RomaniA
Freemasonry in Romania
The majority of the revolutionaries and founders of Romania, as well as a large number of scholars, scientists, and artists in the 19th century, were Freemasons. Freemasons were so numerous that they were colloquially called ‘farmazoni’ (‘pharmaçons’) in popular Romanian, and a saying stated that every Romanian leader ‘starts as a student, becomes a pharmaçon, then a professor, scholar, or minister, and ends up being trampled and spit upon as a boulevard.’ Indeed, many boulevards in city centers bear the names of famous Freemasons. Since 1848, there existed a ‘Street of the Freemasons’ in the center of Bucharest, which retained this name until October 1940 (renamed Ștefan Furtună during the communist era and Mircea Vulcănescu since 1990).
The ‘Master Mason Manole Walk’ attests to a myth of the guild of church builders in the Middle Ages on the territory of present-day Romania, which Mircea Eliade had already linked to the founding myths of Freemasonry
Temple Sibiu
cartography
France
Andorra
Austria
In Austria, the paths lead to Vienna, rich in Masonic history, which can be discovered throughout its well-restored streets and buildings. Exploring this history takes one back to a significant heritage, from Mozart to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, where Freemasonry is prominently present.
Belgium
Croatia
North Macedonia
Poland
In Poland, the journey first leads to the University Library of Poznan to see 80,000 Masonic works in various languages, including 2,400 in French dating back to 1730, which were stolen during World War II by the Nazis.
Next, in Tarnowskie Góry, a UNESCO-listed town, the cultural heritage has been enriched thanks to the town hall, which recovered objects from two Masonic lodges destroyed by the Nazi regime to create a museum. In this region, rich in silver mines, Freemasonry was highly developed. In the same town, a beautifully reconstructed castle houses a Masonic museum and a temple with Masonic furniture, where the lodge of the Grand Lodge of France has been able to meet for its work. One can spend a few days there, as there is a hotel and a restaurant.
Portugal
Romania
Since 1848, there existed in the center of Bucharest a ‘Street of the Freemasons,’ which retained this name until October 1940 (renamed Ștefan Furtună during the communist era and Mircea Vulcănescu since 1990). The ‘Master Mason Manole Walk’ attests to a myth of the guild of church builders in the Middle Ages on the territory of present-day Romania, which Mircea Eliade had already connected to the founding myths of Freemasonry. The country offers explorers all sorts of discoveries of remarkable architectural and Masonic heritage sites.
Serbia
A stroll through Belgrade offers many architectural surprises, revealing true treasures engraved on the facades of buildings. You will also find two suggested walks in the city, which provide a glimpse into Serbian heritage that has been miraculously preserved despite challenging periods since 1940. Enjoy the discovery !