Cozia Monastery

"Located 3 km from the spa resort Calimanesti Caciulata, on the right bank of the Olt and approx. 20 km north of Ramnicu Valcea, the monastic complex from Cozia, dedicated to the "Holy Trinity", was initially known as the "Nucet Monastery", only later receiving the name "Cozia", after the nearby mountain. The large church dedicated to the "Holy Trinity", harmoniously proportioned, with rich ornamentation, was built by craftsmen from Moravia, according to the model of the Serbian church in Crusevat, of hard white stone, between 1387-1391, the founder being ruler Mircea the Elder. Conceived according to the trilobate plan, it surprises with the precision and perfection of the artistic achievement. It was consecrated on May 18, 1388. The upper part of the window frames, the rosettes above them and the painting in the vestibule date from the time of Mircea the Elder. The painting was renovated in 1517, during the time of Neagoe Basarab, when the fountain that bears his name was also built, as can be seen in a fragment of an inscription; between the years 1706-1707 the porch was added, the painting in the premises was redone and the sheds, the cells were added and the water basin was rebuilt (the baptistery in front of the church). All this was done by the glassmaker Serban Cantacuzino. The original painting is kept in the nave, where on the west wall Mircea and his son Mihail are painted in knights' costumes, and on the left is the portrait of Serban Cantacuzino."

"Great place for photos at this history monastery sitting on the Olt River."