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 refers to the yew trees (tisă in Romanian) among which the monastery was built. The monastery is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and 15 August is a pilgrimage day. The museum holds the Gospel Book of Saint Nicodim, the oldest dated Romanian manuscript, with its original silver-gilt cover.

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 monastery museum keeps a silver coffin made by Gheorghe Stoica holding three relics: those of Saint Ignatius Theophorus, Saint John Chrysostom, and the right index finger of Saint Nicodim, along with the cross he carried. The lid and interior show the saints in enamelled medallions, while the exterior depicts scenes from Nicodim's life and miracles.