The Mystery of the 'Red People' at Cârța Monastery: A Medieval Legend from Romania

The Cârța Monastery, an eight-century-old Cistercian settlement in Romania, stands as a testament to medieval architecture and retains a veil of mystery. Located in the Olt Valley, this former abbey significantly influenced Transylvanian medieval architecture. Historical documents and local legends hint at controversies surrounding its founding and even supernatural occurrences. One of the oldest legends speaks of "red people" who allegedly controlled the lands and took refuge in the mountains after appearing near Cârța on red horses. The monastery, one of the oldest monastic settlements in Romania, was established in the early 13th century by Cistercian monks. It became the easternmost outpost of the Cistercian order in Europe and the second founded in present-day Romania, following Igriș. The area was inhabited by both Romanian and Saxon communities, with Cârța recognized as a Romanian settlement. Despite surviving centuries of devastation, the monastery's ruins remain an attractive tourist destination, drawing visitors who deviate from the more common routes between Sibiu and Brașov. The abbey's construction and the expansion of the Cistercian order into Eastern Europe remain subjects of scholarly debate.