Welcome to Monasteries, churches and hermitages
from Buila Vanturarita National Park
Monasteries, churches and hermitages
from Buila Vanturarita
Here you can find details about all Monasteries, churches and hermitages from Buila Vanturarita, including a map where you can see the exact location plus you will find a description for each place of worship.
Bistrita Monastery
Bistrita Monastery from the Monasteries, churches and hermitages from Buila Vanturarita National Park was built between 1492 and 1494 by the Craiovesti Boyars. Even if shortly after the monastery was destroyed by Mihnea Voda (1509), between 1515 and 1519 it was rebuilt by the same Craiovesti Boyars. Bistrita Monastery is quite known by Romanian tourists who come here in pilgrimage to pray to Saint Grigorie Decapolitul’s relics considered to do miracles. Around the relics there are different legends about the way these were brought here. They were got to Bucharest around 1763 and it is said that they made the pest which killed the population to disappear for ever. In time, different important persons offered religious objects to the monastery, the most important being Constantin Brancoveanu who gave a bell and a miracle icon of Saint Ana.
After an earthquake from the beginning of XIX century, Bistrita Monastery was destroyed, but restored around the middle of the century. The interior paintings done by the great Romanian painter Gheorghe Tăttărescu were added finally in the year 1850. (Find more journeys on blog.worldlifetimejourneys.com) Unfortunately, XX century wasn’t so happy for Bistrita Monastery and most of all for the nuns from here who passed through difficult periods. Fortunately after 1989, the religious life rebuilt and in 2003 according to the official website is opened Printing and Valcea Church Book Museum. Bistrita Monastery is included today in the Historical Monuments List of Romania and it is a must visit place mostly for the Christian tourists.
Bistrita Monastery (Monasteries, churches and hermitages
from Buila Vanturarita National Park)
Bistrita Monastery
Location:
Bistriţa Village, Costeşti Commune, Vâlcea County.
Address:
Bistriţa Village, Costeşti Commune
Date of construction:
1492-1494
Telephone:
+40 250 863327
Website:
http://www.arhiram.ro/manastiri/manastirea-bistrita
E-mail:
arhiepiscopia.ramnicului@gmail.com
How to get here:
By car:
From the National road DN67 Târgu Jiu – Horezu – Râmnicu Vâlcea make left after Bogdăneşti commune if you come from Târgu Jiu-Horezu or right after Negruleşti commune if you come from Râmnicu Vâlcea. Follow the post-signs towards Bistriţa Village.
By train:
You can get only to Râmnicu Vâlcea from the main cities of the country.
By means of transport:
Take the bus from Râmnicu Vâlcea to Bistriţa – Costeşti (see more details here http://www.autogari.ro/Transport/RamnicuValcea-CostestiVL).
Arnota Monastery
Arnota Monastery from the Monasteries, churches and hermitages from Buila Vanturarita National Park was built between 1633 and 1634 by Matei Basarab ruler, whose grave is inside the monastery. Today is part of Bistrita Monastery which is closely related to it and since 1999 is a nuns monastery although in the beginning was a monks one. Because it’s situated in a hard accessible area, you can get here only on the road which goes also to the stone quarry nearby. In the beginning of XVIII century also Constantin Brancoveanu ruler gets involved who modifies a little the style and helps with the necessary repairs. In XIX century and in the beginning of XX century were added new buildings and cells and between 1954 and 1958 was the most important renovation when the drinking water was introduced and the heating system was restored. Arnota Monastery is considered one of the historical monuments of Romania due to the rich religious art, of the decorations and the beautiful murals and is important to know that during winter or when is a heavy rain is hard to get here. Situated at an altitude of 840 m, Arnota Monastery has to be included in your program if you are nearby. The style is Byzantine and the small church has its saint name as Saints Archangels Mihail and Gavril.
Arnota Monastery (Monasteries, churches and hermitages
from Buila Vanturarita National Park)
Arnota Monastery
Location:
Bistriţa Village, Costeşti Commune, Vâlcea County.
Address:
Bistriţa Village, Costeşti Commune
Date of construction:
1633-1634
Telephone:
+40 745 075225
Website:
http://www.arhiram.ro/manastiri/manastirea-arnota
E-mail:
arhiepiscopia.ramnicului@gmail.com
How to get here:
By car:
From the National road DN67 Târgu Jiu – Horezu – Râmnicu Vâlcea make left after Bogdăneşti commune if you come from Târgu Jiu-Horezu or right after Negruleşti commune if you come from Râmnicu Vâlcea. Follow the post-signs towards Bistriţa Village.
By train:
You can get only to Râmnicu Vâlcea from the main cities of the country.
By means of transport:
Take the bus from Râmnicu Vâlcea to Bistriţa – Costeşti (see more details here http://www.autogari.ro/Transport/RamnicuValcea-CostestiVL).
Horezu (Hurezi) Monastery
Horezu Monastery from the Monasteries, churches and hermitages from Buila Vanturarita National Park known also as Hurezi, was built between 1690 and 1693 under the rule of Constantin Brancoveanu and from 1995 was included on UNESCO World Heritage List due to its special architecture and is considered the best religious example of the brâncovenesc style. If the church was finished in 1693, works at the monastery continued until 1697. It’s considered the biggest monastic complex from Romania and the name comes from the ex Hurezi Village today known as Romanii de Jos. (Find more journeys on blog.worldlifetimejourneys.com) The area where Brancoveanu built the monastery is gorgeous, situated at the bottom of Capatanii Mountains which gives a beautiful view, so you can combine a religious tourism with the adventure.
Horezu Monastery complex includes Bolnitei Church, Saint Apostoles Hermitage, Saint Stephan Hermitage and the main church known as the saint name Saint Emperors Constantin and Elena built in brancovenesc style and rich in decorations. Besides the Renaissance decorations, the murals and sculptures give a plus of color and life. The church has portraits of Romanian rulers and it had to be restored many times, the last time between 1954 and 1964. The church is 32 m long and 14 m height, almost a copy on smaller scale of Curtea of Arges Monastery. Horezu Monastery shelter also the Constantin Brâncoveanu Library and the beautiful architectural and mural complex annually attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists and pilgrims.
Horezu Monastery (Monasteries, churches and hermitages
from Buila Vanturarita National Park)
Horezu (Hurezi) Monastery
Location:
Românii de Jos Village, Horezu City, Vâlcea County.
Address:
Românii de Jos Village, Horezu City.
Date of construction:
1690-1693
Telephone:
+40 250 731170
Website:
http://www.crestinortodox.ro/biserici-manastiri/mitropolia-olteniei/manastirea-hurezi-68220.html
How to get here:
By car:
From the National road DN67 Târgu Jiu – Horezu – Râmnicu Vâlcea make left from Horezu City if you come from Târgu Jiu or right if you come from Râmnicu Vâlcea. Follow the postsigns towards Românii de Jos Village on the County road DJ669.
By train:
You can get only to Râmnicu Vâlcea from the main cities of the country.
By means of transport:
Take the bus from Râmnicu Vâlcea to Horezu (see more details here http://www.autogari.ro/Transport/RamnicuValcea-Horezu). From here ask how you can get to the monastery even walking (2-3 km).
Ovidenia Church from Bats Cave
Ovidenia Church from the monasteries, churches and hermitages from Buila Vanturarita National Park and also the nearby Saint Archangels Church are both under the nuns protection from Bistrita Monastery. They are situated in Bats Cave at an elevation of 630 m and here is considered a speleological reserve, because huge colonies of bats live here grouped in over 10 species. To get here you have to follow for around 15-20 minutes the foot path which starts behind Bistrita Monastery. The bats cave is a gorgeous creation of the nature but its value and the main attractions are represented by the two churches built here. The importance of the place is given by the fact that here during difficult times were hidden the relics of Saint Grigore Decapolitul.
Ovidenia Church was built in XVII century and Saint Archangels Church situated about 50 m distance was built by monks Macarie and Daniil in 1635. The two churches are nicely decorated and the murals and icons enrich the interior. Ovidenia church is partially built in rock and it’s hard to observe, so for a long time was the place where numerous valuable books and objects of art were hidden besides the precious relics. If you are in the area and you go to visit Bistrita Monastery, don’t miss a walk to the Bats Cave. The road until here is gorgeous and the landscapes will make you not regret your choice. When you get to the cave, make a unique visit to the churches inside and you will remain with unforgettable memories.
For more details go to http://www.crestinortodox.ro/biserici-manastiri/pestera-sfantului-grigorie-decapolitul-68022.html
Ovidenia Church from Bats Cave (Monasteries, churches and hermitages
from Buila Vanturarita National Park)
Ovidenia Church from Bats Cave
Location:
Bistriţa Village, Costeşti Commune, Vâlcea County.
Address:
Bistriţa Village, Costeşti Commune.
Date of construction:
XVII century
Telephone:
+40 250 863327
Website:
http://www.arhiram.ro/manastiri/manastirea-bistrita
E-mail:
arhiepiscopia.ramnicului@gmail.com
How to get here:
By car:
From the National road DN67 Târgu Jiu – Horezu – Râmnicu Vâlcea make left after Bogdăneşti commune if you come from Târgu Jiu-Horezu or right after Negruleşti commune if you come from Râmnicu Vâlcea. Follow the postsigns towards Bistriţa Village.
By train:
You can get only to Râmnicu Vâlcea from the main cities of the country.
By means of transport:
Take the bus from Râmnicu Vâlcea to Bistriţa-Costeşti (see more details here http://www.autogari.ro/Transport/
RamnicuValcea-CostestiVL).
Patrunsa Hermitage
Patrunsa Hermitage is an ideal place for prayer and silence, situated in Buila-Vanturarita National Park in a wonderful mountain area. The main thing to keep Patrunsa hermitage in an extraordinary condition is that here you can’t come by car. You can go only until Barbatesti Commune and from here you have to walk 4 km on the footpath. The hermitage was built in 1740 by Clement bishop on the place where he was born. Due to the fact that it was destroyed by the fall of a cliff, it was rebuilt in XVIII century. In the last centuries, the church was for much time in restoration and additional construction. Patrunsa hermitage is declared a historical monument and is a place to visit and a pilgrimage place if you are in the area.
Patrunsa Hermitage (Monasteries, churches and hermitages
from Buila Vanturarita National Park)
Patrunsa Hermitage
Location:
Buila-Vânturariţa National Park, Vâlcea County.
Address:
Bărbăteşti Commune.
Date of construction:
1740
Telephone:
+40 723 572894
Website:
http://www.crestinortodox.ro/biserici-manastiri/schitul-patrunsa-124253.html
How to get here:
By car:
From the National road DN67 Târgu Jiu – Horezu – Râmnicu Vâlcea turn left from Bârzeşti locality on the County road DJ646e if you come from Târgu Jiu-Horezu or right if you come from Râmnicu Vâlcea. Follow the postsigns towards Bărbăteşti Commune.
By train:
You can get only to Râmnicu Vâlcea from the main cities of the country.
By means of transport:
Take the bus from Râmnicu Vâlcea to Bărbăteşti. (http://www.autogari.ro/Transport/RamnicuValcea-Barbatesti?lang=ro).
Iezer Hermitage
Iezer Hermitage is one of the most retired place of worship from Romania like the other monasteries, churches and hermitages from Buila Vanturarita National Park. The hermitage situated on Cheia Valley (Valea Cheii) is 5 km away from Cheia Village. Iezer hermitage shelters the relics of Saint Venerable Antonie from Iezeru of which celebration is on 23rd November each year. It is said that here was built a church for the first time in XIV century by Radu the Great (Radu cel Mare) and Mircea the Old (Mircea cel Batran) rulers, but the present church was built between 1552 and 1553 and the works still continued until 1567-1568. (Find more journeys on blog.worldlifetimejourneys.com) The church was partially destroyed several times and rebuilt each time. It was also restored many times, last time in 1970. Today Iezer is a nunnery hermitage, where murals and religious objects invite to silence, respect and prayer any person from the thousands of tourists and pilgrims who are coming here every year.
Iezer Hermitage (Monasteries, churches and hermitages
from Buila Vanturarita National Park)
Iezer Hermitage
Location:
Cheia Village, Băile Olăneşti City, Vâlcea County.
Address:
Cheia Street, No. 212, Cheia Village, Băile Olăneşti City, Vâlcea County.
Date of construction:
1552-1553
Telephone:
+40 744 170273 or +40 744 184986
Website:
http://www.crestinortodox.ro/biserici-manastiri/schitul-iezer-valcea-68019.html
How to get here:
By car:
From the National road DN64a Râmnicu Vâlcea-Băile Olăneşti turn left when you are in Valea Cheii locality if you come from Râmnicu Vălcea or right if you come from Băile Olăneşti. Follow the signs towards Cheia Village. From here you have only 5 km to the hermitage.
By train:
You can get only to Râmnicu Vâlcea from the main cities of the country.
By means of transport:
Take the bus from Râmnicu Vâlcea to Cheia. (http://www.autogari.ro/Transport/RamnicuValcea-CheiaVL).
44 Izvoare Hermitage
44 Izvoare Hermitage is one of the few places of worship among the monasteries, churches and hermitages from Buila Vanturarita National Park where you can get by car. It’s situated opposite Arnota Monastery, on the other side of the stone quarry. Here you can get easier if you come from Costesti and pass Pietreni Village of which the hermitage belongs to. It’s also known as the Hermitage under the Rock because is situated at the base of a slope of Buila-Vanturarita Mountains. The area where 44 izvoare hermitage is situated is very picturesque, with gorgeous landscapes over the national park and over Costesti river Keys. The other name of 44 izvoare (springs) comes from the multitude of springs in the area, some of them here in Costesti locality. The quite modest church of 44 izvoare hermitage with only a few paintings and almost nonexistent decorations was built by the monk Stephan in 1701 and its importance is given by the Saint Stephan icon present here, but especially by the beautiful area where is situated.
44 Izvoare Hermitage (Monasteries, churches and hermitages from
Buila Vanturarita National Park)
44 Izvoare Hermitage
Location:
Pietreni Village, Costeşti Commune, Vâlcea County.
Address:
Pietreni Village, Costeşti Commune, Vâlcea County.
Date of construction:
1701
Telephone:
+40 250 863330 (call the town hall in Costeşti for more details).
Website:
http://www.crestinortodox.ro/biserici-manastiri/biserica-44-izvoare-67974.html
How to get here:
By car:
From the National road DN67 Târgu Jiu – Horezu – Râmnicu Vâlcea turn left on the County road DJ646a after Bogdăneşti locality if you come from Târgu Jiu-Horezu or right after Negruleşti locality if you come from Râmnicu Vâlcea. Follow the postsigns towards Costeşti and after that towards Pietreni Village. You can get here also through Bogdăneşti.
By train:
You can get only to Râmnicu Vâlcea from the main cities of the country.
By means of transport:
Take the bus from Râmnicu Vâlcea to Bistriţa-Costeşti (vezi detalii aici http://www.autogari.ro/Transport/RamnicuValcea-CostestiVL).
Pahomie Hermitage
Pahomie Hermitage is well connected with the construction of Bistrita Monastery from the monasteries, churches and hermitages from Buila Vanturarita National Park and it was built between 1519 and 1520 by Barbu Craiovescu known also as Pahomie. The place where is situated is very secluded even if you can get here by car during a beautiful day (usually between May and September). The road which takes you to the hermitage is a forestry road, so you have to be careful if you have a small car. Pahomie hermitage was built at the base of a cliff from a picturesque area from Buila-Vanturarita National Park and is close to Izvorul Frumos (Beautiful Spring). Unfortunately, after 1880 the hermitage was abandoned and partially destroyed the church and also the cells, but it wasn’t forgotten because in 1952 Pahomie hermitage was rebuilt in the initial form and on 30th of September 1956 was sainted. The last renovation was in 1997 when the pictures were repainted. The church is as modest as it is beautiful painted and enriched with religious art objects.
Pahomie Hermitage (Monasteries, churches and hermitages
from Buila Vanturarita National Park)
Pahomie Hermitage
Location:
Buila-Vânturariţa National Park, Băile Olăneşti City, Vâlcea County.
Address:
Bărbăteşti Commune, Băile Olăneşti City, Vâlcea County.
Date of construction:
1519-1520
Telephone:
+40 761 468324
Website:
http://www.arhiram.ro/manastiri/schitul-pahomie
How to get here:
By car:
From the National road DN67 Târgu Jiu – Horezu – Râmnicu Vâlcea turn left from Bârzeşti locality on the County road DJ646e if you come from Târgu Jiu-Horezu or right if you come from Râmnicu Vâlcea. Follow the postsigns towards Bărbăteşti Commune.
The second choice could be to go towards Iezer Hermitage and from there a few kilometers: from the National road DN64a Râmnicu Vâlcea-Băile Olăneşti turn left from Valea Cheii locality if you come from Râmnicu Vâlcea or right if you come from Băile Olăneşti. Follow the postsigns towards Cheia Village. From here you have around 10 km to the hermitage.
By train:
You can get only to Râmnicu Vâlcea from the main cities of the country.
By means of transport:
Take the bus from Râmnicu Vâlcea to Bărbăteşti (http://www.autogari.ro/Transport/
RamnicuValcea-Barbatesti?lang=ro) or take the bus from Râmnicu Vâlcea to Cheia. (http://www.autogari.ro/Transport/RamnicuValcea-CheiaVL).
These are only some of the monasteries, churches and hermitages from Buila-Vanturarita National Park. To some of them you can get even by car, to others only walking, but the charm of the area and the spirit of adventure you will really feel if you go them walking. These specially chosen places where these places of worship were built, are gorgeous, giving wonderful landscapes to the human eye. (Find more journeys on blog.worldlifetimejourneys.com) If you are in search of adventure, if you love hiking and you want to enjoy some silence and prayer moments, here is the best place to come. Not unexpected, these places of worship were built either by Romanian rulers or by monks who escaped from the Tatar invasions in that time, hiding in these places and building here these beautiful religious adornments. Visit the monasteries, churches and hermitages from Buila Vanturarita!
