Căpriana monastery

Căpriana monastery tickets: which one to buy

Căpriana Monastery stands in a wooded valley about forty kilometres west of Chișinău, the capital of Moldova, on the edge of the Codrii forest reserve, and entry is free, with donations welcome. It is one of the oldest and most important monasteries in Moldova, closely associated with the medieval rulers of Moldavia. Visitors can reach it by car or on a tour from Chișinău, often combined with the Hâncu Monastery or with a visit to a winery, as Moldova is famous for wine, and with the Codrii nature reserve.

Nearby, in the forest, stands a huge old oak tree associated with Stephen the Great, the famous medieval prince, who is said to have rested beneath it. The monastery is active, with a community of monks, and visitors should dress modestly, with women covering their heads. Photography inside the churches may be restricted. Minibuses from Chișinău's central bus station run to Căpriana village.

Visiting Căpriana monastery: what to see

The monastery was first mentioned in 1429, during the reign of Alexander the Good, and it received support from Stephen the Great and other Moldavian rulers. The oldest surviving church, the Church of the Dormition of the Virgin, was built in 1542 under Prince Petru Rareș, in the traditional Moldavian style, with a tall roof. The monastery also includes the Church of Saint George, built in the nineteenth century, and the summer church of Saint Nicholas. In the early nineteenth century, the monastery was the residence of Metropolitan Gavriil Bănulescu-Bodoni, the first head of the Orthodox Church in Bessarabia, who is buried here. During the Soviet period, the monastery was closed in 1962 and used for other purposes, and its churches were damaged.

After Moldova's independence, the monastery was restored, and monks returned. The churches' interiors have been repainted with frescoes and icons. The Church of the Dormition's exterior has decorative brickwork and a steep roof. The Church of Saint George, the largest in the complex, holds a carved iconostasis and frescoes. The monastery's bell tower rises at the entrance. The complex includes monks' cells, a refectory and a guesthouse. The monastery's library once held manuscripts copied by the monks. A small museum displays religious objects and history. The courtyard's gardens have flowers and fruit trees. The monastery's springs are said to have healing water. The tomb of Metropolitan Gavriil stands in the Church of Saint George.

Căpriana monastery opening hours and the best time to go

The monastery is open daily. Moldova has a continental climate, with hot summers and cold winters, and spring and autumn are the best seasons, when the Codrii forest is green or colourful. The feast of the Dormition on 28 August, according to the old calendar, brings pilgrims and celebrations. Orthodox Easter and Christmas bring services. Weekends bring Moldovan visitors. Allow about forty-five minutes for the monastery, and walk in the forest to see the oak of Stephen the Great. The Codrii nature reserve, beside the monastery, has hiking trails and a museum of nature.