How to discover the Romanian Monasteries from Oltenia

The Romanian monasteries are build from stone and faith. The Romanian leaders wished always to engrave their faith in wood or stone, building churches and monasteries whether next to their residences, or in secret retreat places, good for meditation. The painted monasteries from Bucovina attract many tourists, while the monasteries from Oltenia are unfair neglected.

The Cozia Monastery is very nice, very quiet and meaningful for any Romanian: here is buried Mircea cel batran.

But beween Ramnicu Valcea and Targu Jiu, in the superb hilly region of Northern Oltenia  the Romanian rulers Mircea cel Batran, Matei Basarab, and Constantin Brancoveanu build monasteries. A special mention for Brancoveanu, an excellent diplomat who was able to keep Wallachia in peace for a long period. Thus he contributed to the exceptional cultural development of Wallachia during the XVIIth and XVIIIth century. He also created a personal charming architecture style carrying his name, by mixing the Italian Renaissance with baroque and Serbian or Byzantin influences.

The Govora monastery, very close to Ramnicu Valcea

You can discover the Monasteries of Oltenia starting from Ramnicu Valcea, on the busy DN7 leading to Sibiu, along the River Olt and the spectacular gorges of Turnu Rosu.

Discover first the Monastery of Cozia, a discreet hidden apparition between the noisy highway and the River Olt. It was buil at 1387 by the ruler Mircea cel Batran, who is buried here. The church has been build by Serbian masters from Moravia,, concentrating a wide palet of ornamental works. Constantin Brancoveanu added at 1707 the painted rood screens. Pleaes observe the painting of the grounder and the details of his clothes. Discover further the buildings from different ages and the small museum.

Drive through Ramnicu Valcea on DN67  following the Govora Monastery, build by Matei Basarab at 1640,  on the place of an older church. Matei Basarab also put here in function a printing shop, one of the first in the Romanian countries. The church is surrounded by flower, and also by solid walls. The rood screen is charming for real!

The Monastery Dintr-un lemn  is far way from any port or airport, but in a misterious way protects airman and seaman!

The monastery Dintr-un lemn ( meaning from Romanian 'from a single piece of wood) is pretty isolated, but very solid (its name is a guarantee for that). The interior is very protective, warm and familiar. Amazingly, based on an unknown reason and myth, this church protects the seaman and the airman!

The Horezu monastery and the charming Brancoveanu Architecture style

Don't forget in the area the famous vineyards from Samburesti and Dragasani, but you have an other important target, the Monastery Horezu, the pearl among all these monasteries from Oltenia! The land scape is extraordinary, and you must enter an yellow wooden door. It is the masterpiece of Constantin Brancoveanu and an UNESCO heritage. The church is in the centre of a big yard, closed aside by Monastery builing with big carved columns. Recognize and enjoy the Brancoveanu Architecture style through the perfect harmony between its proportions and the discreet ornaments. In this breathtaking church dreamt brancoveanu to stay in the ethernal sleep, considering the monastery as his last will in stone and faith.