Mateiaș Heroes' Mausoleum

The Heroes' Mausoleum in Valea Mare-Pravăț, Argeș County, also known as the Mateiaș Mausoleum, is dedicated to the heroes of the War of National Unification of 1916-1918. It is on Romania's "List of Historic Monuments".

The Mateiaș memorial complex is made up of a mausoleum, a military history museum, a bas-relief and a cup carved from Albești stone, in which an eternal flame burns in memory of the soldiers who gave their lives.

The local branch of the "Cultul Eroilor" (Cult of Heroes) society started the project, with material support from local people. The Mateiaș Mausoleum was built between 1928 and 1935 to plans by the architects Dumitru Ionescu Berechet and State Balosin. In a black crypt in the basement lie the remains of more than 400 soldiers and officers, brought from the cemeteries of nearby villages or straight from the battlefield.

For its significance and its striking architecture, the Mateiaș Mausoleum is a sight of national importance, and every year it draws many visitors from Romania and abroad.