The only ice church in Romania to be ready by January 8

Newsroom 06/01/2011 | 15:40

Located at an altitude of 2,034 meters in the Fagaras Mountains (Sibiu County), the ice church is made of large chunks of ice extracted from Balea Lake, reports Agerpres news wire. The surface of the church is of 100 sqm and it will have the capacity to welcome an estimate of 40 to 50 visitors.

Prior to the building’s official opening, a group of priests of various religions will hold an open-air service, with the occasion of the Christian celebration of the Epiphany (commemorated on January 6). As in the previous years, this event will consist in the “blessing” of the construction materials, as well as the other ice buildings in the area – the Ice Hotel and the Chalet.

If weather conditions are not extreme, the ice church will be ready by the end of the week, in the location where snow has reached a height of 82 centimeters. This is the fifth ice church constructed in the area, the first one having been erected in the 2006-2007 season. Reservations for wedding have already been made at the church, as a British couple is planning on a ceremony in March to make their vows.

As a source of inspiration, the ice building holds a church from Malancrav, the village from Sibiu where Great Britain’s Prince Charles has a residence.

In order to reach the Ice Hotel, one would have to drive to Balea Cascada and from there, take the cable car to Balea Lac.