Frozen prayer
Hotel Alpin continues the series of articles about the beauties of our wonderful country and brings to your attention a unique church in Romania. It is not the only ice church in the world, but the altitude at which the Romanian one is built makes it more special and can only be accessed in winter with the cable car.
This winter, at the beginning of next year, the 7th Ice Church from Bâlea Lac will be erected, at 2,000 meters altitude. Because 7 is said to be a special number, holy, we thought we should not miss the opportunity and write about this church.
In 2006, the first ice hotel was built at Bâlea Lac. The hotel was built in the form of a huge igloo, with an area of several hundred square meters. Then, the following year, the Ice Church was built, which is still the only ice church in Romania. Starting with 2012, it became possible to stay in the few igloos that will be built next year as well. And these igloos were the first constructions of this type in Romania. Thus, this season, the Ice Complex will include a church, a hotel and 3 igloos.
The shape of the Ice Church is close to those of past seasons, as a kind of tradition, and is inspired by an old church in the Sibiu village of Malancrav, where Prince Charles of Great Britain has a residence. The church is built from large pieces of ice that are cut with a chainsaw from Bâlea Lake.
Having an interesting specificity, the Complex attracts many curious people, from young to old, who want to see with their own eyes the ice that takes various forms under the skillful hands of the master ice carvers. In previous years, the Bâlea Lac Ice Church hosted various prayer programs organized by several cults or churches. In addition, several baptisms took place, as well as religious weddings. This year, in January, the Bach Choir of the Black Church in Brașov performed for the first time in such a place. The sacred music concert was the first event of the last season at the ice complex located at such a high altitude.
This year, although it will only be raised in January, the Ice Church has already scheduled a wedding of a young couple from England.
HERE you can find the access map.
We recommend you not to miss the opportunity to visit this wonderful Ice Complex, and then we are waiting for you in one of our restaurants, to warm up with a mulled wine or to benefit from the wonderful services and procedures at Vitarium Spa, the most exclusive spa. A massage is always welcome.
We are waiting for you!
