Odaia Manolache: Church, Earthwork and Customs

The Valul de pământ de la Odaia Manolache is a Roman defensive earthwork. It is part of an ancient defensive line 90 kilometres long. In 1992, this line was classified as a monument of national and international significance. The route of the Valul lui Traian crosses Odaia Manolache from southwest to northeast. Thus, the village landscape combines a tangible historical trace with a clearly described geographical direction.

Church and Iconostasis

The parish church of Saint George the Great Martyr in Odaia Manolache was built in 1783. A wooden iconostasis is part of the church furnishings. It bears Neo-Byzantine icons and Slavic inscriptions. The church of Odaia Manolache stands on the settlement’s cemetery hill. The year of construction, furnishings and location belong to different levels of the same local history: the church points to the 18th century, while the hill indicates its position within the settlement.

Place Names and Dates

A document dated 8 September 1675 mentions Odaia Manolache under the name Tomuzeni. The northern part of present-day Odaia Manolache is documented on 8 April 1603 as Slobozia Movilei and was also known as Scândureni. On 15 October 1688, part of the landholding of Odaia Manolache bore the name Munteni. This part was also called Cinci Câini. The three dates run from 1603 through 1675 to 1688 and show how several names were associated with the northern part of the settlement and with a part of the landholding.

Music and Crafts

“Glasul Odăieșilor” was coordinated by Ecaterina Hulea, who was born in Odaia Manolache. The group marked 20 years of activity dedicated to preserving and promoting folk songs. “Glasul Odăieşilor” from Odaia Manolache presented songs and stories to audiences. The presentations also included traditional techniques for making folk costumes and traditional Romanian objects. At “Glasul Odăieșilor”, doina songs, laments and cheerful melodies come back to life. These melodies are associated with important gatherings. Thus, the group focuses not only on musical performances, but also on oral tradition and craft forms that were passed on publicly.

Caloian Ritual

The Caloian ritual in Odaia Manolache was traditionally observed three weeks after Easter. A clay doll was made and decorated with red eggshells. During the ritual, it was mourned for two nights. On the third day, it was set afloat on the stream in the village or buried in a wheat field. In 2025, a Caloian was made, mourned and carried to the spring in Odaia Manolache. The sequence combines making and decorating the doll, two days of mourning and the final treatment of the doll; for 2025, the journey to the spring is also recorded.

Connection

Bus route 50 operates between Odaia Manolache and Piața Centrală in Galați. As a named connection, it links the locality with a specific destination in the urban area of Galați.

Other places: Galaţi, Tulucești, Ivești, Slobozia Oancea, Poiana, Șendreni

For the overarching travel overview: Galati.