Argeș (county)

Argeș (county)

Argeș county is the home of the world’s most famous mountain road. The **Transfăgărășan** highway climbs to 2,042 meters into a world of grey peaks and white snow. You find 90 kilometers of hairpin turns that provide views of the **Vidraru Dam**, a massive concrete wall holding back a giant lake. It is a thrill for any fan of scenic driving. The wind is crisp and the scenery is vast at the **Bâlea** Lake summit. Visit the royal church in **Curtea** de Argeș for a touch of elegance. Its stone walls are covered in delicate swirls and golden domes that look like twisted candy. This is where the kings and queens of the land rest in marble tombs. The gardens are full of flowers and tall trees perfect for a break. The legend of **Manole**, who built his wife into the walls to make them stand, is told at the gate. Climb the 1,480 concrete stairs to find the real home of Vlad the Impaler. **Poienari Fortress** sits on a high cliff overlooking the Argeș river. The stone ruins look rough and strong against the sky, far more rugged than the fancy castles elsewhere. You get a perfect view of the canyon from the top of the eagle's nest. It is a wild spot with a dark and exciting history.

Argeș (county) highlights

Part of these road trips

Follow the routes that cross this destination

The Scenic Route
The Heritage Drive
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History of Argeș (county)

Argeș is the cradle of the Wallachian crown and a land of royal mountain mysteries. It was here in the 14th century that the first capital of the southern kingdom was established at Curtea de Argeș by the legendary Radu the Black. The local royal church is the final resting place of the kings and queens of Romania and is famous for the myth of Master Manole who supposedly buried his wife in the walls to ensure the structure would stand. This blend of royal history and dark folklore makes the region feel deeply spiritual and ancient. The landscape is dominated by the jagged peaks of the Făgăraș Mountains and the real castle of Dracula at Poenari. Perched high above the Argeș River this fortress was rebuilt by Vlad the Impaler as a strategic hideout accessible only by climbing nearly fifteen hundred stone steps. The county also holds the history of the massive Vidraru Dam which was a feat of communist engineering that flooded an entire valley to create a giant lake. The road leading there was carved into the rock by soldiers to allow for rapid military movement across the peaks. Driving through the county today takes you from the elegant royal court to the rugged Transfăgărășan highway which cuts through the clouds. You can explore the Câmpulung Muscel area where the first letter written in the Romanian language was discovered in 1521. The local villages are famous for their unique architecture with tall stone foundations and wood carvings that reflect the mountain character. Argeș is a royal epic where the history of the monarchy meets the raw power of the high Carpathian peaks.
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