The church holds the tomb of Nicolae Alexandru Basarab, who died in 1364, with one of the oldest princely tombstones in the country, and the monastery keeps the relics of Saint Ioanichie the New of Muscel.
About the place
Tradition links the first church to Radu Negru, and the inscription placed by Matei Basarab gives the year 1215; the church was finished by Nicolae Alexandru Basarab, ruler from 1352 to 1364, who is buried here. After the 1628 earthquake Matei Basarab rebuilt it and made it a monastery of monks; another restoration was finished in 1831 under Grigore IV Ghica. In the 17th century a press printing church books also worked here.
You enter under the 17th-century bell tower, 36 m tall and built like a fortress. Inside the walls stand the princely Church of the Dormition, the infirmary church of 1718, the abbot's house of 1635, the princely house, the monks' cells and the old walls, all listed monuments. Since 2013 the monastery has kept the relics of Saint Ioanichie the New, a hermit who lived 30 years in a cave in the Dâmbovița valley and died in 1638.
Good to know
- The main feast days are 15 August (Dormition) and 26 July (Saint Ioanichie), when many pilgrims come.
- Dress modestly: shoulders and knees covered.
- Coloniale café is about 300 m away on Caragiale Street if you want a break after the visit.
Opening hours
Opening hours are not confirmed. Check the venue's website before you go.