Breaza: Churches, Hiking Trails and the Prahova Terrace

In Breaza, designated hiking destinations meet historic churches, monuments and traditional crafts. Breaza lies on a terrace 50 to 60 metres above the Prahova River. At an elevation of 480 to 600 metres, the town is comparatively secluded from the heavy road traffic in the Prahova Valley.

Geographical Location

By road, you can reach Breaza via the DN1 (E60); by train, the town is accessible via the Bucharest–Brașov railway line.

Nature and Trails

In Breaza, hiking trails lead to the Crucea Eroilor on Dealul Gurga, to Dealul Sinoiu and from Talea to Dealul Lazului. The Crucea Eroilor on Dealul Gurga was erected in 1929 at an elevation of 743 metres in memory of the war heroes of Breaza.

Fagul Prințesei is a centuries-old beech tree in a clearing on the left bank of the Târsa stream in Pădurea Cheia Proviţei. The trail to Fagul Prințesei is marked with a red triangle, takes five hours and has a moderate difficulty level.

Dealul cu Trovanti can be reached from the tourist information centre via Ocinei, Col. Popovici, Sunatorii and Moldovei streets, as well as through the Ograda neighbourhood; the route is also accessible by off-road vehicle or bicycle. A pine grove planted in the 19th century by the owners of the Breaza estate, the Bibescu-Brâncoveanu family, offers sweeping views south across the town and north towards the upper Târsa basin.

When comparing these trail destinations, the destination, duration, difficulty level and mode of transport provide several objective points of comparison for your own planning. When planning, you can also distinguish between landscapes, architectural history, crafts and market traditions; the named trail destinations and cultural sites provide different points of reference for this.

Culture

Biserica Sf. Nicolae in Breaza de Jos is a church and cemetery site dating from 1777. Biserica Sfântul Nicolae in Breaza de Sus dates from 1777 and preserves interior frescoes, exterior decorations and a shingle roof. It is considered the oldest historic monument in the town.

Biserica din Capu Câmpului is dedicated to “Schimbarea la Faţă”; it was built from stone in 1892 on the site of a small wooden church that had been built around 1800. Poarta Brâncoveanu marks the entrance to Parcul Brâncoveanu and is depicted on the coat of arms of the town of Breaza.

Monumentul Celor Trei Regi was erected in 1934 by Ion T. Aldea in the modernist style of the period. Conacul Basarab-Brâncoveanu in the centre of Breaza is a ruin and a testament to the history of the town. Monumentul Eroilor din Breaza de Jos is a work by the sculptor Emil Becker.

The “Crețul” ruff is specific to Muntenia and is passed down strictly from generation to generation according to a firmly established technique. The post-war Ia de Breaza emerged after the founding of the “Arta Casnica” cooperative in 1948 and features a more stylised pattern.

Historically, the Târgul de Toamnă in Breaza is directly connected with the centuries-old pastoral economy of the people of Breaza; the fair offered, among other things, Brânză de burduf, sheep's and cow's telemea, Urdă, Pastramă and smoked sheep sausages.

Other destinations: Blejoi, Boldești-Scăeni, Drăgăneasa, Valea Călugărească, Buşteni, Băneşti, Manastirea Suzana, Bucov

To the overarching travel overview: Prahova.