Câmpeni in the Apuseni Mountains: History, Churches and Mountain Landscapes

Culture and History

The Muzeul „Avram Iancu“ houses the building that served as Avram Iancu’s headquarters for the Auraria Gemina Legion during the Revolution of 1848–1849. The museum’s first hall presents the ancient and prehistoric history of the local region through exhibits and materials.

The Muzeul „Beciul lui Horea“ commemorates the events that led to the uprising of Horea, Cloșca and Crișan, including the Câmpeni spring market on 24 May 1782. This museum contains the „POARTA“ dating from that period, seven display cases with historical documents and objects, and a mural depicting Horea, Cloșca and Crișan.

Câmpeni became the centre of the 1784 uprising. Horea established his headquarters in Câmpeni in November 1784 and from there, together with Cloșca, Crișan and other confidants, led the fighting against the oppressive authorities.

The equestrian statue of Avram Iancu was brought from Târgu Mureș to Câmpeni in autumn 1940 and placed there on a prepared stone pedestal. The bust of Avram Iancu is located in the courtyard of the Colegiul Național „Avram Iancu“ in Câmpeni.

Churches and Monastery

Valea Bistrii Monastery is located in the Bistrii Valley in Câmpeni in the Apuseni Mountains and is dedicated to the Holy Hierarchs Ilie Iorest and Sava Brancovici. It was initially a nuns’ skete and was elevated to monastery status on 28 September 2012 with the approval of the Metropolitan Synod of the Metropolis of Transylvania.

From the DN 75, which runs from Câmpeni to Bistra, turn left onto the DC 141; after approximately 200 metres, a sign indicates the access road to Valea Bistrii Monastery.

The Biserica din Deal in Câmpeni has been documented since 1550 and is probably considerably older. The cemetery behind the church contains the graves of Avram Iancu’s followers: Preotul Iosiv Gomboș, Nicolae Corches and Mihail Andreica.

The Biserica din Vale in Câmpeni was built from 1906 to 1 March 1911. It was constructed in the style of Transylvanian churches as a single-nave building.

Practical Information

Câmpeni has a national tourist information and promotion centre on Strada Gării.

Find more destinations via these links: Pianu De Jos, Sălciua De Sus, Alba Iulia, Răchita, Ocna Mureș, Sebeş, Ampoița and Laz.

Mountain Landscapes and Excursions

Câmpeni lies in a depression basin crossed by the Arieș in the central Apuseni Mountains. The area around Câmpeni ranges from 550 metres at the confluence of the Arieș Valley and the Bistra Valley to 1,597 metres at the summit of Runcului.

The Mocănița Apusenilor is a historic tourist train offering scenic journeys through the Apuseni Mountains and insights into local traditions. It runs from Câmpeni railway station to Cărpiniș near Abrud; the round trip takes approximately two hours.

The Alba Regalis Cultural Route passes through Câmpeni. It includes the „King Ferdinand“ Bridge in Câmpeni.

At the Câmpeni spring market on 24 May 1782, Mediu was described as a traditional beverage of the Moți. The Ruta Unității Naționale passes through Câmpeni and is part of a cultural route of approximately 150 kilometres through Alba County.

For the higher-level travel overview: Alba.