By exploring inhabitants’ perceptions of territorial identity in the Land of Năsăud (partly overlapping the former Military Frontier District of Năsăud), Romania, and the present practices building symbolic places, cultural landscapes, community spirit and togetherness in Năsăud town, its polarising centre, we discuss the relevance of recovering the past for building a resilient community. For collecting research data on locals’ perceptions, we administered a questionnaire survey and employed a qualitative analysis of the information, while on place symbols, and events organised related to the Military Frontier District history and heritage, we collected data from the local mass media and through field trips investigating the cultural landscape. Our findings include facts and locals’ perceptions about their history, features of their community (discourse and symbolic places), the most recent local initiatives and events recreating a landscape of feeling. Despite running the risk of romanticising a place and a period, one cannot ignore the impact of shaping a certain cultural landscape and discourse on community’s self-defining process and future prospects. The roles of culture and community spirit are very strong in empowering and building the confidence of the communities in the present Land of Năsăud, as proved by the perceptions, initiatives, and events in the town of Năsăud.