and the stories told around the table, with its walls in ruins, Hanu Ancutei continued to watch over the deserted expanses until two and a half decades ago, when it was brought back to life and thus became the famous stopping place that was once upon a time, but with other stories and other heroes living in those times.

Furnished in the traditional theme specific only to these lands, with special attention to the representative elements of Romanian folklore, Hanu Ancutei is strongly imprinted in the memory of its visitors to whom it offers hospitality and unforgettable memories. On the right side of the entrance, right next to the door, was placed a marble plaque with the following words: “On the site of the old inn that was built in 1718 and destroyed years ago, the new construction was built, honoring the Romanian slovak of the great Sadoveanu. May there remain a place of enchanted rest and spiritual delight for all earthly travelers or those coming from other lands“. 

The peaceful existence at the Inn has perpetuated itself over the years and is preserved with great sanctity even today. In the same setting, a different Ancuța still greets guests from all over the world with bread and salt and a warm smile. And if you can’t make it to Romania, Hanu Ancuței can now also be visited in Second Life, with the same hospitality, love for traditions, music, dance, romanian food and life stories. 

We are very proud that Hanu` Ancuței was listed in Second Life Destinations Guide and to have Isabella Rumsford – a singer born in România – to represent us wonderfully through her life concerts. We often host events with romanian and european music, and we have traditional dishes that can only be found here, created by our skilled chefs Great and Jonny: grilled trout, smoked string beans, Radauteana soup, traditional “cozonac“, the famous Marghiloman coffee and noble wines are just some of the culinary delights we treat our guests with.