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The Ghost Church of Goiesti, Vogna, Biserica Sfantul Andrei
Raport Goiesti 23.10.2012
DRAFT PROIECT BISERICA SECOL XIX Vogna
DATE GENERALE
Tinta proiectului o constituie protectia si reabilitarea ruinelor bisericii de secol XIX din comuna Goiesti, judetul Dolj, punctul Vogna.Acest proiect corespunde nevoilor acute ale comunitatii locale si, intr-un sens mai larg, ale poporului roman, de a-si gasi in trecutul sau istoric si in cultul sau o motivatie de raspuns in fata provocarilor prezentului si a insecuritatii viitorului.
Daca, in esenta, protejarea unor ruine (de orice tip ar fi ele) este un lucru firesc pentru patrimoniul spiritual si material al poporului roman, revitalizarea acestor ruine pana la rangul functionalitatii anterioare este o provocare si un simbol care dinamizeaza constiinte si satisface nevoi spirituale neimplinite inca.
Repunerea in functiune a ruinelor bisericii de la Vogna apartine in exclusivitate ca initiativa si proiect ONG Alexis Project, care isi asuma prin prezenta drepturile de autor la data publicarii documentului, dar, in mod firesc, este un model de colaborare cu autoritatile locale, Muzeul Olteniei Craiova si autoritatea ortodoxa, care pastoreste acest tip de asezaminte.
Draft Project Vogna XIX Century Church
General Information
The project goal is the protection and rehabilitation of the nineteenth century church ruins Goiesti village, Dolj County, Vogna point.
This project corresponds to the acute needs of the local community and, in a broader sense, the Romanian people to find the past history and worship, motivating answer today's challenges and future insecurity.
If, in essence, protection of the ruins (of any type they may be) is natural for the spiritual and material heritage of the Roman people to rank these ruins revitalization previous functionality is a challenge and a symbol that stimulates consciousness and meet spiritual needs yet unfulfilled.
The restoration of the ruins of the church at Vogna belongs exclusively to the Alexis Project NGO initiatives and projects, which assumes copyright in this document publication date, but, naturally, is a model of collaboration with local authorities, the Museum of Oltenia Craiova and Orthodox authority, such as those of the clergy.
The Ghost Church of Goiesti, Vogna, Biserica Sfantul Andrei
This Ghost Church of the Goiesti region was once the religious and cultural and societal hub of a district which had the wealth to erect it and pay for its fittings and paintings, and for priests to conduct services here.
When the village became poor for whatever reason, and the people moved away, the wooden houses soon collapsed, decayed and disappeared, but the church, being made of fired brick, still survives, though it is now in a parlous state of disrepair.
It bears mute testimony to the people who once supported it, but who have now disappeared.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 23rd October 2010
Vogna Maintenamce
Adrian and the Alexis Project have been cleaning the Vogna Church and its surrounds.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 31st May 2020
Vogna Church 2020
Satellite photos of the ruined Vogna Church, accessed March 2020.
Photo: Google Earth 2020
Adrian has worked hard to try to arrest the deterioration of Vogna Church.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 23 March 2020
The Infocentre Adrian built has been closed because of vandalism.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 23 March 2020
Vogna Church on a cold, grey day.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 23 March 2020
The church has been cleaned up inside, and bracing to the structure has been added.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 23 March 2020
The church is now protected against the worst of the weather, but complete restoration would cost millions of Euros. Grants have been applied for, but none have eventuated.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 23 March 2020
Vogna Church after the wind, 2019
High winds combined with the difficulty of securely tying the roof structure to the very old brickwork meant that much of the roof was blown off the church.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 31 July 2019
The building was thoroughly inspected, and the ties holding the structure together were checked carefully.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 31 July 2019
The structure itself is in need of repair at many points.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 31 July 2019
The inside of the church is still in reasonable condition.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 31 July 2019
Vogna Church, Easter 2019
The info centre, now boarded up, with the closed church behind it.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 28 April 2019
The church entrance.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 28 April 2019
Inside His House.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 28 April 2019
The interior, and a precious moment.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 28 April 2019
The altar, and altar lights.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 28 April 2019
Vogna Church in January 2019
Vogna in January 2019. The Info Point and the Church have been boarded up, and the Bordei and 'Students' Building' have been removed, all to await better times.
Conservation is now the primary objective, until such time as the reopening for public access can take place without detriment to the cultural site.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 6th January 2019
The Bilta Ethno Museum stage 004
In Bilta village the NGO Alexis Project has now built an ethno museum in order to house local artefacts safely, with some exhibits already installed.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 7th November 2018
The Bilta Ethno Museum stage 003
Adrian writes:
The Bilta Ethno Museum stage 003 - the rest of the materials have been stored for a future project by Alexandru.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 28th October 2018
Big changes at Vogna October 2018
Alexandru writes:-
Last week-end (6th and 7th), I was in Vogna Valley with my dad and my best friend, Mihail (whom you might remember from some past adventures in Vogna) to repair the damage done by local shepherds to the church and info point.
My brother, Andrei, also came to us on Sunday, to see our work and spend some time together.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 14th October 2018
The photos show us covering the windows with strong planks to prevent access and rain or draft inside. The same was done to the info point, which is now completely clear inside and shut, to await better days.
Some work was done on the protection structure and roof of the church and also of the info point, by a local construction team, hired by my dad, to ensure proper rain and snow protection for the winter to come.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 14th October 2018
This week-end (14th), my dad and the same team went there, to carefully demolish the "bordei" - the small hut done by us and the "students' building" - the replica of the workshop built in 2013 Vogna Architecture Camp.
Mihail was part of both these projects and he has done his part very well, but neither he nor I were present there today. I believe it is so for the better of us, as only watching this images, sent to me by my dad, brings a lot of pain into my heart.
There was so much more than wood and nails in those buildings, there were hopes and dreams and enthusiasm and laughs and ambition and yet we had to take them down, because locals were already stealing wood in large quantities and what they could not steal, they destroyed.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 14th October 2018
All the materials were transported and deposited to our HQ in Balta and there they will await future projects, in the better days to come.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 14th October 2018
Easter at Vogna 2017
Every Easter Adrian celebrates Easter at the Vogna valley, where our NGO Vogna XIX cultural site is situated.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 16th April 2017
Vogna in October 2016
Sadly, there has been much vandalism at the Vogna site.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 23 Oct 2016
No area has been spared the depredations of these animals, not fit to be called human beings.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 23 Oct 2016
Alexandru and Adrian made some repairs to the roof.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 23 Oct 2016
Vogna Cultural Site closed
Vogna in September 2015
Adrian went to visit Vogna and the Information Centre there.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 14th September 2015
A tourist has taken as a souvenir one of the horse heads from the spring housing, an important cultural artefact.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 14th September 2015
Once again, people have desecrated the Vogna site, this time using the floor of the Info centre as a toilet.
The Vogna Cultural Site will be closed until humans come to visit the site, as Adrian and his helpers are tired of working for animals such as these.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 14th September 2015
Vogna in August 2015
When Adrian last visited Vogna he was disgusted with the desecration of the site. On this visit, he found that someone had been to clear up the mess, light a few candles, and to put coins and flowers under the icons.
There are still some wonderful people in this world.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 23rd August 2015
Vogna in May 2015
Adrian writes:
As you can see here, my friends, in May Alexandru enjoyed, more than others, another good Fasole a la Vognese, made by me, for every one to taste.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 4th May 2015
Easter at Vogna
As every Easter since four years ago, we were in the Vogna valley, where our NGO Vogna XIX cultural site is situated, to celebrate Easter.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 13th April 2015
It only needs a few Christians to show that a real tradition exists. It was a clear dark night with a lot of candles to give the old church a new life, a new hope, and a new value.
Christos a anviat!
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 13th April 2015
Vogna map
Adrian's 2015 EU Project Map for the Vogna Valley.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 15th March 2015
3D Vogna Replica
This is a beautiful 3D replica of the Vogna ruins, made by Alexandru using a 3D printer, an invaluable tool for archaeology and architecture.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 1st January 2015
Snow at Vogna
On the first day of the 2015 year, Adrian and Alexandru were at Vogna valley, where the temperature was -20°Celsius, with a huge amount of snow around.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 1st January 2015
It was time for Alexandru to light a candle in the ruins of the old church of ours....
Happy New Year to all the peoples of the world!
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 1st January 2015
Info Point at Vogna
It has been raining non-stop in Oltenia, and for two months there has been no sun.
Bulgarian friends gave some books about tourism, which Adrian put in order and protected inside the wooden info-point in Vogna, checking at the same time the situation there. All is well.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 7th December 2014
It seems that God has taken a break for a while!
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 7th December 2014
Saint Andrew Day at Vogna
The 30th November in Romania is the day of Saint Andrew, which is also the Saint's day for Adrian's son, Andrei.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 30th November 2014
So, because the Vogna ruined church is dedicated to Saint Andrew by name, Adrian and Alexandru spent a little time there, with a candle, to celebrate the moment and to give thanks to God.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 30th November 2014
Finishing Vogna windows
At the weekend, Alexandru, Ionutz and Adrian worked to try to finish the Vogna ruined church windows, very slow work and difficult, especially in the cold, wet weather.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 2nd December 2014
Vogna Door Day Two
On the second day, Adrian was able to finish the frame of the Vogna door.
The weather was the same - fog, cloudy, cold, wet, and the large team of one, Adrian, ready to do it.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 10th November 2014
Vogna Door
The weather was foggy, with a cloudy sky, raining a little, cold and wet...
A strong team from the Alexis Project consisting of Adrian alone was trying to improve the entrance to the ruined church from Vogna, where the door should be.
Very slow progress was made, but tomorrow is another day.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 9th November 2014
Vogna Windows Further Work
It was bad weather - fog, cold, wet, and cloudy.
The Alexis Project was working hard to put up the rest of the windows of the ruined church, and make the frame for a door for it.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 3rd November 2014
Vogna Windows
The Vogna valley was cold, with fog, and there was rain under a cloudy sky, while Adrian was trying to make a step ahead in the windows project for the ruined church.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 2nd November 2014
The windows were made by 'Tata' Gheorghe, the well known craftsman from Racarii de Sus. Now Adrian has to fix them in place after removing the wooden protection from the altar window, and replace the icons there.
Tomorrow is another day!
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 2nd November 2014
Vogna Restaurant
Today it was Adrian's turn to cook in the Vogna valley under the supervision of Alexandru, the master chef!
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 28th September 2014
Even though there were a few difficulties, Adrian managed to cook a good meal, especially when their surroundings are considered!
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 28th September 2014
Vogna Windows
Vogna Church has five windows: two in the Pre-Nave (already made), two in the Nave, and one at the Altar.
Adrian is starting to make the remaining three.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 28th September 2014
Vogna Inventory
Vogna Inventory.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 16th August 2014
Wooden Cross Repair and Relocation
The wooden cross was relocated in the Vogna Cultural site. It had been saved from the 'wonder spring' in Bilta village. The wooden cross made by Chiriac in Racarii de Sus village for Vogna was also repaired.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 3rd August 2014
It was hard work under a hot summer sun, but finally the workers had success.
Now in Vogna there are a 'cin' fishing boat from Bilta village, a 'topila' from Racarii de Jos, a 'stiubei' from Bilta village, as well as another one with wooden horse heads from Bilta village, a 'bordei' replica, a wooden workshop, a wooden info-point, a cemetery and, the most important, the protected ruins of the old church, as well as a walking area.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 3rd August 2014
Relocated Wooden Cross
It is a local tradition in the Oltenia region to put wooden crosses where there is a bridge or water source, or at a cross roads, in memory of local people who have died. In the western part of Bilta village, there a the Wonder Spring, 'Fantana cu leacuri' which was renovated by a local forestry worker, a man called Draga, and others.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 27th July 2014
On this occasion, a huge wooden cross, possibly made of oak, was abandoned in the deep forest, lost forever. It belongs to another forestry worker, Staicu, from Olt county, who died in the middle of the 20th century. Because Adrian is always looking to find new artefacts to improve the heritage of the Vogna Cultural Site, he decided to relocate the old wooden cross at the Vogna site, to be repaired and displayed there, as well as many other artefacts from Oltenian ethnography.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 27th July 2014
Adrian put the wooden cross in the Alexis car and moved it, to be protected under the Bordei roof, at the Vogna site, waiting to be repaired and displayed. The cross is now protected, and soon will be placed in the middle of the site, in front of the old ruined church.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 27th July 2014
Vogna Ethnography Museum
Adrian has been improving the Vogna cultural site with new artefacts, in this case donated by the Ethnography section of the Oltenia museum, headed by the specialist Dr Cornel Bolosu.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 27th April 2014
They have been split into three groups of artefacts:
1. Pieces from a Topila (a wooden medieval tool for washing) found on the river Matca, in Racarii de Sus.
2. Pieces from the Stiubei found in Martalogu Valley, in Bilta village.
3. The old Cin fishing boat used on the Jiu River which belongs to Florin Buligiou, an old fisherman from the village.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 27th April 2014
The pieces were carefully fixed to the wooden wall of the building of the students, and to each will be added a poster with text and images to explain what is there to tourists.
In this way, the Vogna cultural site becomes, step by step an Ethnographical Museum as we wish it to be.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 27th April 2014
Easter at Vogna
As every Easter since four years ago, a few real Christians come to Vogna ruined church to be there on such an important night.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 20th April 2014
This year there were five people, dedicated to show how huge is our power of faith.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 20th April 2014
To everybody, CHRISTOS A INVIAT! - CHRIST IS RISEN!
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 20th April 2014
Bulgarian Visit to Vogna
Our Bulgarian friends made a short visit to the Vogna Cultural site to see the latest improvements to the site, and to make a friendly evaluation of this stage of the project.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 31st March 2014
As usual, Miss Gabriela Antonova and Mis Kalia Hitsova visited the entire site, and even tested the wooden bordei to check how comfortable it can be.
A few candles were put inside the altar of the ruined church of Vogna in the name of those who are in danger but who can be saved by a common effort from those around them.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 31st March 2014
Repairs and Improvements at Vogna
In spring 2014 Adrian is trying to improve the Vogna cultural site, repairing the fence, making a new secondary gate, a new fireplace, and other things.
The new gate is one which is closed by gravity, Adrian's invention!
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 24th March 2014
Adrian was joined by our old member, a dog called Bingo, who watches us, not for free, but for any food which may be available!
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 24th March 2014
Since it is now full spring, the entire Alexis Project team are trying to improve the fence of the Vogna cultural site as a preliminary step for the projects planned for this year.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 31st March 2014
It was a bright, sunny, windy day, but the team worked well, and good progress was made already to protect the area, and to keep it clean and in good order.
The photo on the right shows the new gate in operation!
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 31st March 2014
Visit to Vogna
The Alexis Project for the repair of the ancient church at Vogna aims to preserve and restore the Patrimony of Romania. Alexandru and Georgia went with Adrian to the Vogna Cultural Site, bringing there a few wooden pieces saved from the Matca River site, from the Martalogu Valley, and the wooden cin boat given to the Alexis Project NGO by the Museum of Ethnography at Craiova, in accordance with a new partnership here, in the Vogna Valley, creating an external open air section of the musuem.
The evaluation of the site after a hard winter was completed, and all is well.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 16th February 2014
Vogna in Winter, Early 2014
Adrian checked the situation at the Vogna Cultural Site under the hard winter this year.
It was necessary to check the wooden protection structure covering the ruins of the old church under the pressure of the snowfalls.
Although it has been a very hard winter, everything is still in good order, and the site is waiting for spring for work to start here again.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 7th February 2014
Last Improvements for 2013
On the last day of 2013, the Alexis Project was working on the Vogna Cultural site, to make the last improvements for the year to it.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 31st December 2013
A beautiful Christian icon, donated in the name of a young student, who died of cancer some years ago, is placed in front of the door.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 31st December 2013
As well, candles were lit at the altar of the ancient ruins of Biserica Sfantul Andrei, in memory of all dead people who are remembered now at this monument. We profess our love for all our friends, and wish them a Happy New Year!
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 31st December 2013
Putting a Roof on Biserica Sfantul Andrei - Day Five
For the last time this year, the Alexis Project members are working to end the project to provide protection for the ruins of Vogna Church, now called Biserica Sfantul Andrei.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 8th December 2013
Even though it was very cold, a strong wind blowing, and winter has definitely arrived, the project of finishing the roof is nearly at an end.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 8th December 2013
This is the Alexis Project's Christmas present for God, now that the Saint Andrew Church is covered and protected.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 8th December 2013
In 2014, when spring comes, Adrian and his team will continue to repair the walls of the ruins and to further improve the structure.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 8th December 2013
Putting a Roof on Biserica Sfantul Andrei - Day Four
At last the metal roof has been obtained, and the materials are ready to be used to cover the wooden framework, in order to protect Biserica Sfantul Andrei from the elements.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 7th December 2013
It is interesting that it is never snowing or raining when the Alexis Project has work to do on the church, for the last four years.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 7th December 2013
Putting a Roof on Biserica Sfantul Andrei - Day Three
On day three the roof supports were finished, ready for the metal roof cladding, which will have to await further financial resources. It is a large area, but should not take long to complete once the roofing material is on site.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 1st December 2013
With the supports finished, it was time for some traditional food, cooked on the fire in the workshop made last summer. Alexandru and Adrian cooked beans and sausages with onion, tomato puree and pickles.
(I love the beautifully made wooden cooking utensils! - Don )
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 1st December 2013
At this point, Alexandru seems to have rather more fire than he wished for!
But all went well in the end, and the food was delicious.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 1st December 2013
At the end of the day, father and son posed for this photograph, in front of a well constructed project.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 1st December 2013
Putting a Roof on Biserica Sfantul Andrei - Day Two
Alexandru writes:
Once more we were today in Vogna Valley to continue working on the protection roof. We had the same team as yesterday, and everything went well again. We made a lot of progress, as you can see from the pictures, the structure for both 'Naos' and 'Pronaos' are almost complete and ready to be covered when possible.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 30th November 2013
Also, we had an interesting occurrence today, as about 25 hunters, with guns and hunting dogs entered the property and decided to have a picnic close to us. Since we were also having a small break around the fire and eating a bit, we welcomed them - we have a special way of hospitality here in Oltenia and we are very friendly, as you already know. So they stayed in the Bordei, around it, they ate and made a lot of noise with dogs, but at least the site looked very animated for half an hour. Also they were polite and interested in what we are doing with the church and the other buildings on the site.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 30th November 2013
The most important fact of this day is that here, in Romania, we celebrate on 30th November the day of Saint Andrew (Andrei as we call Him here). He is known as the Apostle of Christ who came to these lands in the early years of the first millennium and brought orthodoxism here. Therefore, he is the most important saint of Romania and Romanians everywhere. And since today we got the whole roof up, more than we ever imagined possible, on such an important day and also to show our love for my Brother, Andrei, who has such a beautiful and meaningful name, we all decided to name the Church from Vogna 'Sfantul Andrei' - Saint Andrew, just as you can see from the pictures.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 30th November 2013
Tomorrow will be Romanian National Day - 1st of December. This is in memory of 1st December 1918, when The Great Union of all Romanian states and territories combined into one big country. So we will be celebrating it by working in Vogna Valley, under a huge Romanian flag and with traditional food over the fire.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 30th November 2013
Putting a Roof on Biserica Sfantul Andrei - Day One
Design for the new roof.
Photo: Alexandru Gheorghe 18th November 2013
The workers arrive in the early morning, with much snow on the ground, with the materials for a very important new direction for the restoration and preservation of Vogna.
Photo: Alexandru Gheorghe 18th November 2013
Careful measurements are taken so that the new structure is correctly placed and proportioned.
Photo: Alexandru Gheorghe 18th November 2013
A fire from scraps of wood in an old tin helps to keep the workers warm, and the support begins to take shape.
Photo: Alexandru Gheorghe 18th November 2013
The multi level structure will provide protection from the elements for the ruined church when it is completed.
Photo: Alexandru Gheorghe 18th November 2013
Alexandru's Barbecue!
Since Alexandru was at the Vogna Cultural site for only one day, he tried to improve the site with new posters to identify the objectives of the site. He also decided to make a BBQ for himself and Adrian.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 9th November 2013
However, although the results were excellent, it is not easy to recreate a five stars restaurant!
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 9th November 2013
Vogna Cultural Site - Last Minute Improvements before Winter.
Even though it is late autumn of 2013, and Adrian decided a month ago to stop the Vogna Project for this year, this is still running, with good reasons for the continuation.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 9th November 2013
Since Alexandru was in Oltenia for a day, it was decided to improve the Vogna cultural site with new non-verbal animation texts and images, to identify and explain better to tourists the significance of each objective.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 9th November 2013
Thus, each structure on the Vogna cultural site, the wooden info-point, the ruined church, the bordei, the stiubei and also the wooden structure made by students have today put up posters about their history, significance and other important information, as well as posters with text for tourists with the rules for visitors.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 9th November 2013
The site is free to be visited, but protection against fire, dust or vandalism is necessary. Until now, not including the work done by people here, the costs of materials are over 7 000 Euros, since the start of the creation of the Vogna Cultural site. It is estimated the costs for completion will total 20 000 Euros for the materials only, without including labour costs.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 9th November 2013
Vogna - Last Changes for the Year
Adrian is still working at Vogna, each time with a decision for that day to be the last of the year, and every time finding more to do!
A new secondary wooden gate was made, to give access to the Bordei area, for cars, materials and tools, in accordance with the plan to improve the landscape of the Vogna Cultural Centre. As well, secondary fireplaces were made, one in the Bordei area, and the other inside the building the students made, so that BBQ facilities are near at hand.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 4th November 2013
With the last of the wooden pieces left over from the project, new pieces of outdoor furniture were made, to assure comfort and utility.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 4th November 2013
General view of the the Vogna Cultural Site, taken from the top of the hill from the western side of the valley.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 4th November 2013
The completion of the secondary wooden gate.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 4th November 2013
A brick footpath was made to connect the buildings of the Vogna Cultural Site, in accordance with the design of the project.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 4th November 2013
The outdoor wooden furniture was finally ready to improve the floor of the students' building, a chair and a table, to rest and enjoy the landscape from there.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 4th November 2013
In accordance with the theme of the Vogna Cultural Site, the student building is covered with dry branches, as the info-point is, and the brick footpath has been laid to connect it to the Bordei area.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 4th November 2013
Technical Documents for Vogna Project 2013
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 4th August 2013
Easter at Vogna
This is a record of Easter in the Vogna valley, where Adrian and friends and family have been coming for three years to celebrate Easter near the ruins of the 19th century church there.
Photo: Alexandru Gheorghe, 5th May 2013
There were candles everywhere, a beautiful cold night, and a huge silence in this forgotten valley. However, coming back in the morning, Adrian and Alexandru found a few new candles at the entrance to the church, which means that, on Easter night, there were more Christians than just Adrian's group.
Photo: Alexandru Gheorghe, 5th May 2013
A Mother is Checking the Work of her Son!
For the first time, Adrian's 84 year old mother visited the site where Adrian has done so much work.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe, 29th April 2013
She wanted to see everything that Adrian had done, and to understand his efforts to save, protect, and promote Romanian Culture.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe, 29th April 2013
Fortunately, the weather was excellent, and the visit was a big success.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe, 29th April 2013
Soon Adrian will take her to Cioroiu Nou to see the work that he has done there for the Patrimony of Romania. She must be very proud of him.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe, 29th April 2013
Marking the Vogna Cultural Site
Adrian decided a long time ago to make, in the Vogna Valley, a cultural site, and has already protected the ruins of an ancient church, a wooden info-point, which is a monument to all the destroyed churches in the Oltenia area, and has preserved a few ancient graves from the old cemetery, completed a 'Bordei', an ancient underground house, and so on.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe, 29th April 2013
He has now marked all these things with official notices to visitors, which include advice and rules to protect this free area, and to make the visit of tourists more enjoyable.
Step by step, the Vogna site has been improved by the NGO Alexis Project efforts, without any external help, and with lots of advice from others, but nothing else.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe, 29th April 2013
Making the Floor
Adrian has been working very hard on the floors of Vogna. He is going to cover the entire area inside the ruins of the church with a floor of bricks and sand.
The bricks are broken pieces from the work to protect the ruins, and the sand was taken from a hill nearby.
A brick path will be made around the ruins so that it can be viewed more easily, in safety and comfort.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe, 29th April 2013
Golgotha at Vogna
Adrian has been working hard on the flooring of the church at Vogna, meticulously placing cobblestones of ancient brick to create a stable surface to walk on in all weathers.
It is dispiriting to find that finishing the project to create a replica of a village from the 18th century, after the model of Gorna Malina, is taking so long. Adrian is doing everything alone, without material help, only using his energy and wishing to improve a place so that everyone can see that if you want to do something, it is possible.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe, 15th April 2013
Adrian has a dream, to hear the sounds of the bells of the ruined church of Vogna valley, before he dies…………
Perhaps he will have a very long life!
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe, 15th April 2013
Tourists at Vogna
Adrian writes:
Who said that in Vogna Valley there are not very many tourists coming, to visit it, to lie on the grass, or to eat and sleep here?
As you can see, even in spring, hardly begun, there are already many tourists there making a lot of noise, especially around the wooden Bordei, a replica of a peasant house of the 18th Century.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe, 15th April 2013
Improving Vogna
Adrian has been trying to improve the landscape around the ruins of Vogna Valley, and has made a few corrections to the digs around the ruins, and covering the concrete belt around the foundations of the old church, as well as making a grass carpet all around it.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe, 18th February 2013
The work has progressed well, and the church now looks very much better than it used to, before the loving restoration work of Adrian and his team.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe, 18th February 2013
The Info-Point has also received attention. It is periodically vandalised, so it needs ongoing maintenance and repairs.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe, 18th February 2013
Report from Vogna
Adrian writes:
I was in the Vogna Valley today, to make plans for this year, as spring is coming.
As usual, our bandit-friend has again broken the door of the info point, so I have fixed it for the fifth time, asking god to give him a present about which I do not intend to speak here.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe, 11th February 2013
Also in the bordei, a strange tourist has slept there, making a fire inside it, also designed crosses of burnt oil over the wooden wall, so our tourist plan is working, you see, even though they are not following the designs of the project, but at least the bandit-tourists are already coming here, which is some sort of success for our project.
The church is in good condition, which indicates that those bandits must be Christians, even if their courage is limited, which is also good to know.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe, 11th February 2013
The lake in the middle of the valley is already full of water, passing underground from the clay dam and starting to fill the valley, which reminded me that last year I advised the Mayor to let the entire valley become a lake. He insisted on making a small lake, so I was right, which makes me feel good.
Things could be worse, the project is still ongoing, and I have to hunt for money to continue this work.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe, 11th February 2013
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Alexis Project Filiasi/Romania
RC J/263/230/2007 CIF 21464151
Email: [email protected]