Alexandru Lăpușneanu's church, with two superimposed churches, is rare in Moldavia, and the monastery scores 4.8 on Google from more than 2,500 reviews.
About the place
Tradition says the site was first a hermitage with a wooden church of St Demetrius, built with help from Stephen the Great and burned by the Ottomans in 1476. Today's stone church was built in 1560 by Prince Alexandru Lăpușneanu, who also built the bell tower; it was renewed in 1642 under Vasile Lupu. The building holds two churches one above the other, and the former cellar was turned into a chapel. The patron saint is St Demetrius the Myrrh-streamer, celebrated on 26 October.
Over time the buildings also served as a prison, and from 1960 they housed a research station. Since 1991 the site has again been a monastery for monks, with a community of about 36, and it now also has a new church. It scores 4.8 on Google from more than 2,500 reviews.
Good to know
- Dress modestly: shoulders and knees covered; women usually cover their heads.
- Ask before taking photos inside the churches; one visitor writes that they could not take pictures inside.
- Google shows the gates open from morning to evening (about 7.30 am–8 pm, until 9 pm Friday–Sunday); the service times are on the website.
Opening hours
Opening hours are not confirmed. Check the venue's website before you go.