Exploring Romania's traditional treat: Mucenici

Exploring Romania’s traditional treat: Mucenici

Oana Vasiliu 06/03/2024 | 14:50

You’ve probably noticed that bakeries, pastry shops, confectioneries, and lately pretzel shops in the city have started to promote Mucenici, although traditionally they are consumed on March 9th, as the Orthodox Christian tradition dictates, heralding the arrival of spring with fervor and joy.

Rooted in Christianity, Mucenici pays homage to the 40 Martyrs of Sebaste, Roman soldiers martyred for their faith in 320 AD. Legend tells of their endurance in a frozen lake, resulting in their feet’s sacrifice. In honor of this, Romanians bake sweet bread resembling the figure-eight shape, reminiscent of the martyrs’ bodies.

Today, Mucenici bridges generations and backgrounds, uniting families in baking and sharing this cherished bread. Recipes vary, often featuring flour, water, and sugar.

Mucenici: who were the 40 martyrs we commemorate on March 9

The story goes that 40 Christian soldiers were killed for their faith after refusing to worship the gods, at the command of the commander of that army corps, Agricola, and because of this sacrifice in the name of faith, they received the Crown of Martyrs. Their relics are distributed all over the world, including at the Antim Monastery in Bucharest, as well as at other holy places in our country.

Moldavian or Wallachian Mucenici

In memory of the 40 martyrs of Sevastia, in Moldova, loaves are prepared, baked in the shape of the number 8, made of dough similar to sponge cake, coated with honey and nuts, these are the Moldavian Mucenici. Tradition says that the method of preparation symbolizes the burning of the Martyrs’ bodies.

The Wallachian Mucenici are found in Dobrogea and Muntenia, but they are smaller in size, also in the shape of the number 8, not baked, but boiled in water with sugar, cinnamon, and nuts, symbolizing the lake in which the Holy Martyrs were thrown.

Where to find the best Mucenici in Bucharest

The Mucenici fair at the Village Museum – which takes place on the weekend of March 8-10, 2024
Casa del Pan (89 Polonă Street) – in photo
Ana Pan network
Pâinea lui Dumnezeu Bakery (50 Gheorghe Ionescu Sisești Road)
Brutăria cu Maia (42 Maior Campeanu Alexandru Street)
Sweet Oclock (8 Ramuri Tei Street, near Kaufland Barbu Văcărescu)
Băcănia Veche (49 Barbu Văcărescu Street)
Grain Trip (16 Nerva Traian Street)
Andreea F Pastry Shop (52 George Călinescu Street, 122 Calea Victoriei)