Curtea de Arges is situated in the south of Romania, roughly 150 kmts away from Bucharest, 37 kmts away from Pitesti, 40 kmts from Ramnicu Valcea, 131 kmts from Poiana Brasov.
Curtea de Arges is one of the oldest cities in Romania, being the first capital of kingdom of Wallachia in year 1330. The city is the proud owner of a Romanian architectural masterpiece: Curtea de Arges Monastery, founded by Neagoe Basarab. In relation with this monastery, Curtea de Arges has a name in Romanian folklore, being the place where the legend of Master builder Manole (‘Mesterul Manole’) took place.( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Me%C5%9Fterul_Manole ). Both artifacts are part of the Romanian national heritage in the world patrimony.
Inside the Royal Church, consecrated in 1517, are interred the founder of the church, Neagoe Basarab, his wife Despina and four of their children, as well as Kings of modern Romania, King Carol I of Romania and his wife, Queen Elisabeth, King Ferdinand I of Romania and Queen Mary. The remains of King Carol II, who died in Portugal, were re-interred in the smaller chapel found few meters away from the Monastery. The Battle of Posada, fought in November 1330 between Basarab I of Wallachia and Charles I Robert of Anjou-Hungary, is claimed to have been taking place in one of the ravines surrounding Curtea de Arges.
The location of Curtea de Arges recommends the city for a series of trips around the countryside, to enjoy the natural beauty of the hillsides or to learn about the customs and traditions of one of the oldest Romanian community.
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