A lesson in Romanian culture: Curtea de Arges

Would you put Romania on your travel list? Perhaps it may not look like it can make your first stop on your “Eurotrip” list, but there are a lot of reasons why this paradoxical, beautiful country with its surprisingly welcoming people should nevertheless make your list. Today we’ll enjoy a lesson in Romanian culture: Curtea de Arges.

Tucked under the winding green folds of the Fagaras mountain foot, Curtea de Arges looks like a small and quiet provincial town in the southern side of Romania… from the outside! In fact, little and chick as it may be, it is one of the oldest and most culturally relevant sites in this country, a wonder in all senses of the world and a quiet spot where you can truly sample the authentic Romanian spirit while admiring one of the country’s monumental gems: the Curtea de Arges Monastery.

This small town used to be the seat of a proud kingdom, that of Wallachia or the Romanian County (one of the principalities which would later make up Romania). It was a wealthy and proud center in the Middle Ages and in the early 16th century, it was honored with the beautiful royal cathedral that still stands proud and strong, centuries later, after history and fire and restaurations have consecrated it as one of the greatest buildings in Romania.

Curtea de Arges Monastery was commissioned by Prince Neagoe Basarab in the early 16th century. It is part of this legendary ruler’s legacy. The style is Byzantine, found in most Orthodox Christian countries – such as Romania – and boasts with a variety of stone carvings, arches and a very colorful indoor painting style, with icons and religious scenes covering the walls of the monastery.

Curtea de Arges is a pilgrimage site, but also a town that attests the old and proud history of Romania, placing it on the cultural map. Pitesti car hire is the place to get a car for your vacation nearby.