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Stavropoleos Monastery
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Stavropoleos Monastery

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Stavropoleos Monastery
4.5
2,840 reviews
#2 of 399 things to do in Bucharest
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Churches & Cathedrals
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About
Built in 1724, this beautiful church is one of Bucharest's oldest.
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Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
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The area
How to get there
  • Universitate (University) • 7 min walk
  • Piaţa Unirii 1 / Piaţa Unirii 2 (Union Square) • 8 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
2,166 within 3 miles
Bazaar
2,040
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • International • Contemporary • Gastropub
Ganesha Caffe - Victoriei
426
0.1 mi$$$$ • Bar • Cafe • International
Linea Closer to the Moon
617
0.1 mi$$$$ • Bar • Mediterranean • European
Origo Coffee Shop
720
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Cafe
Cismigiu - Bistro la Etaj
644
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • French • International • European
Noa restoclub
1,439
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Steakhouse • Bar
AveForchetta
92
0.3 miItalian • Northern-Italian • Central-Italian • Southern-Italian
GIOELIA Cremeria, Strada Franceza
635
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Dessert • Gluten Free Options
Aubergine Restaurant
1,452
356 ft$$ - $$$ • Mediterranean • European • Healthy
Bellini
607
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • Mediterranean
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Attractions
380 within 6 miles
Muzeul Micul Paris
55
0.1 miSpeciality Museums • Art Museums
Lipscani
1,326
266 ftNeighborhoods • Historic Walking Areas
Palatul CEC
359
0.1 miArchitectural Buildings
Macca Villacrosse Passage
244
0.1 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Scenic Walking Areas
Muzeul National de Istorie a Romaniei
390
483 ftHistory Museums
Old Town
4,094
0.1 miNeighborhoods • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Romanian Kitsch Museum
491
0.1 miSpeciality Museums • Art Museums
BNR Palace
34
229 ftArchitectural Buildings
Biserica Zlatari
44
491 ftChurches & Cathedrals
Biserica Sf. Dumitru Poștă
33
518 ftArchitectural Buildings • Churches & Cathedrals
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
2,840 reviews
Excellent
1,858
Very good
825
Average
135
Poor
15
Terrible
7
Matei A
Bucharest, Romania4 contributions
Beautiful beyond words
Aug 2022 • Solo
I went to this beautiful church last year, all alone. What I loved most was the quiet and cozy atmosphere of the place, even if this architectural beauty is located in the middle of Bucharest, in the most crowded place. When you cross the threshold it feels like you are leaving the city for a timeless trip. It is so spiritual, it is full of authentic history and good omen for your soul. I can highly recommend this place for tourists. It's also very cool in the summer beacause of the vegetation and the old structure of the church. Awesome place for people who need an introspection.
Written May 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carol A S
Marietta, GA4,202 contributions
Small, beautifully-decorated 18th century Orthodox church
Sep 2019
Stavropoleos Orthodox Monastery is in the heart of the Old Town, flanked by tall buildings. It was built in 1724, during the reign of Nicholas Mavrocordatos (Prince of Wallachia, 1719-1730). Its graceful, intricately-decorated exterior combines local elements with Italian and Byzantine influences, and is one of the finest examples of ‘Brancovenesc’ architectural style. The church is dedicated to St. Archangels Michael and Gabriel. Like many monasteries at the time, Stavropoleos had an inn within its complex, which generated revenue for the monastery. The inn and the monastery's annexes were demolished at the end of 19th century, so now all that remains if the church and library. A small interior court contains ecclesiastic fragments and old funeral stones. The church interior is small, but beautifully decorated with wall and ceiling frescoes. The monastery has an interest in Byzantine music, sponsoring a superb choir and housing the largest collection of Byzantine music books in Romania. Church hours are irregular, but it is generally open between 9am and 6pm with no entry fee, although a donation is greatly appreciated.
Written April 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kim buay p
Singapore, Singapore11,205 contributions
A guided live-streamed tour
Nov 2021
I did a guided live-streamed tour of the old town with Mihai from Heygo. At the start of the tour, he showed us the outstanding architectural monument, CEC Palace, across the street. He continued the tour by showing us the interior of the famous Caru Cu Bere restaurant (Beer Restaurant) along Stavropoleos Street in the Lipscani district. The Art Nouveau interior is striking with warm cosy lightings. After that he brought us to this monastery. He spent some time here showing us the courtyard and wall murals. He explained that the lighting of candles is done outside to avoid blackening the murals on the walls and ceilings. He also showed us the intricate carvings on the wooden door. A small but peaceful monastery.
Written November 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MKTBE
Topeka, KS2,978 contributions
Spiritual Oasis in Old Town!
Feb 2023 • Couples
Although small in size, the Staveropoleos Monastery has a spiritually powerful presence, tucked away in Old Town Bucharest. The 18th-century monument was once a part of the original Monastery that was damaged by both fire and earthquakes. The church's beautiful exterior is distinct and adorned with impressive patterned Frescos, carved stone columns, and tiled domes. The interior is equally breathtaking with Frescos and assorted gilded icons. The Staveropoleos Monastery is a wonderful spiritual oasis where you can feel silence and peace in the bustling center of Bucharest.
Written March 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
William P
Glendale, AZ1,333 contributions
Orthodox church in the middle of the Old Town
Apr 2022
We stopped in here as we strolled through Old Town. It is quite old and, through the centuries and the candle smoke, many of the wall paintings were blackened. We were shown the cleaned paintings along with one spot on each painting showing what it looked like prior to the cleaning! Fascinating.
Written April 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
msa23_2000
Chino Hills, CA1,355 contributions
Quaint
Jul 2022
It's super small so you only need 15 minutes, but it is a quiet cloister in the middle of old Bucharest. Go inside the simple chapel and enjoy the gardens. What makes it marvelous is how simple it is.
Written July 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Octavian Exigent
Bucharest, Romania8 contributions
A beautiful and unexpected peaceful place. Please ask why a Greek name in the heart of Bucharest. And why no more othe
Jul 2020 • Business
Do we love history!? Because whenever you come here you'll get a straight lesson about the Orthodoxie, the Greek regional influence and the remainings of the day... to paraphrase the movie.
You'll get a clear idea about the expansion of a city and another clear picture about the decline of a regional power. If lucky you'll understand the raise of national
Orthodox churches. Really relevant for the Balkans history. Do not hesitate to ask for details.
By the way, I do have a grand grand father arrived in Romania from Greece, specifically from Ioaninna. Does it sound credible!?
Written August 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
zuv
Bucharest, Romania26,984 contributions
Tiny
Jun 2021
A very small monastery located, paradoxically, in one of the sleepless and noisy areas of Bucharest, the Old Town Center. There's not too much to see, a small church, with paintings that would need a restoration and a cloister, beautiful and quiet. Not in top 10 attractions in Bucharest, in my opinion.
Written August 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michaela T
Clacton-on-Sea, UK26 contributions
Average
Jan 2020 • Friends
Very small dark inside, do not go on a sunday, as it is full of church goers. Waited till after the service and an old lady jangled keys and a padlock at us, ready to close up. Not sure why it is number 1 in Bucharest
Written January 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alexandra
Bucharest, Romania2 contributions
A mystical experience, right in the heart of Old Town
Feb 2019 • Family
My mother was telling me about this monastery every time we passed it and, one day, we decided to enter. I was mesmerized by the beauty of the paintings, the ancient air they exuded, the mysterious markings on the columns and the overall sanctity of the place. To this day, it remains one pf the most beautiful religious locations I ever visited and the spiritual atmosphere inside is absolutely unique. Highly recommended!!!
Written January 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Stavropoleos Monastery, Bucharest

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