Sinaia Monastery

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.

Prince (Spătarul) Mihail Cantacuzino founded the monastery upon his return from a pilgrimage to Mount Sinai.

In the midst of the Russo-Turkish War, 1735–1739, before deserting the monastery, monks hid the valuables by burying them inside a bell.

Under the leadership of Hegumens Ioasaf and Paisie, construction of The Great Church began in 1842 using funds allocated by the monastery and was completed in 1846.

The gold mosaic paintings were created by Danish artist Aage Exner in a typical neo-Byzantine style.

They were presented to the Hegumen Nifon Arhimandritul for the baptism of Prince Nicholae, son of King Ferdinand.

A remarkable piece adorning the monastery is the epitaphios by Anna Roth, made of silk and gold on a cotton base.

During the leadership of Hegumen Nifon Popescu (1888–1909), a large bell tower was added to the monastery walls.

It holds collections of icons and crosses from the 17th century, the very first Bible in Romanian (Bucharest, 1688), and many other precious objects.

The Great Church at the Sinaia Monastery
"Biserica Veche" (The Old Church) at the Sinaia Monastery
The entrance door of the Old Church
The Bell Tower as seen from within the walls