A Visit to Cozia Monastery

Cozia Monastery, erected close to Călimăneşti by Mircea cel Bătrân in 1388 and boasting his tomb, is one of the most valuable monuments of national medieval art and architecture in Romania.

The appearance of the compound was modified under Neagoe Basarab (1517), Şerban Cantacuzino and Constantin Brâncoveanu (1707), who added a veranda, a new fountain, a chapel and a watch tower, adding to its architecture the 'brâncovenesc style'.

Wall facets' decorations with original stone rosettes and frames display early Byzantine influence.

Of great value is the hospital church, 'bolniţa' (1543), with original well-preserved indoor frescoes like the votive portrait of ruler Mircea cel Bătrân and his sons.

Cozia was painted between 1390 and 1931. Some of the original frescoes (1390) are still well preserved.

Cozia features a museum of exhibiting old art: old manuscripts and prints, embroideries and objects of worship.