Norocul s-a nascut aici
HISTORICAL VESTIGES
• Ruins of the Roman Camp Arutela-Bivolari, near Calimanesti, it is situated in an area with some thermal springs used in the fortress baths. It was an important Roman military centre which defended the fortification system of the Olt basin and the Roman road cut in the rocks of the Olt valley. The rich archaeological material found here certifies the construction of the fortress in the time of Emperor Hadrian;
• Ruins of the Roman Camp Rusidava-Dragasani, it was situated on the ancient road connecting Romula to Apullum;
• Vestiges of the Roman Camp-Radacinesti (138 A.D.);
• Ruins of the Roman baths-Stolniceni (5 km from Rm. Valcea).
RELIGIOUS BUILDINGS
• Horezu Monastery-Românii de Jos (6 km from Horezu), the most important complex of Brâncovenesque religious architecture, apex of 17th century, Wallachian art. It was built by Constantin Brâncoveanu between 1690 and 1697. The big church is decorated on the outside with stone sculptures (with floral motifs), and the internal paintings are very valuable as, along the religious scenes, the painters realised portraits of the Brâncoveanus, the Basarabs and the Cantacuzinos. Legend says that, for fear of the Turks, the craftsmen built only during the night when the owls were hooting (hence the name of the monastery, owl = huhurez). The cells, the voivodal residence and the belfry have been built around the main church.;
• Cozia Monastery-(2 km away from Calimanesti and 20 km from Rm. Valcea), one of the most valuable architectural monuments of the 14th century and a starting point for the Byzantine style in Wallachia. The main church was built between 1386-1388 by Mircea the Elder and draws attention with the harmony of proportions, rich ornamentation and exceptionally valuable paintings. It hosts the grave of Mircea the Elder, one of the most glorious voivodes in history of the Romanians, as well as the grave of Teofana, Michael the Brave's mother. The smaller church (on the left side of the road), also called "jewel of the 16th century" (due to the proportions and fine execution) was built by Radu Paisie in 1543. The monastery has an valuable museum of religious art, old prints, manuscripts, jewel;
• Govora Monastery-(3 km from Baile Govora and 20 km from Rm. Valcea), it was mentioned in a document from 1488. The monastery was rebuilt by Vlad the Monk and by Radu the Greater, and in the 17th century, Matei Basarab restored it and brought here a printing press which gave us the 1640 "Pravila de la Govora", the oldest law book printed in Wallachia. Under the rule of Constantin Brancoveanu, the monastery expanded and the present church was built, which preserves a valuable wall painting (1711). The monastery has a small museum with objects of feudal art, old manuscripts and prints, religious objects;
• Bistrita Monastery-(6 km north of Costesti), it was built between 1491-1492 by Craiovesti boyards. The monastery was damaged in 1508 by Evil Mihnea as its founders had risen against this ruler. Later, the same boyards repaired the church. The old complex only preserves the small church, built by Ban Barbu Craiovescu between 1520-1521. The present church is a construction dating from 1856, and has interior paintings by Gh. Tattarescu;
• Arnota Monastery-(15 km from Horezu and 54 km from Rm. Vâlcea), it was built by Matei Basarab between 1633-1636, his grave is inside the monastery. The interior wall paintings were made in 1644 by Stroe the Painter and have great artistical and documentary value. The monastery was a centre of Romanian culture; today it hosts a small museum of religious art;
• "Dintr-un lemn" Monastery-Francesti (10 km from Baile Govora and 27 km from Rm. Valcea), it was founded at the end of the 16th century and beginnings of the 17th century. According to the legend, the church was made of only one oak by Preda Brancoveanu between 1634-1635. The church internal walls were painted between 1714-1716; the paintings exist still today;
• Ostrov Hermitage-Calimanesti, it was built on an isle, in the middle of the Olt river (near Calimanesti) by ruler Neagoe Basarab and his wife, Despina. The construction was finished in 1522, after the death of the ruler. An old legend says that Michael the Brave's mother, Teofana, was sheltered here and protected against the Turks after the death of her son ;
• Cetatuia Church-Rm. Valcea (15th century), draws the visitors' attention because it was here that voivode Radu from Afumati and his son, Vlad, were killed in 1529 by rebel boyars angered by ruler's attempt to change the policy of submission to the Ottoman Empire;
• Turnu Hermitage-(3 km from Calimanesti), it was built in 1676, with interesting cells dug by hermits in the very rock of the mountain;
• Iezer Hermitage-Baile Olanesti, the church was erected in 1559 by voivode Mircea Ciobanu and his wife, Lady Chiajna; the present church was built in the 18th century;
• Bishopric of Râmnic-Rm.Vâlcea, the original 16th century buildings no longer exist. The present main church was built in 1856 and painted by Gh. Tattarescu;
• Wooden Church-Baile Olanesti, it is also called "Horea's Church" and dates from 1746. The church has a tower 21 m in height;
• "Saint Nicolas" Church-Câineni (1733-1769), it conserves the valuable original wall paintings, inside as well as the facade;
• "Vovidenia" Church-Dobrusa, Stefanesti village, (15th century);
• "Sf. Paraschiva" Church-Rm.Vâlcea (1557-1587);
• Cornetu Monastery-Racovita (9 km from Brezoi and 58 km from Rm.Vâlcea), it was built in 1666.