Wooden monastery, Frâncești, Valcea

1. Monument, painted arch, fountain

At the end of the wide driveway at the entrance is a roundabout next to which impresses a monument erected in honor of the heroes of the Air Force, which stands next to a tricolor flag raised on a flagpole higher than the monument.

We follow, like everyone else, the road to the left. It passes under painted arch from the monastery wall. From here an alley paved with flower islands leads to the stone church. The alley is lined with stone columns like the Roman ones. O fountain with a stone cross cools the hot atmosphere. Remarkable is the cleanliness and neatness of the whole area where we are. We climb a few stairs and pass under a new vault under which is a long inscription in marble slab that moves you. It's a commemorative plaque honoring the "cutezătorilor of Romanian aviation"" - inventors, engineers, technicians, flyers, civil and military. We read heavy names such as Traian Vuia, Aurel Vlaicu, Henry Coanda, Gogu Constantinescu, which open another longer list of names written in alphabetical order. Next to them are commemorated on another marble stone, the sailor heroes, the plaque being placed next to an anchor.

2. Stone church

Above stone church, which in this green setting so well cared for, seems naturally framed as never better. Outside the church, people come in, people go out. The stone church was built in the 16th - 18th centuries and is listed historical monument.

3. Dry oak trees

We climb a little further, so first let's take a breath of fresh air, A landscaped path continues gently uphill among a few centuries-old oaks. The diameter of their stems and their notched bark impress. How many people have they sheltered and refreshed in their shade?

4. Church made of wood

Up on the hill there's a house, says the song.... In our case, up on the hill is the house of God, is Church made of wood, apparently built in the 16th century. The wood gives it a particular charm, it has a particular smell from the thick wooden beams, as if the huge oak from which it was built still breathes. It has a roof, obviously also made of wood, but it stands like a big hat with large brim providing plenty of shade around it. In the little wooden church there is the icon for which many believers and especially suffering people go up in search of hope and cure, the icon of the Virgin Mary. For those who come here with an open soul, faith is important, because it is the only way to overcome life's difficult trials. The church is literally laden with icons lined and waving on the walls and ceiling.