# Mateiaș Mausoleum

[Romania](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/attractions) › [Muntenia](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/region/muntenia) › [Argeș County](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/county/arges) › [Valea Mare-Pravăț](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/locality/valea-mare-pravat)

> The First World War heroes' mausoleum on Mateiaș Hill, built between 1928 and 1935 beside the DN73 on the site of the autumn 1916 fighting, with an ossuary, a bas-relief and two museum rooms.

**At a glance:** Monuments and historic sites in Valea Mare-Pravăț, Argeș County. Opening hours: daily 09:00 – 19:00. Ticket: 11 lei. The visit takes 45 min. Information verified on 2 November 2026.

## Key facts

- **Opening hours:** daily 09:00 – 19:00 — April–October 09:00–19:00, November–March 09:00–17:00. Last entry half an hour before closing.
- **Ticket:** 11 lei — pensioners, pupils: 5 lei
- **Visit duration:** 45 min — with the museum at the foot
- **With kids:** Yes — solemn place, many steps
- **Parking:** Yes, free — beside the DN73, at the foot of the stairs
- **Best season:** April – October — open all year
- **Address:** DN73, km 83, Valea Mare-Pravăț, Argeș County
- **Coordinates:** 45.2921, 25.1388
- **Phone:** +40 374 975 941
- **Website:** https://muzeulcampulung.ro/mausoleul-mateias/
- **Wikipedia:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mausoleum_of_Mateia%C8%99
- **Wikidata:** https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12735178
- **Categories:** [Monuments and historic sites](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/monuments-and-historic-sites), [Museums and memorial houses](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/museums-and-memorial-houses)

## About Mateiaș Mausoleum

The Mateiaș Heroes' Mausoleum stands on the southern slope of Mateiaș Hill, in the commune of Valea Mare-Pravăț, right above the national road between Câmpulung and Rucăr. In autumn 1916 the 22nd and 12th Infantry Divisions, grouped together as the Nămăești Group, held the line of defence here against the German and Austro-Hungarian troops coming down from Brașov through the Rucăr–Bran Pass, and the hill could not be taken.

The monument was built between 1928 and 1935, on the initiative of the local branch of the "Cultul Eroilor" (Cult of Heroes) society and with money raised partly from local people, to plans by the architects D. Ionescu-Berechet and State Baloșin; the builder was the firm of the Italian De Nicolo. It has two parts: a horizontal one, the ossuary with the soldiers' crypts, and a vertical one, a stone tower with a lookout gallery, next to a domed chapel. Olga Greceanu's interior painting deteriorated because of the damp and was replaced with mosaics in 1980–1984. At the same time the parade terrace, the monumental stairs, the museum rooms and the bas-relief were added. The monument is run by the Câmpulung Municipal Museum and is a listed historic monument (LMI code AG-IV-m-A-14017).

### What you can see

From the road you climb a long stone staircase, between fir trees, up to the terrace with the bas-relief by the Câmpulung sculptor Adrian Radu: a battle scene framed by two texts, one with the message of the soldiers who fought at Mateiaș, the other with the reply of today's generations. Above rise the tower, with the years "1916–1918" set into its wall, and the chapel; inside are the ossuary and the mosaics.

In the two rooms at the foot of the monument, the first exhibition presents Romania's role in the First World War and the fighting in the area in autumn 1916, and the second is a diorama of those days. Period guns are displayed on the esplanade.

### Good to know

This is a military cemetery: speak quietly and dress decently. There are many steps to the top, with no adapted alternative.

## Don't miss

- The stone tower with its lookout gallery and the domed chapel on the hilltop, with the years "1916–1918" set into the wall.
- Adrian Radu's bas-relief on the terrace wall, a battle scene framed by two texts.
- The ossuary with the remains of the soldiers who fell in the fighting in the area.
- The interior mosaics, put up in 1980–1984 in place of Olga Greceanu's painting.
- The diorama in the museum's second room, about the fighting of autumn 1916.

## Good to know before you go

### Getting there

**By car:** the mausoleum is right beside the DN73 (E574), the road between Câmpulung and Brașov through the Rucăr–Bran Pass: ~10 km (~15 min) from Câmpulung and ~14 km from Rucăr. From Pitești it is ~64 km (~1 h 30 min) on the DN73, via Câmpulung; from Brașov ~75 km (~1 h 35 min) on the DN73, via Bran and Rucăr.

### Where to park

The car park is beside the DN73, at the foot of the stairs that climb to the monument.

### Fees & discounts

Adults: 11 lei; pensioners, pupils and students: 5 lei. Free for residents of Câmpulung, people with disabilities, war veterans, Ministry of Defence employees and Câmpulung pupils up to year 5. Guided tour on request, in Romanian or English: 30 lei per person; groups of more than 15 people get a free guided tour. Professional photography: 110 lei per person.

### Rules

This is a place of remembrance: dress decently and keep quiet in the ossuary. Photos and video with a phone or non-professional camera are allowed for personal use, without flash indoors; professional photography needs the museum's approval. No eating or drinking in the exhibition rooms, and children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.

### Facilities

Two museum rooms at the foot of the monument · guided tour on request, in Romanian or English

## Details

- **Collection type:** military history
- **Guided tour:** Yes
- **Historical period:** interwar period
- **Civilisation:** Romanian

## Frequently asked questions about Mateiaș Mausoleum

**How much is a ticket to Mateiaș Mausoleum?**

A ticket to Mateiaș Mausoleum costs 11 lei (pensioners, pupils: 5 lei). More under “Fees & discounts”.

**What are the opening hours of Mateiaș Mausoleum?**

Opening hours at Mateiaș Mausoleum: daily 09:00 – 19:00. More under “Opening hours”.

**How long does a visit to Mateiaș Mausoleum take?**

A visit to Mateiaș Mausoleum takes about 45 min (with the museum at the foot).

**Can you visit Mateiaș Mausoleum with kids?**

Yes, Mateiaș Mausoleum is suitable for children (solemn place, many steps).

**Where can I park at Mateiaș Mausoleum?**

There is free parking at Mateiaș Mausoleum (beside the DN73, at the foot of the stairs). More under “Where to park”.

**How do I get to Mateiaș Mausoleum?**

Mateiaș Mausoleum is located at DN73, km 83, Valea Mare-Pravăț, Argeș County. More under “Getting there”.

**When is the best time to visit Mateiaș Mausoleum?**

The best season for Mateiaș Mausoleum: April – October (open all year).

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Last updated: 2 November 2026
Source: Pe Plaiuri (https://peplaiuri.ro/en) — Guide to tourist attractions in Romania