Sâmbăta de Sus brings together monastic history and church architecture with its connection to the Făgăraș Mountains. The Brâncoveanu Monastery lies in the valley of the Sâmbăta River, at the foot of the mountains and at an altitude of over 600 metres. Its history began in the mid-17th century. When planning a stay, two distinct interests therefore come into play: religious and architectural heritage, and mountain scenery.
Monastery, Museum and Crafts
The Brâncoveanu Monastery is a pilgrimage site for many believers. The monastery houses the Museum of the Mitropolit Antonie Plămădeală Collection, with two exhibition halls. The collection includes old Romanian and foreign books, manuscripts, folk art and incunabula, as well as glass and wooden icons, liturgical vestments and religious objects. This diversity can be read as a connection between the history of books and art and objects used in religious practice.
The monastery’s painting workshop offers another way to explore its artistic tradition. Traditional reverse-glass paintings and new works are made there by hand in the style of earlier masters. The paintings are exhibited in one wing of the monastery museum. Both the collection and the craftwork are therefore part of the cultural character of the place.
The Academia de la Sâmbăta is also designed for study and retreat. The building has about 70 rooms and an amphitheatre. Its intended function includes welcoming, accommodating and providing for people from outside the area. The Academia is also planned as a venue for conferences on religious, cultural, scientific and artistic topics.
Churches and Architectural History
The western church in Sâmbăta de Sus is dedicated to Saint Theodore Tyron, the Great Martyr. It was built in 1784 in the Brâncovenesc style and has massive river-stone walls. The eastern church was built two years later: Abbot Visarion built it in 1786, while Brâncoveanu is its founder. The dates and the different accounts of the builder and founder give each church its own place in history.
The present-day Brâncoveanu Palace was built in the 19th century by Grigore Brâncoveanu; cellars from the older palace were incorporated into the building. At the Brâncoveanu court, the stone entrance gate preserves richly decorated elements of the ensemble built by Constantin Brâncoveanu. Together with the churches, this architectural history illustrates different forms of local heritage, from building style and masonry to surviving architectural details.
The church La chilia Părintelui Arsenie Boca welcomes many pilgrims for prayer and retreat. It adds to the picture of a place whose religious significance is evident not only in its monastic history but also in another pilgrimage destination.
Protected Areas and the Mountains
The protected areas cover different geographical extents. About half of the municipality of Sâmbăta de Sus lies within the ROSCI0122 Munții Făgăraș protected area. This includes approximately half of the built-up area of the village, extending south to the DJ 104A. A further 41 percent of the municipality lies within the ROSPA0098 Piemontul Făgăraș protected area. These figures distinguish the area covering the entire municipality from the one covering part of the village’s built-up area.
The mountain setting becomes tangible at Cabana Valea Sâmbetei: it is located in Valea Sâmbetei, on the edge of the alpine zone, at an altitude of 1,400 metres, and is a starting point for Vârful Moldoveanu. At 2,544 metres, it is Romania’s highest peak. For a hike, the seasonal recommendation for the homologated route 07MN58 is also important: in winter, the route is recommended only as far as Cabana Valea Sâmbetei. Check the seasonal route recommendation before your trip.
Winter Traditions
Local customs and traditions from 6 December to 7 January include Ceata de feciori and Ceata de irozi. This period gives these traditions a clear place in the winter calendar. Visitors choosing Sâmbăta de Sus can therefore include seasonal local customs in their travel plans, alongside the monastery, churches and mountain experiences.
Discover more destinations: Zărneşti, Deutsch-Weißkirch, Moieciu De Jos, Tărlungeni, Șercaia, Cincșor, Recea, Petersberg
Go to the broader travel overview: Brasov.
