Last updated on December 20, 2023.

On the way up to Peleș Castle, it’s worth popping in to see the Sinaia Monastery. The town of Sinaia was named after the monastery which was named after Mount Sinai in Egypt.

 

History

Romanian Prince Mihail Cantacuzino, a descendant of the Byzantine royal family, went on a pilgrimage to Sinai. Upon his return to Romania he founded the monastery in Sinaia in 1695.

Sinaia Monastery in Sinaia, Romania
Sinaia Monastery

 

Visiting

Visiting the monastery is free (as of April 2023). It’s open Monday to Saturday in the summer from 8am to 6pm. In the winter, it’s open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 3pm and you can visit the Old Church (see below) and museum by appointment only for groups of ten or more.

Inside the gates of the monastery

 

Great Church

After passing through the gates next to the 1892 bell tower, the first structure you will see is the Great Church. It was built in 1842 and was the first church in Romania to use electric lights.

Great Church at Sinaia Monastery in Sinaia, Romania
Great Church

 

Old Church

The much smaller Old Church, which was built in 1695, has some impressive iconography done by Pârvu Mutu (1657-1735).

Old Church at Sinaia Monastery in Sinaia, Romania
Old Church
Old Church at Sinaia Monastery in Sinaia, Romania
Old Church
Dome of the Old Church at Sinaia Monastery in Sinaia, Romania
Dome
Old Church at Sinaia Monastery in Sinaia, Romania
Old Church
Old Church at Sinaia Monastery in Sinaia, Romania
Old Church

 

Tomb of Take Ionescu

The tomb of former Romanian Prime Minister Take Ionescu (1858-1922) is in a small room off the inner courtyard. The walls are carved with excerpts from his speeches.

Tomb of Take Ionescu at Sinaia Monastery in Sinaia, Romania
Tomb of Take Ionescu
Author

Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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