site.btaOldest Rock Monastery in Romania – Wonder Carved in Stone

The oldest rock monastery in Romania dates back to the 14th century. It is located in the village of Corbi in Arges County, some 50 km from Pitesti and 165 km from Romanian capital Bucharest. The locals call it The Stone Ravens (Corbii de Piatră).

Several dozen steps lead to the monastery church, which some find similar to the group of cave churches in Cappadocia, Turkiye. It is carved into a massive rock wall – 30 meters high and 14.5 meters long. The church has two altars, making it unique in the country. In the past, there were assumptions that the two altars were built to accommodate both Orthodox and Catholic worship, but their Byzantine appearance disproves such theory.

The frescoes inside are original and are considered the oldest in Romania. Experts estimate they are around 700 years old. Although 80% of them have been damaged due to high humidity and urgently require restoration. However, biblical scenes such as the Nativity, the Resurrection of Lazarus, the Annunciation, and the Transfiguration are still clearly distinguishable.

Adjacent to the church, also carved into the rock, is the monastery’s refectory. In the past, it was used by Wallachian Prince Neagoe Basarab (1512–1521) as an open-air court.

If one looks closely at the limestone wall of the hill next to the monastery, where a waterfall is also located, a formation resembling the mummified body of a giant man can be seen. It appears to be positioned face down as if it had fallen, and legend speaks of a giant who perished when the Noah's Flood came. The proportions of the petrified giant, about seven meters long, closely resemble those of Egyptian statues.

Today, many describe the monastery as a true blessing from God. Every year, over 20,000 tourists from Romania and abroad visit it, drawn by its beauty and uniqueness. Local authorities hope that after restoration, the number of visitors will increase significantly, contributing to the development of the region.

(This visit to the monastery was carried out as part of a media trip under the "Attractive Romania" project.)