Religious buildings from Valcea county Romania
Horezu Monastery at Romanii de Jos (6 km far from Horezu), is the most important
complex of Brancovenesque religious architecture, an apex of 17th century Wallachian art, It was built by Constantin Brâncoveanu between
1690 and 1697. The large church is decorated on the outside with stone sculptures (with floral patterns), and the interiour paintings
are extremely valuable due not only to the religious scenes but also to portraits of the Brâncoveanu`s, the Basarabs and the Cantacuzinos.
Legend says that for fear of the Turks the craftsmen built it only during the night when the owls were hooting. The cells, the princely
residence and the belfry were built around the main church.
Cozia Monastery (2 km far from Calimanesti and 20 km far from
Ramnicu Valcea), is one of the most valuable architectural monuments of the 14th century and a starting point for the Byzantine style
in Wallachia. The main church was built between 1386-1388 by Mircea the Elder and it draws the attention for the harmony of its proportions,
rich ornamentation and exceptionally valuable paintings. Here lays the grave of Mircea the Elder, one of the most glorious princes
of the Romanian history, as well as the grave of Teofana, Michael the Brave’s mother. The smaller church (on the left side of the
road), also called ,,jewel of the 16th century” (due to its proportions and fine execution( was built by Radu Paisie in 1543. The
monastery hosts a valuable museum of religious art, old prints, manuscripts, jewel.
Govora Monastery 3 km far from Baile
Govora and 20 km far from Râmnicu Vâlcea, was mentioned in a document for the first time in 1488. The monastery was rebuilt by VIad
the Monk and by Radu the Greater, and in the 17th century, Matei Basarab restored it and brought here a printing press where in 1640
was printed, ”Pravila from Govora”, the oldest law book printed in Wallachia. Under the rule of Constantin Brancoveanu, the monastery
expanded and was built the present church that preserves a valuable interior painting (1711). The monastery hosts a small museum with
objects of feudal art, old manuscripts and prints, religious objects.
Bistrita Monastery 6 km north of Costesti, was built
between 1491-1492 by Craiovesti boyards. Mihnea the Evil damaged the monastery in 1508 as its founders had risen against him. Later,
the same boyards repaired the church. The old complex only preserves the small church built by Ban Barbu Craiovescu between 1520 -
1521. The present church exists since 1856, and has interior paintings by Gb. Tattarescu.
Arnota Monastery 15 km far from
Horezu and 54 km far from Ramnicu Valcea, was built by Matei Basarab between 1633 - 1636, whose grave lays in the monastery. The interior
mural paintings were made in 1644 by Stroe the Painter and have great artistic and documentary value. The monastery was a centre of
Romanian culture and today hosts a small museum of religious art.
,,From an wood” Monastery in Francesti 10 km far from
Baile Govora and 27 km far from Ramnicu Valcea, was founded at the end of the 16th century and early of the 17th century. The legend
says that the church was build of one oak by Preda Brancoveanu between 1634- 1635. The church interior walls were painted between
1714- 1716 and the paintings were preserved until today.
Ostrov Hermitage in Calimanetti, was built on an isle, in the
middle of the Olt River (near Calimanesti by ruler Neagoe Basarab and his wife, Despina. The construction was completed in 1522, after
the death of the ruler. An old legend says that Michael the Brave’s mother, Teofana, was sheltered here and protected against the
Turks after the death of her son.
Cetatuia Church in Râmnicu Valcea (15th century) draws the visitor’s attention because
it was here that Prince Radu of Afumati and his son, VIad, were killed in 1529 by the rebel boyars angered by ruler’s attempt to change
the policy of obedience towards the Ottoman Empire.
Hermitage Tower 3 km far from Calimanesti was built in 1676, with interesting
cells dug by hermits in the very rock of the mountain.
lezer Hermitage in Baile Olanesti, built in 1559 by Prince Mircea
Ciobanu and his wife, Lady Chiajna. The present church was built in the 18th century.
Wooden Church at Baile Olánesti,
is also called ,,Horea’s Church” and exists since 1746. The church has a tower 21 m height.
,,Saint Nicolas” Church at
Câineni (1733 - 1769),preserves the valuable original mural paintings both inside as well as on the façade.
Other religious
buildings: ,,Vovidenia” Church in Dobrusa, Stefanesti Commune (15th century), ,,Sfânta Paraschiva” Church in Ramnicu Valcea (1557
- 1 587), Cornetu Monastery in Racovita (9 km far from Brezoi and 58km far from Râmnicu Vâlcea), was built in 1666.
