On the Olt river valley, seaming raised from the waves of the river is the famous monastery from Cozia, which encloses a world of memories, heroical facts, and legendary figures.

Build between 1387-1388 on the place of an old cult building, the monastery had remained, with all its addings and remakings from the next centuries, the most beautiful foundation of Mircea cel Batrân, whose portrait and tomb is here. Near the tomb of the voievode is burried the mother of Mihai Viteazul, Teofana nun, who died five years after the death of his son.

Constantin Brâncoveanu, of whose name are related wonderful architectonic constructions from our country, adorned Cozia, by adding a beautiful stone porch. Also, have built a chapel, a well and a watch tower with a great view over Olt valley. In the watch tower there is now a museum with old printings, icons and emboideries, Popa Sapca's robe (priest from Celeiu who gathered the peasants on the Izlaz plain, where the 1848 Revolution program was red).

During the time, the walls, like those of a fortress, have kept safely the people got here during the wars and attacks. So it was in 1739 when the Turks, in war with the Austrians, have arrived to the gates of the monastery.

Front view with the cells

Votivee portrait of the founder, the great voievode Mircea cel Batrân

South lateral view

In 1818 are errected some room for "the school for the children", and in 1821, the room for the library. Also in this year, the old monastery was a fortified place for the men and pandours of Tudor Vladimirescu. But the Turks, following the hetaeria's armies, devastate Cozia, ruining its paintings.

From the architectonic ensemble from Cozia can be remarked the hospital church, "Bolnita", from the 16th century, which keeps in the interior the originar frescoes, among the portraits being those of Mircea cel Bãtrân and of his son.

Last update: 1999, August 20
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