Blog Post

Highest density of fountains: the village of Paunesti

Nov 28, 2018

"The 30 fountains in the center of the village and the commune of Paunesti are more than 200 years old.They were built by the wealthy families of that time, being a reason for pride for those who built them," says Mr. Gheorghe Popa, The Mayor of Paunesti

In the village of Paunesti, Vrancea County, 155 Miles (250 km) North of Bucuresti, nearby the center of the commune, there are 30 fountains, over 200 years old, most of them still working today, grouped on an area of less than 2500 square meters, which sets the world record for the Highest Density Fountains, according to the Academy Of World Records.

PAUNESTI, VN, Romania -- In the village of Paunesti, Vrancea County, 155 Miles (250 km) North of Bucuresti, nearby the center of the commune, there are 30 fountains, over 200 years old, most of them still working today, grouped on an area of less than 2500 square meters, which sets the world record for the Highest Density Fountains , according to the Academy Of World Records.

Mr. Gheorghe Popa, The Mayor of Paunesti commune (which includes the village of Paunesti) told the Academy of World Records that "the 30 fountains in the center of the village and the commune of Paunesti are more than 200 years old.

"They were built by the wealthy families of that time, being a reason for pride for those who built them.

"At first there were over 80, but some were dismantled for safety reasons long time ago."

Rebecca, 11, an Italian girl born of Romanian parents from Vrancea county now living in Pescara, Italy, wrote in an essay about the Paunesti fountains: "From the village elders we found out that each of the wealthier families built a fountain and it took the family name. In the center of the commune are built 30 fountains, of which many of them are still functioning today.

"In the past the world was standing in order to take drinking water or to give to the animals, and when the Epiphany feast was celebrated, because there were watering the water and aggression.

"All the elders say that in Păunesti it was a habit, that 40 days after the death of a person, the family had to to clean a well or to build one."

Most of the 30 fountains are still functionaltoday, being used to feed animals during the summer.

Although water does not meet official standards to be drinking, many older people are still using old fountains to supply with drinking water.

"Mr. Ifrim, an80-year-old man, still uses one of the fountains, which belongs to an ancestor of him, says the Mayor of Paunesti, Mr. Gheorghe Popa.

A fountain built on 1820 on the hill in the commune was recently renovated with great efforts, the Mayor of the village tells us.

"We want to make these fountains known because they are unique and can be an attraction for tourists."

During the First World War, Vrancea County was the scene of decisive fights for the fate of the war.

The Paunesti fountains also played a part in the struggles of that time, helping to supply the troops with water.

The last veteran of the commune, Mr. Fraga Fanica, will receive these days a symbolic gift (but important to him) from the commune: a firewood cart.

"It's a tradition in the commune for many years for all veterans, but sadly, now he is the only remaining veteran, the Mayor said."

During the next summer, the Academy Of World Records will produce a documentary film about the Paunesti fountains, to be aired by a major documentary channel.