Category: News

Hurezi Monastery is a beautiful place with exceptional Romanian architecture, which is worth visiting if you are nearby. The monastery is located in Romanii de Jos, Vâlcea County. This place of worship is the essential foundation of the martyr Constantin Brâncoveanu. Hurezi Monastery was integrated into the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993 and impressed with its richness and originality. This monastic settlement was noticed in the Balkans and throughout Europe, symbolizing Romanian architecture. An iconographic and mural painting school has been operating in this beautiful place since the 17th century. Scholars at the monastery’s copyist school also gathered here.

Hurezi Monastery – a short history

Hurezi Monastery was founded by the martyr Constantin Brâncoveanu between 1690-1693. This synthesis of Romanian art made in those times is notable for its originality, the mastery of lines and colors, specific to the Brancoveanu style. The monastic complex was built during a period of prosperity, peace, and cultural flourishing in Wallachia, during the reign of Constantin Brâncoveanu. This monument of the Romanian patrimony is located at the foot of the Căpățânii Mountains, being positioned at 570 m altitude, bordered on the east by Valea lui Neag and Coasta Mănăstirii.

The construction of the Hurezi Monastery was entrusted to the mayor Pârvu Cantacuzino, Constantin Brâncoveanu’s cousin, occupying the position of architect and painter. After his death, the consolidation works of the building were taken over by Cernica Știrbei. On the place where the monastery was built as a hermitage dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. According to legend, it is said that there were Strix (birds) who disturbed the silence of the night. For this reason, it is believed that the name of the place was given.

The construction of the Hurezi Monastery lasted from 1690 and lasted until 1697. Initially, it functioned as a monastery of monks. Greek and Romanian craftsmen painted the church. Among those who helped build the building are the Manea wadding, the Istrate carpenter and the Vucasin stonemason, all three of whom are on the porch wall of the large church. Also, the founder Constantin Brâncoveanu and his relatives are painted on the east wall, on the church porch.

Over time, Hurezi Monastery has undergone consolidation work. The first of this type was between 1734-1735 when Dionisie Bălcescu was in charge of the monastery. The building was also affected by the earthquake of 1738 and the Turkish-Austrian and Russian-Turkish wars of 1716-1718 and 1787-1789. Grigore Brâncoveanu continued to work on the extension of the site, and in 1827 the roof of the building was modified.

In the first half of the 19th century, works were undertaken in the style of neoclassical architecture: the erection of the bell tower, the construction of new pavilions, the extension of the Royal House to the south with an annex. The fountain was built in 1838. The monastery also functioned as a hospital, a floor being arranged for this purpose. In 1862, the monastery was transformed from a settlement for monks into a nunnery.

Hurezi Monastery – architecture

• 

The architecture of the Hurezi monastery impresses through the Brancoveanu style, simple and full of originality. This complex consists of several buildings: the monastery itself (1696), the Hermitage of the Holy Apostles (1698) and the Hermitage of St. Stephen (1703). In addition, other annexes and buildings have been added.

Hurezi Monastery consists of two premises. The first room, the outer one, is made of brick, with an access gate and a two-storey building. The second enclosure has a rectangular shape and is closed on three sides with buildings, with ground floor and first floor.

The Hurezi Monastery impresses with its interior frescoes, masterfully and skillfully made in the years 1705-1706, the work belonging to the painters Preda and Marin. The large church is located in the middle of the second precinct. It was dedicated to the Holy Emperors Constantin and Elena and was founded by Saint Constantine Brancoveanu. The monastery’s chapel is located in front of the church, and the other consists of a square nave and a semicircular altar. Notable is the hospital, being built outside the high walls of the monastery, on the east side, being free of the narthex.

Hurezi Monastery – a place worth visiting

Hurezi Monastery is a place worth visiting. The construction impresses with its architectural style, full of simplicity and originality. Also, the worship site will give you a state of total relaxation, and you will be overwhelmed by the power of spirituality that is felt in that place.

If you are passionate about hiking or cycling, just a few kilometres away, you will find Băile Govora, an extraordinary place, where you can start on many routes to the Monastery from one wood or the Horezu Monastery. You can also choose to go to a wine tasting or relax fishing in the specially designed locations.

Hotel Simfonia, located in Râmnicu-Vâlcea, is ideal for traveling in the Vâlcea area. It is a pleasant, welcoming place where the harmonious combination of luxury, comfort, and elegance will delight the hearts of those it hosts. If you want to visit the Hurezi Monastery, Hotel Simfonia offers you the ideal accommodation, where you will have a dream stay.

Photo source Vâlcea Turistică

The One Wood Monastery is located in Frâncești commune, Vâlcea county, being located only 25 kilometers from Râmnicu Vâlcea. This monastic settlement, dedicated to the Nativity of the Mother of God, is a unique place in Romania worth visiting, especially if you are nearby. According to a local tradition, the monastery was built by carving a single oak tree in the first decades of the 16th century.

The Legend of The One Wood Monastery

The One Wood Monastery has a remarkable history. Legend has it that a monk found an icon of the Mother of God in the hollow of an oak tree. Paul of Aleppo, who accompanied Patriarch Macarius of Antioch on his travels through the Romanian Lands, is the one who supports this legend of the founding of the church. This monk was urged by a voice to build a monastery from the trunk of that tree, whence the name of the settlement, “of a wood.” It is an attractive, captivating legend that makes you see this miracle with your own eyes. Another legend says that one night a shepherd named Radu dreamed of the icon of the Mother of God and, by a divine call, cut the oak tree where he found the icon. Thus, he built the monastery right on the place where the oak tower rises, considered a holy place.

History of The One Wood Monastery

The Monastery of a Wood was first mentioned in a document dating from 1635. The wall church was built in 1640 by Matei Basarab. According to other sources, the founder of this place of worship was Preda Brâncoveanu, a former great boyar. The triconch plan of the building recognizes Matei Basarab’s architecture.

In 1715, Ștefan Cantacuzino restored the monastery’s bell tower and the Royal House. Between 1938 and 1940, the place of worship was subjected to other consolidation works by the Ministry of Air and Navy. Thus, The One Wood Monastery symbolically became the prayer altar for aviators and sailors.

The architecture of The One Wood Monastery

Today’s The One Wood Monastery dates from 1810-1814, being built on the site of the old one and according to the exact dimensions. The one who created it was Constantin Socoteanu’s son-in-law, Iancu. This wooden church is made of thick oak beams finished in a dovetail, having a rectangular shape and with the apse of the altar detached. On the outside, it is surrounded by a twisted belt dug in the thickness of the wood, with an open porch, without a tower. This architectural monument is famous in that village, which renders beauty and authenticity.

In the second inner courtyard, we find the stone church, which is made of thick beams, rectangular in shape, having a length of 13 meters and a width of 4 meters. From an architectural point of view, the church is in a tri-coach style, with an octagonal altar, the abysses of the pews with four sides, and the narthex, which is slightly wider than the nave, ends with a porch on pillars. All the architectural elements present in the large (walled) church present the architecture of Matei Basarab. The places of worship rebuilt by the former lord of Wallachia have a more straightforward style than those built by Stephen the Great or Neagoe Basarab. These monuments were more modest, with a neat decoration that gave them beauty and monumentality.

There is also a fountain in the inner courtyard, which shelters under the small roof an icon with the Mother of God and the Jesus baby. The bell tower was restored by Ștefan Cantacuzino in 1715 and is similar to the one from Hurezi Monastery. After passing this bell tower, we will see the secular oak and the small wooden church.

Icon from The One Wood Monastery

The miracle-working icon of the Mother of God in The One Wood Monastery is a symbol of the place of worship. There is no data on dating or provenance. Andrei Gabor of the University of Strasbourg has a controversial view of this icon. The teacher states about the face of the Mother of God that it is painted according to the model left by the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Luke, the one who painted the Virgin Mary for the first time. Andrei Gabor also says that this icon was painted in the 4th century at Theotokos Monastery in Greece. Specialists in iconography believe that this icon of the Mother of God dates from the beginning of the 15th century.

Theothokos Monastery in Greece. Specialists in iconography believe that this icon of the Mother of God dates from the beginning of the 15th century.

The icon is made of a single wooden panel and is painted on both sides, on the back being painted the scene of the Last Judgment. The icon is secured in a transparent box, valuable work for the world. There are only three copies of the icon from The One Wood Monastery in the world. They are found in Moscow, Istanbul, and Jerusalem.

The One Wood Monastery – a place of worship to visit

The One Wood Monastery is a place of worship that must be seen by all those who have the opportunity to reach those places. Also, the spectacular natural setting that surrounds this church will give you a state of peace and tranquillity.

Hotel Simfonia, located in Râmnicu-Vâlcea, is ideal for traveling in the Vâlcea area. It is a pleasant, welcoming place where the harmonious combination of luxury, comfort, and elegance will delight the hearts of those it hosts. If you want to visit The One Wood Monastery or Ocnele Mari Salt Mine, Hotel Simfonia offers you the ideal accommodation, where you will have a dream stay.

Source photo: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Manastirea%20Dintr-Un%20Lemn/740494542812380/

Ocnele Mari Salt Mine is a tourist attraction in Vâlcea County and is located in a town of the same name. It is located 8 km from Râmnicu Vâlcea, in a picturesque area, with other spas (Căciulata, Olănești, Călimănești) and having religious tourism (Cozia monastery).

Ocnele Mari is a city in Vâlcea County, Romania, with a population of 3,309 inhabitants. It is one of the oldest settlements in the Oltenia area, is known for its salt deposit. Traces of a Neolithic settlement have been found on the city’s surface: axes, spearheads, knives, or vessels made of burnt clay.

Ocnele Mari Salt Mine – a short history

The exploitation of salt in the Ocnele Mari Salt Mine, according to research in Cosota, dates back thousands of years. During the time of Mircea, the Elder, the exploitation of the salt deposit was carried out by the enslaved gypsies, called “ciocănași”. It is recorded in history that in these places was the Buridava tribal center, mentioned in the writings of the historian Ptolemy. The first mine holes were dug in Cărpiniș. They collapse, and the Din Brazi lake is formed. Attempts are made to dig other mouths, but they, in turn, collapse, creating the Red Pond. Over time, the mines of St. John the Old, St. John the New and Paul appear.

Extracting salt from the mine was a difficult and challenging process. The salt taken from the massif was transported to the central well with wheelbarrows or in the back. From here, it was loaded into the slingshots of the “crivac” with the help of which it was brought to the surface. The installation dates back to the Middle Ages and was preserved until 1894 when it was replaced by an elevator, which operated with the help of a steam engine. Accidents in the mine were quite common, as the descent into the mine was made on rope ladders placed along with the extraction well. In 1957 the mine was closed due to landslides.

Nowadays, the salt extracted from the Ocnele Mari Salt Mine is used and sent in concentrated brine for the technological processes at the Râmnicu Vâlcea Chemical Plant. Thus the salt deposit acquires great valences.

Ocnele Mari Salt Mine – a relaxing tourist attraction

Ocnele Mari Salt Mine is a tourist attraction visited by thousands of people annually. This tourist base has been transformed into a tourist area since 2009. The tourist part of the Ocnele Mari Salt Mine, which covers an area of ​​20,000 m2, has a church, a museum, restaurant, souvenir shops, football fields, places to play for children. Thus, if you are thinking of visiting this tourist attraction in Râmnicu Vâlcea you have at your disposal various physical activities through which to spend your time. Public events can also be held inside the salt mine, with a large hall for festivities. Those who want to have a little peace, can retire to the church dedicated to Saint Varvara and Saint George.

The park area is arranged at 225 meters above sea level. The length of the salt mine gallery is 1300 m. The indoor temperature is between 13 and 15 degrees Celsius. Thus, Ocnele Mari Salt Mine is ideal for relaxation, leisure, and treatment.

How to get to Ocnele Mari Salt Mine

The town of Ocnele Mari is located about 8 km from Râmnicu Vâlcea. Ocnele Mari can be reached using the road DN67 (Copăcelu street of Râmnicu Vâlcea municipality) and Alexandru Ioan Cuza street of the city that intersects with it.

Hotel Simfonia, located in Râmnicu-Vâlcea, is the ideal accommodation when traveling in the Vâlcea area. It is a pleasant, welcoming place where the harmonious combination of luxury, comfort, and elegance will delight the hearts of those it hosts. If you want to visit Salina Ocnele Mari, Hotel Simfonis offers you the ideal accommodation, where you will have a dream stay.

In Râmnicu Vâlcea you will have the opportunity to relax, but also to visit various tourist attractions. You can make day trips if you are on the weekend stay in Râmnicu Vâlcea.

A weekend stay at the Symphony Hotel means relaxation, fun, and lots of hiking with your loved ones. Râmnicu Vâlcea is a city located in the central part of the country, with approximately 100,000 inhabitants. It is a beautifully landscaped, clean place with many green areas tourists can visit throughout the year.

Mircea cel Batran Park, located right in the city’s center, is a place worth visiting if you are in Râmnicu Vâlcea. It is said that this park would stand on the site of the princely fortress of Mircea cel Batran. Also, Zăvoi Park is another fairytale land that invites you to explore it through a beautiful wooden gate.

If you are for a weekend stay in Râmnicu Vâlcea, you have the opportunity to make day trips to different locations or visit the cultural centers in Râmnicu Vâlcea. Thus, we will present you with places that you can include on your list of activities if you are in Râmnicu Vâlcea.

Day trips to Râmnicu Vâlcea

In Râmnicu Vâlcea, you have the opportunity to enjoy the peace and relax away from the crowds of big cities. There are many activities you can do in Râmnicu Vâlcea! With the car, you can choose many routes in a day or two. Thus, on the weekend in this beautiful city, you have the opportunity to visit the Ocnele Mari Salt Mine, the manors from Maldărești, Horezu, Băile Olănești or a boat ride on the Olt River.

Ocnele Mari Salt Mine

Ocnele Mari Salt Mine is located in the same name, just 8 km by car from Râmnicu Vâlcea. The visitors’ access employs a minibus, which takes over the people from the entrance to the salt mine. The road takes about 10 minutes and runs every 10 minutes. Inside the salt, mine is a constant temperature of 13-15 º C. The Ocnele Mari salt mine covers an area of ​​10,000 square meters. Inside the salt mine, you will discover places specially designed for relaxation, leisure, and treatment: football, tennis, billiards, mini carting. There are playgrounds with swings and slides for children. There is also an event room, restaurant and wine cellar, a souvenir shop, and soft drinks shops in the salt mine. Inside the tourist base, visitors can relax in the specially designed spaces.

In the salt mine, there is also a church dedicated to Saint Varvara and Saint George. Ocnelor Mari Salt Mine is one of the oldest salt mines in Romania. The ancient Dacian fortress Buridava was discovered, and numerous mining axes dating from the Neolithic period, the Bronze Age, and the first Iron Age. The exploitation of salt became an essential source of income during the Holy Voivode Martyr Constantin Brâncoveanu. From 1912, the town began to be arranged as a spa, and the salt mine became famous for its therapeutic effects.

The manors from Măldărești

The manors from Măldărești (from the Turkish kule, which means “tower”) are boyar houses specific to the 18th and 19th centuries. Măldărești village is located near Horezu. The constructions were positioned in open areas with maximum visibility to detect the dangers in time. These buildings were erected in order to protect the lives and fortunes of the boyars from Turkish raids, rioting, or peasant revolts on local estates. Manor Greceanu is the oldest manor kept inside the Măldărești Museum Complex. Gheorghe Măldărescu and his wife Eva built it in 1517. Manor Greceanu greets you through a massive oak door, and you arrive in the former reception room. This room was decorated with a Byzantine-style fresco made in 1934 by Olga Greceanu, a descendant of the founding boyars. In the house, tourists will discover pieces of furniture, hand-woven rugs with Oltenian motifs, ceramic pieces, and icons. Another manor that tourists can visit is the one built by Gheorghiță Măldărescu between 1812-1827. It was bought and arranged in a traditional Romanian style by I.G. Duca (Manor Duca), a minister in several governments. Also, in addition to these manors, within the Complex, you can visit an Orthodox heritage church, which bears three patron saints: Saint Nicholas, Saint George, and the Holy Dukes.

Hotel Simfonia offers 4-star accommodation, with facilities such as a sauna, gym, and fitness that will make your stay a relaxing one. You will fall in love with the beautiful landscapes offered by Râmnicu Vâlcea, which you can observe from the panoramic terrace of the Simfonia restaurant.

Râmnicu Vâlcea boasts several cultural centers and tourist attractions such as the Anton Pann Theater, the Ariel Theater, The Village Museum from Valcea county, the Ion Dumitrescu Philharmonic, and the Children’s Palace in Râmnicu Vâlcea.

Anton Pann Theater and Ariel Theater

Anton Pann Theater and Ariel Theater are two cultural centers in Râmnicu Vâlcea. The two theaters are located in the former Modern cinema, in a welcoming location, quiet and full of history. The architecture of the building that houses the two cultural centers is a modern one that blends harmoniously with a green park, beautifully landscaped, with many flowers and an artesian well that completes this wonderful landscape.

Anton Pann Theater was established as a professional institution in May 1990 by the decision of the Vălcea Prefecture. This cultural center is a continuation of a long 100-year-old local theatrical tradition. Between 1960-1980, the People’s Theater functioned, one of the most valuable amateur theaters in the country, being rewarded with several national and international awards. Among the plays performed on the stage at the Anton Pann Theater are “Paso Doble”, “Cats”, “Jack and the Beanstalk”, “Marriage Proposal”, “The Girl in the Machine” “The Golden Thread “A park … a bank” “Show: Titanic Vals.” Also on the theater stage Anton Pann made his directorial debut Daniela Nane with the famous play played on Broadway “Who’s Who” or “The lie does not have such long legs”.

The theater consists of three halls: the big hall, the studio hall and a hall for the puppet theater, where the little ones can watch shows that will bring a smile on their face with their parents.

“Ion Dumitrescu” Philharmonic

“Ion Dumitrescu” Philharmonic was founded in 1995 and has as its main loan officer the City Hall of Râmnicu Vâlcea. The Philharmonic is the most prestigious cultural institution in Râmnicu Vâlcea. This institution is dedicated to music lovers from Vâlcea and beyond. Tourists in the area are welcome to attend the concerts held at the Philharmonic.

The “Ion Dumitrescu” Philharmonic had the honor to collaborate with the Romanian Opera in Craiova, the Romanian Opera in Bucharest, Radio Romania Musical, the National University of Music in Bucharest, etc. The institution also had the pleasure of collaborating with artists and conductors both from Romania and abroad. The artistic activity of the institution is represented by two valuable bands: the Symphony Orchestra and the Academic Choir “Euphonia”.

The concerts of the “Ion Dumitrescu” Philharmonic Orchestra are held every Monday evening, starting with 19.00, in the “Alexandru Lahovari” concert hall, which has a capacity of 305 seats.

Currently, all the works performed by the artists of the “Ion Dumitrescu” Philharmonic cover a wide historical period: from classic to contemporary, passing through all styles of symphonic, vocal-symphonic music, opera, chamber music, cult and entertainment music, symphonic jazz, movie music.

Children’s Palace from Râmnicu Vâlcea

Children’s Palace from Râmnicu Vâlcea was founded in 1953, then called the House of Pioneers. Within this institution, events and actions are organized in partnership with formal and non-formal educational institutions, children’s and youth clubs or with local authorities – City Hall and Prefecture, Vâlcea School Inspectorate, Directorate for Culture, Cults and Cultural Heritage Vâlcea, Police County and Municipal, the Inspectorate for Emergency Situations, the National Anti-Drug Agency, the County Directorate of Sports and Youth, the County Youth Foundation, the Union of Visual Artists, the Students’ Council.

The Children’s Palace is an important cultural center in Râmnicu Vâlcea, because it offers children the opportunity to develop their artistic, scientific or artistic side.

Regardless of the purpose of your visit to Râmnicu-Vâlcea, cultural centers are a way to forget about everyday worries and enjoy a good play or an art show meant to relax and unwind.

Hotel Simfonia offers 4-star accommodation, with facilities such as a sauna, gym and fitness that will make your stay a relaxing one. You will fall in love with the wonderful landscapes offered by Râmnicu Vâlcea, which you can observe from the panoramic terrace of the Simfonia restaurant

The Village Museum from Valcea county is located at the exit from Râmnicu Vâlcea to Sibiu. The museum covers an area of 8 hectares and is organized around the abutment of Bujoreni, a fortified house and inhabited for short periods during the invasions. The Village Museum of Valcea county represents a return in time to the old traditions of yesteryear. The purpose of the museum is to reproduce a traditional Vâlcea village from more than 100 years ago.

The Village Museum of Valcea county – a place full of tradition

The Village Museum of Valcea county located in the open air, has all the socio-cultural institutions in its composition, specific to a traditional rural settlement. To recreate the conventional space of the past, the museum’s organizers took into account the following factors: the relief forms of the area, the hearth and its border with all the elements. All the constructions and households were located inside the village, being transferred from different localities of Vâlcea county.

The Village Museum of Valcea County is divided into four sectors as follows:

1. Socio-cultural sector

– The socio-cultural sector of monuments of public utility has in its composition the rural primary school from the beginning of the 20th century, from the time of Spiru Haret, a wooden church, built in 1785 and taken from the commune Nicolae Bălcescu and an inn from the end of the 19th century from the village of Saliște in the commune of Malaia. This sector is to be completed with a rural town hall and other objectives of architectural value.

Bogdan’s Inn, originally located on the shores of Lotrul, stands out for its massive architecture, being built of river stones. The inn has been powered by a mini-turbine powered by the river since 1900.

2. Household Sector

The Village Museum of Valcea county is an embodiment of ancient houses. Thus, inside the field we can see 42 homes and over 12,000 museum pieces. The whole territory inspires a traditional air. The occupations of the old peasants are also very well illustrated: agriculture, animal husbandry, blacksmithing and horseshoe workshops. Folk crafts and techniques draw us into the traditional world, away from technology and the crowds of big cities. Within the museum, one can notice the houses with gazebo from the ethnographic area Horezu (from the communes Măldărești, Stoenești, Bărbătești), the households specialized in viticulture, transferred from the area Drăgășani (villages Prundeni, Olteanca), in fruit growing (communes Alunuș, Tomșara) or in raising animals in the mountain area (Boișoara, Pascoaia-Brezoi villages).

In addition to housing, several outbuildings have been transferred to households: beds, sheds, haylofts, huts for storing agri-food products or for raising birds and animals.

Also, visit this wonderful museum that illustrates the life of the past. You will be able to enjoy visually the traditional Vâlcea gates that receive you in this universal.

3. Crafts sector – popular techniques

The handicrafts – folk techniques sector presents the procedures and folk techniques performed in the past. This category includes the following:

– techniques for processing raw materials needed for the construction of specific tools, vessels and various household objects

– methods used to obtain plant or animal products

– techniques used for processing vegetable or animal fibers

Also, within the museum were located a series of handicraft workshops: the pottery workshop in the center of Vladesti (20th century), the carpentry-carpentry workshop (20th century) in Șerbănești village, Salatrucel commune, the goat hair processing workshop 20th century), from Curtea village, Popești commune, as well as a blacksmith workshop from Prundeni commune.

4. Specialized Construction Sector

The specialized construction sector includes several units illustrating those from the traditional mountain village: road crosses, transferred from Govora-sat and Feteni localities, border fountains, beehives, a sheepfold transferred from Mount Smeurat, a vineyard transferred from the commune Scrambled eggs, watchtowers, etc.

Visiting hours:

• summer program: daily 10.00 – 18.00, closed on Mondays
• winter schedule: daily 9.00 – 17.00, closed on Mondays

The Village Museum of Valcea county is worth visiting all year round, being a magical land, where you will be able to discover a traditional village and still related to the life of the old peasants. After visiting the museum, you can enjoy one of the most delicious dishes of the Simfonia Restaurant, such as foie gras with miso sauce, flavored breadcrumbs, peaches and ginger bud.

Hotel Simfonia located in Râmnicu-Vâlcea is the ideal accommodation when traveling in the Vâlcea area, being a pleasant, welcoming place where the harmonious combination of luxury, comfort and elegance will delight the hearts of those it hosts.