Bughea de Jos: Church and Local History in the Hills

Bughea de Jos lies in the north of Argeș County, in the sub-Carpathian zone of the Southern Carpathians. The commune brings together a distinctive hilly landscape, church architecture, and local traditions. Specific landmarks include the Bughea River, Dealul Ciocanu, and several historical sites.

Landscape along the Bughea River

The hills of Bughea de Jos are mostly covered with deciduous and coniferous forests; meadows and orchards also form part of the landscape. Wooded areas and open countryside sit side by side. The commune lies on the left bank of the Bughea River, while Dealul Ciocanu, at 886 metres, defines its elevation. The river and hills thus provide distinct geographical reference points: one marks the location by the water, the other the commune’s terrain.

Wildlife typical of hilly landscapes found in the commune includes hares, foxes, wolves, and bears. This description applies to the commune as a whole and complements the picture of a landscape shaped by forests, meadows, and orchards.

Churches and historical sites

Mănăstirea Ciocanu is located in Bughea de Jos commune. It has been documented since 1547, when it was founded by villagers from Malu. In 1992, the site was converted from a skete into a monastery. The foundation stone of the newer church was laid in 1994; it is dedicated to “Sfinții Apostoli Petru și Pavel,” the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul.

Schitul Ciocanu has its own building history: it dates from the 17th century and was rebuilt in 1825. The complex includes the wooden church “Intrarea în Biserică,” from the same year. Thus, the year 1825 marks both the rebuilding of the skete and the construction of its associated wooden church.

Another historical site is the stone cross dating from 1757 in the Hulubești area, opposite the house of Amzică Ana. The village also has a long history: Bughea de Jos has been documented as a village since 1549. Traditional crafts included leatherworking, woodworking, and the making of “pâslari.” Muzeul Sătesc Bughea de Jos is a local cultural institution.

Local traditions

“Focul lui Sumedru” marks the beginning of the pastoral year. The fire is lit on the night of October 25–26; Bughea de Jos is one of the places where this tradition is observed. If you would like to plan your trip around this custom, check the specific event dates in advance.

Cycling, hiking, and getting around

The cycling community from Câmpulung has laid out bicycle routes on Dealul Ciocanu. Râpa Șoimului is described as an area for hiking. These are two distinct points of reference when choosing an activity: the cycling routes are located on Dealul Ciocanu, while the hiking description refers to Râpa Șoimului. If you are planning a particular route, check current conditions before setting out.

Rail access to Bughea de Jos is via Câmpulung. The county road DJ732C runs near the commune: it leads east towards Câmpulung and southwest towards Godeni and Schitu Golești. If travelling by train or road, it is worth checking current timetables and road conditions.

Discover more destinations: Bradu, Budeasa Mare, Argeșelu, Curtea De Argeş, Valea Hotarului, Arefu, Câmpulung, Dâmbovicioara

For the broader travel overview: Argeş.