Horezu Monastery, Romanii de Jos, Valcea

Constantin Brâncoveanu's most important foundation

Where? When? How much does it cost?

The address on Google Maps is 164, Mânăstirii street, Romanii de Jos locality, which belongs to Horezu town, Valcea county. Horezu Monastery 5 km from the town Horezu on a shortcut called DC146, 50 km from Ramnicu Valcea on DN67 and about 230 km from Bucharest on E81. On the main road there are visible road signs leading you to the monastery. There is a free, signposted parking lot, located 300 meters before the access road that leads into the monastery courtyard.

During the week it is open from 07:00 to 20:30, on Saturdays until 21:30 and on Sundays until 21:00. Admission is free. Decent dress is required.

About Horezu Monastery

We encounter several information panels that give us facts about Horezu Monastery. Horezu Monastery or more recently also called Hurezi Monastery is historical monument and is part of UNESCO World Heritage.

It is built on the initiative Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu (1688 - 1714) It is the largest monastic complex in South-Eastern Europe built in the late 17th century. Horezu Monastery is an emblem of of the Brâncovenese architectural style, emphasized by its sculpture and painting. It was consecrated on September 8, 1693.

The ensemble of Horezu Monastery consists of:

  • Church "Saints Constantine and Helen" (1690-1697) and the historical enclosure (1690-1709) with additions (1751);
  • The "Nativity of the Virgin Mary";
  • State Palace;
  • Trapeza;
  • The Bell Gate Tower;
  • The bodies of the cell (of nuns);
  • The enclosure wall;
  • Fantana;
  • Annex buildings;
  • Bolnitei Ensemble (1696-1699);
  • "Holy Apostles" Hermitage (1698-1700);
  • "St. Stephen" Hermitage (1703).

1. Entry

From the parking lot to the entrance of the monastery's courtyard, access by car is forbidden. On both sides of the street there are stalls with local and organic products, toys and souvenirs. After the monastery gate we enter a wide alley as wide as a street, slightly sloping.

to the entrance

entry

entry

The Bell Tower-Gate

2. The tower - the gate - the Bell Tower. The fountain.

Before Bell Tower-Gateon the right is a fountain from the 19th century.

 

Bell tower

Fantana

The Bell Tower-Gate

3. Annex buildings. The enclosure wall.

The road branches off; I will continue on the side road that goes half right. We pass Annex buildings from the 19th century and we are approaching The enclosure wall (17th century).

 

Annex buildings

The enclosure wall

4. The Bolniței ensemble. Trapeza.

The chosen road leads to The Bolniței ensemble (17th century), on the right. The ensemble contains the "Assumption of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary" church, the ruins of the abbey and a gazebo. Renovation work was being carried out here. The Adoration of the Assumption of the Virgin (1696) is a foundation of Mrs. Maria, the wife of the ruler, and is painted by the craftsmen Preda, Nicolae and Ianache. Through a side access we reach the main courtyard. Wow! How beautiful!

Trapeza (18th century) can be visited and is integrated into the quadrangular construction as a wall that also houses the cellars and surrounds the church.

The sick ensemble

dull

5. St. Emperors Constantine and Helen Church

In the middle of the main courtyard, the highest, is the Church of St. Emperors Constantine and Helen. We will notice the similarity with the Curtea de Arges Monastery. In fact we notice the Brancovenesc architectural style with a porch and arches supported by columns, with ornaments specific to the Late Renaissance. On the pisanie is the coat of arms of the Romanian Country and the Cantacuzino family. The master builders were Manea, Istrate and Vucasin Caragea. Inside, the mural painting is realized by the Greek craftsmen Constantinos and Ioan together with the Romans Andrei, Stan, Neagoe and Iachim. In the pronaos are the portraits of the Brancoveni, Barabeni and Cantacuzini families. The ceiling is impressive. Made of carved and polished lime wood, it is decorated with silver candles donated by Mrs. Maria Brancoveanu. In the church, where there is the tomb of the first abbot of the monastery, Ioan Archimandrite, as well as the empty tomb of the ruler Constantin Brancoveanu, photography is not allowed. Constantin Brancoveanu was not to sleep at Horezu, but at St. Gheorghe Church in Bucharest.

"St. Emperors Constantine and Helen" Church

"St. Emperors Constantine and Helen" Church

painting

6. "St. Angels" Church

We went out under the Gate-Tower and then through the big gate. To the right, outside the monastery courtyard is "St. Angels" Church. It was erected in the 18th century by Archimandrite John, abbot of the Horezu Monastery. The address is 137 rue Mânăstirii.

 

"St. Ingeri" Church

"St. Ingeri" Church

Conclusion. My impression.

Horezu Monastery is a remarkable tourist sight. Although well-kept and beautiful, I have not seen as many flowers as in the courtyards of the monasteries in Moldova.

All the best!

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