Măgura: History, Art and Landscape

The commune of Măgura lies in the Carpathian Bend Subcarpathians, on the right bank of the Buzău River, in its middle section. Its history, art and craft traditions, and the landscape along the river give a visit to the commune a range of thematic highlights. The Church of the Entrance of the Mother of God into the Church („Intrarea în Biserică a Maicii Domnului“) stands in Ciuta; the Măgura Sculpture Camp is nearby but outside the commune.

Church, Monastery and Historic Memorial Sites

The Church of the Entrance of the Mother of God into the Church („Intrarea în Biserică a Maicii Domnului“) stands in the village of Ciuta. It was built in 1762 and is one of Buzău County’s historic architectural monuments. The Schitul Sfântul Nifon also has a long history: it was founded in 1811 and reactivated in 1990.

Another memorial site is the Fântâna lui Mihai Viteazul. It marks the place where the prince and his army spent a night in October 1599. The monument is at a viewpoint with sweeping views over the Buzău Valley.

Sculpture in the Surroundings of Măgura

The Măgura Sculpture Camp lies in clearings near Ciolanu Monastery, within the territory of the commune of Tisău and therefore outside the commune of Măgura. Its 256 groups of statues and individual statues were created by 153 Romanian sculptors, who donated the results of their work to Buzău County.

Valley, Heights and Forests

Near Ciuta, the Buzău River corridor passes through the commune of Măgura in a gorge-like valley, 300 to 500 metres wide. To the south, this stretch is bordered by the steep slope of Dealul Ciolanu. Above Ciuta, Vârful Cetățuia reaches an elevation of 631.7 metres.

Forests cover 62.37 percent of the territory of Măgura commune; deciduous forests predominate in the wooded areas. Natural resources also include two mineral springs. One of the two mineral springs within the commune of Măgura is described as containing sodium, magnesium and calcium, with a mineralisation of 1.449 g/l.

Crafts, Fruit Growing and Getting There

Stoneworking and pottery are local craft traditions associated with Măgura. The cultivation of Ionatan apples also shapes the area’s local profile: Măgura is considered a major growing area for this variety. Crafts and fruit growing thus represent different traditions of the place.

The commune’s settlements lie along National Road DN 10 from Buzău via Nehoiu to Brașov; the road runs parallel to the Buzău River valley. The county road DJ 203G also connects DN 10 to the Măgura Sculpture Camp and the Nișcov Valley. Check local road conditions. The railway infrastructure includes the Buzău–Nehoiu line, a station in the commune’s administrative centre and a halt in Ciuta. Before travelling, check which train services are running on your travel date.

When looking for a hotel, you can match your travel plans to the commune’s highlights: history in Ciuta, landscapes along the Buzău or local craft traditions.

Discover more destinations: Chiojdu, Ciuta, Nehoiu, Cozieni, Berca, Fântânele, Mierea, Cislău.

For the broader travel overview: Buzau.