Brâncoveanu Monastery in Sâmbăta de Sus

In the Sâmbăta Valley, at the foot of the Făgăraș Mountains, Brâncoveanu Monastery is located near Sâmbăta de Sus, in Brașov county. Its history is linked to the Brâncoveanu family: after a wooden church built by Preda Brâncoveanu, Constantin Brâncoveanu founded the stone church. The ensemble was destroyed in 1785, and restoration began in 1926, through the initiative of Metropolitan Nicolae Bălan.

The old church, the courtyard surrounded by buildings and the galleries with arches are the landmarks of the visit. Fragments of the old painting were preserved and integrated into the restored church, consecrated in 1946. The monastery museum brings together icons, objects of religious art, books and documents, and the library is also linked to the collection of Metropolitan Antonie Plămădeală. The location at the foot of the mountain completes the architectural ensemble. Visits to the museum and the other interior spaces are checked at the monastery, depending on their activity.

The old church and the courtyard of Brâncoveanu Monastery. Archive photo (2011): Razvan Socol / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 ro. Cropped and resized. Adapted photo retains same license.