Lake Berești

Introduction

A few dozen kilometres from Bacău, between the domed fields of the Siret, stretches Lake Berești – a mirror of water that gathers around it the silence, the sky and the birds’ flights. Here, time seems to slow down: the dam, the reeds, the surrounding villages and the light changing over the shimmering lake give the place a simple but profound beauty. The Berești is not just a reservoir, but also a small natural world where people come to fish, watch the sunset or simply to be still with the water.

Key facts and location

Berești Lake is located in Bacău County, on the Siret River, and stretches over the municipalities of Sascut, Corbasca, Orbeni, Tătărești, Valea Seacă and Parava.

Area: about 2,250 hectares
Length: about 15 km
Average width: 1 km
Year of utilisation: 1986
Purpose: reservoir for hydropower and to regularise the flow of the Siret

Access is easy from the E85 motorway (Bacău-Bucuresti), with a detour to the east, and the road offers sweeping views of the valley and surrounding villages.

A living ecosystem

Although artificial, Berești Lake has quickly become a complex ecosystem, integrated in a Natura 2000 site of avifauna importance.
Here have …

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In the footsteps of autumn: hiking on the Emil Braescu trail

A start like autumn weather

When autumn dresses the hills of Măgurei in shades of mauve, every step on the Via Bacovia trails becomes a poem.
Our weekend hike, also captured in the post on the official Via Bacovia page, was more than just a simple outing in nature – it was a journey through the tranquillity, the colours and the soft breath of autumn in Bacău.

We set off early in the morning with light rucksacks and open hearts from the bus stop. The air was chilly and the sunlight either reached us or didn’t. The forest at the foot of the Măgurei welcomed us with a clean smell of damp earth and leaves, and the silence was broken only by our footsteps and here and there the barking of dogs, happy that tourists had come on the route.

Route “Emil Braescu” Magura

The road linking the present with history

The chosen route is part of the Via Bacovia network – an initiative that brings together movement, history and heritage. In the Măgurei area, nature is in harmony with the rustic and the people’s life.
Among them is Emil Brăescu, the visionary nobleman who built the village school …

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Route reconnaissance for the Capelelor’s Cross

The second edition of the Via Bacovia Trail will take place on 20 September.

On Sunday, 14 September, the Feast of the Ascension of the Holy Cross, we set off on an easy run to reconnoitre the VBT Chapels Cross Country Run route.

The start was, of course, in front of the “Ascension of the Holy Cross” church in Luizi Călugăra.

We leave some pictures here to tell you about the route.

The hills of east – a panorama not to be missed

Bacăul has its beauties.

From Buhoci, climbing up a forest road, in less than 3km we reach the top of a high hill (over 430m) from where we can admire the surroundings, both to the east, where a sea of rolling hills stretches, and to the west where we can see the meanders of the Siret and the city of Bacău.

Somewhere below the ridge towards Buhoci-Traian, there is also the protected area Culmea Cucuieți, which covers an area of 6,499ha. It is a wild area, with deserts, scrublands, ruptures and old trees and is the habitat of four protected species: red-bellied owlet, yellow-bellied spoonbill, crested newt, grey-browed tawny nightjar.

The protected area covers the territory of the TAUs Bohoci, Gioseni, Horgești, Parincea, Secuieni, Tamași, Traian and Ungureni.

Let the pictures do the talking!

Church of St Nicholas, Măgura

Founded by Anastasia Racoviță Costachi and her niece, Maria Rosetti, the church was completed in 1786 by Nastasia’s son-in-law, Iordache Ruset.

The inscription moulded in bronze on the church bell, in Cyrillic slove, has the following content:”This bell was made by Mrs Kokona Nastasiea Racoviță, the Visternice from Kălugăra Moruzi Voevod let 7285-1788“.

Over time, the monument was repaired in 1868 by D. Cracti and parishioners. Twenty years later, the nobleman Emil Brăescu repaired it at his own expense, and in 1902, with the help of priest G. Comanescu to repair it again. In 1936, the parish owned 12 hectares of agricultural land and another 2 hectares comprising the churchyard and the two cemeteries. Also in 1936, the church was declared Historical Monument, a status it still holds today.

Another repair was carried out after the earthquake in 1940, and in 1996 the interior painting was redone by the painter Jan Zărnescu, his wife and son.

The church is an architectural hybrid: a three-lobed church with relatively small, polygonal apses on the outside and a strongly recessed porch, above which rises a massive bell-tower (characteristic of churches in the Bacau area, influenced by the architecture of …

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On the water in Bacău

My name is Cătălin, and I’m not from Bacău.
I moved to the city 5 years ago and there are Bacauanians who don’t know that there are spectacular places of water, with specific fauna. Or, they know they exist, but haven’t explored them. For some time a new sport has been on the horizon, and I fell in love with it and made others fall in love with it. It wasn’t hard.
“SUP going? ” or ” are we boarding tonight? ” became legitimate questions in our small local group of enthusiasts.
SUP, the logical abbreviation, coined by others, for Stand Up Paddle Board, and that’s because SUPB would have been hard to pronounce 🙂 I first saw SUP in Vama Veche and rented for an hour. Small waves, me for the first time, so I couldn’t paddle standing, only knees, but it won me over. I ordered as soon as we arrived in Bacău. It wasn’t then the best choice after the precarious research of the deciding elements involved in buying a paddle, but I did it with joy and enthusiasm! I knew about the lake at the Leisure Island, but didn’t want to have wondering eyes on me …

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St Michael’s Church in Valea Mare

“St Michael” Church in Valea Mare – Fărăoani

An oasis of faith in the heart of Moldova

Situated between Valea de Sus and Valea de Jos, on the border between Valea Mare and Faraoani, the Roman-Catholic Church “St Michael” watches over the community of believers in the area. Its proximity to the 7 Capele pilgrimage route makes this place not only a spiritual reference point, but also a stopover full of history and beauty for those who travel the paths of Moldavia in search of tranquillity.

History and local identity

Built between 1922 and 1925, the present church was consecrated on 29 September, the feast day of the Archangel Michael, the spiritual patron saint of the community. It replaced a small wooden church that still stands today in the village cemetery – one of the oldest Catholic churches in the area.

The parish was reactivated in 1953, after the separation from Fărăoani, and has been led over the years by dedicated priests who have contributed to the formation of a community united around the values of the faith. Dozens of priests, nuns and even bishops have set out on their journey, including Mons. Anton Coșa, Bishop of Chisinau, and …

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Calvar Chapel (Calvaria)

Calvar Chapel – A Place of Peace and Reflection

Nestled atop the scenic Calvar Hill in Luizi-Călugăra, Bacău County, the Calvar Chapel is a historical and spiritual gem that offers a unique glimpse into the region’s rich past. Built in 1814, the chapel was dedicated to the Descent of the Holy Spirit, and over the years, it has become an important place for both locals and visitors alike, offering moments of reflection and tranquility.

The chapel is renowned not only for its spiritual significance but also for its stunning location. Standing on the hill, it provides sweeping views of the village of Luizi-Călugăra, the surrounding valleys, and the distant horizon. The area is known for its peaceful atmosphere, making it an ideal spot for quiet contemplation and connection with nature.

Visitors can experience the beauty of the landscape, particularly at sunrise when the first light casts a golden glow over the valley. The chapel is a testament to the deep spiritual and cultural heritage of the region, and its serene surroundings allow for a deeper connection with both history and nature.

Whether you’re seeking a place for peaceful reflection, a historical exploration, or simply a beautiful vantage point to appreciate …

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Statue of Jesus – Rastignitu

Someone up there is watching over us

Situated above the village of Talpa in the commune of Sărata, the Statue of Jesus, or Crucifix, as it is also known in the village, is a symbol that watches over the valley, the villages, the city.

The statue is located near the Suhard chapel (Sinislău) and can be found on several landscaped or virtual trails: the 7 Chapels Pilgrimage Trail, the Via Bacovia 6 Chapels Trail, the Via Bacovia Trail.

Location and access

Location: Suhard hill, Bacău county
Geographical coordinates: 46°30’59.0″N 26°50’27.2″E (46.516389, 26.840889)
Google maps: here
Access: on foot, starting either from the village of Talpa, Sărata (take the MTB Bar as a reference point), or from Luizi Călugăra, at the end of the tarmac road.

Attractions nearby

Capela Suhard (Sinislău)

Capela Calvar (Calvaria)

Tourist routes

7 Capele Pilgrimage Route

Route 6 Capele

Via Bacovia Trail Cros

Via Bacovia Trail Half-marathon

Photo/video gallery

Vovidenia wooden church in Luncani

Vovidenia wooden church in Luncani (1777), a jewel of Moldovan spiritual heritage

In the picturesque village of Luncani, located in the commune of Margineni, Bacău County, there is one of the most valuable wooden churches in the region: the Vovidenia Church, dedicated to the “Entry of the Virgin Mary into the Church”. The place of worship is not only a place of prayer for the community, but also a living testimony to Moldovan Orthodox history and spirituality.

Church history and architecture

Built in the 18th century, Vovidenia Church reflects the traditional style of wooden churches in the Moldavian area. Made of massive beams skilfully joined together, the church impresses with its architectural simplicity and the beauty of its hand-carved details. Over time, it has been restored and strengthened, but has managed to retain its authentic charm and is an outstanding example of vernacular religious architecture.

The gable roof and modest porch, supported by carved pillars, are distinctive features of the building. The interior painting, in Byzantine style, retains the vivid colours and expressiveness characteristic of Orthodox iconography, although some parts have needed restoration over time.

Among the valuable artistic elements is the beautifully carved catapet dating back to the construction …

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