No abstract

The study aims to highlight part of the documents issued by Constantin Brâncoveanu, the lord of the Wallachia (1688Wallachia ( -1714, in which he specifies how the Hurezi Monastery was built (the most representative construction in Brancovan style), how it was endowed with the estates, villages, mountains and some customs house duties from Vâlcea, Dolj, Gorj, Mehedinți and Ilfov counties, presenting also the seals that authenticate them, but also different emblems painted on documents and carved in this place of worship located in Vâlcea county, Romania. The church of the monastery also houses the tomb of the ruler, which yet remained un-used, because Constantin Brancoveanu is buried at the church of New Saint George in Bucharest. The monastery was an important cultural center, where the ruler founded the library, which has still remained with the name of "Constantin Brâncoveanu's Library" and which currently holds about 4000 volumes. By the means of sigilography and heraldry, we have described both the seal of the most solemn document given to the monastery and these heraldic compositions, explaining also the significance of the component elements. While designing and documenting the study, I took into account the interest that can raise the seals that validate some documents, but also the emblems painted or sculpted in this monastery, upon specialists, historians and the general public. These heraldic and sigilographic sources can serve to better understand historical phenomena, as well as to identify the figure around which this religious establishment is built and dedicated to. Also, through this study we intend that the heraldry and sigilography should be restored to the important place that is appropriate to them among all the auxiliary disciplines of history.

The present study tries a theological and socio-human approach at the same time, so that a correlation could be made between the religious beliefs of the world, in which life may be approached both from the perspective of the scientific data, as well as from the human thinking and up to the human feelings arisen and the beneficial influence Pope Francis' visit has exercised upon people up to the present time. To desacralize the world and life, means to diminish the real meaning and value, disregarding the entire spiritual edifice of humanity. The apostolic journey of Pope Francis that he made on the days of May 31-June 2, 2019 in Romania, will remain not only a memory for all the Romanian people, but rather a historical event with a special spiritual charge, oriented towards reconciliation and tolerance between churches and ethnic groups, taking into account the multitude of ethnicities in Romania, of different denominations. The methodology was based on the collection of data from the online environment and the direct observations made by those who conducted the study, as a result of their taking part to the entire activity throughout their visit. The study is also supported by social surveys and discussions with the participants in the event, in the places where Pope Francis has held prayer talks and dialogues. The results highlight in the first place the large numbers of Romanians participating, regardless of ethnicity and religious affiliation, age or socio-professional structure, all having the same desire, that of maintaining a good understanding relationship among all Christians, no matter if Catholic or Orthodox. The culturalreligious pluralism in Romania is an advantage that we must all become aware of and that we must be glad about.

Heritage tourism is recognized as a sustainable economic alternative. In the area of the city of Giurgiu, the medieval fortress could represent an important alternative for local development, given the economic decline in which the latter finds itself. Our study tries to determine the extent to which the success and sustainability of this type of development, based on ruin-like tourism kind or on materialarcheological cultural tourism kind, depends on the support obtained from the local residents. From a methodological point of view, a questionnaire was applied among the resident population. The number of questionnaires applied was 198, including persons of different sexes, ages and professional training. The content of the questions was based on the knowledge of the residents regarding the patrimonial value of the fortress of Giurgiu, from the proximity of the dwelling and, to what extent it could come to support the heritage tourism, as an alternative to local development. The methodology used was able to give a clear explanation of the insufficient knowledge of the local history by the residents, which is in contrast to the desire to develop heritage tourism. The obtained results offer a favorable framework for supporting the local population on what concerns the historical knowledge, so that heritage tourism may become a natural phenomenon by itself. Even better documentation of the residents, as an activity supported by local authorities, could lead to the development of sustainable heritage tourism.

The study aims to highlight the letter issued by Antim Ivireanul, the metropolitan of the Romanian Country between 1708 and 1716, [15], [14], [24], [5], [18], in which he mentions how the Monastery of All Saints in Bucharest (today called Antim Monastery) was built, to be an example to be followed in a 32-headed settlement, the coat of arms of the above mentioned founder, as well as the heraldic elements painted on the document, or carved in this place of worship in the capital of Romania. For the preparation of the present study we researched the funds of documents located at the Central National Historical Archives and at the Antim Monastery in Bucharest. Regarding the actual description of the different types of coat of arms, we have complied with the heraldic norms and the recommendations of the former International Sigilography Committee. When designing this study, we considered the interest that these heraldic compositions (paintings or sculptures) may present for teachers, pupils, students, as well as for the general public. I considered that in the modernization stage of the instructionaleducational process, heraldic sources can serve to the better understanding of some historical phenomena, especially concerning the marks used during the time of the ancestors, but can also help to decipher the symbols by which the ancestors have expressed aspirations. At the same time, the study constitutes an impetus for the intensification of the actions meant to detect, preserve and introduce these testimonies of the past into the scientific circuit.