Cuvioasa Paraschiva Wooden Church in Marița-Funduri
About Cuvioasa Paraschiva Wooden Church in Marița-Funduri
The wooden church of Marița stands in the Funduri hamlet, in Vaideeni commune in northern Vâlcea county, in an area of hills and forests south of the Căpățânii Mountains. It is dedicated to Saint Paraskeva (Cuvioasa Paraschiva); in the village it is also known as the “church of three patron saints”: Saint Paraskeva, Saint Nicholas and the Holy Apostles. A beam on the south wall is carved with Cyrillic letters giving the date “leatul 7065”, that is 1556–1557. Some specialists note, however, that the beam may come from an older building, so the exact age of the church remains debated; what is certain is that it existed before 1745, when a document of the period mentions it.
It is a very small building of oak, with logs joined by dovetails and tenons, on a river-stone foundation. The plan is rectangular, with a narthex, a nave and a polygonal sanctuary, and the wide shingle roof reaches down over the walls. It has no porch, a sign of construction before the 18th century, and it was not plastered in the 19th century, so the bare wood is still visible. It holds only about 20 people. It is a category A historic monument (LMI code VL-II-m-A-09805) and was restored in 2008.
What you can see
The dark wood of the walls, the shingle roof and the miniature proportions make the exterior the main reason to visit. Inside, the walls are unpainted, and the only paintings are those on the wooden iconostasis: designs cut directly into the wood with a gouge and coloured in bright hues, dated by specialists to the early 19th century. The half-barrel vaulting of the nave and the exposed beams complete the picture of a medieval peasant church.
Good to know
No visiting schedule is published in the sources consulted: this is a parish church and may be locked. An article from 2020 describes the road to the monument as unpaved, with boulders and stones; its current state is not confirmed.
Information verified on 20 October 2026.
- The Cyrillic inscription “leatul 7065” (1556–1557) on the beam of the south wall.
- The miniature proportions of the church, which holds only about 20 people.
- The unplastered oak walls and the wide shingle roof.
- The iconostasis with designs scratched into the wood with a gouge and coloured in bright hues.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: the village of Marița belongs to Vaideeni commune and lies about 56 km from Râmnicu Vâlcea, in the area between Horezu and Novaci; the church is in the Funduri hamlet, on Strada Funduri. An article from 2020 describes the last stretch as unpaved, so a car with suitable ground clearance is the more prudent choice.
Public transport: no regular connection to the Funduri hamlet is confirmed; a car is the safest option.
- Rules
This is a parish church: dress modestly and keep quiet during services. Before photographing inside, ask the person who opens it for permission.
Frequently asked questions about Cuvioasa Paraschiva Wooden Church in Marița-Funduri
- How long does a visit to Cuvioasa Paraschiva Wooden Church in Marița-Funduri take?
- A visit to Cuvioasa Paraschiva Wooden Church in Marița-Funduri takes about 20 min (exterior, plus interior).
- Can you visit Cuvioasa Paraschiva Wooden Church in Marița-Funduri with kids?
- Yes, Cuvioasa Paraschiva Wooden Church in Marița-Funduri is suitable for children (open ground, cemetery around).
- Where can I park at Cuvioasa Paraschiva Wooden Church in Marița-Funduri?
- There is free parking at Cuvioasa Paraschiva Wooden Church in Marița-Funduri (by the roadside).
- How do I get to Cuvioasa Paraschiva Wooden Church in Marița-Funduri?
- Cuvioasa Paraschiva Wooden Church in Marița-Funduri is located at Strada Funduri, cătunul Funduri, Marița, Vâlcea County. By car: the village of Marița belongs to Vaideeni commune and lies about 56 km from Râmnicu Vâlcea, in the area between Horezu and Novaci; the church is in the Funduri hamlet, on Strada Funduri. An article from 2020 describes the last stretch as unpaved, so a car with suitable ground clearance is the more prudent choice. Public transport: no regular connection to the Funduri hamlet is confirmed; a car is the safest option.
- When is the best time to visit Cuvioasa Paraschiva Wooden Church in Marița-Funduri?
- The best season for Cuvioasa Paraschiva Wooden Church in Marița-Funduri: May – October (summer, for the access road).
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