Curtea de Arges
a charming little town from Arges county
Visitors love Curtea de Arges because of its warm, nice people as well as its picturesque charm and green streets.
The beginnings of this town are mysterious. Some historians maintain that archaeological discoveries from 500 B.C. show that Dacian kings were using this place as a residence and that the area was inhabited by the argessenses, a Dacian tribe.
Others report finding evidence of inhabitants only dating from the 11th century. In fact Curtea de Arges is one of the oldest Romanian cities. And it was the residence of Wallachian rulers for a couple of centuries.
The first documents to prove the existence of Curtea de Arges dates from the 14th century A.D., when old maps (such as Latinus Parisimus Code, 1396) show a small fortress called Argis.
The Basarab royal family built the Royal Court in the 14th century (see the name of the town: The Court from Arges). The ruins can be seen today.
In present times, the only standing part is the Royal Church. The plan of the church is based on the Greek cross and is one of the largest churches of that time built in this style in southeastern Europe.
Perhaps the most famous sight in Curtea de Arges is the Cathedral, built in the early 16th century, which stands on the grounds of a monastery. Right now it is in the midst of a prolonged restoration. So, you won't see much of the exterior architecture but you can fruitfully visit the inside. In the Cathedral of Curtea de Arges Monastery one can also visit the tombs of Romanian kings and queens.
The legend of the Cathedral has deep roots in the cultural heritage of Romania, whose few myths include the "Myth of creation through sacrifice". So, what is all this about?
The legend of master mason Manole
The legend says… that prince Radu Negru employed a well-known master mason called Manole to build his cathedral. Mysteriously, everything was built during daytime by Manole while his masons were falling down by night. When Manole was unable to finish the walls, Prince Radu threatened him and his assistants with death.
To appease the prince, Manole suggested that they should follow the ancient custom of placing a living woman into the foundations. All then agreed that the first woman to appear on the following morning should be the victim. Manole, with trust in God, prayed for his wife to come later the next morning, but all the others who understood the agreement cheated Manole and warned their families. So, Manole had to keep his word and sacrifice his own wife, Ana. She was thereby sentenced by the agreement and her early arrival and was built alive, with her unborn baby, into the foundation.
As a result, the cathedral was built and nothing bad happened until it was finished. When Manole and his masons told the prince that they could later build an even greater building, Radu Negru had them stranded on the roof so that they could never build anything to match it. The workmen, hoping to survive, crafted wooden wings and tried to fly off the roof but, one by one, they all fell to the ground and died.
Is is said that the spring of clear water you can see below the cathedral rose up to mark the spot where Manole fell. Local people call it "Manole's fountain".
Getting to Curtea de Arges
By train
There are lots of trains from Bucharest to Pitesti. Once you arrive in Pitesti you have to change and take another train (which I really don't recommend) or you can choose to take a bus to Curtea de Arges. If you prefer to take another train, think again. There are only 3 trains a day. Not crowded, very cheap but also they offer no comfort, and are truly live ruins that move veeeery slowly.
So, your better choice is to go to the front of the rail station and ask for a bus to Bascov (the northern exit from Piesti). Ask there for directions to the bus station (autogara) where you can purchase a ticket for the bus to Curtea de Arges.
By bus
From Autogara Militari (Bucuresti,phone: +40214341084) you have the option of one bus every couple of hours. Ask about the "Lucky Trans" transportation company.
From Autogara Bascov (Pitesti, phone: +40248282201) you can find a bus every 15 minutes.
There is at least one bus a day for those who want to depart from Campulung Muscel or Ramnicu Valcea.
By car
The main road is DN 7C coming from Pitesti and passing over the Fagaras Mountains. About 38 km/23miles from Pitesti.
For those interested in travelling from Ramnicu Valcea or Campulung Muscel I recommend that you take the road to Pitesti. There is also the DN 73C passing through Curtea de Arges. It is shorter but very poorly maintained and even unsafe when it's raining - so not the best choice.
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