Câmpulung Moldovenesc: Ski Slope, Mountains and Cultural Heritage

Câmpulung Moldovenesc combines a specific winter sports option with distinctive mountain and cultural references. The “Rarău” ski slope is 2,850 m long and classified as an easy to intermediate slope. Its length and classification give you two clear comparison points when weighing up different options for a day of skiing and different ability levels.

Landscape and Location

Câmpulung Moldovenesc extends for 12 km on both sides of the Moldova River in the gorge between the Obcinele Bucovinei and the Stânişoarei Mountains. The Rarău Massif reaches an elevation of 1,650 m. The surrounding landscape also includes the Pietrele Doamnei Nature Reserve. It covers 568 ha and consists of three limestone obelisks reaching heights of up to 1,633 m.

Cheile Moara Dracului is a 10-ha geological reserve at the northeastern foot of Rarău, on the upper reaches of the Valea Caselor stream. The area is located 10.5 km from the centre of Câmpulung Moldovenesc. The centuries-old elm trees on the Pârâul Morii are considered a natural monument, are approximately half a millennium old and lie on the boundary between the Câmpulung Moldovenesc area and the municipality of Sadova.

Several named elevations are located around Câmpulung Moldovenesc: Măgura Deia Mountain, Dealul Socilor Mountain, Vârful Runcul Sandului Peak and Pietrele Doamnei Mountain. At an elevation of 1,470 m, Piatra Șoimului offers a 360° panorama over the Bistrița Valley, the Munceii Rarăului and the Giumalău Mountains.

Culture and History

A distinct highlight is the Muzeul Arta Lemnului. It was founded in 1936 and is the only museum in Romania dedicated exclusively to wood art. The museum has 19 exhibition halls and an open-air section with two traditional houses, including a Hutsul house from the 17th century and another from the mid-18th century.

The “Ioan Grămadă” Ethnographic Collection opened to the public in 1999 and conveys the atmosphere of a traditional Bukovinian house from the late 19th century. Templul Havre Gah is a Jewish place of worship at No. 1 Arboroasa Street, near the food market, and was built in 1894.

The Roman Catholic church in Câmpulung Moldovenesc was built in 1815 at the behest of Emperor Francis I from stone and brick, based on a design originating in Vienna. It is also one of the oldest testimonies to the Catholic community in the region.

Religious Buildings in the Surrounding Area

The area around Câmpulung Moldovenesc is home to Schitul Rarău Monastery, Mânăstirea Moldoviţa Monastery, Moldoviţa Monastery and the Orthodox Church of Biserica Ortodoxă Deia.

The combination of an easy to intermediate ski slope, high-altitude locations, geological reserves, viewpoints and historic cultural sites makes the different facets of the town comparable through clearly named destinations.

For the overarching travel overview: Câmpulung Moldovenesc Region.