Mănăstirea Negru Vodă

Negru Vodă Monastery in Câmpulung Muscel is one of the oldest foundations in Wallachia, tied to the name of the legendary voivode Negru Vodă and to the very beginnings of the medieval Wallachian state. The present ensemble, with its massive stone church rebuilt after earthquakes in the 17th and 18th centuries, preserves old tombstones and inscriptions that testify to the antiquity of the site. Tradition holds that the tomb of Nicolae Alexandru Basarab lies here, which makes the monastery a key reference point for the history of the Basarab dynasty.

Visitors find a quiet monastic complex with enclosure walls, cells and a bell tower, set within Câmpulung itself, the first capital of Wallachia. The atmosphere is one of reflection, while the wealth of historical detail makes it rewarding for those drawn to Romania's medieval past. It is easily reached on foot from the town centre and makes a valuable cultural and spiritual stop on the way toward the Argeș mountains.