Curtea de Argeș Monastery
About Curtea de Argeș Monastery
The church of Curtea de Argeș Monastery, also known as the Episcopal Church, was built by Prince Neagoe Basarab between 1515 and 1517, on the site of the first metropolitan see of Wallachia, and consecrated on 15 August 1517. The painting was only finished in 1526, under Radu de la Afumați, by the painter Dobromir. With its carved stone façades and towers with twisted windows, it was counted as early as the 17th century among the wonders of Wallachia. The ballad of Master Manole is also tied to it: he is said to have walled his wife, Ana, into the church so that it would stop collapsing overnight.
Today's church is largely the result of the 1875–1886 restoration commissioned by King Carol I and led by the French architect André Lecomte du Noüy, who remade the decoration and replaced the old painting. Since 1793 the monastery has been the seat of the bishopric (today the Archdiocese of Argeș and Muscel), and since 1914 it has been the necropolis of the Royal House: in the narthex, alongside Neagoe Basarab and his family, lie King Carol I and Queen Elisabeth, and King Ferdinand and Queen Marie. The new Archiepiscopal and Royal Cathedral, built in 2009–2018 at the entrance to the precinct, holds the tombs of King Michael I, Queen Anne, King Carol II and Queen Helen.
What you can see
In front of the church stands an open canopy on four columns, and the façades are covered with stone rosettes, frames and bands, with stone doves holding little bells in their beaks. Inside are the 12 columns of the narthex and the princely and royal tombs with marble slabs. In the surrounding park are the episcopal palace, built as a royal residence, the new exposed-brick cathedral and, about 200 m away, Manole's Well, the spring from the legend.
Good to know
Since April 2025 Neagoe Basarab's church has been under restoration, with scaffolding and a temporary roof; the contract runs until April 2028. In 2026 the feast-day services were held at the new cathedral, so access to the old church may be limited.
Information verified on 20 October 2026.
- The church's carved stone façades, with rosettes, twisted bands and the doves holding little bells.
- The small towers above the narthex, with slanting windows that seem to spiral.
- The tombs of Kings Carol I and Ferdinand and Queens Elisabeth and Marie, in the narthex of the old church.
- The new Archiepiscopal and Royal Cathedral, with the tombs of King Michael I and Queen Anne.
- Manole's Well, the spring which, according to the legend, gushed out where the master builder fell from the roof.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: from Pitești take the DN7C north, ~37 km (~45 min) to Curtea de Argeș; the monastery is at the northern end of the town, on Bulevardul Basarabilor. From Bucharest it is ~155 km on the A1 to Pitești and then on the DN7C (~2–2½ hours). The DN7C continues north to Poenari Citadel, Lake Vidraru and the Transfăgărășan; from Sibiu, in summer, you can come over the Transfăgărășan. In town it is worth stopping at the Princely Church of St Nicholas too, a separate monument ~1.5 km to the south.
Public transport: buses and minibuses leave Pitești frequently for Curtea de Argeș (~1 hour); a few Regio trains a day run on the Pitești – Curtea de Argeș line (check the timetable). The station is ~2.3 km from the monastery, in the south of the town: a taxi or ~30 min on foot.
- Where to park
Maps show two car parks by the precinct, west of the church, towards Manole's Well; the nearest is marked as free of charge. On feast days (15 August) and summer weekends they fill up quickly.
- Fees & discounts
The Archdiocese does not publish prices for visiting or photography; ask at the entrance to the precinct.
- Rules
Modest dress: shoulders and knees covered, women with their heads covered in church. Keep quiet within the precinct and put phones on silent during services. Do not take photos in the churches without the staff's permission; do not touch the tombs or the carvings. Keep out of the restoration work areas.
- Facilities
large park with level paths · church shop · the archdiocese's pilgrim hotel in town · restaurants and accommodation in Curtea de Argeș · the churches have steps at the entrance
Frequently asked questions about Curtea de Argeș Monastery
- How long does a visit to Curtea de Argeș Monastery take?
- A visit to Curtea de Argeș Monastery takes about 1 – 1½ hours (with the new cathedral and park).
- Can you visit Curtea de Argeș Monastery with kids?
- Yes, Curtea de Argeș Monastery is suitable for children (large park, modest dress).
- Where can I park at Curtea de Argeș Monastery?
- There is free parking at Curtea de Argeș Monastery (by the precinct, to the west). Maps show two car parks by the precinct, west of the church, towards Manole's Well; the nearest is marked as free of charge. On feast days (15 August) and summer weekends they fill up quickly.
- How do I get to Curtea de Argeș Monastery?
- Curtea de Argeș Monastery is located at Strada Meșterul Manole, at the northern end of Bulevardul Basarabilor, Curtea de Argeș, Argeș County. By car: from Pitești take the DN7C north, ~37 km (~45 min) to Curtea de Argeș; the monastery is at the northern end of the town, on Bulevardul Basarabilor. From Bucharest it is ~155 km on the A1 to Pitești and then on the DN7C (~2–2½ hours). The DN7C continues north to Poenari Citadel, Lake Vidraru and the Transfăgărășan; from Sibiu, in summer, you can come over the Transfăgărășan. In town it is worth stopping at the Princely Church of St Nicholas too, a separate monument ~1.5 km to the south. Public transport: buses and minibuses leave Pitești frequently for Curtea de Argeș (~1 hour); a few Regio trains a day run on the Pitești – Curtea de Argeș line (check the timetable). The station is ~2.3 km from the monastery, in the south of the town: a taxi or ~30 min on foot.
- When is the best time to visit Curtea de Argeș Monastery?
- The best season for Curtea de Argeș Monastery: April – October (spring, with the park in bloom).
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