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| HISTORY AND CULTURE AT CURTEA DE ARGES (28.04.2007) |
| (2007-04-27) |
| Last updated: 2007-04-27 18:02 EET |
A new edition of Radio Romania International's contest “Culture and Adventure in Romania” takes us to the town of Curtea de Arges, once the medieval capital of Wallachia, the Romanian historical province stretching between the Danube and the Carpathians. Archaeological digs in Curtea de Arges point to the existence of a small princely residence and a small church, in 1200. The medieval history of Arges is closely linked to the creation and consolidation of the centralised independent feudal state of Wallachia, and the place where this complex historical process started. Historical records say that today's Arges County was an independent region in 1247 led by Seneslau. Towards the end of the 13th century, he took over the fight against the Tartars who had pushed their way into the Romanian plains, and started to unify the small political groups south of the Carpathians, thus laying the foundations of the feudal state of Wallachia.
Legend has it that the founder of the town of Curtea de Arges is in fact Negru Voda, who is said to have come from Fagaras, in southern Transylvania, in 1290. Others say Negru Voda is actually Litovoi.
While the early beginnings are hard to trace, it is known that the current name of the town, Curtea de Arges, was first used in the 16th century, after Neagoe Basarab built the church on the remains of an older establishment, namely the first Metropolitan Church of Wallachia. 
The Curtea de Arges Monastery church, known as the Episcopalian Church in 1793, when it became the residence of the Arges Bishopric, is still one of the most representative buildings for 16th century architecture.
In another part of the town, close to the Arges river, you will find the ruins of the Princely Court. Here you can find two princely cellars and a princely church, the former St Nicholas church, preserved in their original form.
The most impressive monument in Curtea de Arges is, however, the present Episcopalian Church, known as Curtea de Arges Monastery. It was built by Neagoe Basarb (1512-1517) and is home to the tombs of Romania's kings. His Holiness Calinic, the bishop of Arges, has described this area as a golden triangle, made up of the Negru Voda citadel, the cave monasteries and the churches of Namaiesti and Corbii.
“As in every space built by God on earth, this place also has its own Archimedic points, if I can call them that. This place is like a Bermuda Triangle, one where people don't just disappear. It is a Golden Triangle, formed by the Negru Voda citadel, the former caves that were turned into churches some 2,000 years ago, Namaiesti and Corbii de piatra. Apart from the beautiful landscape, there are some extraordinary buildings, such as St Nicholas Church. Dating back to the 14th century, it is said to have been built on the site of some even older wooden churches from the 8th and 9th centuries. What's important is that St Nicholas Church has been preserved to this day and has been restored to stand proof of an outstanding ecclesiastical culture and history. 2 km farther you can see the St Neagoe Basarab Church, or the Curtea de Arges Monastery, which is undergoing restoration works. The patron saint of the whole area is the martyr saint Filofteia.”
The Curtea de Arges Monastery has a truly special architecture. Its pronaos is linked to the building itself, its interior pillars support a middle tower and two smaller side towers which decorate the western façade of the church. There's also a basin for holy water in front of the entrance. The exterior walls are divided into two areas separated by a stone girdle, and a number of rectangular boards hosting the windows. The upper level of the building has a number of semicircular boards with decorations in the middle and rosette discs, each of different shape. Curtea de Arges is the birth place of Wallachia. It was also the capital, together with Targoviste, for many years. His Holiness Calinic, the bishop of Arges:
“In Curtea de Arges you will find the tombs of princes Basarab 1st the Founder, Tihomir, Basarab 1st, Nicolae Alexandru, Vlaicu Voda, and Neagoe Voda Basarab. The latter was a prince of peace, culture and humility. Some of the greatest scholars are buried here and founders of extraordinary establishments. Carol the 1st and Ferdinand, Romania's kings thanks to whom Romania achieved its independence and became united, and queens Elisabeth and Maria, are also buried here.”
Romania forms part of the wider European Orthodox family, with 80% of Romania's population being Orthodox believers. Sibiu, European Capital of Culture for 2007, together with Luxembourg, will host a large ecumenical celebration this year, which has been held up as an example of inter-faith co-existence by bishop Calinic:
“Sibiu is a perfect place for this celebration, for it has a rich culture and history. The European visitors will be able to see there the very symbol of Transylvania, a model in terms of social and religious co-existence.”
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