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Naluca miresei din Radovani
The ghost of the Midnight Bride from Radovan
S-a întâmplat în urmă cu mai bine de 60 de ani, însă, pentru cei mai mulţi locuitori ai Radovanului, parcă a fost ieri. Nici unul dintre aceştia nu poate uita nenorocirea care a marcat întregul sat, trista poveste a fetei care nu şi-a găsit liniştea nici după moarte.
It all happened more than 60 years ago, but, for most of the villagers from Radovani, it seems like yesterday. None of them can forget the tragedy that struck the whole village, the sad story of the girl who didn't find peace even after death.
Deşi a trecut mai bine de o jumătate de secol, povestea tinerei alungată de foamete din Moldova încă îi impresionează pe locuitorii Radovanului, care îşi fac cruce atunci când trec prin dreptul monumentului funerar al acesteia.
Although more than half of a century has passed since than, the story of the young girl who came here because of the famine in Moldova still impresses the villagers of Radovan, who pray while passing by her grave.
"S-a auzit acum câţiva ani că nişte şoferi care treceau noaptea prin pădure au văzut silueta unei femei îmbrăcate în alb. Alerga prin pădure şi de câteva ori chiar a trecut prin faţa maşinilor. S-au oprit în sat speriaţi şi ne-au întrebat cine era. Când am auzit, imediat ne-am dat seama că era mireasa din Radovan." - Ioana Ene, localnică
"A few years ago we heard that some drivers passing through the forest at night saw a woman dressed in white. She was running through the forest and a few times she even crossed the road. They stopped in the village, scared, and asked who she was. When we heard, we understood immediately she was the midnight bride from Radovan." – Ioana Ene, villager
Era prin primăvara lui ’40 ...
It was the summer of ’40…
Primăvara lui 1940. Soarele abia ieşit dintre nori străluceşte timid printre mugurii copacilor. Vremea frumoasă îi face pe localnicii din Radovan să îşi înceapă treburile gospodăreşti mai devreme ca de obicei. Alături de ei, un copilandru de 17 ani mână cireada de vaci prin pădurea de lângă sat, spre locul de păscut, fără să aibă vreo bănuială că tot ceea ce urma să vadă îi va rămâne adânc întipărit în minte pentru restul vieţii. "Şi cum mergeam eu aşa, la un moment dat, am zărit ceva atârnând de un copac. La început, nu mi-am dat seama ce era. Am crezut că cineva agăţase o treanţă de crengi. Când m-am apropiat, însă, am descoperit cu groază că era o femeie prinsă într-o funie: Ileana se spânzurase", şi-a amintit Constantin Ţipişte, acela care a descoperit cadavrul celei care astăzi este cunoscută sub numele de mireasa de la Radovan. Cu glasul tremurând, bătrânul ne-a povestit că gestul tinerei a pus pe jar întreg satul care, aflând că fata s-a sinucis, a dat repede fuga în pădure să o vadă. "Aveam zece ani când Ileana s-a spânzurat în pădure. Eu nu o cunoşteam bine, dar auzisem că venise taman din Moldova şi se băgase slugă la ai lu’ Mitran. Când am ajuns acolo, unii o trăgeau de picioare, să vadă dacă mai trăieşte, dar nici unul nu se încumeta să taie sfoara şi să o coboare de acolo", a spus Dinu Vasile, unul dintre martori.Spring 1940. The sun was shining through the leaves of the trees. The sunny weather made the locals of Radovan begin their work earlier. Among them, a teenager of just 17 was with the cattle in the forest of the village, without thinking that the next sight would remain in his mind for the rest of his life. "And as I was walking I saw something hanging from a tree. At first I didn’t realize what it was. I thought somebody had hung some piece of fabric from the tree. When I got closer I realized horrified that there was a woman caught in a rope: Ileana had hung herself." remembered Constantin Tipiste, the one who discovered the body of the woman known today as the midnight bride of Radovani. With a strange voice, the old man told us that the act of the girl intrigued the whole village, which immediately came running to see her. "I was only 10 when she hung herself in the forest. I didn’t know her very well, but I'd heard she had come from Moldova and was working for a villager named Mitran. When I got there, some were pulling her feet, to see if she was still alive, but none dared to cut the rope and get her down." said Dinu Vasile, one of the witnesses.
Moldoveanca furase inimile băieţilor
The girl From Moldova had stolen the hearts of the boys
Ileana venise în Radovan cu câteva luni înainte de a-şi curma viaţa. Foametea din Moldova o împinsese, ca de altfel pe mai toţi localnicii de acolo, să-şi caute de lucru prin părţile de sud ale ţării. Avea în jur de 20 de ani, nimeni nu-i ştie încă cu exactitate vârsta. Venise împreună cu una dintre surori şi-şi găsise de lucru în gospodăria lui Marin Mitran. Deşi a văzut-o cu mai bine de 60 de ani în urmă, Constantin Ţipişte nu a putut uita niciodată chipul frumos al fetei pe care sărăcia o alungase din Moldova. "Era frumoasă foc şi toţi tinerii din sat îi făceau curte. Dar ea îşi vedea de treaba ei, nu ne băga pe nici unul în seamă. Venea la horă, dar pe ea o interesa mai mult să muncească şi să scoată din foamete familia care rămăsese în Moldova. Pesemne că nu voia să rămână aici, în sat, doar să se căpătuiască şi să plece înapoi la rudele ei", a continuat Constantin Ţipişte.Ileana had come to Radovan a few months before taking her life. The famine in Moldova made her, among others from that region, search for work in the southern parts of the country. She was around 20, nobody know the age for sure. She came with one of her sisters and found work in the house of Marin Mitran. Although he saw her more than 60 years ago, Constantin Tipiste has never forgotten the beautiful face of the girl from Moldova. "She was very pretty and all the men from the village wanted to be with her. But she had no interest for any of them. She came to the meetings in the village, but was more interested in working hard to keep her family in Moldova safe. Probably she didn’t intend to stay here, just to earn money and go back to her relatives" continued Constantin Tipiste.
Satul a fost alături de mireasă şi la autopsie
The people were close to the bride even at the autopsy
"Cum puţini bărbaţi rezistau să nu îi facă avansuri Ilenei, la un moment dat, prin sat circula zvonul că al lu’ Mitran se încurcase cu moldoveanca. Cică o forţase şi o lăsase grea. De-asta s-a şi omorât, săraca. A crezut că are copil şi, decât să se facă de ruşine, mai bine şi-a luat zilele. A plecat într-o dimineaţă de acasă şi dusă a fost", a completat Ioana Ene, una dintre bătrânele care nu au uitat povestea miresei din Radovan. La fel ca ea, sătenii îşi aduc aminte cu oroare de momentul în care Ileana a fost dusă de către organele de poliţie pentru efectuarea autopsiei. Curiozitatea nu le-a dat pace şi, impresionaţi de soarta tristă a fetei pentru care viaţa nu a mai avut nici un sens, i-au fost alături chiar şi la autopsie. "Şi au pus-o, maică, pe o uşă în mijlocul curţii lu’ Mitran şi au început s-o despice. Tăiau din ea doctorii ca dintr-un animal. Plângeau femeile şi bărbaţii de după gard de nu mai puteau. Pe toată uliţa, nici un ac nu mai puteai arunca, de lume ce se strânsese. I-au scos tot ce avea în ea, până când s-au convins ei că n-avea nici un copil în pântec. De’, n-a fost să fie aşa, că fata era cuminte şi la sfârşit s-a văzut că s-a omorât degeaba", a mai spus Nicolina Şania, una dintre femeile care au asistat la autopsie."As few men were able to resist flirting with her, she was said to be involved with Mitran. Some said he raped her and left her pregnant. That’s why she took her life. She thought she was pregnant and, for fear she will be embarrassed, she killed herself. She left home one morning and was gone" added Ioana Ene, one of the old women who didn’t forget the story of the bride of Radovani. Like her, the villagers remember, horrified, the moment Ileana was taken by the police for the autopsy. The curiosity didn’t let them stay away and, impressed by the sad story of the girl, they were close to her even at the autopsy. "And they put her on a door in the middle of Mitran’s yard and started cutting her. The doctors were slicing her like she was an animal. The people were crying their eyes out, watching across the fence . The whole street was full of people. They took everything out until they convinced she was not pregnant. She was honest, and in the end they all saw she killed herself for nothing" said Nicolina Sania, one of the women who saw the autopsy.
Lăsată să putrezească
Left to rot
Sfârşitul a fost unul tragic pentru tânăra pe care sărăcia o alungase de lângă ai ei, iar drama Ilenei a continuat să lase o urmă adâncă în sufletele celor care, deşi nu au cunoscut-o, au fost impresionaţi de povestea ei. "Au îngropat-o ca pe un câine în cimitir. Nici n-au băgat-o în biserică, din cauză că păcătuise. De’, n-avea voie să-şi pună capăt zilelor. La înmormântare au venit oameni din mai toate satele din împrejurimi, mai puţin rudele ei din Moldova, care, din cauza sărăciei, n-au mai petrecut-o pe ultimul drum. De-abia peste câţiva ani a venit o femeie care spunea că e mătuşa ei. A pus nişte flori şi a tămâiat mormântul şi de atunci nimeni nu a mai văzut-o", a adăugat Şania. În prezent, urmaşii familiei care a găzduit-o pe fată preferă să nu îşi amintească, lăsând timpul să şteargă ruşinea pe care Ileana a lăsat-o asupra lor. "Nu ştiu mai nimic, nici nu eram născut. Toate astea s-au întâmplat de mult, iar părinţii mei au murit", s-a apărat Ion Mitran, fiul aceluia despre care sătenii spun că şi-ar fi bătut joc de fată. Au trecut peste 60 de ani. Cu toate acestea, Ileana dăinuie în sufletele sătenilor nu numai din cauza gestului ei disperat de a-şi lua viaţa, ci şi prin intermediul apariţiilor misterioase din pădurea de la Radovan. Legendă sau adevăr, nimeni nu ştie cu exactitate. Cert este că mireasa de la Radovan continuă să bântuie prezentul acelora care au cunoscut-o.The end was a tragic one for the young girl who was brought here by the famine, and the drama of Ileana continued to live as a trace in the hearts of those who, although they had not known her, were impressed by her story. "They put her in the grave like she was an animal. They didn’t even put her in the church because she had sinned through killing herself. She was not allowed to do so. People from other villages came to the funeral, but not her relatives, because they were too poor. After few years a woman came, pretending to be her aunt. She put some flowers on her grave and nobody saw her ever after." said Sania. At the moment, the people where the girl stayed prefer not to remember, allowing time to wipe out their guilt. "I know nothing, I wasn’t even born. All this happened long ago, and my parents are dead" claimed Ion Mitran, the son of the one said to have dishonored the girl. More than 60 years passed. Still, Ileana is alive in the hearts of the villagers, not only because of her desperate gesture, but also because of the mysterious sights in the forest of Radovan. Legend or truth, nobody knows for sure. But the bride from Radovan continues to haunt the present of those who knew her…
Translated by Alex, Alexis Project Team
The Forest of Radovan is half way between Craiova, the largest city in Oltenia, and Cioroiu Nou, the site of a Roman fortress. It lies between the villages of Podari to the north, and Radovan to the south. It is a large and beautiful forest. Adrian and Alina were accompanied on this trip by Adrian's first son, Andrei, and his friend Ana.
Ana told the strange story of the forest. Many years ago, a young bride was killed just near a well located deep in the forest. Ever since, from time to time, at midnight, the young bride appears, all in white, coming out of the forest to the main road which passes through it, and attacks any young man passing through the forest at this time. This story is told in both Podari and in Radovan.
In Romania it is a tradition that every bride, just after she is married, should go to a well and bring home some water, as a sign of good times and happiness to come.
GPS coordinates of the well in the forest of Radovan.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 9th February 2008
This is a general view of the well deep in the Forest of Radovan.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 20th October 2007
The main well in the Forest of Radovan, protected by a pergola.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 20th October 2007
The secondary well, near the first.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 20th October 2007
Andrei, Ana and Alina at the place where, at midnight, the killed bride appears to attack any young man passing through the forest at this time.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 20th October 2007
Adrian and Alina, together with Sarbu Catalin from Radovan made a new search in the cemetery of Radovan village, to find the tomb of the Midnight Bride.
This young girl came to Radovan village from the Moldova area of eastern Romania about 1940. After being raped, she committed suicide and has sometimes appeared to visitors to the old well in Radovan Forest.
The girl's name was originally thought to have been Ileana, and lived in a house in the village, but now no one wants to talk about this sad story.
Catalin showed us this tomb in the cemetery.
Alina put two candles on the grave.
With the help of Mrs Claudia Barbu, from Oltenia Museum, who lives in Radovan village, the team has established that the name of the Midnight Bride is Patra Maria, aged 21, who died in 1947.
The Alexis Team plan to go to the forest at midnight, on a ghost hunt soon. It is also planned to enter the well, where the story goes that the well is like a cave underground, perhaps the home of the Midnight Bride.
Finally, we want to make a book about this story soon.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 26th October 2008
This house is built over the spot where the bride of Radovan lived fifty years ago, in an old house, since demolished.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 14th November 2009
Contributions to the mystery of the Radovan Bride
I would like to specify that the Alexis Association has, as a goal, among other subject areas, paranormal research.
Unlike other researchers of this controversial field, we, the Alexis Project, are essentially positivist and have very little inclination to mysticism and mystery, and we intend to mention on our site only those things which are factual and logical, at least in appearance.
Among the mysteries that we want to make known (we repeat, no other comments or biases) we include the case of the Radovan Bride.
In essence, at about the end of the Second World War, a young girl about 20 years of age, Patra Maria of Intorsura Buzau, fled to Radovan, Oltenia and found work as a maid in the house of a family there. She seems to have been abused by the head of family, with the result that she fell pregnant. Thinking about the shame of having a child out of wedlock, the young girl committed suicide by hanging herself in the nearby woods, near a fountain.
From this act there began the legend that several witnesses had seen the young ghost around the fountain during the night, and some had fallen victim to its vengeance.
We, the Alexis Project, have identified in documents from the Mayor of Radovan, that the Patra girl named Maria, was in Intorsura and died by suicide in the mid 40s. I found the house in which she seems to have lived, and her modest grave in the village cemetery.
Personally, I had two direct experiences in the field of the paranormal apparently related to the bride of Radovan.
Thus, very recently, I was part of a team seeking to deepen the Alexis study of the Radovan archaeological site, located on left tributary of the river at Getic Plateau. The team included the President of the Alexis Group, Attorney Neagoe Ms. Alina, the Vice President of the Associates and the author of this document, Dr Adrian George, a young inhabitant of Radovan, a student of history, University of Craiova, and a young Doctor Catalin Sarbu, Ms. Alina Bologa.
On Saturday, 20/03/2010, the Alexis team drove from Craiova to Radovan, Catalin Sarbu to revisit and complete a series of trips to Malaiul Rau and the Cioroiu Nou sites, but the main target remained the Radovan GPS mapping site where we have identified several material traces of Bronze Age houses or fireplaces. The program was extremely tight, so I agreed to give up part of my objective, and move to other areas to focus on Radovan woods.
When I got into the Radovan woods, which brought me closer to the village, I called Catalin Sarbu to get ready for departure. To everyone's surprise, including mine, and without any logical reason, I asked Catalin to prepare a few candles to go on the tomb of Patra Maria, as a token of remembrance and respect.
We arrived in the village, but Catalin's parents, as well as other team members could not understand why they should lose precious time with this tribute, because we expect hard work and as much time as possible on the archaeological site. Although I absolutely agreed with them, I insisted we go to the grave saying publicly and categorically that we will find on the grave a material sample, an object, by Mary, which will send us a message
My friends were impressed by my statements, so we went to the cemetery. I wanted to get into the cemetery itself over the fence away from the main entrance, but the others claimed that only by the main gate and not elsewhere, would we quickly find the grave. Finally, at the insistence of my friends, I entered the main gate, but I made a big detour to reach the tomb, which indeed was placed near me initially.
I should note that this grave has been almost entirely destroyed, in a deserted corner of the cemetery, covered with vegetation and marked by a simple metal cross, from which the text has been washed away by the weather. I finally reached the grave, and though all around everything was unchanged, there was only the dry grass of winter and crosses, several old ones collapsed, yet on the tomb of Mary appeared an object categorically unrelated to its surroundings.
I should remind the reader that Mary of Radovan has no living relatives and the grave is at least 60 years old, and is virtually abandoned. We looked at the base of the metal cross, and across it was carefully leaned a plastic bottle (PET), high, carefully cut around, the top missing. The bottle had a certain amount of water, but, again, all around, nothing to justify its presence. Also, although I was at the grave several times last year, I've never found anything there, that part of the cemetery was virtually abandoned.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 20th March 2010
I asked the others what they thought was the reason for this. The unanimous response was that this was a rough vase of flowers, improvised, as can sometimes be found on tombs. I asked again what they think the object is missing, and the unanimous answer was that vase lacked flowers, so we were all agreed that Mary had called us with a request to bring some spring flowers for the grave. The girls picked some flowers nearby, put them at the cross, then we lit the candles on the cross and I kept a tender moment of silence for the lost. Currently, Ms. Alina Attorney made a few photos that were made to illustrate the event and are adjacent to this document. On this occasion she observed first, then we, as a metal plate to the cross, of which disappeared over the years with large names of the Patra document, showing now only a white spot, well delineated, which seems to be visible in one photo, and a symbolic plant (a tree or flower) with well-shaped stems and leaves.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 20th March 2010
We all decided to return soon to the grave, to paint the cross to restore the text, to take care of the grave and, of course, to bring flowers.
Although I insisted, the team refused to visit the grave during the night, the night of Easter, although as I stated categorically that this night is the only time to gain access to the biblical Mary's Heavenly Doors opening, when tradition says the death night of Easter is directly receive amnesty for sins from the kingdom of heaven.
I want to say these facts and I do not want to comment on them.
A year ago, in summer, at noon, I came by car from one archaeological site to Craiova and past Cioroiu Nou to the Radovan Forest. The Road is a great distance and makes a right angle turn at the very spot where the fountain is located on the left where the Radovan Bride died. All young girls who died for various reasons are considered to be dressed in wedding clothes by Romanians. After this curve the road continues again, in a straight line over a long distance. This place is far away from any other locality, and the forest stretches many kilometers in all directions. I took the curve near at normal speed, at which point suddenly on the right side, directly from the forestm came a young woman who made me a stop sign with her hand. This woman was not tall, olive skinned, with red hair to her shoulders and well dressed in ordinary clothes. The woman was holding in her arms a bulky package, a bag of raffia.
I stopped, I opened the right car door and asked her what she wanted. I was surprised when she asked me where I was going since it was obvious that I was going to Craiova. The woman asked me to take her in the car, which I accepted.
We continued down the road in silence until we reached the hills surrounding the Jiu Valley, and began to descend the steep winding road to town, near Craiova. At this time, she has looked at me and asked me to be careful with my steering. I thought her remarks were concerning the safety of the car, as well as the steering during the winding descent and I assured her not to worry.
Then we approached Craiova and I asked politely where she wanted to get off. Curiously, she said she was ready to get out wherever I wished, as though there was no particular place she wished to get out. Eventually, I stopped at the entrance to the town and she got out, thanking me, carrying her package to her breast with care.
Just at the moment when I wanted to move on, I saw on the floor of the car seat beside where she had been sitting two books. I stopped abruptly, I opened the door and I called out, believing she had forgotten or lost the books in my car. Curiously, the woman left the car quietly in the direction of where I had come from. When I called she looked at me and told me that those books were for me, then she went on.
I admit that I feverishly searched in the two books which were the specialty of Civil Law, Life Insurance and other matters. Later, I gave these books Ms. Alina Neagoe, Attorney, my friend, who, by coincidence, is a graduate of the Faculty of Law.
In this somewhat unusual case, I will not make any comment, but stress that there can be found on the Internet so many stories from many people, alone or in groups, which argue strongly that they met, especially at night in a surprising manner, a single woman, at Radovan Woods, near the fountain.
Dr Adrian Gheorghe O.N.G. Project Alexis
Adrian writes:
Alexandru had a dream about the Radovan Bride, so this day we were again at Patra Maria's grave in Radovan village, in connection with the story of Eleana Padomianu, the Radovan bride, to put some flowers and candles on her forgotten grave.
It seems to us that Eleana asked us to go ahead with our search until her grave should be found, to give her silence and peace under candle lights and the smell of flowers, after 60 years of missing them. Of course, although we may find Eleana Padomianu's grave, it is still our duty to put light and flowers near her, but never will we forget Maria Patra, the only link today to the mystery of Eleana.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 28th November 2010
Adrian and Alexandru were in the Radovan village cemetery to visit, as usual, the grave of Patra Maria, involved in the case of Eleana Padomianu, the Radovan Bride.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 15th April 2011
They again put candles on the Maria Patru grave, cleaned around the grave and remembered the tragedy of Eleana and her beautiful story about pride and honour.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 15th April 2011
Contributii la misterul Miresei din Radovan
As dori sa fac precizarea ca Asociatia Alexis are in obiectul de activitate, printre alte domenii, si cercetarea fenomenelor paranormale. Spre deosebire de alti cercetatori ai acestui domeniu controversat, noi, cei de la Alexis Project, persoane eminamente pozitiviste si cu foarte putine inclinatii spre misticism si mistere, ne-am propus sa consemnam pe site-ul nostru doar faptele ca atare, credibile ca si sursa, si logice, macar in aparenta.
Intre misterele pe care dorim sa le facem cunoscute ( repetam, fara alte comentarii sau prejudecati ) se numara cazul Miresei din Radovan.
In esenta, in perioada de sfarsit al celui de-al doilea razboi mondial, o tanara fata, de aproximativ 20 de ani, Patra Maria, din Intorsura Buzaului, s-a refugiat in Radovan, Oltenia si a gasit de lucru ca servitoare in casa unei familii de aici. Se pare ca ar fi fost abuzata de capul familiei, drept care, parandu-i-se ca este insarcinata si cu gandul la rusinea de a avea un copil din flori, tanara fata s-a sinucis prin spanzurare in mijlocul padurii din apropiere, langa o fantana.
De aici incepe legenda, potrivit careia mai multi martori ar fi intalnit fantoma tinerei in preajma fantanii la ceas de noapte, iar unii dintre ei ar fi cazut victima razbunarii acesteia.
Noi, cei de la Alexis Project, am identificat in documentele Primariei din Radovan ca fata se numea Patra Maria, era din Intorsura si a decedat prin sinucidere la jumatatea anilor ’40. Am identificat si casa in care se pare ca a locuit, precum si modestul mormant din cimitirul satului.
Personal, am avut 2 experiente directe din sfera aparent a paranormalului, legate de mireasa din Radovan.
Astfel, foarte recent, am facut parte dintr-o echipa Alexis care urmarea sa aprofundeze studierea sitului arheologic din Radovan, plasat pe Podisul Getic in stanga raului Desnatui. Din echipa au facut parte Presedintele Alexis, Dra Avocat Neagoe Alina, Vicepresedintele acestei Asociatii si autorul prezentului document, Dl Dr Adrian Gheorghe, un tanar locuitor din Radovan, student la Istorie, Universitatea din Craiova, Sarbu Catalin si o tanara doctora, Dra Alina Bologa.
In ziua de sambata, 20.03.2010, aceasta echipa Alexis s-a deplasat de la Craiova spre Radovan, pentru a-l prelua pe Sarbu Catalin si a efectua o serie de deplasari in siturile Malaiul Rau si Cioroiu Nou, dar tinta principala ramanea cartarea GPS a sitului Radovan, unde am identificat mai multe urme materiale ale unor locuinte sau cuptoare din Epoca Bronzului. Programul fiind extrem de incarcat, am convenit sa renuntam la deplasarea in alte situri si sa ne concentram asupra celui din Radovan. Cand am intrat in Padurea Radovan, apropiindu-ne de sat, l-am sunat pe Sarbu Catalin sa se pregateasca de plecare. Spre surprinderea tuturor, inclusiv a mea, si fara de niciun motiv logic, i-am cerut lui Catalin sa pregateasca cateva lumanari pentru a merge la mormantul Mariei Patra, in semn de comemorare si respect. Am ajuns in sat, dar si parintii lui Catalin, cat si membrii echipei, nu intelegeau de ce trebuie sa pierdem timp pretios cu acest omagiu, deoarece ne astepta o munca grea si de durata in situl arheologic. Cu toate ca eram absolut de acord cu ei, am insistam sa mergem la mormant, afirmand public si categoric ca vom gasi la mormant o proba materiala ( obiect ) din partea Mariei, prin care aceasta ne va transmite un mesaj ce trebuie neaparat indeplinit. Afirmatiile mele categorice i-au impresionat pe prieteni, astfel incat am plecat spre cimitir. Am dorit sa intru in cimitir chiar prin gardul acestuia, departe de intrarea principala, deoarece sustineam ca acolo, si nu in alta parte, vom gasi mai repede mormantul. In cele din urma, la insistentele prietenilor, am intrat pe poarta principala, dar am facut un ocol mare pentru a ajunge la mormant, care intr-adevar era plasat in apropierea punctului indicat de mine initial.
Precizez ca acest mormant este distrus aproape in intregime, intr-un colt parasit de cimitir, acoperit de vegetatie si marcat de o cruce metalica simpla, de pe care textul a fost spalat de ploi. Am ajuns in cele din urma la mormant, si cu toate ca de jur imprejur totul era neschimbat, adica numai iarba uscata din timpul iernii si cateva cruci vechi prabusite, pe mormantul Mariei aparuse un obiect, in mod categoric fara nicio legatura cu imprejurimile.
Va reamintesc Maria nu e din Radovan, ci de la celalalt capat al tarii, nu a avut niciodata rude acolo, iar mormantul este vechi de cel putin 60 de ani, practic abandonat. Am gasit la baza crucii de metal si rezemata cu grija de aceasta o sticla de plastic ( PET ), mare, taiata cu grija de jur imprejur, din care lipsea partea superioara. In sticla se afla o oarecare cantitate de apa, dar, repet, de jur imprejur, nimic nu justifica prezenta acesteia. De asemenea, cu toate ca am fost in cateva randuri la mormant in ultimul an, niciodata nu am gasit acolo ceva, acea parte din cimitir fiind practic abandonata.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 20th March 2010
I-am intrebat pe cei din jur ce cred ei ca este acest obiect. Raspunsul unanim a fost ca e vorba de o vaza de flori grosolana, improvizata, asa cum pot fi gasite uneori pe morminte. I-am intrebat din nou ce cred ei ca lipseste acestui obiect si raspunsul unanim a fost ca vazei ii lipsesc florile, asadar am fost cu totii de acord ca Maria ne chemase cu rugamintea de a-i pune pe mormant cateva flori de primavara. Fetele au cules din apropiere cateva flori primavaratece si le-au asezat pe cruce, apoi am aprins cele cateva lumanari la baza crucii si am pastrat un moment tandru de reculegere pentru cea disparuta. In acest moment, Dra Avocat Alina a facut cateva fotografii ce urmau sa ilustreze evenimentul si care sunt alaturate prezentului document. Cu acest prilej ea a obsrvat mai intai, apoi si noi, ca pe placa de metal a crucii, de pe care disparuse de-a lungul anilor inscrisul cu numele Mariei Patra, apruse acum o pata alba, destul de bine conturata, care pare a fi, vizibila in una dintre fotografii, un simbol vegetal ( pom sau floare ) avand bine conturate tulpina si frunzele ( coroana ).
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 20th March 2010
Am hotarat cu totii sa revenim cat de curand la mormant, sa vopsim crucea, sa refacem textul, sa ingrijim mormantul si, desigur, sa aducem flori.
Cu toate ca am insistat, echipa a refuzat sa viziteze mormantul pe timpul noptii, in noaptea de Paste, desi am afirmat la fel de categoric ca in aceasta noapte unica Maria va iesi sub semnul biblic al deschiderii Portilor Ceresti, cand traditia spune ca mortii noptii de Paste sunt amnistiati de pacate si primiti direct in Imparatia Cerurilor.
As dori sa precizez ca acestea sunt faptele si nu doresc sa fac niciun comentariu referitor la ele.
In urma cu un an, vara, la pranz, veneam cu masina singur dinspre situl arheologic Cioroiu Nou spre Craiova si traversam padurea Radovan. Soseaua este dreapta pe o mare distanta si face un cot la dreapta chiar in locul unde se afla in partea stanga fantana unde a murit Mireasa din Radovan ( toate fetele tinere decedate din diferite motive sunt considerate si imbracate in haine de mireasa, la romani ). Dupa aceasta curba soseaua se continua iarasi, in linie dreapta, pe o mare distanta. Acest loc se afla la mare distanta de orice alta localitate, iar padurea se intinde multi kilometri in toate directiile. M-am apropiat in viteza de curba fanatnii, moment in care brusc, din partea dreapta, direct din padure a iesit o femeie tanara, care mi-a facut semn cu mana sa opresc. Aceasta femeie era potrivit de inalta, slaba, cu tenul creol, cu parul rosu pana la umeri si imbracata cuviincios, in haine obisnuite. Femeia tinea in brate un pachet voluminos, intr-un sac de rafie.
Am oprit, am deschis portiera dreapta si am intrebat-o ce doreste. Am fost surpins cand m-a intrebat unde merg, deoarece era evident ca ma indrept spre Craiova. Femeia m-a rugat sa o iau in masina, ceea ce am acceptat. Drumul a continuat in tacere, pana ce am ajuns pe dealurile care inconjura Valea Jiului, urmand sa coboram pe serpentine abrupte spre localitatea Podari, limitrofa Craiovei. In acest moment, femeia si-a intors fata catre mine, inexpresiva, si m-a rugat sa fiu atent la directie. Am crezut ca se refera la siguranta masinii, ca si directie, in timpul coborarii pe serpentine si am asigurat-o ironic ca sunt atent la directia in care mergem, deci sa nu-si faca griji.
Apoi ne-am apropiat de Craiova si am intrebat-o politicos unde doreste sa o las. In mod curios, femeia a spus ca este gata sa coboare oriunde doresc eu, de parca nu ar fi avut destinatie. In cele din urma, am oprit la intrarea in oras, iar femeia a coborat, multumindu-mi si purtand cu grija pachetul la piept.
In clipa cand am vrut sa pornesc mai departe, am vazut pe podeaua masinii, langa scaunul ei, doua carti. Am oprit brusc, am deschis portiera dreapta si am strigat-o, crezand ca a uitat sau a pierdut cartile la mine in masina. In mod curios, femeia se indeparta linistita de masina in directia de unde venisem, si nu inainte. La chemarea mea, s-a intors calma, m-a privit si mi-a spus ca acele carti sunt pentru mine, apoi si-a continuat drumul.
Recunosc ca am cercetat febril cele doua carti, erau din specialitatea Dreptul Civil, Asigurari de Viata si alte tipuri. Ulterior, am dat aceste carti Dra Avocat Alina Neagoe, prietena mea, care, prin coincidenta, este absolventa a Facultatii de Drept.
Si in acest caz, oarecum neobisnuit, nu voi face niciun comentariu, dar subliniez ca pot fi gasite pe Internet foarte multe relatari din partea mai multor persoane, singure sau in grup, care sustin cu tarie ca au intalnit ziua, dar mai ales noaptea, in mod surpinzator, o femeie singura, in padurea Radovan, in preajma fantanii.
Dr Adrian Gheorghe, O.N.G. Alexis Project
Bride of Radovan - II
In the first letter, we showed that, before going to the Mary's grave, we assumed that we would find on the grave one or more objects, which will suggest a specific message that will be made over one or more days / weeks / months, depending on the number and significance of objects. You will recall we discovered a rude flower vase, empty, suggesting that Mary wants flowers, which were to be brought more than 1 day / week / month hence. Recall also that everyone present decided to go back in a week to clean and tidy the grave and also to bring to the desired adornments.
Today I went to the Mary's grave. The first phenomenon was that of the four people originally present, two were unable to go: Attorney Ms. Alina Neagoe, President of Alexis had to go with her parents to the old house in Valea lui Patru, and once arrived in Radovan, I did not find the student Catalin Sarbu at home. In Craiova in the morning I went looking for flowers for Mary. In the street leading to the town cemetery were a few women who sold candles, tapers and flowers. I turned to one of them, an elderly woman, brunette with blue eyes and started to ask her: a large bouquet of fresh carnations, red, which then counted, proved to be 21 without knowing the age when Mary died. I also got 4 bunches of field flowers, 10 large candles, 3 small covered candle lanterns, and 5 tea lights in metal cups. I do not know the meaning of these numbers, I asked spontaneously and did not know how to interpret them. I just decided to go shopping and I spent a large amount of money without telling them why. Then I took with me Ms. Alina Bologa PhD from the hospital and we hurried to Radovan. There, as I said, I did not find any trace of the student Catalin Sarbu, nor his parents, so decided to give up the scheduled cleaning of the grave.
I left the village on the road to the cemetery, but we bypassed the main entrance, I went on a foot trail, which quickly led us directly to the tomb of Mary.
Here, everything was unchanged and found even the picked spring flowers from a week ago, now dry. In the cemetery we saw more people who had cleaned old and new graves, and an old priest passed from one group to another, commemorating those who died.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 27th March 2010
I sat in a plastic vase full of water in front of the cross, the 21 spring carnations. I lit the candles, 3 small covered candle lanterns, 10 large candles and 5 tea lights (each in a small metal cup). I found it hard to call the priest, because I knew that we were strangers to the locality. I uttered a brief prayer at the tomb of Mary and I stayed there a short time, thinking about it. When I said that we will receive another message, which will tell us either Mary does not want to come to her, we thank you for the gesture made, we will be asking for something, some sign, but nothing happened.
Dr. Alina Bologa insisted on calling the priest, but I refused, because he seemed busy supporting the villagers in the cemetery, and he was very far from us, but we said that if Mary wants the priest he will come to us.
Soon, the priest went from the people at the other graves and came to grave close by. Alina wanted to call him, the priest saw her gesture, stopped, and came to her from the grave.
The priest put some questions to us, very surprised because it was an abandoned grave, and to be required to perform a religious service without funerary objects and foods that prepare them for living with the dead, and an opportunity to give to the poor.
I told the priest that we came from very far away and were relatives of the deceased. At the insistence of the priest, I said it was the grave of Patra Maria, tragically lost 60 years ago and that we demand with respect, even if you do not know a typical church service commemorating the departed, yet still to read from the Holy Book, for the rest of the dead, and eternal peace.
Taking note of who the grave belonged to, the priest was very surprised and told us immediately that you have to bring a basket as soon as possible of 4 items: a bottle of wine, a plate with funeral boiled wheat, and 2 kinds of consecrated bread, but he was ready to come to the grave and Mary to help us to give her what she deserved.
Then he opened the book and read to us kindly, a call to eternal peace for Mary in front of God Almighty. Previously I had made some photos of the grave with flowers and lit candles, but I did not photograph the priest, for reasons of respect for the Church, and the desire not to spoil a solemn moment in praise of God. The priest finished reading and I asked permission to reward him for his kindness with a large amount of money to benefit the church. The priest was again surprised by the amount given, but I answered that God has no price and I again thanked him for his patience and kindness he showed to Mary and to us, so distant from the Church and its habits.
Then the priest went to the church, making sure once again that we should always seek to honor the grave of Mary and wanted also to tell us how, when and where we can find him. I kissed his hand and told him in my turn that he need not tell us how we can find him, because when you will be required, we will meet and without any set date.
Then we left and we were concerned to fulfill the desire of Mary to bring 2 kinds of consecrated bread, funeral boiled wheat, and a bottle of wine.
I do not know why two of us could not reach the grave the deadline.
I do not know the significance of the numbers 21, 10, 5, 4 and 3.
I do not know what significance are the 4 items required by Maria.
Do not know why, suddenly, I could not get the necessary tools to care for the grave.
But we will come back and then we will write the third letter.
Mireasa din Radovan – II
In prima scrisoare, am aratat faptul ca, inainte de a merge la mormantul Mariei, am presupus ca vom gasi pe mormant unul sau mai multe obiecte, care vor sugera un anumit mesaj, ce va trebui indeplinit peste una sau mai multe zile/ saptamani/ luni, functie de numarul si semnificatia obiectelor. Reamintesc descoperirea unei vaze de flori grosolane, goala, care sugera ca Maria doreste flori, ce trebuiau sa ii fie aduse peste 1 zi/ saptamana/ luna. Reamintesc, de asemenea, ca toti cei de fata am hotarat sa revenim peste 1 saptamana, pentru a curati si ingriji mormantul si, de asemenea, pentru a ii aduce florile dorite.Astazi am fost la mormantul Mariei. Primul fapt neobisnuit a fost acela ca din cele 4 persoane prezente saptamana trecuta, 2 nu au putut sa mearga : Dra Avocat Alina Neagoe, Presedintele Alexis a trebuit sa mearga impreuna cu parintii la casa batraneasca de la Valea lui Patru, iar odata ajunsi in Radovan, nu l-am gasit nici pe studentul Sarbu Catalin acasa. Am plecat din Craiova dimineata, cautand flori pentru Maria. Pe strada care duce spre cimitirul orasului se aflau cateva femei care vindeau lumanri, flori si candele. M-am indreptat spre una dintre ele, o femeie in varsta, bruneta si cu ochi albastri si am inceput sa ii cer : un buchet mare de garoafe proaspete, rosii, care, numarate apoi, s-au dovedit a fi 21, fara sa cunosc varsta la care a murit Maria. Am luat, de asemenea, 4 buchete cu flori de camp, 10 lumanari mari, 3 candele mici si 5 lumanari tip candela. Nu cunosc semnificatia acestor numere, le-am cerut spontan si nu stiu sa le interpretez. Nu am socotit cumparaturile si am dat o mare suma de bani, fara sa ii spun pentru ce. Apoi am luat cu mine si pe Dra Doctor Alina Bologa de la spital si ne-am grabit spre Radovan. Acolo, asa cum am spus, nu l-am gasit nici pe studentul Sarbu Catalin si nici pe parintii acestuia, trebuin astfel sa renuntam la programata curatire a mormantului.
Am iesit din sat, pe drumul spre cimitir, dar nu am mai ocolit pe la intrarea principala, ci am mers pe o poteca de picior, care ne-a condus repede direct la mormantul Mariei.
Aici, totul era neschimbat si am gasit chiar si florile de primavara culese cu o saptamana in urma, acum uscate. Prin cimitir se vedeau mai multi oameni, care curatau mormintele vechi sau noi, iar un preot in varsta trecea de la un grup la altu, comemorand pe cei decedati.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 27th March 2010
Am asezat la mormant o cutie din plastic plina cu apa in fata crucii, in care am pus cele 21 de garoafe apoi am presarat pe suprafata mormantului florile de primavara. Am aprins cele 3 candele mici, cele 10 lumanari mari si cele 5 lumanari candela. Mi-a fost greu sa il chem pe preot, deoarece nu il cunosteam si, oricum, eram niste straini de localitate. Am rostit o scurta rugaciune la mormantul Mariei si am ramas acolo un scurt timp, gandindu-ne la ea. Atunci am spus ca vom mai primi inca un mesaj, prin care Maria ne va transmite fie ca nu mai doreste sa venim la ea, fie ca ne multumeste pentru gestul facut, fie ca ne va mai cere ceva, dar nu s-a intamplat nimic.
Dra Doctor Alina Bologa a insistat sa-l chemam pe preot, dar eu am refuzat, deoarece parea foarte ocupat sa ii sprijine pe satenii din cimitir si, oricum, era foarte departe de noi, dar am afirmat ca, daca Maria va dori, preotul va veni singur spre noi.
In foarte scurt timp, preotul s-a indepartat de oamenii de la alte morminte si a trecut singur foarte aproape de noi. Alina a dorit sa il cheme, preotul a vazut-o, s-a oprit, si a venit impreuna cu ea la mormant. Preotul ne-a pus cateva intrebari, fiind foarte surprins ca este chemat la un mormant parasit, pe care nu il cunostea, si i se cere sa faca o slujba religioasa fara obiectele si alimentele funerare pe care cei vii le pregatesc pentru cei morti cu acest prilej pentru a fi daruite saracilor.
I-am spus preotului ca venim de foarte departe si suntem rudele celui decedat. La insistentele preotului, i-am spus ca este mormantul lui Patra Maria, disparuta tragic in urma cu 60 de ani si ca ii cerem cu respect, chiar daca nu cunoastem tipicul bisericesc de comemorare a unui disparut, sa ii citeasca totusi din Cartea Sfanta, pentru odihna a sulfetului si pace eterna. Afland al cui este mormantul, preotul a fost extrem de surprins si ne-a spus imediat ca va trebui sa aducem cat mai curand un cos cu 4 obiecte : o sticla cu vin, o farfurie cu coliva si 2 feluri de paine sfintita, al carui nume, dar nu peste 1, ci peste 4 zile/ saptamani/ luni, el fiind gata sa vina la mormant si sa ne ajute sa ii dam Mariei ceea ce i se cuvine. Apoi a deschis Cartea si a citit, la rugamintea noastra, un apel la pace eterna pentru Maria in fata Atotputernicului Dumnezeu. Facusem anterior cateva fotografii ale mormantului cu flori si lumanari aprinse, dar nu l-am fotografiat si pe preot, din motive de respect fata de Biserica, precum si din dorinta de a nu transforma un moment solemn in lauda de sine. Preotul a terminat citirea si i-am cerut permisiunea sa il rasplatesc pentru bunovointa cu o mare suma de bani in folosul bisericii. Preotul a fost iarasi surpins de marimea sumei daruite, dar i-am raspuns ca Dumnezeu nu are pret si i-am multumit din nou pentru rabdarea si bunavointa pe care a dovedit-o fata de Maria si fata de noi, atat de indepartati de Biserica si de obiceiurile ei.
Apoi preotul a plecat spre biserica, asigurandu-ne inca o data ca il putem cauta oricand pentru a cinsti mormantul Mariei si a dorit, de asemenea, sa ne spuna cum, cand si unde il putem gasi. I-am sarutat mana si i-am spus la randul meu ca nu e nevoie sa ne spuna cum il putem gasi, deoarece, daca va fii nevoie, ne vom intalni si fara sa stabilim vreo intalnire.
Apoi am plecat si noi, preocupati sa indeplinim dorinta Mariei, de a-i aduce 2 feluri de paine sfintita, coliva si o sticla cu vin.
Nu stiu de ce doi dintre noi nu au mai putut ajunge la mormant la termenul fixat.
Nu stiu ce semnificatie au numerele 21, 10, 5, 4 si 3.
Nu stiu ce semnificatie au cele 4 obiecte cerute de Maria.
Nu stiu de ce, neasteptat, nu am putut obtine uneltele necesare pentru a ingriji mormantul.
Dar vom reveni si apoi vom scrie cea de-a treia scrisoare.
The Bride of Radovan
Although over the half a century ago, the story of a young Moldovan Radovan girl still impresses people.
"It was heard several years ago that some drivers who passed through the forest at night saw the silhouette of a woman dressed in white. She ran through the forest several times even before cars went through. She scared the villagers, who asked who she was. When I heard, I immediately realised it was the 'Bride of Radovan'." - Ioana Ene, local woman We approach the horror of the tragedy site. Like any driver, we know very well that we must slow down when going through Radovan forest. A slower song that is played from cassette makes us forget for a few moments that we have, from time to time, witnessed inexplicable occurrences. A kilometer until the exit of the forest and I have escaped! "I did not see anything this time" I say cheerfully.
It was the spring of '40 ... Fine weather makes the people of Radovan start housework earlier than usual. Near them, a youth of 17 years shepherds a herd of cows through the forest near the village, to the pasture, without having any inkling that everything he was going to see will remain deeply engraved in mind for the rest of life.
"And so as I went there, I saw something hanging from a tree. At first, I never realised what it was. I thought someone picked up a branch. When I approached, I discovered with horror that a woman was caught in a rope: Ileana had hung herself, Ţipişte Constantine recalled, the one who discovered the body of the woman who today is known as the Bride of Radovan.
With trembling voice, the old man told us that the act of the young girl put the whole village on fire, they learned that she had committed suicide, and ran quickly into the woods to see.
"I was ten when Ileana was hanged in the woods. I did not know better, but I heard that she came from Moldova and was a servant of Mister Mitran. When I arrived, some were pulling on the legs, to see if she was still alive, but none dared cut the rope to let her fall" said Dinu Vasile, a witness.
A Moldovan woman Ileana came to Radovan several months before to save her life. She was escaping a famine in Moldova, as is almost all the locals there, to seek work in the southern parts of the country. She was about 20 years old, nobody knows her exact age. She came, together with one of her sisters, and did household work for Marin Mitran. Although he saw it more than 60 years ago, Constantine Ţipişte could not forget that beautiful face of poverty, an elongated face from Moldova.
"She was beautiful and all the young village boys came courting. But she did her job, did not choose any one in particular. She came to the dances, but she was more interested in work and her family who stayed back in the famine in Moldova. She probably did not want to stay here in the village, only to save money and go back to her relatives" continued Constantine Ţipişte.
"How few men could resist making advances to Ileana. At the time, the village rumor was that Mister Mitran fought with the Moldovan woman. At the autopsy, it was established that she was not with child. So she had killed herself for no reason." said Nicolina Şania, one of the women who attended the autopsy.
 It was a tragic end to poverty, as the Ileana drama continued to leave a trail deep in the souls of those who, although not known, were impressed by her story.
"They buried her like a dog in the cemetery. Nor did they put it in church, because she had sinned. At the funeral people came from all the surrounding villages, except her relatives in Moldova, who could not come because of their poverty.
It was only years later that a woman came who said she was her aunt. She planted some flowers and then put incense at the grave" said Sania. Today, descendants of the family who hosted the girl prefer not remember, leaving time to erase the shame that Ileana has left with them. "I do not know anything, I was not born. All this happened long ago, and my parents died" defended Ion Mitran, son of the man whom the villagers said would have scoffed at the girl. 60 years have passed. However, Ileana endures in the hearts of the villagers not only because of her desperate gesture to take her own life, but through the mysterious appearances of her ghost in Radovan forest.
Legend or fact, nobody knows exactly. The fact is that the bride continues to haunt Radovan Forest.

Mireasa din Radovan
Deşi a trecut mai bine de o jumătate de secol, povestea tinerei alungată de foamete din Moldova încă îi impresionează pe locuitorii Radovanului, care îşi fac cruce atunci când trec prin dreptul monumentului funerar al acesteia.
S-a auzit acum câţiva ani că nişte şoferi care treceau noaptea prin pădure au văzut silueta unei femei îmbrăcate în alb. Alerga prin pădure şi de câteva ori chiar a trecut prin faţa maşinilor. S-au oprit în sat speriaţi şi ne-au întrebat cine era. Când am auzit, imediat ne-am dat seama că era mireasa din Radovan. Ioana Ene, localnică
Ne apropiem cu groază de locul tragediei. Ca orice şofer, ştim foarte bine că trebuie să încetinim atunci când traversăm pădurea Radovanului. Oricând poate să apară ceva în faţa maşinii şi, atunci, un viraj mai puternic şi gata! Încă o victimă trecută în contul miresei din Radovan. O melodie mai lentă ce se aude de la radiocasetofonul auto ne face să uităm preţ de câteva clipe de faptul că putem fi, din moment în moment, martorii unei apariţii inexplicabile. "Un kilometru până la ieşirea din pădure şi, gata, am scăpat! Nu o s-o vedem nici de data aceasta", ne spunem cu bucurie.
Era prin primăvara lui ’40 ...
Nici nu apucăm bine să terminăm ce aveam de zis că un zgomot teribil ne înfăşoară ca o funie groasă, de care nu putem scăpa. Din interiorul maşinii, un strigăt de ajutor ne face să tragem cu putere de volan. Frânăm brusc, neştiind ce s-a întâmplat. Nici vorbă de melodie! Caseta se terminase de mult, iar noi ne dăm seama cu groază că era mireasa din Radovan, spaima tuturor şoferilor. Primăvara lui 1940. Soarele abia ieşit dintre nori străluceşte timid printre mugurii copacilor. Vremea frumoasă îi face pe localnicii din Radovan să îşi înceapă treburile gospodăreşti mai devreme ca de obicei. Alături de ei, un copilandru de 17 ani mână cireada de vaci prin pădurea de lângă sat, spre locul de păscut, fără să aibă vreo bănuială că tot ceea ce urma să vadă îi va rămâne adânc întipărit în minte pentru restul vieţii. "Şi cum mergeam eu aşa, la un moment dat, am zărit ceva atârnând de un copac. La început, nu mi-am dat seama ce era. Am crezut că cineva agăţase o treanţă de crengi. Când m-am apropiat, însă, am descoperit cu groază că era o femeie prinsă într-o funie: Ileana se spânzurase", şi-a amintit Constantin Ţipişte, acela care a descoperit cadavrul celei care astăzi este cunoscută sub numele de mireasa de la Radovan. Cu glasul tremurând, bătrânul ne-a povestit că gestul tinerei a pus pe jar întreg satul care, aflând că fata s-a sinucis, a dat repede fuga în pădure să o vadă. "Aveam zece ani când Ileana s-a spânzurat în pădure. Eu nu o cunoşteam bine, dar auzisem că venise taman din Moldova şi se băgase slugă la ai lu’ Mitran. Când am ajuns acolo, unii o trăgeau de picioare, să vadă dacă mai trăieşte, dar nici unul nu se încumeta să taie sfoara şi să o coboare de acolo", a spus Dinu Vasile, unul dintre martori.
Moldoveanca furase inimile băieţilor
Ileana venise în Radovan cu câteva luni înainte de a-şi curma viaţa. Foametea din Moldova o împinsese, ca de altfel pe mai toţi localnicii de acolo, să-şi caute de lucru prin părţile de sud ale ţării. Avea în jur de 20 de ani, nimeni nu-i ştie încă cu exactitate vârsta. Venise împreună cu una dintre surori şi-şi găsise de lucru în gospodăria lui Marin Mitran. Deşi a văzut-o cu mai bine de 60 de ani în urmă, Constantin Ţipişte nu a putut uita niciodată chipul frumos al fetei pe care sărăcia o alungase din Moldova. "Era frumoasă foc şi toţi tinerii din sat îi făceau curte. Dar ea îşi vedea de treaba ei, nu ne băga pe nici unul în seamă. Venea la horă, dar pe ea o interesa mai mult să muncească şi să scoată din foamete familia care rămăsese în Moldova. Pesemne că nu voia să rămână aici, în sat, doar să se căpătuiască şi să plece înapoi la rudele ei", a continuat Constantin Ţipişte.
Satul a fost alături de mireasă şi la autopsie
"Cum puţini bărbaţi rezistau să nu îi facă avansuri Ilenei, la un moment dat, prin sat circula zvonul că al lu’ Mitran se încurcase cu moldoveanca. Cică o forţase şi o lăsase grea. De-asta s-a şi omorât, săraca. A crezut că are copil şi, decât să se facă de ruşine, mai bine şi-a luat zilele. A plecat într-o dimineaţă de acasă şi dusă a fost", a completat Ioana Ene, una dintre bătrânele care nu au uitat povestea miresei din Radovan. La fel ca ea, sătenii îşi aduc aminte cu oroare de momentul în care Ileana a fost dusă de către organele de poliţie pentru efectuarea autopsiei. Curiozitatea nu le-a dat pace şi, impresionaţi de soarta tristă a fetei pentru care viaţa nu a mai avut nici un sens, i-au fost alături chiar şi la autopsie. "Şi au pus-o, maică, pe o uşă în mijlocul curţii lu’ Mitran şi au început s-o despice. Tăiau din ea doctorii ca dintr-un animal. Plângeau femeile şi bărbaţii de după gard de nu mai puteau. Pe toată uliţa, nici un ac nu mai puteai arunca, de lume ce se strânsese. I-au scos tot ce avea în ea, până când s-au convins ei că n-avea nici un copil în pântec. De’, n-a fost să fie aşa, că fata era cuminte şi la sfârşit s-a văzut că s-a omorât degeaba", a mai spus Nicolina Şania, una dintre femeile care au asistat la autopsie.
Lăsată să putrezească
Sfârşitul a fost unul tragic pentru tânăra pe care sărăcia o alungase de lângă ai ei, iar drama Ilenei a continuat să lase o urmă adâncă în sufletele celor care, deşi nu au cunoscut-o, au fost impresionaţi de povestea ei. "Au îngropat-o ca pe un câine în cimitir. Nici n-au băgat-o în biserică, din cauză că păcătuise. De’, n-avea voie să-şi pună capăt zilelor. La înmormântare au venit oameni din mai toate satele din împrejurimi, mai puţin rudele ei din Moldova, care, din cauza sărăciei, n-au mai petrecut-o pe ultimul drum. De-abia peste câţiva ani a venit o femeie care spunea că e mătuşa ei. A pus nişte flori şi a tămâiat mormântul şi de atunci nimeni nu a mai văzut-o", a adăugat Şania. În prezent, urmaşii familiei care a găzduit-o pe fată preferă să nu îşi amintească, lăsând timpul să şteargă ruşinea pe care Ileana a lăsat-o asupra lor. "Nu ştiu mai nimic, nici nu eram născut. Toate astea s-au întâmplat de mult, iar părinţii mei au murit", s-a apărat Ion Mitran, fiul aceluia despre care sătenii spun că şi-ar fi bătut joc de fată. Au trecut peste 60 de ani. Cu toate acestea, Ileana dăinuie în sufletele sătenilor nu numai din cauza gestului ei disperat de a-şi lua viaţa, ci şi prin intermediul apariţiilor misterioase din pădurea de la Radovan. Legendă sau adevăr, nimeni nu ştie cu exactitate. Cert este că mireasa de la Radovan continuă să bântuie prezentul acelora care au cunoscut-o.
Recent Accidents in the Radovan Forest Area
| 24/6/05 | Friday | 1 dead, 3 injured | ||
| 6/6/06 | Sunday | 22.00 - 02.00 unknown | female 23, male 26 - both dead | frontal impact with a tree, excessive speed (140-220), Daewoo Nubira |
| 1/2/08 | Friday | man deceased | ||
| 20/11/09 | Friday | 13.00 | 2 seriously injured | head on collision with an Opel Astra Break and an old Cielo, the Cielo caught fire |
| 17/12/09 | Thursday | 1 injured | head on crash between a Nissan and a Toyota Yaris, not adapting speed to traffic conditions | |
| 2/2/10 | Tuesday | 3 injured | 2 cars collided, driver negligence, female 32 hitting a man, 64 | |
| 24/6/05 | vineri | 1 mort, 3 raniti | ||
| 6/6/06 | duminica | 22.00 - 02.00 discutabil | femeie 23, barbat 26 - ambii deces | impact frontal cu arbore, viteza excesiva (140-220), Nubira Daewoo |
| 1/2/08 | vineri | barbat - deces | ||
| 20/11/09 | vineri | 13.00 | 2 raniti grav | impact frontal Opel Astra Break vs. Cielo, depasire, Cielo incendiat |
| 17/12/09 | joi | 1 ranit | impact frontal Nissan vs. Toyota Yaris, neadaptarea vitezei la conditiile de trafic | |
| 2/2/10 | marti | 3 raniti | 2 masini ciocnite, neglijenta sofer femeie 32 vs. barabt 64 | |
Bride of Radovan III
As I hoped and have said repeatedly, the Alexis project has (sometimes spontaneous!) multiple goals, often with very interesting conclusions.
The Bride of Radovan case is an example of an investigation into the story of a tragedy 60 years ago, much of whose data were deleted, and were deformed, as time passed.
I have also received a severe lesson to continue the investigation until the smallest details are elucidated, and use for this purpose collaborators, but always credible sources. The data thus far are still partial and deserve thorough continued investigation. There might be unpleasant surprises when a wrong path is taken, but, in fairness, we leave the entire file on the site as a lesson on research methodology with the inherent successes and failures.
Specified in the letter II of a series of numbers whose meaning is unknown, they are 3, 4, 5, 10, 21 and 41.
For number 3 can be found correspondence in May 3rd, March 2010, when I decided to pay more attention to the tomb of Maria Patra .
For number 4, a team member suggested that the possible explanation corresponds to "Patra = Four". (Patra means four in Romanian)
Number 5 is the number of letters in "Maria" and "Patra".
Number 10 might be all letters of "Maria Patra".
21 carnations represent, according to our current sources, the age when Maria Patra died.
And 41 is composed of 4 items designated by the priest to be made over 1 day / week / month at the Maria's grave.
It should be mentioned that we have other sources of information, conflicting with each other.
According to them, Maria Patra was actually called Ileana Patra, and and was from Moldova or from Intorsura village, Dolj County. The date of the tragedy varies between 1940 and 1947 or more.
There are other contradictions, less significant, but it seems that, indeed, she came to Radovan from Moldova to work around the house of a local family, was abused and killed herself.
For over a year, I asked that the student Catalin Sarbu, a resident of Radovan, send us a facsimile from the Civil Status Registry Hall, so that we are always working with accurate, far from frivolous data. Sensational material strictly limits our professional interpretation.
Today, I personally got in touch with the lawyer of Radovan Hall, Mrs Ioana Tipiste, secretary, a very benevolent person, who found the register of deaths for Maria Patra, from which I received the following data:
- Document: Register of deaths of Radovan village for 1947
- Number of entries: 22 / 02 decembrie 1947
- Given and Family name of the deceased: Maria C. Patria
- Profession: farmer
- Date of Birth: 14/03/1926, Intorsura village, Dolj County
- Age: 21 years
- Home: shared Radovan, Dolj County
- Parents: Dumitru and Ioana Nicolai
- Marital status: married to Iliei Constantin Patra
- Verification of death: registrar N. Barbu
- Report of death: Gregory Dinisoara
So Maria Patra is not the Bride of Radovan!!!
I asked Secretary Mrs Ioana Tipiste to check records of death from 1940 until 1950, which she agreed to do, and thus did me a great kindness. Also, a descendant of the family member of Radovan where the bride lived has provided some important data, among them that in 1947 Romania and surrounding regions had a great drought and famine, which led many people to take refuge in Oltenia from Moldova in the hope of a better life.
Register of deaths was investigated for 1948. Thus:
- Number of entry: 02 / 05 februarie 1948
- Name of deceased: Eleana Padomianu
- Date of death: February 3, 1948, 17:00
- Profession: farmer
- Religion: Orthodox
- Born: 1931, Ghergheasa village, county Ramnicu Sarat, Moldova
- Age: 16 years
- Parents: Joel and Mary Padomianu
- Died: Radovan common - State Forest, at the place known as Vladasel
- By court order Tribunal of Dolj 933 / 1948 (violent death)
Here follows a tragic-comic moment when Mrs Ioana Tipiste told us she knew where the grave was because the Radovan priest told everyone that every year, before Easter, two people, possibly from Moldova, brought wine and placed on the grave candles and carnations. But the two are members of the Alexis Team, Adrian George and Alina Bologa, who were at the grave a week ago and thus gave birth to a new bride of Radovan legend!
We contacted by telephone the City of Ghergheasa Commune, currently Buzau county, where we confirmed that there is still a family called Padomianu and we will expand research in this direction, in order to find the grave of Eleana Padomianu, clearly the real Bride of Radovan.
If our friend Catalin Sarbu had found this data a year ago, as asked, and he could have done it with great ease, perhaps the case of Radovan Bride would have been resolved earlier. So, dear friends, in any kind of research, we believe that we must try to capture, with great care and respect for scientific truth, but with passion to preserve the national cultural heritage.
Mireasa din Radovan III
Dupa cum am sperat si am spus in repetate randuri, Proiectul Alexis, chiar daca se dezvolta nesistematizat, cuprinde spontan mai multe obiective, de cele mai multe ori cu concluzii extrem de interesante.
Cazul Miresei din Radovan este un exemplu de ancheta politista pe urmele unei tragedii petrecuta cu 60 de ani in urma, ale carei date s-au sters, s-au deformat, sub trecerea timpului.
De asemenea, primim si o lectie severa de a investiga pana in cele mai mici detalii si de a folosi in acest scop colaboratori, dar si surse credibile. Astfel, datele de pana acum sunt totusi partiale si merita aprofundate, dar poate aparea surpriza neplacuta de a fi pe un drum gresit, dar, din corectitudine, vom lasa intreg dosarul pe site, ca o lectie si metodologie de cercetare cu succesele si esecurile inerente.
Precizam in scrisoarea a II-a un sir de numere a carui semnificatie nu o cunoastem, acestea fiind 3, 4, 5, 10, 21 si 41.
Pentru numarul 3 poate fi gasita corespondenta in luna a 3-a, martie 2010, cand am hotarat sa acordam mai multa atentie mormantului Mariei Patra.
Pentru numarul 4, un membru al echipei a sugerat ca posibila explicatie corespondenta "patra-patru".
Numarul 5 reprezinta numarul de litere din "MARIA", respectiv "PATRA".
Numarul 10 ar putea fi totalul literelor din "PATRA MARIA".
21 de garoafe reprezinta potrivit surselor actuale varsta la care a murit Maria Patra.
Iar 41 se poate compune din 4 obiecte desemnate de preot care trebuie aduse peste 1 zi/ saptamana/ luna la mormantul Mariei.
Precizam ca avem mai multe surse de informare, contradictorii intre ele.
Potrivit acestora, Patra Maria se numea de fapt Ileana si era din Moldova sau din satul Intorsura, judetul Dolj. Data tragediei variaza intre anul 1940 si 1947 sau mai mult.
Mai sunt si alte contradictii, mai putin semnificative, dar se pare ca, intr-adevar, fata a venit din Moldova in Radovan si lucra pe langa casa unei familii din localitate, a fost abuzata si s-a sinucis.
De peste un an, am insistat pe langa studentul Sarbu Catalin, locuitor al Radovanului, sa ne transmita un facsimil din registrul de Stare Civila al Primariei, deoarece dorim permanent sa lucram cu acuratete, departe de frivol si senzational si strict in limitele pregatirii noastre profesionale.
Astazi, am luat legatura personal cu juristul Primariei din Radovan, dna secretar Ioana Tipiste, o persoana extrem de binevoitoare, care a acceptat sa verifice registrul de decese pentru cazul Maria Patra, despre care am primit urmatoarele date:
- document : Registrul pentru Decese al comunei Radovan pentru anul 1947
- numar din registru : 22/ 02 decembrie 1947
- nume/ prenume decedat : Maria C. Patra
- profesia : agricultoare
- data si locul nasterii : 14.03.1926, comuna Intorsura, judetul Dolj
- varsta : 21 ani
- domiciliu : comuna Radovan, judetul Dolj
- parintii : Dumitru si Ioana Nicolai
- starea civila : casatorita cu Iliei Constantin Patra
- deces verificat de : ofiterul Starii Civile N. Barbu
- deces declarat de : Dinisoara Grigorie
DECI PATRA MARIA NU ESTE MIREASA DIN RADOVAN!!!
Am solicitat dnei secretar Ioana Tipiste sa verifice arhivele de deces din 1940 pana in 1950, ceea ce domnia sa a acceptat si facut cu o bunavointa deosebita. Astfel, un membru urmas al familiei din Radovan unde locuia Mireasa i-a furnizat o serie de date importante, intre care faptul ca, in anul 1947 a fost in Romania o mare seceta si foamete, care a determinat multe persoane din Moldova sa se refugieze in Oltenia, in speranta unui trai mai bun.
A fost cercetat registrul de decese din anul 1948. Astfel :
- numar registru : 02/ 05 februarie 1948
- numele decedatei : Eleana Padomianu
- data decesului : 3 februarie 1948, ora 17.00
- profesia : agricultor
- religia : ortodoxa
- nascuta : 1931, comuna Ghergheasa, judetul Ramnicu Sarat, Moldova
- varsta : 16 ani
- parintii : Ghita si Maria Padomianu
- locul decesului : comuna Radovan - Padurea Statului, punctul Vladasel
- prin ordin Parchet Tribunal Dolj 933/ 1948 ( moarte violenta)
Aici urmeaza un moment tragic-comic, cand doamna Ioana Tipeste ne-a relatat ca stie unde este mormantul, deoarece preotul din Radovan a spus tuturor ca in fiecare an, inainte de Paste, vin doi calatori de departe ( probabil Moldova ) si pun pe mormant lumanari si garoafe ( cei doi calatori sunt membrii echipei Alexis, Adrian Gheorghe si Alina Bologa, care au fost la mormant in urma cu o saptamana si, astfel, au dat nastere unei noi legende despre Mireasa din Radovan.
Am luat legatura cu Primaria din comuna Ghergheasa, actualmente judetul Buzau, care ne-a confirmat telefonic existenta familiei Padomianu si urmeaza sa extindem cercetarea in aceasta directie, precum si pentru gasirea mormantului Eleanei Padomianu, in mod cert Mireasa din Radovan.
Daca prietenul nostru Catalin Sarbu ar fi cercetat aceste date in urma cu un an, asa cum i-a cerut si putea sa o faca cu multa usurinta, probabil ca pana acum cazul Miresei din Radovan ar fi fost rezolvat. Asadar, dragi prieteni, in orice fel de cercetare, credem ca trebuie mers pana la capt, cu multa grija si respect fata de adevarul stiintific, dar si cu pasiune pentru patrimoniul cultural national.
Letter of Enquiry I
No. 41 31/03/2010
To,
Ghergheasa mayoralty, jud.BUZAU,
Mayor's attention,
We at Alexis NGO Project (www.alexisphoenix.org), are partners under contract with the Museum of Oltenia, Craiova and we specialise in identifying, rescuing and promoting regional cultural heritage elements for Oltenia.
Currently, among other projects, we are investigating a case study of a girl of 16 years, who died tragically about 60 years ago in the location of Radovan, Dolj, with an impressively powerful legend, known as "The Bride of Radovan".
The data that we have suggests that the subject of the investigation came from your village.
We would like you to agree to help us to identify and promote ethnographic character legends useful in regional cultural heritage (see file "Bride of Radovan" on our website, mentioned above). We respectfully request the details of the data subject's marital status and any other information on living relatives or contacts useful for this purpose, at the number Ph / fax 441 883 0251, every working day, between 08.00-12.00.
Factual data of the subject are:
Name: ELEANA PADOMIANU
Born in 1931, Commune of Ghergheasa, jud.Ramnicu Sarat, died on 03.02.1948 in the village Radovan, Dolj County, in tragic circumstances (suicide).
Parents: Ghita and Maria PADOMIANU
Thank you for your help and answer to our query.
Sincerely,
Dr.Adrian GHEORGHE
Vice President Alexis Project
FILIASI / Dolj LS
L.S., Contact permanent 0722 740 729
Letter of Enquiry I
Nr. 41 din 31.03.2010
Primaria comunei GHERGHEASA,jud.BUZAU,
In atentia domnului Primar,
In prezent,printre alte proiecte,studiem cazul unei fete de 16 ani,decedata tragic cu aproximativ 60 de ani in urma in locatia Radovan, Dolj, sursa a unei legende impresionante,cunoscuta sub denumirea de "mireasa din Radovan".
Datele pe care le detinem sugereaza ca subiectul investigatiei provine din comuna dvs.
Considerind ca acceptati sa contribuiti la identificarea si promovarea unei legende cu caracter etnografic, utila in patrimoniul cultural regional(vezi dosarul "mireasa din Radovan" de pe site-ul nostru, mentionat mai sus), va solicitam- cu respect- sa ne comunicati amanuntit datele de stare civila ale subiectului+orice alte informatii privind rude in viata sau contacte utile acestui scop, pe numarul tlf/fax 0251 441 883, in orice zi lucratoare, in intervalul 08.00-12.00.
Datele de referinta ale subiectului sunt:
=nume/prenume:ELEANA PADOMIANU
=nacuta in 1931, comuna GHERGHEASA,jud.Ramnicu Sarat,decedata la 03.02.1948 in comuna RADOVAN,judetul Dolj, in imprejurari tragice(suicid)
=parintii:Ghita si Maria PADOMIANU
Va multumim pentru receptivitate si asteptam raspunsul dvs.
Cu deosebit respect,
Dr.Adrian GHEORGHE
Vicepresedinte Alexis Project
FILIASI/Dolj
L.S.,
Contact permanent 0722 740 729
Letter of Enquiry II
Nr.42 din 31.03.2010
Secretary Mrs Ioana TIPISTE,
We, the Alexis Project NGO (www.alexisphoenix.org) specialises in identifying, rescuing and promoting regional cultural heritage, to Oltenia, under contract with the Oltenia Museum / Craiova.
As we have informed you, we are currently working, among other projects, to identify the legend of the Bride of Radovan, and we work on the project with respect, support and understanding.
We want to thank you for your decisive contribution, so far, data on marital status clarify this matter, and assure you that you have all our respect for the attitude with which you treated our solicitations.
If possible, please send us by phone (0722 740 729) or fax (0251 441 889, in working days, during the times 08.00-12.00), these additional data, particularly for the project:
- The Location of the VADASEL point of Radovan forest, and if it coincides with the forest Fantin
- Location of the point where the tragedy occurred
- Grave location Pandomianu Eleanor (1931-1948), the subject project
- Any additional data useful in this regard
with respect and gratitude,
dr.Gheorghe Adrian
Alexis Project vice president, LS
Letter of Enquiry II
Nr.42 din 31.03.2010
Suntem ONG Alexis Project ( www.alexisphoenix.org ), specializata in identificarea, salvarea si promovarea patrimoniului cultural regional, pentru Oltenia, sub contract cu Muzeul Olteniei /Craiova.
Dupa cum v-am informat,lucram in prezent,printre alte proiecte,la identificarea legendei "mireasa din Radovan", proiect pentru care va solicitam,cu respect, sprijin si intelegere.
Dorim sa va multumim pentru contributia decisiva, pina acum, in clarificarea datelor de stare civila ale subiectului, si sa va asiguram de tot respectul nostru pentru atitudinea deosebita cu care ati tratat solcitarile noastre.
Daca este posibil, va rugam sa ne transmiteti telefonic (0722 740 729)sau prin fax(0251 441 889, in zile lucratoare, interval 08.00-12.00), urmatoarele date suplimentare, deosebit de importante pentru proiect:
- localizarea punctului VADASEL,din padurea RADOVAN, si daca acesta coincide cu fantina din padure
- localizarea punctului unde s-a produs tragedia
- localizarea mormintului Eleanei Pandomianu(1931-1948),subiectul proiectului
- orice alte date suplimentare, utile in acest sens
cu deosbit respect si recunostinta,
dr.Gheorghe Adrian,
vicepresedinte Alexis Project, L.S.,
Letter of Reply
18th February 2012To Dr Gheorghe:
From the Mayor of Gergheasa village, Buzau county
From Mr. Padomianu
The real name of the 'Bride of Radovan' is Elena Padineanu. In our village there are some relatives of hers.
In the birth papers of Elena Padineanu, there is mention of her death in the village of Radovan.
18 feb, 12 | scris de primaria_ghergheasa
D-le Padomianu,
Numele real al "Miresei din Radovan" este Elena Padineanu. In comuna nostra mai exista ceva rude cu aceasta. In actul de nastere al Elenei Padineanu exista meniunea de deces in comuna Radovan.
Further information
Radovan ghost brideApril 3, 2011
Michael Mateiasi
http://mihaimateiasi.wordpress.com/2011/04/03/naluca-miresei-din-radovan/
Radovan is a commune, part of Dolj County, and has a population of around 3,300 inhabitants. This commune is in turn composed of 3 villages, namely: Fantanele, Radovan and Tarnava. But the main reason besides Fantanele Lake, for which this town is known is the story of Radovan Bride.
First, I must add that there is evidence for this legend supported by documents from the archive part of the village Radovan deaths register, records certifying the following:
- Document: Register of Deaths of Radovan village for 1948
- Name of deceased: Eleanor Padomianu
- Date of death: February 3, 1948, 17:00
- Occupation: farmer
- Religion: Orthodox
- Born: 1931, village Ghergheasa County Ramnicu Sarat, Moldova
- Age: 16 years
- Parents: Ghita and Mary Padomianu
- Died: Commune of Radovan - in the Vladasel Forest
- By order Parquet Court Dolj 933/1948 (violent death)
So the legend has a solid base to support it.
A young Moldovan girl came to the village of Radovan, and perished there…
Naluca miresei din Radovan
aprilie 3, 2011
Mateiasi Mihai
http://mihaimateiasi.wordpress.com/2011/04/03/naluca-miresei-din-radovan/
Radovan este o comuna care face parte din judetul Dolj si care are o populatie de aproximativ 3.300 de locuitori. Comuna este alcatuita la randul ei din 3 sate si anume: Fantanele, Radovan si Tarnava. Insa motivul principal in afara de lacul Fantanele, pt care aceasta localitate este recunoscuta este povestea Miresei de la Radovan.
Inainte de toate, trebuie sa specific ca exista dovezi in sprijinul acestei legende sustinute de documente facand parte din arhiva registrului de decese a comunei Radovan, registre care certifica urmatoarele:
- document : Registrul pentru Decese al comunei Radovan pentru anul 1948
- numele decedatei : Eleana Padomianu
- data decesului : 3 februarie 1948, ora 17.00
- profesia : agricultor
- religia : ortodoxa
- nascuta : 1931, comuna Ghergheasa, judetul Ramnicu Sarat, Moldova
- varsta : 16 ani
- parintii : Ghita si Maria Padomianu
- locul decesului : comuna Radovan – Padurea Statului, punctul Vladasel
- prin ordin Parchet Tribunal Dolj 933/ 1948 ( moarte violenta)
asadar legenda are o baza solida in sprijimul ei…o tanara venita de prin partile Moldovei chiar si-a gasit sfarsitul in comuna Radovan…
A night time vigil for the Bride of Radovan
On 15th April 2010, Adrian and his son Alex set off to spend some time during the night at Radovan Forest.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 15th April 2010
They wished to see if there were any manifestations of the Midnight Bride of Radovan.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 15th April 2010
They waited a long time, mostly in darkness, but these photographs were taken with the aid of the car headlights to give some idea of the excursion.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 15th April 2010
Despite their long and cold wait, there was nothing unusual seen.
The Alexis Project has a target to search for the grave of Eleana, and to find the tree, deep inside Radovan Forest, where Eleana died.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 15th April 2010
Every time when Dr Gheorghe passes through Radovan village, he goes, this time with his friend Dorel Bondoc, to the Patra Maria grave. Even though Maria is not the midnight bride from Radovan, we stay in connection with her as real friends, and remember her often.
Maria is sleeping underground in spring, not far from the unknown grave of Eleana Padomianu, and we are around for her, for a very long time from now on...
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 15th April 2010
Dr Gheorghe made a written request using the law of free access to public information to make digital copies from the records of funerals in the village of Radovan. This was approved.
Alexis also had a very interesting meeting with officials about a future cooperation to promote local culture and civilisation soon, concerning the new archaeological site discovered on the edge of the Radovan area.
Some important local officials promised cooperation to help identify the grave where Eleana is sleeping, as well as identifying the place in the forest where she was for the last time, before passing to another world.
The officials are unhappy that a lot of newspapers showed that the Radovan village is a place haunted by ghosts, so Alexis confirmed that we want to protect the memory of this legend, and to promote on many levels the wonders of Radovan, including sites of interest, stories, legends and so on.
An interesting discovery has been made about the Bride of Radovan, communicated by Alex Gheorghe:
In the first photograph, we can see that above the box with the name of Eleana Padomianu is one with the name Verginia Patra. If we follow the row, we can see that she died at the age of two months, on the 12th January 1948, and that her parents were Ilie Patra and our friend Maria Patra, who had died recently.
So, as a very strange coincidence, before Eleana died, the daughter of Maria Patra died, after the death of her young mother. It would be hard for a very young baby, less than two months old, to survive the death of her mother in those times. This tragic event is written just above another tragic one, the death of Eleana.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 6th May 2010
By studying all the data about the Radovan bride, searched by the Alexis team, this is the corner of Radovan forest where, many years ago, the girl Eleana passed through the gate to another existence, far away from people's hospitality, understanding, and love of man.
This is the Vladaselu area, on the right of the main road between Radovan village and Craiova, just at the entrance to Radovan forest when you come from Radovan village, climbing the hill of the Getic area.
Even though there are many versions of the legend, and many ways to tell it, it is very clear that Eleana was a little girl with honour and kindness, and we should promote and protect her name, without any other publicity or horror stories about this subject.
We will never forget Patra Maria, our dead friend, and also Eleana Padomianu, an angel-symbol for purity.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 6th May 2010
Today, searching for a new site in the Radovan area, we did not forget our friend, Patra Maria, involved in the case of Radovan's bride.
So, we gave her once more a few flowers and a small candle, even though the grave is alone i n a forgotten corner of the cemetery.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 8th May 2010
GPS records for the Midnight Bride and the Radovan site.
Adrian went alone to put some flowers and a candle on the grave of Patra Maria, in the Radovan cemetery.
Even though she is not the Radovan bride, she was a strong connection during our search for Eleana Padomianu, the real Radovan bride, so every time Adrian is near the cemetery, he puts some flowers on her grave. It was cold and wet weather that morning, and only a few women were in the cemetery to put flowers on the graves of their loved ones.
We still do not know where the grave of Eleana Padomianu is.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 10th October 2010
As he does every spring, Adrian cleans the grave and puts flowers and candles on the grave of Maria Patra, involved in the drame of the "Midnight bride from Radovan".
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 5th April 2012
It is a beautiful spring the Radovan area, but the Alexis Project is still searching for the grave of Elena Padineanu, or Eleana Padomianu, an icon of honour and courage for all of us.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 5th April 2012
Alexandru and Georgia made a short visit to the grave of the midnight bride from Radovan village, to put a few candles there and to keep company with her for a few minutes, remembering her as we do each year.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 16th February 2014
Adrian passed through Radovan village, Dolj County, and was at the local cemetery to clean the grave of the legendary 'Radovan Midnight Bride', known many years ago as Maria Petra. The real grave belongs to Elena Padomianu and has not been found. He also put a few candles there.
Adrian found the original wooden cross of the grave, more than 100 years old, which will be relocated at the Vogna Cultural Site, inside the ruins of the ghost church there, known as the 'Church of all dead persons', to rest in peace there forever.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 16th February 2014
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Alexis Project Filiasi/Romania
RC J/263/230/2007 CIF 21464151
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