Snagov Monastery, Orthodox monastery in Comana, Romania
Snagov Monastery is a monastery complex on a former island site surrounded by marshland, featuring defensive walls, five towers, and a central church dedicated to Saint Nicholas. The complex combines fortress architecture with religious structures.
Vlad Țepeș founded this as a monastery-fortress in 1461, and Radu Șerban rebuilt it in 1588 using remains of the original structure. These phases mark shifts in its role over time.
The walls contain traditional Romanian religious paintings commissioned in 1609 by Radu Șerban, showing him with royal symbols among other holy figures.
The monastery is located about 33 kilometers from Bucharest and welcomes visitors with guided tours covering the church, defensive towers, and surrounding gardens. Visiting during daylight hours helps you see the architectural details clearly.
The site holds a 1932 mausoleum honoring soldiers who fell in World War I, merging religious architecture with military remembrance. This memorial shows how the monastery serves as a place of national memory beyond its spiritual role.
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