Căpriana monastery

Coordinates: 47°07′00″N 28°30′38″E / 47.116621°N 28.510637°E / 47.116621; 28.510637
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Căpriana Monastery
Style
Moldavian
Specifications
Materialsstone

The Căpriana Monastery (Romanian: Mănăstirea Căpriana) is one of the oldest monasteries[1] of Moldova, located in Căpriana, 40 km (25 miles) north-west of Chișinău.[2]

Overview

Established in medieval

Codrii Lăpușnei
.

The first significant reference dates from a document issued in 1429 that gave Căpriana the status of royal monastery on behalf of Alexander the Good. In this deed the holy abode was referred to as "mănăstirea de la Vâșnovăț unde este egumen Chiprian" (the monastery of Vâșnovăț where the hegumen is Chiprian) and was given in the possession of Alexander's wife - princess Marena.

After a period of decay, the monastery was rebuilt at the behest of

Petru Rareș
, from 1542 to 1545.

Churches

There are three churches on the monastery site. The Church of the Dormition (a stone summer church) is the oldest extant church in Moldova. The winter church of St George is a twentieth century building. The nineteenth century church is dedicated to St Nicholas. The Church of the Dormition contains the tomb of Metropolitan Gavril Bănulescu-Bodoni.

Gallery

  • The stone church (1491–1496), built in Moldavian style by Moldavian Prince Stephen the Great
    The stone church (1491–1496), built in
    Stephen the Great
  • Inside the monastery
    Inside the monastery
  • The "winter church" was raised in 1903, in a different architectural style (Neo-Byzantine style) during the Bessarabia Governorate
    The "winter church" was raised in 1903, in a different architectural style (
    Neo-Byzantine style) during the Bessarabia Governorate

References

  1. ^ "Moldova Pitoreasca" (PDF). natura2000oltenita-chiciu.ro. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  2. ^ "Mănăstirea Căpriana (Capriana Monastery) HDR". Brinzan.com. 24 October 2010. Retrieved February 26, 2014.

External links