Mausoleums by bike started in 2015 as an event meant to mark the European Heritage Days in Vrancea county, Romania!

As all four mausoleums in the county are historical monuments, erected in the memory of World War First heroes, with an undisputed historical and architectural value, we found the idea of ​​uniting them in a full of history and culture bike route, very interesting.

For 7 editions now, more than 150 people joined every year the route in a bicycle tour of 156 km long with a level difference of over 1,300 m, starting from the Mausoleum of the Heroes of Focșani, to the Mausoleum of the Heroes of Soveja, the Mausoleum of the Heroes of Marasti and the end point of the Mausoleum of the Heroes of Marasesti. There are stops organized at every mausoleum, all the mausoleums are visited and stories are told on the way and different additional cultural events are organized.

The route became a national humble tribute for all the soldiers that lost their lives in World War First.

Participant to the event : "I felt the taste of Queen Mary, a taste of an educated woman"

Mausoleums by bike started in 2015 as an event meant to mark the European Heritage Days in Vrancea county, Romania!

As all four mausoleums in the county are historical monuments, erected in the memory of World War First heroes, with an undisputed historical and architectural value, we found the idea of ​​uniting them in a full of history and culture bike route. 

What is Mausoleums by bike?

Technically speaking, it is a circuit of approximately 160-180 km that connects, by bicycle, the 4 mausoleums that were built in Vrancea County after the First World War.

But I don't want to talk to you about technical or organizatorical elements, but about the passion behind this event, I want to tell you about the small group of people, who every year, for 7 years now, finds the resources to show to as many people as possible, the heroism of our forerunners and the love of the country of Queen Mary.

The event Mausoleums by bike, held under the slogan "Heroic pedaling!" it is not about people that ride bikes, but year after year, we are stubborn not to give up on the desires on promoting true values, unconditaional love for the country and gratitude in a world that easily forgets its roots.

For 7 editions, at least 100 -150 people a year, make a "pilgrimage" to the 4 mausoleums in Vrancea because this small group of people, let’s tell them organizers, is stubborn enough to make such a journey tempting. For 7 years, without any hidden reason, we learn what means to be grateful for the sacrifice, for the past for real values. Every year, in the mausoleums, in addition to visiting them and the history of the places, the participants have cultural performances supported by children from Vrancea villages or cultural institutions (children's choral concerts or professional choirs).

Every year (except 2020) the event had a theme, and I would like to mention only 2019, when participants, who do not pay the participation fee for the event anyway, were "conditioned" to donate at least one book for the libraries from Soveja and Mărăști villages, and that's how we collected over 700 books.

Why we make this?  Because we believe it is our duty and nothing more, it is the contribution we can make to this society and it is the legacy we can leave to future generations.

Recently we all realized that our message was understood. The journalist Lucian Mândruță, who participated in two editions of the event, declared in a radio show that at the Mausoleums by bike event "I felt the taste of Queen Mary, a taste of an educated woman". Such words are the impetus we need to continue year after year.

There is a lot more to tell, and if I can give you more information, I'm always there for you. The event is visible on www.mausoleepebicicleta.com and on https://www.facebook.com/mausoleepebicicleta

The Mausoleums erected in Vrancea county after World War First do not belong to Romania, they belong to all Europeans. In these mausoleums lay part of European history, part of European cultural legacy and most important they mark the heroism of brave European soldiers that died on the battle field during the War. When we visit the mausoleums during the event we do not pay homage only to Romanian Soldiers but we remember all those young, brave people that lost their lives on the field.

We believe that common projects can raise awarness on common European values.