Călimănești: Olt Gorge, Monasteries and Spa History

Landscape

At the entrance to the spectacular Olt Gorge lies the spa resort of Călimănești-Căciulata, bordering the Cozia Massif. Within the administrative territory of the town of Călimănești, the Olt forms the most spectacular section of the Turnu Roșu–Câineni gorge. The river thus shapes the landscape setting between the gorge and the mountain massif.

Cozia National Park is a protected area with landscape, geological-geomorphological, floristic, faunal and forestry values. Mountain hiking, scientific tourism, extreme sports, relaxation and leisure activities are possible in the national park. These activities range from exercise-oriented pursuits to quieter forms of spending time in the protected area.

Along the Păușa Stream there are forest roads as well as marked and unmarked tourist paths. They provide access to higher mountain areas, with paved forest connections and tourist paths differing in their nature. Before setting out on hikes, current information about trail conditions should be checked.

Culture and History

The Roman fort of Arutela in Poiana Bivolari near Păușa, within Călimănești, is a Category A monument and dates from AD 137–138. As part of a defensive line, the fort secured traffic through the Olt Valley towards Transylvania. The site links a specific construction site with the valley’s Roman transport history.

Cozia Monastery in the village of Cozia–Căciulata within Călimănești is a Category A monument and dates from 1388–1391. Inside, the monastery preserves Byzantine wall paintings of inestimable value to Romania’s and Europe’s cultural and artistic heritage. Current opening hours should be checked in advance before visiting the monastery.

Ostrov Monastery on Ostrov Island in the Olt dates from 1520–1522 and preserves wall paintings from 1760 inside. The building and its surviving furnishings form part of the historic sites along the Olt.

Spa History and Railway Station

The central spa bathing establishment of Călimănești was built between 1881 and 1886. After being rebuilt in 1911–1912, it became known as the central pavilion building of the spa resort, the so-called Pavilionul Central.

The Călimănești railway station building was completed in 1899 and is considered a notable structure reminiscent of Sinaia railway station. Timetables should be checked before travelling if the station is included in the travel plans.

Other places at the same higher administrative level are: Banesti, Măldăresti, Perişani, Brezoi, Marița, Băile Olăneşti, Baile Govora and Vaideeni.

Turnu Monastery

At the foot of Cozia Mountain and not far from the Olt lies Turnu Monastery, a monks’ monastery. It is located 600 m from the railway station of the same name. Around the Turneanu Ridge in the Cozia Massif, several hermitages and cells carved into the rock have survived to this day. The combination of monastery, mountain foot, railway station and rock cells shapes the historic character of this section.

To the higher-level travel overview: Vâlcea.