Small stones grow on bigger ones after heavy rainfall, just like mushrooms, which is an abnormal phenomenon itself, but that's only a small part of the huge mystery.
It's claimed the stones can also "walk", as many have been noticed to change their position. Moreover, they may influence your thoughts provided that you are standing somewhere nearby. If you talk to them in a non-amiable way, they may get revengeful, therefore it's recommended to be friendly with them. Why should you even talk to the stones, after all—this is another question.
You must be extremely sceptical about the whole thing already, but if it were fake, would scientists waste their time on such a nuisance?
In fact, the growing stones of Romania, commonly known as "trovants" and concretions, have been a subject of scientific investigation for quite a long time. Where from, and why did they appear in Romania—this is not clear, but the formations are supposed to be 6.5 million years old. Due to a large number of inexplicable characteristics, they are also supposed to have some kind of alien origin. From the outside, the trovants resemble ordinary stones, while the texture inside is similar to sand, and when broken into two halves, the cross section has some similarities with a tree trunk, mainly because of the observable age rings. This makes them half-rocks and half-plants.
Mysterious concretions are found in many regions of Romania, but Valcea County is known for the greatest accumulation. The best places to see the living rocks, talk to them, and even touch them is either along a river in Gresarea Brook near Oteşani village, around 15 km from Horezu, or at a sand quarry near Costeşti village. In Costeşti you will also find “Trovants Museum”, the site is protected by UNESCO.
People of Transilvania have their own tradition connected with trovants,—they put the stones beside the graves of their loved ones to ensure peaceful afterlife. Moreover, it's a common practice in Romania to use trovants to make souvenirs.
For visitors, the best time to meet the extraordinary rocks is after rains, when the baby-stones sprout. Summer is considered the most rainy season in Romania.
Practical info
What are trovants and how do they grow?
Romania has unusual formations known as Trovants. These stones grow like mushrooms after heavy rainfall, and they are made of half-rock and half-plant materials, with age rings similar to tree trunks. The texture inside the Trovants is similar to sand, and this phenomenon has captured the attention of scientific communities worldwide. Show more
Can trovants move and influence people's thoughts?
Trovants are said to be capable of movement and can influence people's thoughts if they are nearby. That's why it is advisable to be polite and courteous around them. People believe that aggressive or impolite behavior can trigger revengeful actions from these unique stones, and this idea has been popularized by Romanian folklore and prevalent belief systems. Show more
Why are scientists investigating the growing stones?
Trovants are one of the most mysterious events in the scientific world. Scientists have been fascinated by this phenomenon for decades. These unique rocks are millions of years old and have puzzled the scientific community with their inexplicable characteristics. The Costesti Trovant Museum in Romania, where these stones are protected, offers an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in learning more about the subject. Show more
Where can you see the most significant accumulation of trovants in Romania?
Valcea County is home to the most extensive accumulation of Trovants in Romania. The two best places to view them are along Gresarea Brook, near Otesani village, situated approximately 15 km from Horezu, and at a sand quarry near Costesti village. Costesti also houses the Trovant's Museum, where visitors can learn about the history and folklore surrounding the phenomenon. Show more
What is the tradition connected to the use of trovants in Transylvania?
In Transylvania, Trovants are placed near the graves of loved ones to ensure a peaceful afterlife, and in other parts of Romania, they are used to create handmade souvenirs. The unique stones offer a fascinating insight into Romanian history and folklore, and anyone interested in understanding more about these formations can visit souvenir shops in towns near various Trovant sites. Show more
