Veștem: The Hermitage, Churches and Routes

Culture

The foundation stone for the Veștem Hermitage was laid in 2007 on a plot of land donated by several families from Veștem. The “Înălţarea Domnului” Hermitage in Veștem comprises a church, a residential building with cells, a summer altar and other ancillary buildings. The “Înălțarea Domnului” Church of the Veștem Hermitage was consecrated during a church service. Pilgrims from the surrounding villages and from other parts of Romania attended this service. The hermitage thus combines a clearly dated start of construction with a consecration attended by worshippers from a wider area.

An entry from 1683 records the sending of a Gospel to the church in Veștem. The “Cuvincioasa Paraschiva” Church in Veștem was built in 1842 and painted in the same year. Further painting work is recorded for 1852. In addition to the hermitage, the named cultural heritage of the village therefore includes a 19th-century church and a written reference dating from the 17th century.

Geographical Setting

Veștem lies at an elevation of 448 m in the Șelimbăr municipality. The municipality is located in the centre of the Sibiu Depression, along the middle course of the Cibin River. The DN1 passes through Veștem. From there, it heads west towards Avrig, Făgăraș and Brașov. The village location is thus defined by its elevation, its position in the Sibiu Depression and its connection with the middle course of the Cibin.

Nature

Lacul Taberei lies between Veștem and Mohu. The lake is associated with the historic camp of Mihai Viteazu. Fishing Lakes 1 and 2 near Tocile/Veștem are facilities for recreational and sport fishing. The waters near Tocile/Veștem are considered part of areas used for fishing and characterised by great species diversity. The fish fauna consists predominantly of cyprinids. The bodies of water mentioned are therefore each associated with a distinct context: Lacul Taberei is connected with a historic camp, while the lakes near Tocile/Veștem are characterised by their use for fishing and the predominance of cyprinids there.

Other Places

Other places within the same higher-level destination are Städterdorf, Rusciori, Apoldu de Sus, Gunzendorf, Biertan, Miercurea Sibiului, Valea Viilor and Avrig.

Routes

One route runs via Sibiu, Guşteriţa, Dealul lui Tablă, Capul Dealului, Valea Daia, Daia, Caşolţ, Dealul Bradului, La Trei Morminte, Veştem, Mohu, Bungard, DJ106, Guşteriţa and back to Sibiu. The section from “La Trei Morminte” leads through Veștem to Mohu. The route then continues via Bungard and DJ106 before approaching its starting point in Sibiu again via Guşteriţa.

Another route leads to the Veștem pasture. It follows a sandy path downhill and then continues along the river to Mohu. From there, it continues to Bungard. In this route description, the path to the pasture, the sandy downhill section, the course along the river and the continuation via Mohu to Bungard therefore follow one another directly.

The place and terrain names along the routes thus range from Sibiu and Guşteriţa via several named points to Veștem, Mohu and Bungard. For a stay in Veștem, a holiday apartment can therefore be considered as a starting point for further travel planning in the village and in the wider destination.

For the higher-level travel overview: Sibiu.