Discover Voşlăbeni: Nature, History and Trails

Voşlăbeni combines a national protected area with Orthodox architectural history, local traditions and paths through the surrounding area.

Protected landscape and rare plants in Voşlăbeni

The Mlaştina “După Luncă” nature reserve is a national protected area. It overlaps with the site of community importance of the same name and with the “Depresiunea şi Munţii Giurgeului” bird sanctuary within Romania’s Natura 2000 network. These three references represent different protection categories for the same Mlaştina. Numerous rare and endangered plants occur in the Mlaştina “După Luncă”. They include round-leaved sundew (Drosera rotundifolia) and common butterwort (Pinguicula vulgaris). Siberian ligularia (Ligularia sibirica) is considered a relict species. For those interested in nature, these rare and endangered plants are a specific focal point.

Churches, bell tower and local architectural history

The history of Voşlăbeni includes the Orthodox Church of the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel. It was built in 1864 to replace an older wooden church. This earlier wooden church was consecrated in 1714 by Bishop Sava III of Roman. The later church and the former wooden structure therefore belong to a continuous local history.

There are 150 years between the consecration of the wooden church and the construction of the church. Another historical feature is the bell tower of Boteni, built in 1901. Chronologically, the bell tower therefore followed the two aforementioned church buildings. The bell tower was thus built 37 years after the church. Together with the church, it adds another structure to the historical perspective.

Via Mariae and hiking trail in the surrounding area

The Via Mariae includes a 26.6 km, 9-hour stage. It leads from Suseni via Voşlăbeni to Cârţa. Voşlăbeni lies between Suseni and Cârţa, the two endpoints of the stage. Anyone planning the entire section should allow for a long day of hiking. In addition, a hiking trail in the surrounding area connects Izvoru Mureşului, Muntele Negru and Peştera Şugău.

Monastery location between the Mureş and Olt at Hăşmaşul Mare

The Adormirea Maicii Domnului Monastery is located in the vicinity of Voşlăbeni on the DN 12 between Miercurea Ciuc and Gheorgheni. At the same time, it lies at the foot of Hăşmaşul Mare, between the Mureş and Olt rivers, at an altitude of 950 m. For personal day planning, visitors can take into account both the monastery’s connection to the road and its location at the foot of the mountain, as well as its elevation of 950 m.

Local specialities: recipes, customs and crafts

In the municipality of Voşlăbeni and its affiliated villages, traditional local recipes, local customs, crafts and traditional activities form part of the area’s local character.

In the vicinity of Voşlăbeni, there is a tourist information office in Izvoru Mureşului. For further orientation within the surrounding region, Băile Homorod, Lazarea, Tulgheş, Niklasmarkt, Mugeni, Făgeţel, Borzont and Praid are also available to discover.

For the overarching travel overview: Harghita.