Few Romanians today know who Badea Cârțan was, even though his name appears on a street in Bucharest and on a few commemorative monuments. In reality, Gheorghe Cârțan – his birth name – was one of the most remarkable Romanians of the 19th century. Born into a modest shepherd family in the village of Cârțișoara, in the Țara Făgărașului region, on a freezing winter day, January 24, 1849, he might have lived his entire life as a simple shepherd. But his thirst for knowledge and love for his people transformed him into a symbol of Romanian unity and culture.

A shepherd born with a thirst for knowledge

From a young age, he displayed an extraordinary curiosity for books. Although formal schooling was nearly inaccessible to shepherd children, he taught himself to read and write, using books borrowed from villagers or brought to him.

He devoured every kind of reading material—from history books to romance novels and poetry collections. Over time, he became a self-taught intellectual who understood better than many of his contemporaries the critical importance of education for strengthening national identity.

Folklorist Grigore Teodosiu described him: “He was a frail shepherd, yet with a will of steel. From his keen and bright eyes emanated an insatiable curiosity and unwavering determination.”

The journey to Rome – 2,000 kilometers on foot

Badea Cârțan’s most spectacular feat took place in 1896 when, at nearly fifty years old, he set out on foot from Cârțișoara to Rome. His mission? To see, with his own eyes, Trajan’s Column, a monument honoring the emperor who conquered Dacia.

For him, the column was a living proof of the Roman origins of the Romanian people and a symbol of their enduring connection to history.

He embarked on the journey with only his shepherd’s coat, his travel sack, some provisions, and a few books. For 46 days, he walked over 2,000 kilometers through mountains, plains, and unfamiliar villages. He often slept outdoors, enduring hunger, rain, and fatigue, yet he never stopped.

Finally, upon reaching Rome, exhausted, he sat at the base of Trajan’s Column and fell asleep. Passersby, surprised by his traditional costume, thought they were seeing a Dacian descended from the column’s bas-reliefs.

Later, he described his experience:

“I wandered all day over the seven hills of Rome and collapsed from exhaustion at night. Yet at dawn, I set out again. At night, I slept among the ruins of palaces, thinking that Augustus Caesar had passed here with his triumphal chariot, the Roman patricians in their festive attire, and Trajan with his procession of Dacian and Sarmatian captives. Here, where my ancestors had watched imperial parades, I would lay down my sack and sleep under the watchful stars.”

This symbolic journey was an extraordinary act of patriotism. International newspapers wrote about the Romanian shepherd who walked to Rome to witness his history firsthand, making him an enduring symbol of willpower, faith, and national identity.

A “book smuggler” for Transylvania

Although his pilgrimage to Trajan’s Column became his most famous achievement, Badea Cârțan’s entire life was dedicated to education and culture.

Living in Transylvania, which was under Austro-Hungarian rule at the time, he knew that Romanians there had limited access to books in their own language. Thus, he undertook a clandestine and dangerous mission: transporting Romanian books across the Carpathians.

For years, he repeatedly crossed the mountains, carrying sacks of books on his back. It is estimated that he brought over 200,000 volumes into Transylvania, distributing them to villages, schools, and improvised libraries. Each book was a seed of knowledge and a weapon against the erasure of national identity.

He was often pursued, arrested, and interrogated by Hungarian authorities, but his determination was never shaken. With every journey and every book delivered, he helped strengthen the national consciousness of the Romanians in Transylvania.

A simple man with extraordinary moral strength

Badea Cârțan was neither a politician nor wealthy, and he held no prestigious office. He was a humble shepherd, with shaggy hair and an open shirt, exposing his chest to the wind and rain. Yet beneath his simplicity lay extraordinary moral strength—the strength of someone who knew his roots and purpose.

“I fear neither the wrath of nature nor the wrath of men,” he would say, and his life proved the truth of this statement.

In an era when powerful empires dictated the fate of nations, he demonstrated that even a single individual, armed only with courage and dedication, could make a lasting impact on society.

Final Years and Enduring Legacy

Badea Cârțan continued his mission to spread knowledge until the end of his life. He never abandoned his role as a “messenger of books” and a chronicler of history. He passed away on August 7, 1911, in Sinaia.

He was buried in Șețu Cemetery, and his simple, yet poignant epitaph reads: “Badea Cârțan, a shepherd, but with a love for books.”

This phrase encapsulates his life: a simple man who valued knowledge above all else.

Why he should be remembered today

Today, Badea Cârțan is celebrated as a national hero, a symbol of Romanian identity and cultural perseverance. His story continues to inspire because it shows that the love of learning and persistence can overcome any obstacle.

Streets and monuments bearing his name serve not just as commemorations, but also as reminders for reflection. In a world where information spreads quickly but superficiality often dominates, the example of this shepherd-scholar reminds us that true power lies in education and respect for one’s roots.

He proved that history is written not only by kings and generals but also by ordinary people who courageously follow their ideals.

Through his unwavering dedication to spreading Romanian knowledge and culture, Badea Cârțan demonstrated that even the humblest individuals can leave a profound mark on society and contribute to the realization of national ideals. His legacy remains a testament to the power of the human spirit and the enduring love for one’s nation.

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