Măgura on the Buzău: Sculptures, History and Forest

Geographical setting

Măgura lies in the Carpathian Bend Subcarpathians on the right bank of the Buzău River, in its middle section. At Ciuta, the Buzău corridor begins within the commune, with a gorge-like, narrow valley 300 to 500 metres wide; to the south, it is flanked by the steep slope of Dealul Ciolanu. Forests cover 62.37 percent of the commune’s area, with deciduous forests dominating the wooded areas. Above Ciuta, Vârful Cetățuia reaches an elevation of 631.7 metres.

For planning purposes, the different landscape features can be considered separately: the narrow river valley, the wooded areas and the individual high point each represent a different spatial perspective on Măgura.

Culture

Near Măgura lies the Măgura Sculpture Camp, in the clearings near Ciolanu Monastery in the territory of Tisău commune. The 256 groups of statues and individual statues gathered there were created by 153 Romanian sculptors, who donated the results of their work to Buzău County. The site thus combines a specific collection of contemporary Romanian sculpture with the open landscape of the surrounding area.

In the village of Ciuta stands the church “Intrarea în Biserică a Maicii Domnului”, built in 1762 and listed as an architectural historic monument of Buzău County. Schitul Sfântul Nifon was founded in 1811 and reactivated in 1990. Both religious sites are historical points of reference in the area of the commune, with different dates of origin.

Fântâna lui Mihai Viteazul marks the place where the prince and his army spent a night in October 1599. The Fântâna lui Mihai Viteazul monument is located at a viewpoint with a wide panorama over the Buzău Valley. Stoneworking and pottery are local craft traditions associated with Măgura.

Transport

The settlements of Măgura commune lie along national road DN 10 from Buzău via Nehoiu to Brașov, which runs parallel to the valley of the Buzău River. The commune’s road infrastructure is supplemented by county road DJ 203G, which leads from DN 10 to the Măgura Sculpture Camp and into the Nișcov Valley. The Buzău–Nehoiu railway line connects the settlements with a station in the commune seat and a halt in Ciuta. Travel planning therefore offers a road route along the river valley and a rail connection with two different stopping points as separate reference points.

Other places: Chiojdu, Fântânele, Valea Sălciilor, Plaiu Nucului, C. A. Rosetti, Cozieni, Lopătari, Mierea

Water and agriculture

Two mineral springs are located within the territory of Măgura commune. One of the mineral springs is considered to contain sodium, magnesium and calcium, with a mineralisation of 1.449 g/l. The village of Măgura is also known as an important growing area for Ionatan apples.

For the broader travel overview: Buzau.