Curtea de Argeş is a small city with a population of about 30 thousand people. It is situated on the right bank of the Arges River, south of the Făgăraş Mountains (Romanian: Munţii Făgăraş), circa 20 kilometres from the beginning of the Transfăgărăsan (famous paved road in Romania). In the 14th century Basarab I – the first Wallachian hospodar – made Curtea de Argeş his seat and, at the same time, the first capital of the Principality of Wallachia. At the beginning of the 15th century his great-great-grandson – Michael I of Wallachia (also known as Michael I Basarab) – moved the capital to Târgovişte. In 1611 Curtea de Argeş was devastated by Gabriel Báthory. Despite the fact the city was rebuilt, it remained only a provincial town.

Beautiful monuments such as the St Nicholas Church (Orthodox Church) dating back to the time of the first Wallachian hospodars remind of the previous prosperity period of the city. The first church here was probably built by Basarab I (his statue is located at the square near the church); it was before he ordered to be called a hospodar. In 1325 he rebelled against his sovereign – the king of Hungary. In result, the latter invaded Wallachia in 1330 and plundered the capital – Curtea de Argeş – burning down, on that occasion, the manor buildings, of which the Orthodox church was a part. The king of Hungary – Charles I of Hungary (Charles Robert)– was, however, forced to retreat and he was defeated at the battle of Posada. The Orthodox church was rebuilt (probably by Basarab I or his son); it gained its present shape as a result of a partial reconstruction after the fire in the 18th century. It could hardly be called the main attraction of the city but it witnessed historical events, so it seems to be worthy of visiting.

Also in its interior the church makes a huge impression. On the walls there are paintings and beautiful geometrical ornaments that make me think of mosque adornments. The tall columns seem to have no end; all in all, there are 12 columns supposed to symbolise the twelve apostles. Some of them are additionally ‘twisted’, which makes them even more enchanting.

In the pre-nave there are graves and among them the grave of the church’s founder and the first king of Romania – Carol I of Romania. Beautiful singing of the church’s choir is surrounding in the air. It is so impressive that I get goose bumps. A marvellous place!