MONASTERY OF ŢIPOVA

This monastery, dug into the limestone cliff, is located on the steep bank of the river. This site is a real open-air museum. To get there, you take a narrow path. Some of the cells can be dated to the 10th century. The monastery consists of three levels, with several halls including two churches. The first level including the church of St. Nicholas is difficult to access, it would have been built between the 13th and 14th centuries. In its early days, it was reached by a very narrow path. As for the second church, that of the Assumption, it was built and evolved between the 16th and 18th centuries. It is quite large, with vaulted domes evoking the sky, the presence of frescoes with floral motifs, and a bell tower. During this period, a refectory and more than twenty rooms will be created, connected by galleries and staircases. In the 18th century, the monastery had its hour of glory and was very active

In 1949, the estate is dispossessed of its land, the monks go into exile, the monastic complex is taken over to practice agricultural breeding, the church becomes a tobacco depot and many rooms are destroyed. From 1975 the ruins of the monastery were protected until its reopening in 1994. It is a very picturesque place, in perfect harmony with nature. Stefan cel Mare would have married Maria Voichita in the first church, but Orpheus, hero and poet of Greek mythology, would also have perished there and would be buried near one of the waterfalls...