The story of the outlaws who defied the mountains
Long ago, in the dense forests of the Lotru Mountains, stories of outlaws fighting for justice came to life. They were not just fugitives from the law, but defenders of the wronged, people of the forest who lived in freedom, with honor and courage.
Lotru Valley – the land of legends
This isolated and wild valley was the perfect place for hideouts. The steep cliffs, deep caves and endless forests turned them into untouchable shadows. The trade routes of the Olt Valley and the mountain passes were guarded by these "outlaws with a fiery soul"
The Story of the Four Outlaws – The Legend of the Lotrs
At the foot of the Căpățânii and Lotrului Mountains, in the heart of a fairytale world, lies The Land of Lovistea, crossed by the Lotru River and the echo of the footsteps of those who never bowed down to injustice.
It is said that here, in times of trouble, four brave outlaws roamed the forests, united people, and founded settlements that still stand today. Breazu, Ciungu, Malai, and Voinea were not just fugitives from the law, but community builders, guardians of justice, and living legends.
BREAZU
"He who tamed the mountains and buried the gold under the rocks."
It is said that Breazu was not just an outlaw – he was the founder of Brezoi. Descended from the ancient free spirit of rebellious shepherds, Breazu was a man of the forest. Brave to the point of madness and with a razor-sharp mind, he quickly became a curse to the princely power. He did not steal for himself, but to repay those who had wronged him – and his voice echoed through the forests like thunder.
Legend has it that, after decades of hunting, fighting, and bartering with mountain witches, Breazu amassed an immense treasure. One night, with a sky split by lightning, he climbed alone to the top, in Poiana lui Breazu, and buried everything. No one ever saw the treasure again. But the forest there sounded different – deeper, closer.
On cold nights, small fires lit on the forest tops seem to suddenly go out, like a reminder.
"Here, at the gate of the mountains, we will build a new life. And no one will take it from us."
CIUNGU
“The shadow of the mountain, without a hand, but with a thousand hidden steps.”
Ciungu was feared not for his sword – but for the fact that no one could guess his moves. He had lost his right hand in a fight with a potter, but he did not take a step back. On the contrary. He became a living ghost in the forests of Ciunget.
It is said that he had a map scribbled with his remaining fingernail, on a priory's skin, with secret roads hidden only from him. He once saved a group of 13 people with a plan that cost three platoons of soldiers. When he disappeared, no one knew where he went. But in Ciunget, the valley still bears his name, and pain never speaks with a clear echo…
It is also said that every spring, whoever sleeps under the fir trees in the Ciungu area dreams of that same map...
MĂLAI
Mălai was the cheerful outlaw, the one who brought song and fire to the forest camps. He wore embroidered clothes and a golden belt. He was never seen without a smile – and he always had bread, wine, and stories for the hungry.
But the legend that immortalized him is one of love. Mălai fell in love with the daughter of a merchant who had betrayed him. The girl told him: "Stay only if your heart stops you, not their sword." And then he asked a witch to bind him to the earth. She gave him a liquor that he threw into the Lotru River. Since then, the water from Mălaia has had a different taste – and locals say that on quiet evenings, you can hear his laughter coming from deep within.
VOINEA
"A sharp mind, as beautiful as an oak and as silent as snow."
Voinea was a tall, proud, and well-built outlaw. He did not shout, nor did he strike without reason — but when he acted, he struck like lightning. They say he mapped the mountains with his mind and could lead his band through the wilderness without leaving a single trace. He avoided needless conflict and lived by rules only he could understand.
After years of hiding in the mountains, he descended to the place that would become Voineasa and built a home with a silent foundation. The stone beneath it still bears the marks of his old outlaw banner. When snow falls over those hills, no one dares to make a sound. It is a sign that Voinea is watching.
📖 The Legend Lives On
"The Land of Lovistea, a borderland and a meeting point between Wallachia and Transylvania, has always been a space of resistance and a stronghold of identity." (The Land of Lovistea, p. 3)
Today, in the Legenda Lotrilor retreat, the four cabins proudly bear the names of the four legendary outlaws. They are not just places to rest – they are gateways to legend.
Every piece of wood, every campfire flame, every forest path brings you closer to the spirit of those who once lived and fought here.
🔥 Step into the legend. Become the next outlaw!
⚖️ Disclaimer regarding the legendary nature of the content:
🛡️ The stories and images on this page are inspired by oral tradition, local folklore, and artistic imagination.
The stories and images on this page are inspired by oral tradition, local folklore, and artistic imagination. They do not represent documented historical accounts, but rather symbolic reinterpretations of the haiduc spirit from Țara Loviştei.
The haiduc portraits were created with the help of artificial intelligence, based on descriptions gathered from folklore, local myths, and the atmosphere of the era.
