Wooden Church of the Dormition of the Mother of God in Grămești
About Wooden Church of the Dormition of the Mother of God in Grămești
The wooden church of Grămești stands in the hamlet of Grămești, part of the village of Pietreni in Costești commune, in the hills north of the town of Horezu. It is dedicated to the Dormition of the Mother of God. An inscription in Old Slavonic, carved into the wood above the entrance, dates it to the Byzantine year 7173, that is 1664–1665; since the first reign of Prince Grigore Ghica ended in 1664, construction is usually placed in that year. The founder was Stephen I, Metropolitan of Ungro-Wallachia, and the local press notes that the church was raised on the site of an older church, beside the grave of his mother, who came from Grămești.
The church belongs to the small group of wooden places of worship built by high dignitaries rather than village communities, which shows in the quality of the carpentry and the furnishings. It stands on a high limestone plinth that gives it the air of a boyar's house, and its plan has a porch, a vestibule, a nave and an altar, in successive setbacks. The timber of the walls was never plastered, and a sawtooth band follows the line of the shingle roof. It is a historic monument (LMI code VL-II-m-A-09873).
What you can see
The open porch, with its wooden balustrade and river-stone floor, has a door with a carved frame. On the outer walls, especially the south wall and the wall beside the altar, many Cyrillic inscriptions are scratched into the wood, several of them hard to read. Inside, icons of good artistic quality and the founder's portrait have survived. The church is surrounded by an old cemetery with wooden crosses, and a small wooden bell tower stands nearby.
Good to know
The sources consulted publish no visiting schedule; this is a place of worship and it may be locked. The exterior and the grounds can be seen at any time.
Information verified on 20 October 2026.
- The high limestone plinth, which makes the wooden church look like a boyar's house.
- The Cyrillic inscriptions scratched into the wood of the outer walls.
- The open porch, with its river-stone floor and the door with a carved frame.
- The old cemetery around it, with wooden crosses, at the edge of the fir forest.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: the church stands in the hamlet of Grămești, in Costești commune, about 8 km as the crow flies north-east of Horezu, at the edge of a forest. The last stretch is on a commune road; check the route on a map before setting out.
Public transport: no regular connection to Grămești is confirmed; a car is the safer option.
- Rules
This is a working church: dress modestly and keep quiet during services. Before photographing inside, ask the person who opens it for permission. Do not touch or scratch the inscriptions on the walls.
Frequently asked questions about Wooden Church of the Dormition of the Mother of God in Grămești
- How long does a visit to Wooden Church of the Dormition of the Mother of God in Grămești take?
- A visit to Wooden Church of the Dormition of the Mother of God in Grămești takes about 30 min (estimate, exterior and porch).
- Can you visit Wooden Church of the Dormition of the Mother of God in Grămești with kids?
- Yes, Wooden Church of the Dormition of the Mother of God in Grămești is suitable for children (open grassy grounds).
- How do I get to Wooden Church of the Dormition of the Mother of God in Grămești?
- Wooden Church of the Dormition of the Mother of God in Grămești is located at cătunul Grămești, satul Pietreni, comuna Costești, Pietreni, Vâlcea County. By car: the church stands in the hamlet of Grămești, in Costești commune, about 8 km as the crow flies north-east of Horezu, at the edge of a forest. The last stretch is on a commune road; check the route on a map before setting out. Public transport: no regular connection to Grămești is confirmed; a car is the safer option.
- When is the best time to visit Wooden Church of the Dormition of the Mother of God in Grămești?
- The best season for Wooden Church of the Dormition of the Mother of God in Grămești: May – October (summer, for the road and the grounds).
Reviews
Other attractions nearby
The closest attractions to Wooden Church of the Dormition of the Mother of God in Grămești, sorted by distance.
6 km from Wooden Church of the Dormition of the Mother of God in Grămești
10 km from Wooden Church of the Dormition of the Mother of God in Grămești
10 km from Wooden Church of the Dormition of the Mother of God in Grămești
