Discover Costești: Culture, Landscapes and Living Traditions

Costești lies in the south of Argeș County, in the Pitești Plain and on the banks of the Teleorman River. The landscape around Costești includes hills and the Teleorman floodplain. This setting is suitable for walks, hikes and cycling tours.

Singing, dancing, traditional dress and the ancient Căluș ritual shape Costești’s local traditions.

The “Mugurelul” folklore ensemble of the Costești Cultural Centre brings folk dances, traditional dress, music and the local Căluș tradition to the stage. In Costești, Căluș is therefore present both as an ancient ritual and in the cultural centre’s stage performances.

The “Sfântul Prooroc Ilie” Cathedral in Costești is a historical monument of national interest.

The wooden church “Sfântul Mare Mucenic Pantelimon” is located on the grounds of the Costești City Hospital, in a secluded, quiet place surrounded by trees and vegetation.

The wooden church was moved to Costești from Lereni in the Bârla commune. It was reconstructed between 1997 and 1998 and reconsecrated for worship on 27 July 2001.

Several other historic wooden churches are located in the vicinity of Costești. “Cuvioasa Parascheva” in Zorile is an architectural monument of national interest, officially dated to 1807 and located three kilometres from the centre. The wooden church “Înălțarea Domnului” in Telești has been documented since 1773; this year refers to the renewal of its shingle roof.

The Ethnographic Museum of the city of Costești was the first ethnographic museum in the south of Argeș County and was established in 2013.

It was created as part of the project “Valorificarea tradiţiilor culturale şi spirituale locale”. Volunteer pupils, students and teachers contributed to its establishment.

The Ethnographic Museum of the city of Costești is located on the first floor of the city’s Cultural Centre, at 44 Strada Victoriei.

The annual traditional “Sfântul Ilie” fair features numerous cultural performances. The fair takes place every year on 20 July in Costești.

Other destinations: Rogojina, Mioveni, Podu Dâmboviței, Bascov, Arefu, Oeștii Pământeni, Bălilești and Oarja.

Where is the Ethnographic Museum of Costești located?

It is located in the city’s Cultural Centre, at 44 Strada Victoriei, on the first floor of the building.

When was the Ethnographic Museum established?

The museum was established in 2013.

Who are the fair’s performances dedicated to?

The performances take place in honour of the city of Costești’s spiritual patron saint.

Where is the “Sfântul Ilie” fair held?

The fair takes place at the city stadium in Costești.

To the broader travel overview: Argeş.