Ștefănești - Ștefănești

Vila Florica

Ștefănești is a town in Muntenia, loaded with a numerous historical heritage. It's also the home town of Brătianu Family, who gave important figures for Romania. It is nicknamed also Mecca of the Liberals.

Understand

Golești Museum

The city is located in the center of the county, northeast of Pitești, on the left bank of the Argeș River, where it receives the waters of the tributary of the Doamnei River, in the southwestern extremity of the Cândești Plateau, a subdivision of the Getic Plateau. It is crossed by the Bucharest-Pitești highway, on which it is served by the Pitești Est junction, located on the territory of the neighboring commune, Mărăcineni. That junction connects the highway to the national road DN7, which also connects Pitești to Bucharest and passes through the component localities of the city. The city is also a secondary railway junction, being crossed by the Bucharest-Pitești railway, which is served by Golești station, from where a railway branch to Câmpulung-Parc Krețulescu branches, a line on which the city also has Ștefănești Argeș station.

At the end of the 19th century, Ștefănești was a rural commune in the Argeșelul plasa of Muscel county, being formed by the villages Ștefănești and Izvorani, with 1628 inhabitants. There were three churches and a school in the commune in 1866. At that time, the communes of Golești (the residence of the Podgoria plasa) and Valea Mare (in the Râurile network) also functioned on the current territory of the commune. Golești commune consisted of the villages of Golești, Uderu and Valea Boierească, with a total of 800 inhabitants. In the commune there were the houses of the Golescu family, a church and a school with 63 students. Valea Mare commune, with the villages of Câmpul, Valea Mare, Enculești and Ploscariu, had 1172 inhabitants; there were also 3 churches and a school here.

The Socec yearbook records the three communes in the Golești network of the same county. Ștefănești commune was the residence of the plasa, having 2420 inhabitants in the villages of Florica, Izvorani, Ștefănești and Târgu Dealului; Golești commune was composed of Golești and Valea Boierească villages, with 1063 inhabitants; and Valea Mare commune had 1460 inhabitants. inhabitants, being made up of the villages of Enculești, Ploscari and Valea Mare. In 1931, in order to be distinguished from Valea Mare-Pravăț commune, Valea Mare commune took its name from Valea Mare-Podgoria.

In 1950, the communes were transferred to the regional city of Pitești, the residence of the Argeș region. During that period, political refugees from Greece, driven out of the Greek Civil War, were brought to Florica, in the house confiscated from the Brătianu family.Therefore, the village of Florica was called Partizanii at that time. However, this name lasted only until 1964, when it was changed again to Ștefăneștii Noi. In 1968, the communes were transferred to Argeș county, at the same time the communes of Golești and Valea Mare-Podgoria were abolished, their villages moving to Ștefănești commune, organized as a suburban commune of Pitești municipality. In 1989, the concept of suburban commune disappeared from the legislation, and Ștefănești commune was directly subordinated to Argeș county. The commune was declared a city in 2004, with all villages as component villages.

Tourist information

Get in

By train

Ștefănești Argeș Railway Station (formerly Florica Railway Station)
  • 1 Golești Railway Station, Strada Gării. (updated Nov 2020)
  • 2 Ștefănești-Argeș Railway Station, Strada Florica. (updated Nov 2020)

Get around

44°52′12″N 24°57′0″E
Map of Ștefănești

See

Museums

  • 1 Golești Museum (Muzeul Golești), Strada Banul Radu Golescu 1, ☏ 40737508672, ✉. Apr-Oct: daily 09:00-18:00; Nov-Mar: daily 08:00-16:00. The museum has four sections: the Feudal Ensemble of Golesti - the most important secular medieval fortified ensemble in Wallachia - contains the first Free Community School in Muntenia, the first sick and a mansion built in 1640, restored in 2016. Next to the medieval ensemble is a huge museum ethnographic, with absolutely original monuments of popular architecture from all areas of Romania. Also, in Golesti Park there is a beautiful relaxation and amusement park for children where you can spend a whole day in a healthy and quiet place. Children can ride horses and ponies, play zip lines or have fun with traditional toys. Adult 10 lei, senior or student 5 lei. (updated Nov 2020)
  • 2 Brătianu National Museum - Villa Florica (Muzeul Național Brătianu - Vila Florica), Aleea Stațiunii 37, ☏ 40737147286. Tu-Su 10:00-16:00. in Ştefăneşti, there is the Brătieni family's House, also called Vila Florica, in memory of the daughter of I. C. Brătianu. Dominating with authority the political life of Romania for two decades, Ion I. C. Brătianu was one of the most complex and controversial personalities in national history. Among the members of the Brătianu family who lived at the Vila Florica, we must mention Ion C. Brătianu, Ion I. C. Brătianu, Dinu Brătianu and Vintilă Brătianu. In the villa is the Suspended Library, the most important private library in Romania. Adult 20 lei, senior 10 lei, student or disabled 5 lei. (updated Nov 2020)

Churches

  • 3 St. Trinity Church (Biserica Sfânta Treime/Biserica Goleștilor) (Golești). The church in Golesti, dedicated to the Holy Trinity, is a boyar foundation from the 17th century. It was founded in 1646 by the great boyar Stroe Leurdeanu. It was built by master Stoica. The church, a true architectural jewel, is the necropolis of the fighters and scholars of the Golescu family. The architecture of the church indicates the skill and mastery of the Romanian craftsmen who contributed to its elevation. The refinement of the European Renaissance is visible. During the Brancovenean period, a pavilion was added above the gate. (updated Nov 2020)
Funeral Chapel "Nativity of Saint John the Baptist"
  • 4 Funeral Chapel "Nativity of Saint John the Baptist" (Capela funerară „Nașterea Sf. Ioan Botezătorul”/Biserica Brătienilor), ☏ 40745271259. An important component of the ensemble from Vila Florica in Ștefănești is the church where most members of the Brătianu family are buried. Located on a plateau to the right of the dendrological park, at the edge of the forest, the Chapel of the Bratianu Family, dedicated to the "Birth of St. John the Baptist", was built in 1898 according to the plans of the French architect André Lecomte du Noüy. (updated Nov 2020)
  • 5 Church of the Nativity of the Mother of God (Biserica "Nașterea Maicii Domnului"), Strada Valea Mare, ☏ 40771214016. The church was founded by the master Necula Ghimpescu and his wife Ancuţa, from Piteşti, and dates from 1686, when Şerban Cantacuzino (1678-1688) was on the throne of Wallachia. The holy place, through its painting, particularly beautiful, alive and original, through the warm air, so Romanian, that it releases, in which the echoes of the monastic nevi of the time when it was metoh of the famous monastery from Vieroşi are felt, raises heart to the height of the dome. From there, the grace of the One who overcame death clothes you in the garment of love and eternity. Over time, the place has undergone modifications, repairs and consolidations such as in 1854, 1931, 1940, 1977, preparing for the passage of the third Christian millennium on September 5, 1993, when His Eminence Calinic, Archbishop of Argeş and Muscel, sanctified the church. We cannot fail to mention the fact that near the place of worship is the cross that marks the place where the famous Romanian writer Liviu Rebreanu was buried. (updated Nov 2020)
  • 6 Saint John Church (Biserica Sfântul Ioan Bogoslovul). (updated Nov 2020)
  • 7 Enculești Wooden Church/Gurgui Hermitage (Biserica de lemn din Encluești/Schitul Gurgui). (updated Nov 2020)
  • 8 Saint Nicholas Church (Biserica Sfântul Nicolae din Izvorani), Strada Izvorani (Izvorani). Was built between 1836-1838, by the Pătrulești brothers with the material support of a believer named Gămiloiu. At first glance, the architecture seems ordinary, but there are small details that turn the view into a special one. The church was painted in the year of the Great Union, 1918, by the famous church painter, originally from Pitesti, Gheorghe Belizarie. When the Russians entered the country, towards the end of the Second World War, occupying the village of Izvorani, they made a carpentry workshop in the church. The villagers say that one day, one of the Russians in the church, intoxicated by the drink and disturbed by the striking resemblance to the last tsar, Nicholas II, fired a gun at the painting of King Ferdinand, at the entrance to the church. (updated Nov 2020)
  • 9 Beheading of St. John the Baptist Church (Biserica "Tăierea capului Sfântului Ioan Botezătorul"). the oldest church building was built by the sluger Musat and jupaness Despina under the reign of voivode Alexandru Iliasi on a slope at the edge of the old Sheepheard's Road, from where you can admire paradisiacal views of the Stefanesti valleys. (updated Nov 2020)
  • 10 St. Martyr Demetrios Church (Biserica „Sf. M. Mc. Dimitrie”) (Târgu Dealului). it has a special historical load, being the preferred place for carrying the advice of some High Prelates with Tudor Vladimirescu. (updated Nov 2020)
  • 11 St. Nicholas and St.Paraschiva Church (Biserica „Sf. Nicolae și Sf.Paraschiva”) (Enculești). it also protects the bell, the odors and the furniture of the former church "Saint Hierarch Nicholas" in the old center of Pitesti, demolished by the communist authorities in 1962. (updated Nov 2020)

Representative buildings

  • 12 The ruins of the Brâncoveanu's vineyard mansion in Valea Mare-Podgoria (Ruinele conacului brâncovenesc de vie din Valea Mare-Podgoria), Strada Coasta Câmpului (next to the veterinary dispensary). The wallachian prince Constanin Brâncoveanu spent here picking vines, on his way from the royal court from Târgovişte to the one from Bucharest, on the road of Potlogi and Mogoşoaia. (updated Nov 2020)
  • 13 Emanuel (Nolică) Antonescu mansion (Conacul Emanuel (Nolică) Antonescu). (updated Nov 2020)
  • 14 Vila Donescu, Strada Ion Pillat 18. (updated Nov 2020)
  • 15 Ion Pillat's House (Casa lui Ion Pillat), Strada Ion Pillat. Built in neo-Romanian architectural style, here lived the great romanian poet, Ion Pillat. (updated Nov 2020)
  • 16 Former Liviu Rebreanu memorial house (Fosta casă memorială Liviu Rebreanu), Strada Gheorman 21. Built at the beginning of the 20th century, the building was bought in 1930 by the great novelist. Here, Liviu Rebreanu wrote the novel "Răscoala" and also here Rebreanu died on September 1, 1944. On September 3, 1944 he was buried in the church cemetery in Valea Mare, to be later moved to the Belu cemetery in Bucharest. (updated Nov 2020)
  • 17 Mihail Ghelmegeanu Mansion (Conacul Mihail Ghelmegeanu), Strada Valea Popii. (updated Nov 2020)
  • 18 Vila Bulandra, Strada Gheorman 40. Built in 1896 at the edge of the forest by the same craftsmen who erected Pelisor Castle in Sinaia, here lived the romanian actress Lucia Sturza Bulandra and her husband, Tony Bulandra. (updated Nov 2020)
  • 19 Astronomical Observatory (Observatorul Astronomic). (updated Jan 2021)
  • 20 Florica Farm (Ferma Florica). (updated Jan 2021)
  • 21 Girescu House (Casa Girescu). wine show shop during the communist period. (updated Feb 2021)
  • 22 Păunescu House (Casa Păunescu). The place where the laboratories of the National Research-Development Institute for Biotechnologies in Horticulture operated. (updated Mar 2021)

Commemorative Monuments

  • 23 Matei Basarab's Cross (Crucea lui Matei Basarab), Calea București 1 (in front of the Ștefănești Cultural Center). (updated Nov 2020)
  • 24 Logothete Andreiaș's stone cross (Crucea de piatră a Logofătului Andreiaș), Strada Coasta Câmpului (next to block 3). (updated Nov 2020)
  • 25 Stone Cross of sluger Mușat (Crucea de piatră a Slugerului Mușat), Strada Otelești 138 (in the courtyard of the church „Beheading the head of St. John the Baptist"). (updated Jan 2021)
  • 26 Heroes Monument. (updated Mar 2021)

Natural sights

  • 27 Cure Spring (Izvorul Tămăduirii). The spring is located in a forest on the Turcului valley, near a tourist road starting in the village of Valea Mare-Podgoria. (updated Nov 2020)
  • 28 Streaua Valley (Valea Streaua). The place where the locals' horses are part of the wonderful landscape. (updated Dec 2020)

Do

The ruins of the Brâncoveanu's vineyard mansion in Valea Mare-Podgoria
  • 1 Munte-mă frumos!, ☏ 40746 852 867, ✉. Music festival in Izvorani village where you can sleep in a tent, and eat Romanian food cooked in a cauldron. (updated Nov 2020)
  • Sumedru's Fire (Focul lui Sumedru). A 2000-year old Romanian tradition. On the night of 25 to 26 October, before the feast of St. Demetrius, the defender of the shepherds, fires are lit and young people gather around them. (updated Nov 2020)
  • 2 Ștefănești Cultural Centre (Centrul Cultural Ștefănești), ✉. (updated Nov 2020)
  • Enjoy the two parks of the town * 3 Ștefănești Blocuri Park (Parcul Ștefănești Blocuri). (updated Dec 2020) and * 4 Cultural Center's Park (Parcul Centrului Cultural). (updated Dec 2020)

Buy

Ștefănești is well known for its wine and țuică (plum liquor). considered very fine and valuable. Several vineyards offer fine products at great prices.

Eat

Drink

  • 1 La Gina. (updated Nov 2020)
  • 2 La Piticu. (updated Nov 2020)
  • 3 Bar Nico. (updated Dec 2020)
  • 4 Lemacom. (updated Mar 2021)

Sleep

Connect

  • 2 Ștefănești Post Office (Oficiul Poștal Ștefănești), Aleea Teilor, Bl.15, parter, ☏ 40248266408. (updated Nov 2020)
  • Ștefănești's postal codes are 117715-117723, and the area's phone code is 48.

Stay safe

The emergency number in Romania is 112.

Ștefănești is in generally a safe town. Though you still need to pay atention if you get in the blocks area of Ștefănești, in the settlement of Streaua or some parts of Zăvoi village, disadvantaged areas of the town that are not so safe.

Be aware of stray dogs. Some are taken care of by people from nearby houses or even housing blocks and these can be especially territorial and can sometimes attack without warning.

Always carry some ID with you (such as a driver's license) because the police will ask you for it if they stop and search you.

Stay healthy

Go next

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