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St. Anne's Monastery
Best time to visit
Early morning around 9 AM before the tourist buses arrive, when the sunlight falls diagonally through the windows and the frescoes shine the most.
Budget tips
Entrance costs about 15 lei (approx. 30 SEK), and it includes a guided tour in Romanian. Bring cash, there is no card terminal at the entrance.
Recommended for
History lovers, Spiritual seekers, Photography enthusiasts, Cultural travelers
Plan your visit
1-2 hours
About
Quick facts: In here is one of the most impressive collections of icons and church objects in all of Romania, with over 800 items from the 1600s and 1700s. The monastery has withstood both earthquakes and wars for over 300 years, and its bell was already ringing in 1780.
Highlights: In the center of the fresco-covered church is a miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary that according to tradition shed tears in 1822. Black butterflies swarm over the garden at dusk, a phenomenon the locals call "the souls of the monastery."
Insider tips
- Dress with shoulders and knees covered; women are encouraged to wear a shawl, which can be borrowed at the entrance.
- Photography without flash is allowed inside the church, but stand at the back for the best angle of the entire iconostasis.
- Avoid weekends before 11 AM when the priest holds mass and it is very crowded.
- Stop by the small shop that sells handmade icons and honey from the monastery's own bees.
Where to Stay in Sinaia
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