AlmaÈ™: Monastic Tradition, Nature and Customs

A significant part of the Natura 2000 bird protection area ROSPA0117 Drocea–Zarand belongs to the commune: the protected area includes Almaș, with 51 percent of its area falling within the commune. The protection status refers to the habitat for birds and stands alongside the location on the Crișul Alb and in the Zărand Mountains as an independent component of the landscape. Almaș’s geographical setting is therefore defined by the river valley, the transition to the mountains and the designated bird protection area.

The „Bunavestire“ hermitage, founded in 1999, is located near the commune. The monastic ensemble includes a chapel dedicated to the Annunciation and several monks’ cells. Services are celebrated according to the Athonite order. At this religious site, the chapel, monks’ cells and liturgical tradition are thus directly connected.

Almaș’s parish church is also dedicated to the Annunciation. An icon of the Mother of God named „Pantanassa“ was donated to the church and brought to Almaș from Mount Athos. Thus, the religious life of the commune brings together two church sites explicitly associated with the Annunciation, as well as an image of the Mother of God originating from Athos. The archaeological site „Așezarea dacică de la Almaș – Valea Cetății“ takes us into a much earlier era: it is a Dacian settlement.

Almaș has a railway station on the Arad–Brad railway line. The station is therefore directly associated with a specifically named railway connection. Together with its location on the Crișul Alb, in the Gurahonț Depression and at the northeastern foothills of the Zărand Mountains, this creates a picture of a place where transport links and landscape setting stand side by side without conflating the different geographical dimensions.

For Sânziene, wreaths are woven from Sânziene flowers in the commune and hung on gates. The custom links the feast day with a specific floral element and with the entrances to the homes in the commune. Another tradition takes place on Christmas Eve: groups of four to five children go from house to house asking for „pizărăii“, small festive breads.

Oina, a traditional sport in Almaș, is also part of local community life. The commune’s Oina team took part in county, regional and national championships. Alongside the religious sites, the Dacian settlement and the seasonal customs, a sporting tradition is therefore also part of Almaș’s public history.

For the broader travel overview: Almas.