Historical Centre, 18th-19th centuries Code BV-II-a-B-11850

The historical center of Zărnești is the cultural and architectural heart of the town, being a place where the past harmoniously blends with the present, the area going through an extensive process of modification in 2016 when the ample pedestrian space was created.

The area preserves heritage buildings from the 19th century, reflecting diverse architectural styles and offering visitors a pleasant Transylvanian burg atmosphere.

The Municipal House (1875), currently the House of Culture, which offers space for spectators, is a building with rich exterior decorations in neo-baroque style and currently hosts numerous cultural activities.

The Courthouse (1886), an example of public architecture, is a building that will be restored and will host a local museum.

The Confessional School (1875), today a body of the Mitropolit I. Mețianu Theoretical High School, built with the contribution of the local community, is the central image of the historic center. On its facade, like a pediment, is the inscription: „Illuminate yourself and you will be!”.

The Church of St. Nicholas (1515), the oldest building in the city, is an important point of cultural, religious, and historical interest.

These buildings are emblems of local history and culture, being essential for understanding the evolution of the city over time.

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„Sfântul Nicolae” Church, 16th – 19th centuries Code: BV-II-a-A-11851

The founder of the church is Neagoe Basarab, ruler of Wallachia, who made this donation in 1515. The original church was quite small; it was gradually expanded, and towards the end of the 17th century it was completed, the new building being attached to the old Chapel in the narthex area.

Over time, the church was endowed with estates from Orthodox believers (1580), but it also received donations from the Brașov authorities (1574, 1577). The year 1810 marks the repair and completion of the current appearance of the monument, Archpriest Bratu Baiul (1760 – 1831) being the initiator of this significant reconstruction.

During this period, the large square bell tower was built, attached to the back of the narthex, but the iconostasis was also made.

A commemorative plaque marking this event was mounted on the main pediment. The church has a triconch plan, being built of stone and brick. The main artistic works were carried out in 1782 in the Chapel, and in 1810, those in the church, by Gavril Andonescu. Between 1964 and 1965, the painter Iosif Vasu repainted the interior.

The year 2016 marks an extensive interior renovation and restoration of the mural painting.

The Chapel hosts an exhibition (museum) of religious objects, icons, and church books, including an icon of the Mother of God painted in Vienna (1699-1701) and donated to the place of worship by Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu.

Address: Dr. Tiberiu Spârchez Street, no.1

„Nașterea Maicii Domnului” Church, 18th century, Code BV-II-m-A-11852

Founded by Archpriest Bratu Baiul (1760-1831), the church was built in 1791, while the Orthodox cemetery of the locality was developing around it.

The church will be built with the involvement of the inhabitants, the construction materials being donated by the archpriest. The architecture of the church is typical of monuments of this kind in the area, the bell tower being located above the entrance to the building.

The interior fresco is original (sec. 18th), preserving the chromatics of those times, and is very well preserved. The deacon doors have paintings made by the priest Arsenie Boca (1910-1989) during his pastoral activity (1961).

Address: Tei Street, no.5

„Intrarea Maicii Domnului în Biserică” Church

18th century Code BV-II-m-B-11834

In 1779, only 10 years after the founding of the village of Tohanul Nou, the church was also built, this being the foundation of Ioniță Boghici, a great merchant from Brașov.

The architecture of the place of worship is typical of the 18th-century Transylvanian style, the entrance having a porch with arches and columns, and the bell tower is located above the nave, in the western part of the building. The plan of the church is in the shape of a cross with three semi-circular apses, the construction being made of stone and brick.

The church houses numerous religious works, including four imperial icons painted in 1779 by Constantin Popovici, a brass candlestick from 1723, and a gospel printed in 1682. Over time, the monument has undergone restoration work, the most extensive being completed in 2024, the fresco being made by the painter Mihail Bîrhală.

Address: Bisericii Street, no. 7

"Colțul Chiliilor" Hermitage

It is the oldest religious settlement in Zărnești (1414), being made up of a chapel arranged in a cave, which was a place of refuge and prayer for the local population in the medieval period, but also a monastic ensemble, rebuilt in the 9th decade of twentieth century on the site of the one destroyed in 1718 by the Austrian imperial authorities.

A little above the monastic ensemble, climbing into the forest, is the cave where a Holy Altar dedicated to the Holy Pious Parascheva is arranged. The cave, about twenty meters long, is adorned with numerous church icons.

The hermitage at Colțul Chiliilor is recommended to be visited not only in July, on the patron saint of the church, but rather on a day when you can sit quietly and listen to the story of the hermitage.

Access roads: From the city center on the road to Plaiul Foii (approximately 2 km. Sign and parking space) Map

To learn more about the hiking trail to the Schitul Colțul Chiliilor Hermitage, read our blog here.