Sinaia Monastery, Sinaia, Romania

Situated in the Prahova Valley, the Sinaia Monastery gave its name to the nearby town of Sinaia. Prince (Spătarul) Mihail Cantacuzino founded the monastery upon his return from a pilgrimage to Mount Sinai. The first buildings were completed between 1690 and 1695. It was designed to serve as a monastery as well as a fortified stronghold on the route from Brasov to Bucharest.

In the midst of the Russo–Turkish War, 1735–1739, before deserting the monastery, monks hid the valuables by burying them inside a bell. During a battle, the Turks defeated troops stationed within the walls of the monastery. The Ottomans burned the area and broke through the wall in two places.

Until 1850, Sinaia consisted of little more than the monastery and a group of huts. In 1864, however, the monastic estate was assigned to the Board of Civil Hospitals (Eforia Spitalelor Civile), which opened a hospital and several baths, and helped develop mineral springsin Sinaia.

The monastery consists of two courtyards surrounded by low buildings. In the centre of each courtyard there is a small church built in the Byzantine style. One of them—'Biserica Veche' (The Old Church)—dates from 1695, while the more recent 'Biserica Mare' (The Great Church) was built in 1846.

The monks possess a library that is a repository for valuable jewels belonging to the Cantacuzino family, as well as the earliest Romanian translation of the Bible, dated 1668.

In 1895 the museum of the monastery was opened, the first exhibition of religious objects in Romania. It holds collections of icons and crosses from the 17th century, the very first Bible in Romanian (Bucharest, 1688), and many other precious objects.

References:

Wikipedia

Address

Strada Mănăstirii 2a, Sinaia, Romania

See all sites in Sinaia

Details

Founded: 1690
Category: Religious sites in Romania

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.7/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby

Peles Castle (0,7 km)
Pelisor Palace (1 km)

User Reviews

Thanath Gopalan (7 months ago)
Beautiful place. Historical architecture. You can walk around - plenty of beautiful flowers. Very serene. Entry is free.

Rares Raa (8 months ago)
If you are in Sinaia you should visit this church full of good energy, amazing paintings and history!

Northern Wanderers (9 months ago)
Peaceful and Historic Retreat Sinaia Monastery is a serene and historic gem nestled in the picturesque town of Sinaia. The beautiful architecture and tranquil surroundings make it a perfect place for reflection and relaxation. The intricate frescoes and charming chapel offer a glimpse into Romania’s rich spiritual heritage. The well-kept gardens add to the peaceful atmosphere, making it a delightful spot to visit. Highly recommend stopping by this peaceful retreat while exploring the area! Entry is free

PH PC (10 months ago)
It's a beautiful historical place to explore. The whole ground is well maintained and lovely! It's also attached to a nice garden and the walking path to the town centre. Popular with the locals and families for prayers ?

Явор Камберов (12 months ago)
The monastery was built in the period 1690-1695. It sits in the middle of the city, because the city was built around it. It has 2 yards with a church in each one from a different epoch. It has been named by the biblical mountain Sinai. The monastery keeps the first ever translated in Romanian language Bible.

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Sinaia Monastery