Romania in 1994 Through Fascinating Photos

The year 1990 was year 0 of democracy in Romania, a year of social unrest and political battles, whose results shaped the country’s evolution for the years to come. The first year of freedom was also the year when social and political divides appeared, some of which are also visible today in Romania’s society.

1990 was also the year when Romania made the first steps from a state-controlled and planned economy to a market economy. The new government came with a plan to privatize state companies, the first private firms appeared and state control on the prices of some goods was removed. However, the economic reforms met a lot of resistance even from within the ruling party and economic developments were chaotic during the first few years after the Revolution. The consequences of the poor economic start are still visible today when Romania lags behind other countries in Eastern Europe that also started their transition in the same period.

Romanians discovered consumption after years of shortages and imports soared, a cultural revolution also started, hundreds of newspapers and dozens of radio stations appeared almost overnight. Western literature, music, and movies entered the Romanians’ lives. On top of everything, the good performance of the national football team at the World Cup in Italy brought Romanians a sense of pride that some had lost during communism.

These fascinating photos were taken by Sludge G that show street scenes of Romania in 1994.

Braşov street scene with Dacia cars, May 1994

Braşov Jugendstil Bankcoop, Co-op Credit Bank, June 1994

Braşov Merchants' Hall and Carpathian Stag Restaurant, June 1994

Braşov Post Office from Bulevard Eroilor, June 1994

Braşov street scene, May 1994

Braşov with Rocar 192 buses, June 1994

Braşov, June 1994

Braşov, June 1994

Braşov, May 1994

Braşov, May 1994

Braşov, May 1994

Braşov. Bus station, June 1994

Braşov. Cows, Dacia car and road sign to Râșnov, June 1994

Braşov. Market, June 1994

Braşov. New apartments on a trolleybus route, June 1994

Braşov. Pedestrian street, June 1994

Braşov. Rocar 117EA trolleybus no.55 on route 2, June 1994

Braşov. Sign for Auto Service outside a garage, June 1994

Braşov. Telephone kiosks, June 1994

Hotel Piatra Mare, Poiana Braşov, 1994

Ploieşti, June 1994

Ploieşti, May 1994

Ploieşti, May 1994

Ploieşti, May 1994

Ploieşti. Police activity,  May 1994

Sfântu Gheorghe, May 1994

Sfântu Gheorghe, May 1994

Sfântu Gheorghe, May 1994

Sfântu Gheorghe. Banca “Dacia Felix” advert, May 1994

Sfântu Gheorghe. Banca Dacia Felix, May 1994

Sfântu Gheorghe. Rusty road sign to Gara, May 1994

Sighişoara, June 1994

Sighişoara, June 1994

Sighişoara, May 1994

Sighişoara, May 1994

Sighişoara, May 1994

Sighişoara, May 1994

Sighişoara, May 1994

Sighişoara, May 1994

Sighişoara, May 1994

Sighişoara. Romanian Magazin - Department Store - Victoria, May 1994

Sighişoara. Telephone kiosk, May 1994

Skoda Estelle 105L, Hotel Ciucas, Poiana Braşov, May 1994

Zărneşti, June 1994

Zărneşti, Romania, June 1994

Zărneşti, Romania, May 1994

Zărneşti, Romania, May 1994

Zărneşti. A small town at the foot of the northern slopes of the Carpathians (in background), June 1994

Zărneşti. Peştera, Romania, 1994

Zărneşti. Vilage street, June 1994