Snagov by the Lake – Monastery, Nature and Trails

Snagov combines history by the water with a forest landscape. Snagov Monastery stands on an island in Lake Snagov near the northern shore between the villages of Siliştea Snagovului and Snagov. Two distinct perspectives therefore emerge in Snagov: the historic cultural landscape by the lake and the protected forest areas.

Culture

The archaeological site of Snagov Monastery comprises a medieval monastic settlement established from the 14th century onward, the monastic necropolis, and earlier settlement traces from the Bronze Age and the Second Iron Age. The name Snagov was first mentioned in an official document in 1408, in a charter issued by Mircea cel Bătrân. A printing press was established at Snagov Monastery in 1643, during the time of Matei Basarab.

The Snagov Museum Collections are recognized as a public collection, “ISTORIE-LOCALA – Zona Snagov/Codrii Vlasiei,” at Șos. Snagov No. 78. They present the cultural and natural heritage of the Snagov, Căldăruşani and Ţigăneşti region. Topics include local archaeology, numismatics, ethnography and traditions, monasteries and churches, ecotourism, water sports, and the Lacul Snagov nature reserve. Historical, regional and nature-related content is thus brought together in the same collection context.

Nature

Lake Snagov has an elongated, highly winding shape with numerous bays. The Pădurea Snagov protected area serves to protect and preserve forest stands of particular dendrological value and allows visits for educational purposes. The lakeshore, bays and forest form distinct landscape elements within the area.

Activities

PI01 “Margine de lac împădurită (Habitate: 91MO und 3150)” is a 2 km circular trail with a stated duration of 45–90 minutes and a difficulty level of 2 out of 10; the information was updated on July 15, 2021.

BI03 is a tour around Lake Snagov that connects different types of trails, settlements, nature and habitats.

On Lake Snagov, the leisure options described include ecotourism routes by kayak and boat as well as themed variants. The leisure options described in the Snagov forest include trails on foot and by bicycle, as well as themed offerings on biodiversity and games in the style of geocaching. The offerings therefore differ in terms of trail type, landscape context and type of activity.

For planning the day, PI01 allows its length, duration and difficulty level to be compared, while BI03 can be compared in terms of trail types, settlements, nature and habitats. In addition, activities on the water and in the forest are available with different modes of transport and themes.

When choosing a hotel in Snagov, travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions can be compared separately. Choosing a hotel therefore remains a separate practical decision alongside planning the day and deciding which of these topics should be the focus of the stay.

More destinations

More travel destinations: Voluntari, Bucharest.

Visit

For the Snagov Museum Collections, seasonal visiting hours from April to September are scheduled on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.; group visits are available on request.

For the higher-level travel overview: Bucharest.