About
The Athenaeum Cross on Mount Iezer has a special history. In 1937, the dynamic cultural activists of the Voinești Athenaeum initiated the action of erecting a cross on Mount Iezerul Mare. The first wooden cross was placed at an altitude of 2270 meters, but it collapsed due to the action of natural factors. Over time, other stone crosses were erected, but they disappeared. Thus, in 1988, the "Plaiuri muscelene" Tourism Association and Salvamont Câmpulung, under the leadership of the head of the group at the time, placed an iron cross. While searching for boulders to reinforce the cross, a short distance away, in a valley, one of the stone crosses was found. It was embedded in concrete at the base of the iron one.
The old cross has an inscription that is difficult to see, which is why the Salvamont members copied the message onto a stainless steel plate and attached it to the current cross:
"GREAT ARE YOU, LORD, AND WONDERFUL ARE THE WORKS OF YOUR HANDS."
Arges Guide App Proposal:
Route: Voina Chalet - Bătrâna Valley - Pârâul Iezerului - Iezer Refuge - Iezer Lake - Crucea Ateneului
Difficulty: medium/difficult; Distance: 8.64 km; Duration: 4:00-5:00h
The Crucea Ateneului can be reached on a route starting from the commune of Lerești. The route has a Blue Point marking and represents the connection between Voina Chalet and Crucea Ateneului, passing by the Iezer Refuge and Lake. This option is not recommended in winter because it crosses the Iezerului Mic valley (avalanche corridor). The route offers views of the Bătrâna and Iezerul valleys (with sloping and forested slopes), towards Văcărea Mountain and Plaiul lui Pătru and towards the Iezer-Păpușa Mountains. Once you reach the Athenaeum Cross, magnificent landscapes open up in front of you, above Lake Iezer and the glacial valley of the same name.
More mountain trails starting from the Voina area to Iezer here: https://www.cabanavoina.ro/trasee-montane/
Source: Lerești City Hall; Facebook/Lerești Tourist Village; https://muntii-nostri.ro/; Argeș Mountain Rescue.
The old cross has an inscription that is difficult to see, which is why the Salvamont members copied the message onto a stainless steel plate and attached it to the current cross:
"GREAT ARE YOU, LORD, AND WONDERFUL ARE THE WORKS OF YOUR HANDS."
Arges Guide App Proposal:
Route: Voina Chalet - Bătrâna Valley - Pârâul Iezerului - Iezer Refuge - Iezer Lake - Crucea Ateneului
Difficulty: medium/difficult; Distance: 8.64 km; Duration: 4:00-5:00h
The Crucea Ateneului can be reached on a route starting from the commune of Lerești. The route has a Blue Point marking and represents the connection between Voina Chalet and Crucea Ateneului, passing by the Iezer Refuge and Lake. This option is not recommended in winter because it crosses the Iezerului Mic valley (avalanche corridor). The route offers views of the Bătrâna and Iezerul valleys (with sloping and forested slopes), towards Văcărea Mountain and Plaiul lui Pătru and towards the Iezer-Păpușa Mountains. Once you reach the Athenaeum Cross, magnificent landscapes open up in front of you, above Lake Iezer and the glacial valley of the same name.
More mountain trails starting from the Voina area to Iezer here: https://www.cabanavoina.ro/trasee-montane/
Source: Lerești City Hall; Facebook/Lerești Tourist Village; https://muntii-nostri.ro/; Argeș Mountain Rescue.