It is one of the oldest princely foundations in Moldavia, holding the tombs of Alexandru cel Bun and the chronicler Grigore Ureche, 8 km from town.
About the place
Alexandru cel Bun built a church dedicated to the Dormition of the Mother of God here in the first years of the 15th century, as a princely burial place; it is first documented in 1407. Stephen the Great added the bell tower with the chapel of St John the New in 1498, frescoed the same year. After the Ottoman siege of 1538, Petru Rareș built the gate tower with the chapel of St Nicholas and new walls in 1541–1546, and Alexandru Lăpușneanu rebuilt the church in 1554.
The church's burial chamber holds Alexandru cel Bun (†1432) and his wife Ana (†1418), Stephen the Great's son Alexandru, and the chronicler Grigore Ureche (†1647). The monastery keeps the icon of St Anne, which tradition says the Byzantine empress gave to Princess Ana in 1401.
Good to know
- Dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered); ask before taking photos inside the church.
- For service times or pilgrim lodging, phone the monastery on +40 233 241 695.
- It is about 15 minutes by car on the DN15 towards Bicaz; the feast day is the Dormition, 15 August.
Opening hours
Opening hours are not confirmed. Check the venue's website before you go.