Băiculești: Tutana Monastery Complex and Zigoneni Reservoir

Culture

Mănăstirea Tutana is a historic monument complex on DN 7C in the municipality of Băiculești. The Tutana Monastery Complex includes the princely residence of Mihnea Turcitul. The ruins of the bell tower date from 1582 to 1588, while the ruins of the monks’ cells date from the 15th to the 18th century. The enclosure wall of the complex dates from the 16th century. The buildings and ruins therefore reveal several historical periods in the history of the complex.

The former Mănăstirea Tutana is now a parish church. The church of Mănăstirea Tutana has a trefoil plan; its façades feature exposed brickwork and two registers of arcades. The Church of “Sf. Atanasie” at Mănăstirea Tutana was built before 1497 and rebuilt between 1582 and 1588. “Sf. Atanasie” at the former Mănăstirea Tutana is considered the only Romanian church with this dedication. The present church building thus combines an early construction date with a later rebuilding and clearly defined façade elements.

Another religious attraction is the Orthodox Church of “Sfinții Arhangheli Mihail și Gavriil” in Băiculești. It is a functioning and active place of worship for the local community. The communities of Băiculești and Bunești were the principal founders of the church. Its interior frescoes date from 1951 and were painted by Emil Ivănescu-Millan. For visits to religious buildings, current opening hours and service times can be checked in advance.

Landscape

Băiculești lies within the municipality on the banks of the Argeș River. Within the municipality of Băiculești, the Argeș River forms the Zigoneni Reservoir. The reservoir covers 65 hectares, lies between Băiculești and Zigoneni, and is located along the northern boundary of the municipality of Băiculești. The municipality includes numerous hills cut through by a dense network of deep valleys. With the appropriate permits, members of AJVPS Argeș can engage in recreational and sport fishing in Zigoneni Reservoir. The applicable permits for this fishing opportunity should be checked before travelling.

Other places

Other places in the same directory are Oarja, Costești, Argeșelu, Arefu, Oeștii Pământeni, Pietroșani, Linteşti and Valea Hotarului.

Routes

Mănăstirea Tutana is located 7 km from DN 7C between Pitești and Curtea de Argeș and can be reached via DJ 704F from the village of Argeșani. An MTB XC cycling route runs from Băiculești via Tutana, Bascovele, Ursoaia, Cotmeana and Băbana to Pitești. The MTB route runs mostly along unpaved country tracks and lightly trafficked county and municipal roads. The MTB route requires good physical preparation and confident bicycle control on uneven paths; caution is advised on busier sections. Current route conditions and the state of the country tracks should be checked before setting out. The advice on physical preparation and bicycle control is particularly relevant for the uneven sections of the route.

The Pitești–Curtea de Argeș railway line runs through the municipality of Băiculești and is served by Băiculești railway station. Băiculești railway station is a listed building dating from 1880.

For the higher-level travel overview: Argeş.