Holy Archangels Wooden Church in Seliștea
About Holy Archangels Wooden Church in Seliștea
Seliștea is a village in Isverna commune, in the north of the Mehedinți Plateau, and its wooden church stands in the village cemetery on a ridge with views over wooded hills and, in the distance, the limestone crest of the Mehedinți Mountains. An older church once stood on the site, built in 1794 and dedicated to the Holy Angels. The present building was rebuilt in 1820–1822 with the support of Father Ștefan, son of the priest Constantin Poernianul of Isverna, and in 1835 it was plastered with mortar and painted inside.
The construction is simple: a low nave with log walls covered in plaster, a porch on wooden posts, a square belfry turret above the narthex and a shingle roof. The sanctuary is small, and the royal doors, showing the Annunciation, are among the oldest painted pieces to survive. The 1835 painting is attributed to the painter Simion. The church is a historic monument (LMI code MH-II-m-B-10401).
What you can see
From the cemetery the church can be seen from every side: the rounded apse of the sanctuary, the old plaster, cracked in places, and the small turret above the porch. The view over the surrounding valleys makes this a quiet stop on a drive through Isverna, where Isverna Cave and Vârful lui Stan are also found.
Good to know
The dedication is given differently in the sources: the parish, Wikipedia and the information board in the churchyard say Saint Nicholas, while the restoration project and România Atractivă use “Holy Archangels”. The church is listed as temporarily closed for restoration works; in April 2023 the Diocese of Severin and Strehaia announced a tender for site supervision services for its restoration. No information was found on when the works end.
Information verified on 14 October 2026.
- The square belfry turret and shingle roof above the plastered walls.
- The rounded apse of the sanctuary, seen from the cemetery.
- The view over the wooded hills of the Mehedinți Plateau.
- The royal doors with the Annunciation, among the oldest painted pieces in the church.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: Seliștea is in Isverna commune, in the north of Mehedinți County, and the church stands in the village cemetery. The road starts in Isverna, a few kilometres as the crow flies to the east; the last stretch is on sloping local roads.
Public transport: no regular connection to Seliștea is confirmed; a car is the safer option.
- Rules
This is a parish church in an active cemetery: dress modestly and keep quiet. Before photographing inside, ask the person who opens it for permission.
Frequently asked questions about Holy Archangels Wooden Church in Seliștea
- How long does a visit to Holy Archangels Wooden Church in Seliștea take?
- A visit to Holy Archangels Wooden Church in Seliștea takes about 20 min (exterior and cemetery only).
- Can you visit Holy Archangels Wooden Church in Seliștea with kids?
- Yes, Holy Archangels Wooden Church in Seliștea is suitable for children (sloping, grassy cemetery).
- Where can I park at Holy Archangels Wooden Church in Seliștea?
- There is free parking at Holy Archangels Wooden Church in Seliștea (by the roadside).
- How do I get to Holy Archangels Wooden Church in Seliștea?
- Holy Archangels Wooden Church in Seliștea is located at în cimitirul satului Seliștea, pe DJ671E, Seliștea, Mehedinți County. By car: Seliștea is in Isverna commune, in the north of Mehedinți County, and the church stands in the village cemetery. The road starts in Isverna, a few kilometres as the crow flies to the east; the last stretch is on sloping local roads. Public transport: no regular connection to Seliștea is confirmed; a car is the safer option.
- When is the best time to visit Holy Archangels Wooden Church in Seliștea?
- The best season for Holy Archangels Wooden Church in Seliștea: May – October (summer, for the road and the view).
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