Gura Văii: Saint George Church and Olt Landscape

Culture

Gura Văii is home to the Biserica Sfântul Gheorghe, a church listed as a historic monument under LMI code VL-II-a-B-09780. The building dates from 1758. It was also founded in 1758 by Pârcălab Gheorghe of Bogdănești. The interior paintings date from 1759 and are attributed to the painters Grigore, Pană, Gheorghe and Radu.

The years 1758 and 1759 mark the immediate succession of the foundation and the decoration. As a result, the building history and the interior emerge as closely connected parts of the same monument. A portrait ensemble is located on the south façade of the village church. A memorial cross for the war heroes stands in front of the church. The group of paintings at Gura Văii is regarded as one of the masterpieces of Romanian painting.

The church thus combines several clearly identified elements: the listed historic monument, its foundation by Gheorghe of Bogdănești, the interior paintings attributed to the four painters, the portrait ensemble on the south façade and the memorial cross in front of the building.

Landscape

The Biserica Sfântul Gheorghe lies to the right of the Muiereasca stream. At Gura Văii, the Valea Muereasca watercourse flows into the Olt from the right. The area around the church has been designated as a landscape area of value. The Olt riverbank has the potential to become a landscape area of value.

The church site, stream, watercourse and riverbank are named as separate landscape references. About 3 kilometres upstream from Gura Văii, a broad, picturesque view opens up to the west. The river location remains specific at the church site as well: the Biserica Sfântul Gheorghe lies about 13 kilometres downstream from Frăsinei Monastery.

Connections

The DJ 658 branches off from the DN 7 in Bujoreni and runs through the municipality of Muereasca to Frăsinei Monastery. Its length is approximately 13.170 kilometres. From Gura Văii, the DJ 658 is considered the only access road to Frăsinei Monastery.

The DJ 658 serves some of the residents of Gura Văii; the entire route is supposed to be paved and in good condition. Thus, the junction, route, approximate length and the described connection between Gura Văii and the monastery are all covered by the same road link.

The DC 18 branches off from the DN 7 in Gura Văii. It connects Bujoreni with Dăești via the crossing of the Olt at the Dăești dam. In addition to the DJ 658, this identifies a connection leading from Gura Văii across the Olt and the dam towards Dăești.

Surroundings

In the wider regional surroundings of Gura Văii, Frăsinei Monastery continues to preserve the monastic establishments and the vow of Saint Hierarch Calinic. The connection to the monastery is specifically located both through the church’s position along the river and through the route of the DJ 658 through the municipality of Muereasca.

Other places

Other places: Ocnele Mari, Banesti, Ciungetu, Călimănești, Obârşia Lotrului, Malaia, Vaideeni, Marița.

For the broader travel overview: Vâlcea.