The volcano area has a lot of natural resources like petrol, oil, natural gases, and rare metals , but the landscape is ennobled by wooden or brick churches and a lot of very well preserved traditional houses. Near the muddy volcanoes there are a few historical and architectural sight-seeing objectives : Berca and Ratesti Monasteries.

In the middle of an apple orchard there is the brick church "Adormirea Maicii Domnului" that has been built by the familly Mihalcea-Cindescu, between 1650 – 1651. The church was refurbished in 1759, and in 1829 it has been consolidated and repainted due to Ms. Ruxandra Cimpeanu. In a document dated 19 march 1968 there is proof that Mihalcea's parents have built a lot of houses in the area and this beautiful brick church.

In 1634, in Ratesti village the wooden church "Sf. Treime" is built. During the years that followed the small church has been rebuilt and reconsolidated, last one being done in 1794. The wooden church burns in a fire, and in 1844, the Bishop Chesarie builts brick church. The new church is an impressive edifice, having a very wide pronaos. It has three towers one on naos and two on pronaos. The church is a blend of neoclassic and ecclesiastic architecture and can be considered one of the most interesting edifices built in XIX century. The interior has been painted by students of the painting school in Buzau, under the Mr. Nicolae Teodorescu's command. In 1865 another Bishop, Dionisie Romano, builds the bell tower on the entry gate.

Ratest Monastery is a real monastic village where a lot of nun's, young and old live their every day life. The church has a farm, an orchard and a very beautiful garden. The village impresses with the architecture of the two churches, and the houses and with the inner peace of the landscape which gives utopian dimensions.

Situated on a hill top that overlooks Buzau and Saratelului Valley, Berca church has been built in 1694 by the high Mihalcea Cindescu. The walls and the surrounding buildings carry the wounds of time and earthquakes, but the remaining arches and the architecture can give a picture of the builders craftsmanship.

The former monastery "Sf. Voievozi", which today is an unction church, has been restored after the 1977 earthquake, presents a very important collection of artistic values. Built in a tronconic plane, with a tower placed on the naos, with an open porch on the western wing. The interior painting has faded in time, but the casements on the windows still show beautiful representations of angels. The wooden door at the entrance is covered in a beautiful vine pattern carved in relief. Due to it's position, originality, craftsmanship, the Berca Monastery is one of the most beautiful monuments from the Brancoveanu period.