Sântămăria Orlea Church

Like all Cistercian churches, it was dedicated to the Virgin Mary and is a simple construction of impressive size, being the largest medieval church in Țara Hațegului.

At the beginning the church had ten murals depicting the symbol of the cross. Along with the confessional changes of the community, it became orthodox and was repainted in a style that combines byzantine and western elements. Later, being transformed into a reformed church, the murals were limewashed.

At present the frescoes have been brought to light and are considered to be some of the finest medieval paintings in our country. In places the byzantine frescoes have not been preserved, revealing older layers of paiting.