Peștera Bistrița

Bistrița Cave, in the Căpățânii massif near the village of Costești and the town of Horezu in Vâlcea county, is a cave with a long tradition of visits and a special significance in the history of monasticism in Oltenia. Set within the gorges of the Bistrița river, in a spectacular karst landscape of steep limestone walls, the cave served over the centuries as a refuge and hiding place, where in times of hardship the relics and treasures of the nearby Bistrița Monastery were kept safe. The interior preserves galleries and characteristic formations, and deep within it lies a small chapel, giving it a spiritual dimension.

The surroundings offer hiking trails through gorges, springs and forest, as well as the chance to visit the nearby Bistrița Monastery, an important religious and cultural centre. The cave and its natural setting make this area a destination that blends karst nature with the monastic heritage of Vâlcea.