Both Romanian and foreign tourist visiting Arges County may be delighted to visit Curtea de Arges, one of the most important medieval constructions in Romania. Only 150 km away from Bucharest, near the Carpathians, Curtea de Arges has been the first capital of the country in 1330 and holds valuable art monuments, like a living museum of Romanian history.
The Royal Church, built by Basarab royal family in the XVIth century is a classic Byzantine church, an art monument and a sample of medieval Romanian architecture.
Kings and Queens
In the Cathedral of Curtea de Arges Monastery the visitors can see the tombs of Romanian kings and queens. The first Romanian queen was Queen Elizabeth 1 (29 dec. 1843 - 18 feb. 1916), wife of King Carol I of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen. She was a real protector of arts and she also wrote under the name of CARMEN SYLVA. Inspired by the work of Florence Nightingale, she helped a great number of people, especially the war wounded. The second was Queen Mary, "the diplomat queen", married to King Ferdinand of Hohenzollern.
A National Legend- Master Manole and his work of art
Maybe the most well-known sight is the famous Curtea de Arges Cathedral. Built in early 16th century, it is one of the most famous buildings in Romania, and stands in the grounds of a monastery, 1 1/2 m north of Curtea de Argeş. One tablet records that the founder was Prince Neagoe Basarab ( 1512- 1521); another that Prince Ioan Radu completed the work in 1526; a third describes the repairs executed in 1681 by Prince Şerban Cantacuzino; a fourth, the restoration, in 1804, by Joseph, the first bishop. Between 1875 and 1885 the cathedral was reconstructed.
Vlad Tepes vs. Dracula
Only a few kilometres away from Curtea de Arges one may visit the Castle of Vlad Tepes, today known as the character Dracula. Placed in a beautiful scenery, lies the lonely fortress built by Vlad Tepes, the fierce Romanian ruler that inspired many local legends and also the book of Bram Stoker. The fortress it is supposed to have been built by some treacherous noblemen for Vald Tepes' court, that tried to betray him. Their punishment was to build the fortress in the top of the hill with the price of their lives.