Polovragi – Monastery, Gorge and Dacian Traces

The Cheile Oltețului is part of a nature reserve of national importance.

Further places to discover: Țicleni, Muşeteşti, Arcani, Aninişu din Deal, Aninoasa, Baia De Fier, Dobriţa and Novaci.

Nature and landscape

The Cheile Oltețului separate the Parâng Massif from the Căpățânii Mountains. A forest road runs through the entire Cheile Oltețului. Some sections were cut into the rock and run beneath a rock overhang. The gorge is therefore not only a landscape feature, but also one whose route is directly inscribed into the rock.

The Peștera Polovragi is located in the Căpățânii Mountains on the banks of the Olteț, at an altitude of 670 metres and 20 metres above the riverbed, in the area of the municipality of Polovragi. The Peștera Polovragi and its surroundings are associated with the Dacian culture.

A mountain path leads to a plateau above the Peștera Polovragi. The remains of a Dacian fortress are located on this plateau.

Monastery and churches

The Mănăstirea Polovragi Monastery was built in 1648 by the boyar Danciu Pârâianu on the site of an older monastery from the 16th century. The complex thus combines a foundation from the 17th century with its predecessor building from the 16th century.

The Church of the Dormition of the Mother of God at Mănăstirea Polovragi Monastery is a historic and architectural monument. Its open porch was built between 1690 and 1693 on the initiative and at the expense of Constantin Brâncoveanu.

The church contains an original depiction of Mount Athos, which is considered unique in old Romanian painting.

The Church of the Bolnița “Sfântul Nicolae” was built between 1731 and 1732 and painted in 1738 by Gheorghe and Ioan. It is part of the Mănăstirea Polovragi monastery complex and was dedicated to caring for the sick and needy.

The “Sfântul Nicolae” wooden church is located in the central-eastern part of Polovragi on Drumul lui Decebal. The “Sf. Nicolae” wooden church in Polovragi, Gorj County, is a historic monument dating from 1806.

The Crucea lui Ursache was erected in 1808 in memory of Ursache Căpitan de Plai.

Tradition and local crafts

The Nedeia de la Polovragi dates back to the 17th century and commemorates a market held in the mountains. At the Nedeia, potters, sculptors, merchants and farmers come together to sell products they have made themselves.

The Nedeia de la Polovragi takes place every year on 20 July.

Further discoveries

Polovragi has an open-air exhibition featuring Dacian wooden sculptures.

For a stay in Polovragi, searching for a holiday apartment in the town may be the next step; the desired length of stay can be aligned with your personal travel plans and set independently of individual offers for your own trip.

The mountain path leads to a plateau above the Peștera Polovragi; the remains of a Dacian fortress are located on this plateau.

To the higher-level travel overview: Gorj.