Costeşti: Nature and Cultural Heritage

Costeşti appeals to travelers interested in mountain landscapes, gorges, hiking trails and cultural heritage. Its natural attractions range from geological formations to a national park, while churches and monasteries add their own historical character. If you are looking for a hotel in Costeşti, these themes can help you choose the focus of your trip.

Trovanți, Gorges and Mountain Landscapes

The Muzeul Trovanților is an open-air geological museum at the foot of a sandstone quarry. It features irregularly shaped, spherical or ellipsoidal geological formations known as Trovanți. They range in size from a few centimeters to several meters. The protected area covers 1.10 hectares, was designated by Government Decision No. 1581 of December 8, 2005, and is included in Buila-Vânturarița National Park.

The Cheile Costeştiului extend for about four kilometers along the Costeşti stream and are designated as a nature reserve. Buila-Vânturarița National Park is located within the territory of the commune of Costești and the communes of Bărbătești and Băile Olănești in Vâlcea County. Its mountain landscape includes karst peaks, limestone ridges, caves, gorges and valleys, as well as forests, mountain pastures and hay meadows. The park is also known for its diverse flora and fauna.

Hiking Trails and Trail Navigation

A route from Pietreni via Schitul Pătrunsa to Schitul Pahomie is described as a round trip with a walking time of eight hours. The sections are marked with a red triangle, blue dot and red cross. Check trail conditions before setting out, as they may change.

Other routes in the Buila-Vânturarița area pass through longer sequences of named landscape features. One runs from Mănăstirea Bistrița via Cheile Bistriței, Între Râuri, Valea Cuca and Plaiul Zănoaga to Curmătura Rodeanu. Another begins in the village of Pietreni and runs via Cheile Costeşti, Cantonul Silvic Prislop, Plaiul Netedu, Vârful Netedu, Vârful Lespezi and Muntele Zănoaga to Vârful Govora, then continues to Şaua Zmeuret.

The trail through Cheile Bistriței begins in the village of Bistrița, at the gate of Mănăstirea Bistrița. There is an information board and a trail signpost there. From Biserica 44 de Izvoare, by contrast, an unmarked path leads northwest; after about five minutes of climbing, you reach Cheile Costeștilor. Trail conditions may change.

Cave, Monasteries and Churches

Behind Mănăstirea Bistrița, a path with handrails leads to Peștera Liliecilor. The trail, described as easy to walk, takes about 15 minutes. No special equipment is needed apart from light sources; check access conditions locally. The cave contains the small Ovidenia cave church, dating from the 17th century. It is partly carved into the rock and partly built of masonry.

Arnota Monastery can be reached from Costești. The road passes Mănăstirea Bistrița and climbs toward the Costeşti limestone quarry, reaching an elevation of 840 meters. As road conditions may change, it is advisable to check them before driving. The present-day church of the monastery contains the tomb of Matei Basarab, who died on April 9, 1654.

Pietreni is also home to important examples of religious architecture: the wooden church of Grămești is dated to 1664 and is dedicated to “Adormirea Maicii Domnului.” Biserica 44 de Izvoare has been documented since 1701. The “Gheorghe D. Anghel” Art Museum in the Constantin Popian Cultural Center offers a different cultural focus. Its collection is centered on six masterpieces by Gh. D. Anghel.

Discover more destinations: Pietrișu, Horezu, Câinenii Mici, Măldăresti, Lazaret, Ocnele Mari, Blidari, Brezoi.

For the broader travel overview: Vâlcea.