Discover Vale: History, Sacred Art, and Traditions

Vale is one of the 18 villages of Mărginimea Sibiului, an ethnographic region in Romania. In Vale, within the town of Săliște, the rural ensemble “Centrul istoric al localității” is listed under monument code SB-II-a-B-12578. It dates from the 17th to the 19th century and comprises Bisericii Street, the churchyard, and the Orthodox cemetery. The historic structure of the settlement is therefore documented through both the street space and two designated religious sites.

The period from the 17th to the 19th century is part of the ensemble’s designation, as are its three named components. Bisericii Street, the churchyard, and the Orthodox cemetery are collectively listed as parts of the rural historic ensemble in Vale.

Culture

The ensemble has a specific local connection through Bisericii Street, while the churchyard and Orthodox cemetery belong to the same complex as further components. The church “Sf. Treime” is listed under monument code SB-II-m-B-12579 and is located at Strada Mare 106. Next to the Orthodox church “Sf. Treime” stands the tomb monument of Ioan Băilă, dating from the 19th century.

Thus, at Strada Mare 106, both the exact address of the listed church and its designation as “Sf. Treime” have been handed down. The tomb monument of Ioan Băilă stands next to this place of worship and supplements the named sacred sites with an independent monument from the 19th century.

Sacred Sites

Two dates have been handed down for the Orthodox church “Sfânta Treime”: it was built in 1763 and painted in 1783. A glass icon by Nicolae Oancea is regarded as the work of a rural workshop from Vale in the Mărginimea Sibiului region of Transylvania. The connection to Vale is retained, as is the classification within the regional craft tradition and the attribution to Transylvania.

The construction date of 1763 and the painting of 1783 refer to two distinct stages in the church’s history. The glass icon additionally leads from the church to art: its attributed workshop context is located in Vale, associated with Mărginimea Sibiului, and assigned to Transylvania.

Routes

An old road connection leads via Cristian, Orlat, and Sibiel to Vale and onward to Săliște and Tilișca. The named connection places Vale in a sequence of locations extending from Cristian via Orlat and Sibiel to Săliște and Tilișca, without changing the character of this old road route as a historical reference.

Further places: Tălmaciu, Pojana, Miercurea Sibiului, Heltau, Grossau, Tilischen, Ocna Sibiului, Mediasch

Traditions

“Gusturi și Tradiții din Săliște” takes place annually at changing locations in the nine villages belonging to Săliște; Vale is among the named event locations. The changing choice of location is part of the event format, while the number of participating villages is stated as nine.

The event is therefore not permanently tied to a single location. Vale belongs to the group of named villages in which the annual event may take place; a total of nine villages belonging to Săliște are included.

The preparation of sarmale is also associated with a special recipe passed down from generation to generation. The sarmale were rolled finely, arranged on a seasoned bed of cabbage, and cooked slowly in earthenware pots. Low heat was used for this cooking process.

The recipe describes a clearly structured preparation: first, the sarmale are rolled finely, then arranged on the seasoned bed of cabbage, and afterward cooked slowly in the earthenware pot. The low heat is expressly part of this traditional cooking process.

For the overarching travel overview: Hermannstadt.