Agapia Monastery, Orthodox monastery in Agapia, Romania
Agapia Monastery is an Orthodox monastery in Agapia, Romania, with four churches, the main one dedicated to the archangels Michael and Gabriel. The entire complex includes more than one hundred monastic buildings spread along the valley.
The monastery was founded in 1643 by Gavriil Coci, brother of Prince Vasile Lupu. The building plans came from Enache Ctisi, an architect from Constantinople who applied traditional forms of Byzantine church design here.
The interior paintings come from Nicolae Grigorescu, who worked here between 1858 and 1861 and is now seen as a pioneer of modern Romanian art. His frescoes show traditional Orthodox scenes in a style that combines old craft with new sensitivity.
Access follows the road along the Agapia stream valley, about 9 kilometers from Târgu Neamț. The grounds can be explored along paths that lead between the buildings through the valley.
Between 300 and 400 nuns live here, making the community one of the largest active female monasteries in Europe. Alongside theological study, the residents maintain centuries-old handcraft skills such as embroidery and icon painting.
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