The Cozia Monastery, located in the tourist town of Calimanesti, is the main monastery complex in the Olt Valley. Mircea the Elder (Mircea Cel Batran), who ordered is construction during the 14th century, is even buried there. It sites along the Olt River, amidst the beautiful landscapes of the valley and the mountains of the Cozia National Park. Over time, the monastery has undergone many repairs, thanks to Neagoe Basarab, Radu Pezzin and Constantin Brancoveanu. The fountain in the courtyard was built by order of Neagoe Basarab.
Between 1879 and 1893, the monastery served as a prison. People such as Mihai Eminescu (the most famous Romanian poet) were displeased that this status was given to a building of such magnitude.