Holiday apartment in Cotmeana: Discover monasteries, churches and nature

Cotmeana appeals to travellers who want to combine monastic history, church architecture and nature in one trip. The main highlights are Mănăstirea Cotmeana, several historic churches in the municipality, the Platforma Cotmeana Natura 2000 site and the Cotmeana River. You can take these specific themes into account when choosing a holiday apartment in Cotmeana based on your travel interests.

Monastic history in Cotmeana

Mănăstirea Cotmeana was first founded by Radu I before 1385 and rebuilt by Mircea cel Bătrân between 1387 and 1389. Mănăstirea Cotmeana preserves the oldest church belonging to a surviving monastic complex in Romania. Mănăstirea Cotmeana is located in the municipality of the same name on the road between Pitești and Râmnicu Vâlcea.

Churches with different construction histories

The “Buna Vestire” Church in Mănăstirea Cotmeana dates from 1389 and was restored and extended in the 17th century. The “Buna Vestire” Church has a three-apse layout.

Mănăstirea Bascovele is also among the historic sites in the municipality of Cotmeana. The monastery dates from 1695 and was founded by Șerban Cantacuzino. The church of Mănăstirea Bascovele was destroyed by an earthquake in 1835 and rebuilt in 1843. In Ursoaia, the “Intrarea în Biserică” Church is considered to be the former church of Schitul Bascovele; it also dates from 1695. The “Adormirea Maicii Domnului” Church in the former settlement of Grajduri, now Bascovele, dates from 1795. The history extends from the founding before 1385 to the rebuilding of the church of Mănăstirea Bascovele in 1843.

Landscape and river

The municipality of Cotmeana is part of the Platforma Cotmeana Natura 2000 site (ROSCI0354). The Cotmeana River is also one of the most important watercourses in the municipality of Cotmeana.

Pilgrimage route and road location

The ecumenical route to Mănăstirea Cotmeana is a pilgrimage route where you can discover the history and architecture of old churches and monasteries in Argeș County. After continuing along DN 7, the route leads to Mănăstirea Cotmeana, which is 32 km from Pitești. The route therefore focuses on church and monastic history, while its location on the road between Pitești and Râmnicu Vâlcea supports incorporating it into a longer-distance journey. Those planning from Pitești can make the 32 km a separate stage of the pilgrimage route.

When choosing a holiday apartment in Cotmeana, you can weigh these priorities against one another: cultural visits centred around Mănăstirea Cotmeana and Mănăstirea Bascovele, a journey along the ecumenical pilgrimage route, or nature-related themes in the Platforma Cotmeana area and along the Cotmeana River. This allows you to base your accommodation choice on the desired combination of history, architecture and landscape without mixing up the individual travel ideas.

A fixed date in the municipal calendar

Cotmeana Municipality Day takes place on 25 March and includes an annual fair.

Further places to explore: Linteşti, Rogojina, Dâmbovicioara, Leordeni, Nucşoara, Mioveni, Bascov, Costești

To the higher-level travel overview: Argeş.