What You Can Do in Sâmbăta de Sus
Vacations and Places to Visit Travel destination

What You Can Do in Sâmbăta de Sus

When it comes to tourism in Romania, many of us think about major cities or mountain and seaside resorts. However, there are also other places worth our attention—places that preserve the memory of our ancestors and delight us with spectacular landscapes.

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In Weekend
Updated 19.03.2023

19.03.2023

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One such place is Sâmbăta de Sus, a locality located just 30 km from the city of Făgăraș. It is an ideal tourist destination for those who want to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature.

The main tourist attraction is the Brâncoveanu Monastery.
Brâncoveanu Monastery, also known as Sâmbăta de Sus Monastery, is a monastic settlement of monks located in the valley of the Sâmbăta River, at the foot of the Făgăraș Mountains, in Brașov County. Initially, it had a wooden church with a double dedication (Dormition of the Mother of God and the Healing Spring), built in 1657 at the initiative of the nobleman Preda Brâncoveanu. Between 1696 and 1707, the founder built a stone church dedicated to the Dormition of the Mother of God, which was consecrated in 1708. In 1714, the church was painted by the painter Radu Munteanu from Sibiu.

In 1722, a wooden bell tower was built, and in 1740, a princely stone house, which was restored in 1860. In 1864, a new masonry bell tower was constructed, and in 1895, a new princely house was built, later restored in 1930. In 1948, the monastery was closed by the communist authorities, and in 1990 it was reopened. Today, the monastery is a place of reflection, comfort, and spiritual strengthening for believers and visitors who come to pray or spend time in this sacred place.

Father Arsenie Boca lived in Sâmbăta de Sus and began his hermitage while staying at the Sâmbăta Monastery. Nearby, there is also the Spring of Father Arsenie Boca, a place for reflection and prayer where visitors can find holy water.

The hermitage of Father Arsenie Boca is located on the western slope of the Valea Sâmbetei cirque, near the “Valea Sâmbetei” cabin, at an altitude of approximately 1,600 meters. It was designed as a place of retreat and has recently become a pilgrimage site for thousands of believers who visit Sâmbăta each year.

In addition to visiting the monastery, visitors can also explore the well-known stud farm in Sâmbăta de Jos. Another popular attraction is Brâncoveanu Castle, a historical monument located in Sâmbăta de Sus.

I hope this has sparked your curiosity and convinced you to visit Sâmbăta de Sus, a place full of history, culture, and faith. You will not regret your choice—you will leave filled with positive energy and beautiful memories.