Tismana Monastery, Orthodox monastery in Tismana, Romania
Tismana Monastery is an Orthodox monastery in Tismana, Romania, built on a rocky outcrop of Mount Starmina. Forested slopes surround the complex while a waterfall tumbles beside its walls into the river below.
Saint Nicodim founded the monastery in the 14th century as a spiritual center in the Gorj region. In 1406, Wallachian ruler Mircea the Old and Hungarian king Sigismund met here for negotiations.
The name comes from the Tismana River, which flows through the gorge and has given the place meaning for centuries. Monks still live here following Orthodox traditions and continue the old craft of icon painting in their daily work.
The drive from Targu-Jiu takes about an hour along a narrow road through forested mountains. Religious services take place regularly, and visitors can enter the church and courtyard outside service times.
The entrance hall preserves Byzantine murals from 1564, painted by Dobromir the Young from Targoviste. A workshop called Tismanikon continues icon painting to this day, linking back to the tradition of Saint Nicodim.
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