Discover Arefu: Poenari, Lake Vidraru and the Făgăraș Mountains

Arefu is a village on the right bank of the Argeș River, which runs through it. The municipality of Arefu is accessible via the DC 249 Căpățâneni–Arefu road, as well as via other municipal and forest roads.

Landscape

Water sports and boat trips to the Cumpăna mountain hut are available on Lake Vidraru. North of the lake, hiking trails begin leading to the high peaks of the Făgăraș Mountains, including Moldoveanu at 2,544 metres and Negoiu at 2,535 metres. The Valea lui Stan gorge route begins at the Transfăgărășan and is marked and suitably equipped by Salvamont Argeș.

Within the municipality of Arefu, the Pădurea Arefu forest is designated as a forest reserve. Near Piscul Negru are three caves classified as natural monuments. The Barajul Vidraru–Poiana Obârșiei–Baraj Vidraru route leads in the direction of Arefu.

History

The village of Arefu has a history spanning more than 600 years and has been documented since 1558 through a charter issued by the voivode Mircea Ciobanul. Historically, Arefu was a village of free peasants whose ancestors passed down ownership rights to 16 surrounding mountains. These ownership rights were directly recognised by the rulers of Wallachia.

The Heroes' Monument is located in the village of Arefu, in the courtyard of the Cuvioasa Parascheva Church. It was erected in 1935 and commemorates those who fell in the War of Independence and the First World War. The Cuvioasa Parascheva Church in Arefu dates from 1860.

Casa Gheorghe Stephănescu in the village of Căpățânenii Ungureni, Arefu municipality, was built in 1873 and is listed as a historic monument. Casa Stephanescu is privately owned and can only be entered with the owners' permission.

Culture

The Casa Rozeanu village museum in Arefu is a traditional house from the Argeș region that opened as a museum in 2016. Via Valahia is a cultural-tourist journey created in 2020 by the Asociația Montană Vidraru that highlights history and cultural points of interest. Via Valahia reaches Arefu after the route crosses the Transfăgărășan and continues along the Valea Larga.

Within the municipality of Arefu, Poenari Fortress stands on a steep rocky summit at the entrance to the Argeș Gorge. At the end of the 14th and beginning of the 15th century, the fortress was first rebuilt and fortified by Vlad Dracul and subsequently by his son Vlad Țepeș.

At the foot of Poenari Fortress, in the village of Căpățânenii Ungureni, Arefu municipality, is Castelul Dracula Transfăgărășan. The Museum-Castle is dedicated to the Dracula myth and offers historical exhibitions, guided tours, as well as an educational programme on the Dracula myth and the medieval history of Wallachia.

Other places

You can find other places at this destination level at Valea Hotarului, Argeșelu, Schitu Golești, Dragoslavele, Costești, Călinești, Coteneşti and Oeștii Pământeni.

To the overarching travel overview: Argeş.