In Poiana Mărului, historic churches meet a route on the Via Transilvanica. The church and its building history give the village a cultural focus; the Terra Borza Teutonica runs from Viscri through Poiana Mărului and on to Bran. This puts two different interests in view as you plan your trip: local monuments and a hiking route connecting the village with other stops.
Poiana Mărului lies in the basin of the Șinca stream’s headwaters, on the border with the upper basin of Țara Bârsei. This location describes the village’s geographical position between the two basins.
Church and Historical Dates
The “Naşterea Sf. Ioan Botezătorul” church is a historic monument dating from 1707 to 1777. The historic monument church, with its Brâncovenesc influence, is also a tourist attraction in Poiana Mărului. The church complex itself is dated to the 18th and 19th centuries.
Other parts of the complex also have their own dates: a stone cross, a monument from 1700, stands in the churchyard. The complex also includes the parish house, built in 1892. On the timeline, the cross therefore predates the stated period of the church, while the parish house bears a later year.
Hiking on the Via Transilvanica
Terra Borza Teutonica is the first extension of the main Via Transilvanica route. Its Viscri–Poiana Mărului–Bran sequence links the village with these three stops. In Brașov County, the Via Transilvanica is recognized as a hiking trail of national recreational interest. The recognition dates from June 10, 2026; Poiana Mărului is listed as an administrative unit.
For a different way to explore, there are one-day guided mountain biking and trekking tours starting from Zărnești. They follow the Zărnești–bear sanctuary–Vulcan–Poiana Mărului–Zărnești route; visiting the bear sanctuary is optional. If you would like to book a tour, check availability beforehand. You should also check conditions on the Via Transilvanica before planning a tour.
Traditions and Traditional Dress Throughout the Year
On Christmas Eve, the Ceata vătafilor, led by the great and small vătaf, makes its way through Poiana Mărului singing Christmas carols. Very old Christmas carols, passed down by the ancestors, are also sung in Poiana Mărului. On the second day of Christmas, the Ceata vătafilor holds a hora in the village. This is followed by the “scoatul fetelor la joc” after the church service.
Another festive occasion is June 24: the Feast of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist is celebrated then, and it is also the village church’s patronal feast. Visitors can see the traditional dress worn by local people. Its influences combine the Făgăraș area, the Bran region and Câmpulung Muscel. The village’s range of social and cultural events also includes a livestock breeders’ competition.
Local Cuisine and Getting There
Traditional Poiana Mărului cuisine includes the house specialty “zeamă acră” and a potato and meat stew. The nearest railway connection is in Zărnești, 5 km from Poiana Mărului. Zărnești is also the starting point for the one-day guided tours, providing an additional reference point for planning your journey and activities.
Discover more destinations: Honigberg, Râşnov, Șirnea, Cristian, Drumul Carului, Sâmbăta De Sus, Holtesdorf, Vama Buzăului
For the main travel overview: Brasov.
