Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Romania Romanii de Jos Horezu Monastery

Horezu Monastery

Religious structure known for its sculpted details.

Romanii de Jos, Romania

Added By
Liliana Suruceanu
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Horezu Monastery, Valcea County, Romania. (Liliana Suruceanu/Atlas Obscura)   Lilina / Atlas Obscura User
Horezu Monastery, Valcea County, Romania. (Liliana Suruceanu/Atlas Obscura)   Lilina / Atlas Obscura User
Horezu Monastery, Valcea County, Romania. (Wikimedia Commons)   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horezu_Monastery
Horezu Monastery, Valcea County, Romania. (Wikimedia Commons)   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horezu_Monastery
Horezu Monastery, Valcea County, Romania. (Wikimedia Commons)   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horezu_Monastery
Horezu Monastery, Valcea County, Romania. (Wikimedia Commons)   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horezu_Monastery
Horezu Monastery, Valcea County, Romania. (Wikimedia Commons)   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horezu_Monastery
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Founded in 1690 by Prince Constantin Brancoveanu in the town of Horezu, Wallachia, the Horezu Monstery is one of the most famous in all of Romania. Considered to be a masterpiece, the structure is known largely for its architectural purity and balance, the sculpted details the portaits and painted decorative works, and more.

The school of icon and mural painting that was established at this monastery in the 18th century was famous throughout the entire Balkan region. Because the Horezu Monstery was such an important center for the diffusion of cultural ideas and knowledge throughout the area, it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

"The catholicon of the monastery was built in 1690-92 and the interior decoration was completed two years later, the work of the Greek artist Constantinos, who founded the celebrated school of Horezu," according to UNESCO's official description of the site. "It is laid out according to the precepts of the Athonite Order around the catholicon, which is enclosed by a wall and surrounded by a series of skites. The overall layout is symmetrical on an east-west axis, the skites forming a cruciform plan. The catholicon is three-aisled with a very large narthex, following the pattern laid down by the church of the Monastery of Arges (1512-17). Inside the narthex, the lower tier of the walls is entirely filled with votive pictures of Constantin Brancovan, his wife, and their 11 children."

The Horezu Monastery is surrounded by other buildings, including kitchens, monastic offices and monks' cells, that were constructed around the same time period. All of these structures have been standing now for more than three centuries. Several religious structures around Romania, such as the Church of the Holy Angels and the Church of Bolnica, were built by individuals associated with the Horezu Monastery

Related Tags

Architectural Oddities Outsider Architecture Architecture

Know Before You Go

Located 50 km west away from Rm. Valcea on national road DN 67.

Atlas Obscura Adventures

Legends of Romania: Castles, Ruins & Culinary Delights

Discover Romania's Medieval Castles & Culture.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

Lilina

Edited By

nbj914

  • nbj914

Published

July 17, 2011

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • Welcome to Romania: Horezu Monstery: http://www.welcome2romania.ro/en/unique-attractions/horezu-monastery.htm
  • UNESCO: World Heritage Convention: Monstery of Horezu: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/597
  • Romanian Monasteries: Horezu Monstery: http://www.romanianmonasteries.org/other-monasteries/horezu
Horezu Monastery
Str. Aleea Episcopiei, nr. 1,
Romanii de Jos
Romania
45.169261, 24.006779
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Trovants of Costesti, Romania

Wallachia, Romania

miles away

One Wood Monastery

Frâncești, Romania

miles away

Curtea de Argeș Monastery

Curtea de Argeș, Romania

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Romania

Romania

Europe

Places 73
Stories 5

Nearby Places

Trovants of Costesti, Romania

Wallachia, Romania

miles away

One Wood Monastery

Frâncești, Romania

miles away

Curtea de Argeș Monastery

Curtea de Argeș, Romania

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Romania

Romania

Europe

Places 73
Stories 5

Related Places

  • The Hermit House.

    Herzliya, Israel

    The Hermit House

    This marvelous work of outsider architecture is built into the cliffs of an Israeli beach.

  • Exterior of Castle, with cemetery .

    Greenback, Tennessee

    Fortress of Faith (Greenback Castle)

    One man has spent decades faithfully constructing this unique brick and cinderblock castle.

  • Los Angeles, California

    Mosaic Tile House

    Rainbow-hued local gem in Venice.

  • La Maison Sculptée.

    Amanlis, France

    La Maison Sculptée

    An enchanting work of outsider art, full of whimsical sculptures and carvings.

  • Front entrance to the Whale House.

    Santa Barbara, California

    Whale House

    This stunning sea creature-shaped home blends into the landscape like a fantasy villa.

  • Castle Otttis

    St. Augustine, Florida

    Castle Otttis

    Two men built this castle on the Florida coast as an artistic “landscape sculpture.”

  • The church with its domed bell tower.

    Blantyre, Malawi

    Saint Michael and All Angels Church

    This amateur-built East African church with mismatched towers is an architectural abnormality.

  • The Kettle House in Galveston, Texas

    Galveston, Texas

    The Kettle House

    This tiny, hurricane-resistant house in Galveston is one of the city's most notable architectural oddities.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.