In 2008, the works were suspended due to lack of funds. For six years no progress was made on erecting the church, but the idea of building the church was not abandoned.

In 2013, following a pilgrimage to Mount Athos, two monks, sons of the city of Moldova Noua, had the idea of bringing an icon of the Virgin Mary and boosting the construction work of the Church!

The architecture of the church is in Byzantine style with a three-tiled plan. The dimensions of the church are 40 m x 18 m.
The consecration of the church was done on August 15, 2019!

2. Roman Catholic Church of Moldova Noua, historical monument in neoclassical style, was erected in stone in the eighteenth century (1777-1778) on the site of the old wooden church existing here since 1756. The church, with the dedication of Saint John the Baptist, has suffered over time a series of damage and redevelopment due to the troubled history of the place. In 1788, during the war with the Turks, the place of worship was plundered and destroyed. In 1791, it was restored and provided with a tower.

During the revolution of 1848, the church is again destroyed, this time by the Serbian population, and rebuilt a few years later (1852-1853). This time the parish house and even the marriage, baptism and funeral records from the eighteenth century were destroyed. At the end of 1854, the Austrian state sold its mines and properties to the Austrian Privileged State Society (StEG), which also becomes the benefactor of the Roman Catholic church. In 1860, StEG gave the church 3 iron bells and a clock for the tower. During the First World War (in 1914), the bells were requisitioned, as was the case with all the churches, and melted for ammunition.

Even before World War II the church was renovated both inside and outside with the help of collections. During the war, the church suffered damage not only due to the war, but also to a powerful earthquake (in 1940). The last renovations were made in 2008 (exterior) and 2012 (interior).

3. Serbian Church in Moldova Veche

According to the written sources (XVIII century), there was an older Serbian Orthodox Church dedicated to the Birth of St. John the Baptist, but with some modest dimensions, made of wood.

The present church, also dedicated to the Birth of St. John the Baptist, was built between 1853-1855 and is the most imposing place of worship, from a dimensional point of view, in the entire area (Danube Clisura), having a high tower that has five bells and a clock mechanism.

Initially the temple of the church was built. It was painted by the painter Frantz Vainhepl in the early 20th century, but has not been preserved in time. The old temple of the church was replaced by a new wooden one, the work of the sculptor Ladislav Veres. In the new one, however, they found place, however, for the old royal and diaconate doors. Around 40 old books (XVIII-XIX century) with a practical-religious character are kept in the building.

Roman Catholic Church of Moldova Noua, built 1780, historical monument.

Serbian church in Moldova Veche

According to the written sources (XVIII century), there was an older Serbian Orthodox Church dedicated to the Birth of St. John the Baptist, but with some modest dimensions, made of wood.

The present church, also dedicated to the Birth of St. John the Baptist, was built between 1853-1855 and is the most imposing place of worship, from a dimensional point of view, in the entire area (Danube Clisura), having a high tower that has five bells and a clock mechanism.

Initially the temple of the church was built. It was painted by the painter Frantz Vainhepl in the early 20th century, but has not been preserved in time. The old temple of the church was replaced by a new wooden one, the work of the sculptor Ladislav Veres. In the new one, however, they found place, however, for the old royal and diaconate doors. Around 40 old books (XVIII-XIX century) with a practical-religious character are kept in the building.

BERZASCA COMMUNE

Documentary attested in 1692, surrounded by the hills: “Cracul cu Toaca”, “Dealul Mic”, “Cloaca”, “Abrila” and “Cracul Lupşii”, the commune of Berzasca has its origin in the word “bârza”, meaning “quickly” in the Slavonic language, from the river of the same name, Bârzasca, which flows fast and whose banks, over the centuries and in various circumstances, changed its paths.

Following the archaeological excavations, bronze objects, bracelets, lamps, arrows, vases, coins, ornaments have been found, which prove the existence of a settlement since Roman times. Historians claim that at the end of the XVII century, the present center of the town of Berzasca was established.

The evolution and shape of the relief of this area, the mild climate with sub-Mediterranean shades, offers special conditions for the development of different types of ecosystems of remarkable scientific interest. There are also endocarstic phenomena in the area, such as caves: Gaid Haiduceas (from Valea Mare reservation), Gaura cu Muscă, Caves Gaura Chindiei II, Caves from Valea Polevii, Caves Zamoniţa.

The original association of the natural setting, by a picturesque one, elevates the region to the rank of tourist area. Among the tourist objectives in the area we mention the fortress of Drencova, the Church of Saints Archangel Michael and Gavril from Berzasca located in the hearth of the town, represents the oldest Romanian Church in the Danube Gorge. Originally built after the Turks’ removal in 1772, it was rebuilt in Baroque stone in 1836. It represents an architectural monument. The first religious service was held in Greek language, since after the establishment of the new administration, the first entrepreneurs who washed the gold from the stream that crosses the locality were Greek. The lake village is unique in Europe.

Hiking trails in the area:

• Traseul Berzasca – Cascada de tuf “Pisătoarea” – Munții Almaj. Traseul urmărește Valea Siriniei;
• Traseul Berzasca – Gaura Cornii – Munții Almaj, pe Valea Berzasca – “La Gaura”. Accesul se face din cantonul Chiacovăţ – Berzasca. Peştera “La Gaura” are 420 m altitudine și 121 m lungime;
• Traseul Berzasca – Peștera de la Dumbrăviţa Mică. Peștera de la Dumbrăviţa Mică se află în Munții Almaj, la confluența Văii Şirinea cu Dunărea și are 32 m lungime;
• Traseul Berzasca – Peștera de la Pepa. Peștera de la Pepa se află foarte aproape de Peștera de la Dumbrăviţa Mică și are 19 m lungime;
• Traseul Berzasca – Peștera de la Voinicovăţ. Accesul se face din cantonul Chiacovăţ/canton Voinicovăţ – Berzasca. Peștera de la Voinicovăţ se află în Munții Almaj, pe Valea Berzasca și are 77m lungime;
• Traseul Berzasca – Peștera din Cleanţul Pânzii. Accesul se face din cantonul Chiacovăţ/canton Voinicovăţ – Berzasca. Peștera din Cleanţul Pânzii se află în Munții Almaj, pe Valea Berzasca și Valea Chiacului, având 38 m lungime;
• Traseul Berzasca – Peștera din Cleanţul Zbegului. Accesul se face din cantonul Chiacovăţ/canton Voinicovăţ – Berzasca. Peștera din Cleanţul Zbegului se află în Munții Almaj, pe Valea Berzasca – Valea Chiacului, având 31 m lungime;
• Traseul Berzasca – Peștera Socolovăţ. Peștera Socolovăţ se află în Munții Almaj, pe Valea Siriniei şi are 35 m lungime. Pe acest traseu se întâlnesc și cascadele Bobot şi Jgheab;
• Traseul Berzasca – Peștera Zamoniţa (Peștera din Dragosele). Accesul se face din cantonul Chiacovăţ/canton Voinicovăţ – Berzasca. Peștera Zamoniţa se află în Munții Almaj – Deal Moşnic, aşezată în Poiana Zamoniţa – Valea Dragoselea, şi are 330 m altitudine și 64 m lungime;
  Traseul Debeliulg -Bigăr. Traseul urcă pe cursul râului Berzasca până la confluenţa cu Valea Dragoselea.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]