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In the process of educating modern Romanian elites, especially after the Unification of the Romanian Principalities (1859), two young Romanian students journeyed to faraway Spain. Their names were Andrei Vizanti and Ștefan Vârgolici, selected as scholars from the state of Romania, in the autumn of 1864, to study at the Central University (Madrid, Spain), for a period of four years. Of the two, only Andrei Vizanti remained in the Spanish capital, while Ștefan Vârgolici, after a short stay in Madrid (in 1865), left for Paris. After three years of study (1865-1868), in June 1868, Andrei Vizanti obtained the title of Graduate of the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters at the Central University, becoming the only Romanian graduate of a Spanish university until the second half of the 20 th century. Key words : Andrei Vizanti, Romanian student, Central University, Romanian-Spanish relationships. Toponyms : Spain, Romania. Period : 1865-1868. RESUMEN En el proceso de formacion de las elites rumanas modernas, especialmente despues de la Unificacion de los Principados Rumanos (1859), dos de los jovenes estudiantes rumanos llegaron a la lejana Espana. Es el caso de Andrei Vizanti y Stefan Vârgolici, quienes fueron seleccionados como academicos del estado rumano en el otono de 1864 para estudiar en la Universidad Central (Madrid, Espana), por un periodo de cuatro anos. De estos, solo Andrei Vizanti permanecio en la capital espanola, mientras que Stefan Vârgolici, despues de una breve parada en Madrid (en 1865), partio para Paris. Despues de tres anos de estudio (1865-1868), en junio de 1868, Andrei Vizanti obtuvo el titulo de Licenciado en La Facultad de Filosofia y Letras de la Universidad Central, sendo el unico graduado de una universidad espanola hasta la segunda mitad del siglo XX. Palabras clave : Andrei Vizanti, estudiante rumano, Universidad Central, relaciones rumano-espanolas. Toponimos : Espana, Rumania. Periodo : 1865-1868 REFERENCIAS Andronache D. V. “Contribuția lui Andrei Vizanti la dezvoltarea relațiilor culturale româno-spaniole”, in S. L. Damean, M. Cârstea, M. Damean, L. Dindirica (coords.), Permanențele Istoriei. Profesorului Corneliu Mihai Lungu la 70 de ani , Editura Cetatea de Scaun, Târgoviște, 2013. Berindei, D., “Spania in viziunea lui Mihail Kogalniceanu si V. A. Urechia”, in Modernitate si trezire naţionala. Cultura naţionala moderna. Studii si eseuri, Editura Fundaţiei PRO, Bucuresti, 2003. Bibliografia româneasca moderna (1831-1918), vol. IV, (R-Z), general coordination Gabriel Ștrempel, bibliographical coordination Lucreția Angheluța, preface Gabriel Ștrempel, Romanian Academy Publishing House, Bucharest, 1996. Bucur, M., Istoriografia literara româneasca. De la origini pâna la G. Calinescu Editura Minerva, București, 1973. Damean, S. L., Oncescu, I., O istorie a Românilor de la Tudor Vladimirescu la Marea Unire (1821-1918), Editura Cetatea de Scaun, Târgoviște, 2015. Denize, E., Imaginea Spaniei in cultura româneasca pâna la primul razboi mondial, Editura Silex, Bucuresti, 1996. Denize, E., “Calatori români in Spania secolului al XIX-lea”, in Tribuna, serie noua, an II, nr. 28, 2003. Dicționarul literaturii române. De la origini pâna la 1900, Editura Academiei, București, 1979. Iorga, N., O școala noua istorica. Conferințe ținute la “Liga Culturala”, București, 1936. Juez y Galvez, F.J., “El primer alumno rumano de la Central (1865-1868). ‘Acercando asi la Romania a la civilizacion de las demas naciones latinas’”, in Revista de Filologia Romanica, 20, 2003. La Ensenanza. Revista General de Instruccion Publica, Archivos y Bibliotecas (director Juan Una), Ano II, Madrid, 25 de agosto de 1866, num. 22, pp. 345-349; Ano III, Madrid, 25 Setiembre, 1867, num. 48, pp. 375-377; Ano III, Madrid, 10 de noviembre, 1867, num. 51, pp. 41-43; Ano III, Madrid, 25 de noviembre, 1867, num. 52, pp. 58-60. Leon, N., Note și Amintiri, “Cartea Româneasca”, București, 1933. Nastasa, L., “Rolul universitaţilor occidentale in modernizarea si europenizarea elitelor românesti (1860-1918)”, in Xenopoliana , VI, nr. 1-2, Iasi, 1998. Nastasa, L., Itinerarii spre lumea savanta. Tineri români din spațiul românesc la studii in strainatate (1864-1944), Editura Limes, Cluj Napoca , 2006. Oncescu, I., România in politica orientala a Franței (1866-1878), Second Edition, revised and amended, Editura Cetatea de Scaun, Târgoviște, 2010. Oncescu, I., “Cunoaștere și descoperire: Spania in viziunea lui Mihail Kogalniceanu (1846-1847)”, in Ș. Ștefanescu and C. Neagoe (eds.), Cultura, Istorie și Societate, VI, Editura Ars Docendi, Bucuresti, 2017. Panu, G., Amintiri dela “ Junimea” din Iași , Editura Societații Anonime pe acțiuni Adevarul, București, 1908. Popa, M., Spania descoperita de români, Editura Dacia, Cluj Napoca, 2007. Rados, L., “Studenți și profesori ai Universitații din Iași la studii in strainatate (deceniul șapte al secolului XIX) (I)”, in Historia Universitatis Iassiensis, I, 2010, Editura Universitații Alexandru Ioan Cuza, Iași, 2010. Rados, L., “Studenți și profesori ai Universitații din Iași la studii in strainatate (deceniul șapte al secolului XIX) (II)” , in Historia Universitatis Iassiensis, II, 2011, Editura Univeristații Alexandru Ioan Cuza, Iași, 2011. Rosetti A. D., Dicționarul contimporanilor , First edition, Editura Lito-Tipografiei Populara, București, 1897. Suțu, R., Iașii de odinioara, Tipografia “Lumina Moldovei”, Iași, 1923. Vizanti, A., Breve noticia sobre la Historia de la Rumania. Discurso leido por Don A. Vizanti en el solemne acto de recibir la investidura de licenciado en la Facultad de Filosofia y Letras, Madrid, Imprenta y estereotipia de M. Rivadeneyra, 1868.

For more than one hundred years (1711/ 1716-1821), the history of Moldavia and Wallachia was deeply marked by the realities generated through the installation and evolution of the Phanariote regime. This new political regime instituted in the Romanian Principalities (1711/1716) was actually the answer and the solution adopted by the Ottoman Empire to the new political situation emerged at the end of the 17th century and especially at the beginning of the 18th century in the area of Central and South-East Europe. The Phanariote solution practically represented a compromise between the older suzerainty of the Romanian Principalities and the institution of a direct Ottoman dominion., Oncescu Iulian. Towards the end of the Romanian Middle Ages: The instauration of the Phanariote regime in Moldavia and Wallachia (1711/1716). In: Annales d'Université "Valahia" Târgovişte. Section d'Archéologie et d'Histoire, Tome 20, 2018. pp. 97-104.

La historia de las relaciones entre Rumanía y España tiene en los libros de viajes delsiglo XIX una importante fuente histórica y literaria. Los escritos de diplomáticos, militares, políticos o literarios han resultado de particular importancia para evitar algunos tópicos y estereotipos existentes en el conocimiento de otros países. Durante la primera mitad del siglo XIX muy pocos viajeros rumanos llegaron a la periferia de Europa, donde se encontraba la península ibérica, y fueron muchos menos los que dejaron algún testimonio escrito de sus viajes. Mihail Kogalniceanu (1817-1891), un estadista liberal rumano, que llegó a ser primer ministro y ministro de Asuntos Exteriores en la década de 1860, tuvo la oportunidad de visitar España entre 1846 y 1847 y dejarnos el testimonio de su mirada en sus Notes sur l’Espagne, contribuyendo al conocimiento de la historia, las tradiciones y la cultura españolas para las élites y la sociedad rumana.PALABRAS CLAVE: Mihail Kogălniceanu, libros de viajes, Notes sur l’Espagne, siglo XIX.ABSTRACTThe history of relations between Romania and Spain has an important historical andliterary source in the travel books of the nineteenth century. The writings by diplomats, servicemen, politicians and writers have been particularly important to avoid certain clichés and stereotypes in the knowledge of other countries. During the first half of the nineteenth century, very few Romanians travelers arrived at the periphery of Europe where the Iberian Peninsula is located and, unfortunately, fewer still left a written testimony of their travels. Mihail Kogalniceanu (1817-1891), a Romanian liberal statesman who became prime minister and foreign minister in the 1860s, had the opportunity to visit Spain between 1846 and 1847 and left us an important and very useful testimony in his Notes sur l’Espagne, contributing to the knowledge of the history, traditions and Spanish culture for the elites of Romania and its people.KEY WORDS: Mihail Kogălniceanu, travel books, Notes sur l’Espagne, XIX century

Victor Place and Unification of the Principalities (1856-1859). The French consuls in Bucharest and Iasi, respectively Léon Béclard and Victor Place presented frequently, exactly and with perspicacity the arguments used by the Romanians for the union of Moldova and Wallachia, sometimes describing with plenty of details some of the significant events of the Principalities. They were trying to provide convincing information to their superiors about the ideals and interests of the Romanian society in the problematic context of those times. Victor Place, consul in Iasi, totally won in favor of the Romanian cause, in general, and especially of the Union, proved to have a more energetic, more enterprising and more enthusiastic nature. He considered that his mission included not just the observation and comment of the events, but also a personal involvement in the promotion and defense of the French interests along the political and diplomatic line that was set to him. Consequently, he carried out a remarkable activity in support of the Romanians during the years 1856-1859., Oncescu Iulian. Victor Place et l’Union des Principautés (1856-1859). In: Annales d'Université "Valahia" Târgovişte. Section d'Archéologie et d'Histoire, Tome 11, Numéro 2, 2009. pp. 79-85.

represented an extremely important stage in point of the Romanian-French relations. France had been, as we have shown, the European power who looked upon the Romanian aspirations with sympathy and constantly supported the Union and the ruler whom the Romanian nation had chosen. However, it supported the Romanians starting from its more comprehensive interests towards Oriental Europe, namely economic, political and strategic interests. The double election of Al. I. Cuza caused, from the very beginning, a strong reaction abroad and a vivid agitation in the European capitals of the guaranteeing powers. Consequently, the French government showed itself positive from the very beginning concerning the acknowledgement of Al. I. Cuza’s double election, trying at the same time to win Russia and Great Britain on its side. After the acknowledgement of Al. I. Cuza’s double election, the perfection of the Union was the problem that dominated the general politics of the new state both domestically and abroad. The institutionalization of the Diplomatic Agency of the United Principalities was possible after the return of Ed. Thouvenel to Paris and after the dialogue carried out tactfully and with professionalism by Ioan Alecsandri in the company of the French foreign minister, in the afternoon of the day of 14/ 26 August 1860. In this context, the authorities acknowledged the Agency of the Romanian Principalities, though not officially recognizing it. During Al. I. Cuza’s reign, another extremely significant and interesting chapter of the Franco-Romanian relations is the one referring to the military collaboration. Drawing on the organizational model of the French system, which he had known personally, Al. I. Cuza and his main collaborators wanted to turn the Principalities into a modern European state. Napoleon III’s France represented a moral and material support for the creation of modern state institutions within the comprehensive program initiated by the Romanian ruler. Al. I. Cuza benefited most of the time of the emperor’s support, through the French diplomats. The perfection of the Union in 1861, the secularization of the monasteries’ fortune, the overthrow, the agrarian reform, the Developing Statute are just a few of Al. I. Cuza’s acts that, on the whole, had France’s agreement and support. France’s protective help, the diplomatic assistance, the political support, the inspiration from the French model were all possible after 1859 thanks to Napoleon III’s politics, which included a supportive component for the national movements, interweaved with a personal strategy in the Orient of Europe., Oncescu Iulian. Les relations roumano-françaises pendant le règne de Al.I. Cuza (1859-1866). In: Annales d'Université "Valahia" Târgovişte. Section d'Archéologie et d'Histoire, Tome 10, Numéro 2, 2008. pp. 13-41.

Against the background of the "Oriental Crisis". Romanian has initialed a series of diplomatic contacts and actions in order to gel accepted a new status in the international relations : that of an independent state. These contacts were considered when the country preserved its independence. The diplomatic initiatives were useless. The only option left to the Romanian government was entering an alliance with Russia and taking part in the Russian-Ottoman War of 1877-1878. The Romanian aim was thus realized by the means of taking up arms., Oncescu Iulian. La réouverture de la Crise Orientale. La position de la préparation diplomatique de la Roumanie pour la proclamation de l' Indépendance (1875-1877). In: Annales d'Université "Valahia" Târgovişte. Section d'Archéologie et d'Histoire, Tome 6-7, 2004. pp. 153-158.

One common image induced by a long series of historical writings is that Romanian-French relations have known a sustained positive trand for centuries, in spite of geographical distance separating the two peoples. These relations developed such based on the latinity shared by both Romanian and French nations. However, a closer look at these historical developments reveals a ruther fluctuating course, even during the 19',h century arid not only from on epoch to another but even between the different components of these relations in the same period. Such proves to be the case after 1866, when following Alexander I. Cuza’s ousting from power a foreign German prince was installed in Romania in the person of Charles of Hohenzollern. As a consequence, the political ties with France entered the next decades a period of decline, as well as the economic links. But in the field of cultural relations one can notice a different course. Far from diminishing, on the contrary, these relations reveal an uninterrupted rising., Oncescu Iulian. Liaisons spirituelles roumaines -françaises (1866-1878 ). In: Annales d'Université "Valahia" Târgovişte. Section d'Archéologie et d'Histoire, Tome 4-5, 2002. pp. 159-173.

During the 1856-1859 period, the Romanian society was clearly dominated by great expectations, stimulated by the favourable international perspectives for achieving the national Romanian aspirations shared by the population in Moldavia and Walachia. Both the general European and local conditions made France the aim of these expectations. France itself accepted to support the Romanians and trusted them. In a practical manner this made necessary for the French leaders to know much better the Romanian partner, the society and its perspectives. The Romanian energies and chances had to be more closely evaluated in the context of European politics. From this new perspective the French consular despatches became instrumental for the policy makers in Paris. But they also remain a rich source of historical informations judging from both French and Romanian angles, as to their reciprocal approaches., Oncescu Iulian. La société roumaine à la lumière des rapports consulaires français de Bucarest et de Iassy, pendant les années antérieures à l’union des Principautés (1856-1859). In: Annales d'Université "Valahia" Târgovişte. Section d'Archéologie et d'Histoire, Tome 4-5, 2002. pp. 151-158.