The Mausoleum at Mateiaș
Obiectiv turistic
About
The Mausoleum of Heroes in Valea Mare-Pravăț Commune, Argeș County, also known as the Mausoleum at Mateiaș, is a monument dedicated to the heroes of the National Unification War between 1916-1918 and is listed in the "List of Historical Monuments."
The memorial complex at Mateiaș consists of a mausoleum, a historical-military museum, a bas-relief, and a stone cup from Albești, in which a perpetual flame burns in memory of the soldiers who sacrificed their lives.
Built on the initiative of the local branch of the "Cult of Heroes" society, with material support from the locals, the Mausoleum at Mateiaș was erected between 1928 and 1935, following the designs of architects Dumitru Ionescu Berechet and State Balosin.
In the basement of the construction, the remains of over 400 soldiers and officers, brought from the cemeteries of nearby localities or directly from the battlefield, were laid in a black crypt. On the side walls, 31 marble plaques bear the names of all the more than 2,100 known heroes who fell in the battles to defend the lands of Muscel.
During the consolidation and restoration work between 1979 and 1984, the ground floor of the monument was decorated with an extensive and original Murano-type mosaic titled "Eternal Glory to the Heroes of the Romanian Nation!" During this period, based on a project designed by a group of architects from Argeș, the terrain was terraced and shaped, two exhibition halls were arranged, as well as bas-reliefs and a monumental staircase.
The first hall records the main moments of the Romanian army's participation in World War I, particularly highlighting the battles that took place in the Rucăr-Bran corridor, where the local population made a significant contribution.
In the second hall, a suggestive diorama depicts the battles fought by Romanian soldiers in the nearby heights, as well as a command post.
Continuing up the stairs, at the base of the monument, visitors are drawn to the large bas-relief created by the sculptor Radu Adrian, who effectively depicted the clash of Romanian troops with the enemy in this part of the front.
The heaviest battles of World War I were fought on Mount Mateiaș, where the "Nămăiești Army Group" resisted enemy positions for over 45 days.
At the entrance to the mausoleum, two texts glorifying the sacrifice of heroes are inscribed with golden letters framed by oak and laurel leaves:
- On the left: "For the honor of the homeland and the flag, for the creation of Romania's unity, we defended the sacred land of the country, leaving to you, future generations, a free and independent nation.";
- On the right: "We bow reverently before the supreme sacrifice of the brave heroes of the nation, worthy and valiant defenders of our national being, and at the call of the homeland, we will know how to sacrifice ourselves for the preservation of Romania's independence and sovereignty."
Due to its representativeness and exceptional architectural appearance, the Mausoleum at Mateiaș is a national tourist attraction that draws numerous visitors from both the country and abroad each year.
Address: The Mateiaș Mausoleum is located on European Road E 574 (DN 73), 11 km from Câmpulung towards Brașov.
The Mateiaș Mausoleum is managed by the Câmpulung Municipal Museum.
