Șpring Commune: Churches, Landscapes and Traditions

Șpring Commune lies on the Secaș Plateau in the southeast of Alba County. In Vingard, two churches offer an opportunity to explore different periods and styles of construction: a late Gothic church without a tower and the wooden church “Cuvioasa Paraschiva.” Floodplains, deciduous forest and local traditions round out the picture—an interesting combination if you would like to discover the commune’s landscape as well as its culture.

Churches and Cultural Heritage

According to the inscription on the west portal, the late Gothic church without a tower was built in 1461. The inscription names Johannes Gereb de Vingard as the church’s patron. Valuable stone carvings can be found on the south portal and west façade. Together with the year of construction and the inscription, these details shape the picture of a church whose history can be read in several places on the building.

The wooden church “Cuvioasa Paraschiva” in Vingard represents a different period of construction: it dates from the 18th century and was extended in 1820. The late Gothic church and the wooden church thus offer two different historical reference points within the same village. The ethnographic exhibition in Șpring also adds everyday objects to the picture of cultural life: it displays traditional rural furniture, including beds, cupboards, tables, chairs and chests of drawers. The church’s architectural history and rural furnishings thus represent different aspects of local heritage.

Floodplains, Deciduous Forest and Getting Around

Floodplains stretch along the watercourse that passes through the commune’s four constituent villages. The commune’s territory also lies within the deciduous forest zone. Tree species found there include oaks, hornbeams, elms, lindens and field maples. The watercourse and floodplains, along with the deciduous forest zone, are distinct features of the landscape to keep in mind as you explore the commune.

For road navigation, the documented route sequence is useful: a county road document from 2021 lists the route of DJ 106I from DN 1 via Cunța, Drașov, Șpring and Vingard to Ghirbom, and onward to DJ 107 at Berghin. Check current road conditions before setting out.

Traditions and Event Dates

Events also offer insights into local traditions. “Sărbătoarea sașilor la Vingard!” was listed in the commune’s calendar as a cultural event for August 2026; that date has now passed. For December 2026, “Colindăm Comuna Şpring!” is listed as a festival of traditional Christmas carols at the Șpring Cultural Center. Check the date and program for the relevant year before planning your trip around the event, and look up the applicable event dates if visiting later.

A report from August 2025 described the Târgul Turtelor in Drașov as a tradition more than 100 years old. The festival was listed for August 29 in both 2025 and 2026. If you plan to visit in a future year, it is advisable to check that year’s commune calendar. A brunch in Vingard in August 2025 offered another specific glimpse of local produce: local producers set up stalls selling honey, wine and homemade juices.

Discover more destinations: Cunța, Stremț Commune, Rosia Montana, Garda De Sus, Abrud, Aiud, Stremt, Galda de Jos

Back to the main travel overview: Alba.