Ungheni: Churches, Monastery and Culture

Ungheni can be understood through its location on two rivers and its layered history of churches and culture. The Mureș floodplain and the mouth of the Niraj provide geographical orientation; historical buildings can be found in Ungheni, Cerghizel, Cerghid and Morești. Also of note are Recea Monastery and a county festival held annually in May. These topics offer different starting points for planning your trip: the landscape, architecture, historical dates and traditional culture each offer a distinct perspective on the place.

Landscape and archaeological orientation

Ungheni lies in the centre of the Transylvanian Plateau, on the Mureș floodplain at the mouth of the Niraj. Another geographical reference point is the Ungheni–Rotunda archaeological site: it is located northeast of Ungheni on an extensive plateau beyond the former Târgu Mureş–Sovata narrow-gauge railway. This brings together different landscapes when locating the area: the river floodplain by the town and the plateau where the archaeological site is found. The former railway line is also one of the landmarks mentioned. Alongside the churches, those interested in history will find an archaeological connection that places the surroundings of Ungheni in a different context.

Churches and architectural history

The Sfânta Treime Church in Ungheni is 25 metres long and 8 metres wide; its height to the tip of the cross is 20 metres. The present building was constructed in 1858. When considering the measurements, it is worth bearing in mind the reference point for the height: it reaches to the tip of the cross, while the length and width describe the dimensions of the building. The three figures can therefore be read not simply as a list of numbers, but as different measurements of a specific church building.

Churches in other parts of the town are also among the named historical buildings. The wooden “Sf. Arhanghel” Church in Cerghizel dates from 1726. The church in Cerghid is first documented in 1733. A new church with a brick foundation and tiled roof was built in Morești in 1883. These dates do not all refer to the same thing: 1733 marks the first written mention, while 1858 and 1883 refer to construction dates. Comparing the chronology makes it possible to distinguish between an early mention and a specific building project.

Monastic architecture in Recea

Mănăstirea Recea Monastery was founded in 1992 and is dedicated to “Sfinţii Ierarhi Martiri Ilie Iorest şi Sava.” The monastic complex features rustic Romanian architecture with Byzantine and Brâncovenesc influences. At the same time, it draws on the architectural principles of the monasteries in the foothills of the Muntenian Carpathians and in central and northern Moldavia. These provide different points of reference for an architectural comparison: the influences listed characterize the style, while the named monastic regions indicate the architectural principles that inform the complex. Together with the year of its foundation, this gives more than a date; the design references also contribute to the monastery’s character.

Traditional culture and when to visit

The “Mlădiţele” county festival is held annually in May by the Mureș County Centre for the Preservation and Promotion of Traditional Culture in cooperation with Ungheni City Hall. If you would like to plan your trip around the festival, check the date of the current edition in advance. The Ungheni Cultural Centre is also home to the “Hora” folklore ensemble and a children’s group. The festival and cultural centre represent different aspects of cultural life: the festival is an event held annually in May, while the two groups are affiliated with the cultural centre. When planning, you can therefore choose between attending a specific event and exploring traditional culture in the town.

Discover more destinations: Absdorf, Eremitu, Trei Sate, Feleag, Gheorghe Doja, Burgfeld, Weissenkirch, Gorneşti

For the wider travel overview: Mures.