Tourist attractions near Albota Complex

The Albota complex is in the middle of one of the most beautiful geographical areas in Romania, and there are a multitude of tourist attractions nearby that you can visit. They offer some unforgettable views and a journey through the history of our wonderful country, so it would be a shame to miss the opportunity to see all these wonderful places.

We guide you to give these sights your time, and in order to make your experience as pleasant and relaxing as possible, we have decided to give you a short presentation of each tourist attraction near the complex.

We will present you a list of these sights:

  • Cistercian Abbey Charter
  • Brancoveanu Monastery Sambata de Sus
  • Arpasel Nature Reserve
  • Sibiu – Hermannstadt
  • Mountain Trails
  • Cartisoara Manor House
  • Balea Lake and Waterfall
  • Transfagarasan

Cistercian Abbey
Cârța

Carta Cistercian Abbey is a tourist attraction with a significant historical charge, located about 16 km from Albota Complex and being the only Cistercian monastery in Romania. Built in the 13th century by Cistercian monks, this Cistercian abbey impresses with its harmony of Romanesque and early Gothic styles. Notable features include:


  • Ruins of Abbey
    – which are in a huge courtyard and where the walls of the former dormitories and the former library are located and where you can admire the Gothic style windows, together with the Romanesque style arches.
  • Parish House – the oldest inhabited building in Transylvania
  • Cemetery of Heroes – you will be able to see the graves of German heroes who died during the First World War, including the statue of Private Ronald
  • Evangelical Church – where Sunday services are still held and which contains a large organ, over 200 years old and a baroque altar
  • The Teacher’s House – a typical Saxon house which has been converted into an ethnographic museum and where the information centre is located.

Access fees are:

  • 10 lei for adults
  • 5 lei for children/students/pensioners

Pragram: 11:00 – 20:00

Directions to the sights from Carta Cistercian Abbey: starting from Pastravaria Albota you have to go on DN1 towards Sibiu, and then follow the signpost indicating Carta, in approx. 3 km you will reach the village centre, where there is a parking lot next to the park, right next to the Info-Kios entrance.

Contact:
Cârța Evangelical Church
Str. Principală nr. 110, Cârța, Sibiu county
Tel: 0752-055.997
– for groups, call in advance
Guidebook: Romanian, German, Hungarian

Programme: 11:00 – 20:00

Brancoveanu Monastery
Upper Saturday

Sambata de Sus Monastery is an impressive Christian Orthodox place of worship, with a rich history and impressive architecture. It was built in 1657 on the initiative of the nobleman Preda Brancoveanu in the form of a simple wooden church. After almost four decades, in 1696 the construction of the church wall, started by the ruler Constantin Brancoveanu, began.

Unfortunately, in 1785 the church was attacked and demolished because of the conflicts in the area and only in 1926 the restoration was started by Metropolitan Nicolae Balan. The reconstruction of the church lasted until 1946, when it was consecrated. Between 1940 and 1944 the abbot of the church was Father Arsenie Boca.

Other sights you can visit:

  • The monastery where services are still held and which has an architecture in the Brancovenesc style
  • Glass painting workshop – the most important painting school in the country
  • Museum – where you can see collections of old paintings on glass from the 18th – 19th centuries
  • Fountain “The Fountain of Tamaduirii” – the oldest piece in the monastery
  • The altar of Father Arsenie Boca – a stone carved altar located in the forest around the monastery where Father Arsenie Boca used to pray.
  • The spring of Father Arsenie Boca – the spring is located near the shrine in the forest, and is believed to have been dug by Father Arsenie Boca

Sambata Monastery is 40 km away from the Albota Monastery. If you drive on DN1 you just have to follow the signs to Sibiu, and once you arrive in Sibiu follow the signs to Fagaras. When you reach Faragas you have to follow the road to Sambata de Sus.

Arpășel Nature Reserve

With an area of 735 hectares, Arpasel Nature Reserve is located on the northern slope of the Fagaras Mountains. This oasis of wilderness awaits you to discover breathtaking landscapes, captivating hiking trails and a wealth of wildlife that will fascinate you at every turn.

Here, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the fresh, clean mountain air, admire the picturesque scenery and recharge yourself with the energy that only nature can offer. The Arpasel Reserve is the ideal place to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Whether you are passionate about hiking, photography, animal watching, bird watching or simply love nature, Arpasel Nature Reserve will charm you with its beauty and diversity. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit this pearl of nature, a place where you can reconnect with the essence of life and experience unforgettable moments.

Arpasel Reserve has the largest population of black goats in the Fagaras Mountains, approx. 80%, and other than these live marmots, bears and wild boars, as well as species of birds of prey such as the mountain eagle, which is also the most predominant bird species.

Sibiu - Hermannstadt

Discover the beauty and cultural richness of Sibiu, one of the most important cities in Transylvania, Romania and one of the most famous tourist attractions in the country, with a history spanning more than 800 years. Sibiu is a fascinating amalgam of medieval architecture, picturesque gardens and lively cultural traditions. The city, designated European Capital of Culture in 2007, is known for its impressive Baroque and Gothic buildings, cobbled streets and well-preserved fortifications. If you decide to visit this wonderful city you should consider:

  • Piata Mare, with Renaissance-style town hall
  • The 14th century Evangelical Church is the vibrant heart of the city
  • Bridge of Lies dating back to 1859.
  • Brukenthal Museum, with its extensive collections of European art,
  • The Council Tower, from where you can see amazing views of the city. In addition, you can visit
  • The open-air Astra Museum, which displays various traditional houses from all over the country.

In Sibiu, you will also discover a lively city with numerous festivals and cultural events, as well as a thriving culinary scene with restaurants offering both local and international specialties.

To get from Pastravaria Albota to the city of Sibiu just follow the signs on the DN1 national road.

Mountain Trails

Other important tourist attractions in the area are the mountain trails near the complex. Pastravaria Albota is also a starting point for three of the area’s mountain trails. They have different difficulties, being over several hours and requiring a good physical condition. The routes are:

  1. Route No.1: Muchia BUTEANU

Pastravaria Albota (590m alt.) – North ridge of Buteanu ridge – long serpentine of Transfagarasan (1355m alt.)

Duration: 4.5 – 5 hours one way
Marking: Blue Band

  1. Route No.2: Raul Arpasel

Pastravaria Albota (590m alt.) – Valea Arpasel – Caldarea Arpaselului (1540m alt.) and return

Duration: 9 hours, uphill 4 -5 hours, downhill 3.5 – 4 hours.
Marking: red point – go on forest road 5,5 km
Difficulty: medium, advanced.

  1. Route No.3: ALBOTA edge

Pastravaria Albota (590m alt.) – Prislop ridge – vf. Furca Albotei 1941m alt.

Duration: 9 hours (4.5 hours uphill and 3.5 hours downhill).

The difference in level is 1351 m and the distance is about 9 km.

Mark: blue dot.

Cârțișoara Monastery

The monastery “Saints Apostles Peter and Paul” in Cartisoara was attested around 1400 by the ruler of the Romanian Country, Mircea the Elder. Due to the pressure of Catholicism on the local population, the monastery was destroyed by the troops of the Austrian Empire. In 1990 it was re-established. The monastery is open to the public, and many visitors and pilgrims have said that they feel welcome in the solemn atmosphere of the surroundings, making the monastery an important tourist attraction.

Cartisoara Monastery is also described as a hidden pearl of Romania, where history, spirituality and natural beauty come together to create a unique and soothing experience. Surrounded by high mountains and the pure air of the Carpathians, the monastery is a place where you can disconnect from the hustle and bustle of urban life and reconnect with the inner peace.

The monastery has a traditional Romanian architecture and impressive interior paintings, it is a vibrant example of historical and spiritual heritage. In this place, you will be able to trace the rich history of our country and the Romanian Orthodox Church.

When you are looking for an authentic Romanian experience, full of tranquility, history and beauty, Cartisoara Monastery is the ideal place. It is located 3 km from the Albota Chapel, a 5-minute drive, or if you are more adventurous you can hike for almost an hour to the threshold of this place of worship.

Lake Bâlea and Bâlea Waterfall

Lake Bâlea and the Bâlea Waterfall are two of the most remarkable sights in Sibiu county.

Balea Lake, located in the Fagaras Mountains, is one of the largest and most beautiful glacial lakes in Romania. This objective is surrounded by almost vertical mountain walls and is the place from where you can see herds of wild goats. The lake can be accessed in summer by car on the Transfagarasan road or by cable car from the Balea Lake Chalet.

Balea Waterfall is the largest stepped waterfall in the Carpathian Mountains in Romania, with a height of over 60 meters. The usual route to reach the waterfall is on the Transfagarasan road, from Balea Lac Chalet, where a marked trail takes about 50 minutes.

To visit these sights you have to follow the Transfagarasan road. From Balea Waterfall you can opt to take the cable car to Balea Lake and Balea Lake Hut.

Transfăgărășan

Transfagarasan, also known as DN7C, is one of the most spectacular roads in the world and one of the most visited tourist attractions in Romania. The road crosses the Fagaras Mountains, offering amazing landscapes and a series of attractions such as the Vidraru dam, the Balea tunnel and numerous waterfalls.

The Albota complex is located about 20 kilometers from the beginning of the Transfagarasan, and the drive there takes about 20-30 minutes by car. To reach Transfagarasan from Albota Complex, follow the DN7C in a northeast direction, through Porumbacu de Jos and Avrig.

During the trip, you will be able to admire the natural beauty of the area, including dense forests, high mountain peaks and spectacular glacial lakes. Among the most remarkable sights are Balea Lake, Balea Waterfall and Balea Lake Cottage, all located at high altitudes and offering panoramic views over the entire area.