Saint Paraskeva Wooden Church Ensemble in Pianu de Sus
About Saint Paraskeva Wooden Church Ensemble in Pianu de Sus
Pianu de Sus is a village in the Pianu valley, in Pianu commune, a few dozen kilometres from Alba Iulia. Its wooden church, dedicated to Saint Paraskeva (Cuvioasa Paraschiva), stands in the upper part of the cemetery, on a small hill. It was built in 1761, as a Cyrillic inscription on the beam between the sanctuary and the nave records, at the expense of the village, by the priests Moisi, Dumitru and Ion. It is said that an even older church of woven twigs plastered with clay stood on the same spot.
In 1810 a stone church was built nearby, but the wooden one stayed in use until 1842. It was then neglected and decayed so badly that during the rescue work of 1918 it was shortened: the western part, about 8 m long, was given up, and its place is marked by firs planted in 1925. What remains is the five-sided polygonal sanctuary and part of the nave, of logs joined with dovetails, under a shingle roof from which a small bell tower with a pyramidal cap rises. A rope-shaped belt carved in the wood runs along the lower logs. The church is a historic monument (LMI code AB-II-m-A-00262) and was repaired and re-roofed in 1971–1972.
What you can see
From the cemetery the church looks like a low volume, its broad shingle roof close to the ground, on a stone plinth. The carved wooden brackets can be made out on the walls, and painted icons on boards under the eaves. In the sanctuary the painting of 1761 survives, with the Holy Trinity, the Virgin and Child between archangels and the Church Fathers, while the interior also holds an iconostasis with 19th-century royal icons and carved candlesticks. Around the church stand carved wooden funerary posts, increasingly rare in cemeteries today.
Good to know
On the România Atractivă platform the site is listed as "temporarily closed", with no reason given; the sources consulted mention no restoration work or announced closure. The church is normally locked, and services are held in it only rarely, in summer, for the blessing of water. For the interior, local guides recommend asking the village priest.
Information verified on 14 October 2026.
- The wooden church of 1761, shortened in 1918, with a shingle roof and a small bell tower.
- The old painting in the sanctuary and the iconostasis inside, when the church can be opened.
- The rope-shaped belt carved on the lower logs.
- The wooden funerary posts around the church.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: Pianu de Sus lies in Pianu commune, about 25 km from Alba Iulia, according to local tourist guides. The church is in the upper part of the village cemetery; the last stretch is on foot, up a path through the cemetery.
Public transport: no regular connection to the village is confirmed; a car is the safer option.
- Rules
This is a place of worship and a working cemetery: dress modestly and keep quiet. The interior can be visited only with the permission of the person who opens it, and photography inside should be asked about first.
Frequently asked questions about Saint Paraskeva Wooden Church Ensemble in Pianu de Sus
- How long does a visit to Saint Paraskeva Wooden Church Ensemble in Pianu de Sus take?
- A visit to Saint Paraskeva Wooden Church Ensemble in Pianu de Sus takes about 30 min (exterior and cemetery).
- Can you visit Saint Paraskeva Wooden Church Ensemble in Pianu de Sus with kids?
- Yes, Saint Paraskeva Wooden Church Ensemble in Pianu de Sus is suitable for children (short climb through the cemetery).
- How do I get to Saint Paraskeva Wooden Church Ensemble in Pianu de Sus?
- Saint Paraskeva Wooden Church Ensemble in Pianu de Sus is located at Strada Principală, în partea de sus a cimitirului satului, Pianu de Sus, Alba County. By car: Pianu de Sus lies in Pianu commune, about 25 km from Alba Iulia, according to local tourist guides. The church is in the upper part of the village cemetery; the last stretch is on foot, up a path through the cemetery. Public transport: no regular connection to the village is confirmed; a car is the safer option.
- When is the best time to visit Saint Paraskeva Wooden Church Ensemble in Pianu de Sus?
- The best season for Saint Paraskeva Wooden Church Ensemble in Pianu de Sus: May – October (summer, when services are still held).
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