The infamous UFO sighting in Hoia-Baciu Forest, Romania, traces back to 1968. On a summer afternoon of August 18, 1968, Emil Barnea, a military technician, along with his girlfriend Miss Matea and another couple, visited the Hoia-Baciu Forest despite warnings from locals. During their visit, Barnea witnessed and photographed a shining silver disk-like UFO hovering in the sky over an area known as The Clearing or Poiana Rotundă (The Round Meadow). He captured four photos of the unidentified object. These images were later published in local newspapers, igniting public intrigue and debate about extraterrestrial and paranormal activities within the forest​.

The incident gained international attention and significantly contributed to the forest’s reputation as a hotspot for paranormal activities. However, the aftermath was not favorable for Barnea, who lost his job due to the Communist government’s disapproval of paranormal beliefs at the time​1​. The sighting further enhanced the mysterious allure surrounding Hoia-Baciu Forest, solidifying its status as one of the most haunted and eerie places not only in Romania but globally.