Cotmeana: Monasteries, Churches and Pilgrimage Route

Cotmeana can be understood through several historical landmarks: Mănăstirea Cotmeana monastery, churches in the commune, and the ecumenical pilgrimage route in Argeș County. The buildings date from the late 14th to the 19th century. For orientation, the monastery church “Buna Vestire” and the other churches in the commune can be distinguished by location and date of construction.

Mănăstirea Cotmeana and its church

Mănăstirea Cotmeana monastery was first founded by Radu I before 1385 and rebuilt by Mircea cel Bătrân between 1387 and 1389. Its “Buna Vestire” church dates from 1389, was restored and enlarged in the 17th century, and has a trefoil plan. The monastery preserves the oldest church in a surviving monastic complex in Romania. This sequence distinguishes the early foundation and rebuilding from the later work on the church; the plan adds a specific architectural feature to the chronology.

Churches in the commune

In the commune, Mănăstirea Bascovele monastery provides a later historical landmark: it dates from 1695 and was founded by Șerban Cantacuzino. The monastery church was destroyed in an earthquake in 1835 and rebuilt in 1843. The foundation date and rebuilding refer to different stages; 1695 relates to the founding of the monastery, while the two later dates concern the history of the church.

In Ursoaia stands the “Intrarea în Biserică” church, the former church of Schitul Bascovele; it dates from 1695. The “Adormirea Maicii Domnului” church, meanwhile, dates from 1795 and is located in the former settlement of Grajduri, now Bascovele. Both churches have their own locations and dates within the commune and should be distinguished from the history of the Mănăstirea Bascovele monastic complex.

Pilgrimage route, protected area and commune day

The ecumenical route is a pilgrimage route where visitors can discover the history and architecture of old churches and monasteries in Argeș County. After continuing along the DN 7, it leads to Mănăstirea Cotmeana; the route places the monastery 32 km from Pitești. Mănăstirea Cotmeana is also located in the commune of the same name, on the road between Pitești and Râmnicu Vâlcea. The route therefore provides a pilgrimage connection, while the monastery’s location on the road offers a separate point of reference.

The protected-area designation is also relevant to the commune: Cotmeana is part of the Natura 2000 site Platforma Cotmeana (ROSCI0354). This adds another aspect of the commune to the perspective on its historic churches and monasteries. Commune Day takes place on 25 March and includes an annual fair. If you are planning your trip around this date, check the latest event information.

Discover more destinations: Leordeni, Piteşti, Rucar, Corbeni, Coteneşti, Bălilești, Rogojina, Curtea De Argeş.

For the broader travel overview: Argeş.