Valea Neagră: Monastery Complex, Pilgrimage Site and Hiking Trails

Mănăstirea Valea Neagră was founded in 1755 by the priest Maftei from Spinești. The complex includes a chapel dedicated to the “Pogorârea Sfântului Duh.” The complex also includes a refectory and monks’ cells. The bell tower of the complex is listed as a historic monument.

Schitul Valea Neagră is listed as a monument under the registration code VN-II-a-A-06562, dated 1755–1757. The wooden church “Adormirea Maicii Domnului” at Schitul Valea Neagră is also listed as a monument, dated 1755–1757. The chapel, wooden church and bell tower thus stand alongside the monastic rooms comprising the refectory and monks’ cells.

The icon of Valea Neagră is described as a pilgrimage destination or pilgrimage object. Nine years after its founding, five monks from Schitul Poiana Mărului settled there. Abbot Vasile donated to the monastery complex an icon of the Virgin Mary described as miracle-working; it remains in the monastery. The patronal feast of Mănăstirea Valea Neagră takes place on 15 August. A patronal feast with a fixed date requires, above all, checking the current event times well in advance when planning the day.

Other destinations: Soveja, Odobești, Golești, Vidra, Adjud, Nănești, Tulnici, Focşani.

Vârful Zimnicea is a mountain in the vicinity of Valea Neagră. Colocani is a peak in the vicinity of Valea Neagră. Piscul Boului is a peak in the area around Valea Neagră. Piscul Păsării is a peak in the area around Valea Neagră.

The Biserica Ortodoxă Ploştina, a church, is also located nearby. Biserica Ortodoxă Coza is located in the surrounding area. In the wider regional area are Mânăstirea Lepşa, a monastery, and Biserica Ortodoxă Greşu, a church. Thus, in addition to the monastery complex, churches in the nearby, surrounding and wider regional areas are among the religious destinations around Valea Neagră.

Hiking trail no. 8 reaches the hamlet of Pârâul Valea Neagră after 8.5 kilometres from a trail junction. After approximately two kilometres, the hiking trail follows a forest road to Valea Neagră (Satu Nou). The route therefore includes both the section starting at a trail junction and an access route to Satu Nou explicitly described as a forest road. When hiking on forest roads, the current route conditions should also be checked.

Access to Cascada Mișina is via county road DJ205M through Năruja, Nistorești, Vetrești and Valea Neagră. The forest road along the Mișina stream follows thereafter. To access Lacul Negru, the route from Nistorești and Herăstrău includes approximately 16 kilometres of forest road; this is followed by a 40–50-minute walk. For travel via a county road, current traffic reports and transport times can be checked before the journey.

To the overarching travel overview: Vrancea.