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.

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Details

Founded: 1690
Category: Religious sites in Romania

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.7/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Giuseppe Castello (4 months ago)
There is little information on site regarding the monastery and its function, ditto for the description of the various works inside, I suggest you equip yourself with an online guide so as to better appreciate the visit. don't ignore the excellently restored old church
Octavian (6 months ago)
3 stars. And this is why: The interior is nice. But from start you have 2 beggers that will contact you when you go in and out. One of them surely was under drugs. If they bothered me, they will bother others also. Clearly somebody from administration knows they are there. Second, inside the monastetry there is a red cord that is ment to stop you to go further. When a church does that, is not a church. So you can do what i did, walk in, take photos where you like, feel sick and get out. Amin!
The Galourious Determination (8 months ago)
It's really place you see the history and beautiful buildings, new church and old church and museum And the grave of Ex Romanian President
T K Khoo (8 months ago)
Historical and well maintained 16th century church. The sacred place is well-patronised by the locals. The church buildings are adorned in beautiful murals that tell biblical stories. Worth a visit especially if a practitioner of the faith. Easily accessible on foot from Sinaia town centre with road access to the front entrance.
Oana Roska (2 years ago)
In this place the God is more closer than u think. I ntimacy with God can happen right now if you want it. A closeness you can feel, a goodness you can taste, a reality you can experience for yourself.
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