Arnota Monastery
About Arnota Monastery
Arnota Monastery stands at around 840 m, on a limestone spur below Mount Arnota, above Bistrița Monastery, in the village of Bistrița in Costești commune. It was founded by Prince Matei Basarab together with his wife, Lady Elina, in 1633–1634, on the site of an older church; its earliest written record is a deed of 11 July 1636. Tradition has it that Matei Basarab, pursued by the Turks, hid here and escaped by swapping clothes with an Albanian soldier (arnăut) from his army, which is where the name is said to come from.
The prince wanted Arnota to be his family's burial place: he brought the remains of his father, Vornic Danciu, here, and after his own tomb in Târgoviște was desecrated during the revolt of the seimeni, Mihnea III moved his remains to Arnota. In 1852–1856, Prince Barbu Știrbei replaced the old cells with new buildings and used the monastery as a political prison. A community of nuns has lived here since 1999, and the complex was consolidated after 2003 and restored with European funds by 2022.
What you can see
The church, dedicated to the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel, is one of the smallest princely churches in the country: a cross-shaped plan, two octagonal towers, an open porch on six pillars and façades divided by a band, with brick decoration. The wall paintings of 1644 have survived; the porch shows the Last Judgement, and the narthex the votive portrait of Matei Basarab and Lady Elina. The carved chestnut-wood door bears a Slavonic inscription naming Constantin Brâncoveanu. In the narthex are the tombs of Vornic Danciu and of Matei Basarab, the latter covered by a baroque white marble slab carved by Elias Nicolai. The monastery's museum collection keeps icons from the 17th to the 19th centuries, silverware, vestments and old books, among them the Pravila de la Govora.
Good to know
The road to the monastery climbs in hairpin bends from Bistrița Monastery and passes the limestone quarry. It is a working convent: enter in modest dress and keep quiet.
Information verified on 2 November 2026.
- The baroque white marble slab on Matei Basarab's tomb, in the narthex of the church.
- The votive portrait of Matei Basarab and Lady Elina, part of the 1644 paintings.
- The Last Judgement painted in the church's open porch.
- The carved chestnut-wood door, with the Slavonic inscription naming Constantin Brâncoveanu.
- The viewpoint next to the precinct, on the limestone spur.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: from Râmnicu Vâlcea it is ~56 km (~1 hour 20 min) on the DN67 to Costești, then north on the DJ646, past Bistrița Monastery. From Horezu it is ~16 km (~25 min), from Târgu Jiu ~86 km on the DN67 (~1 hour 50 min). From Bistrița Monastery there are another ~5 km of mountain road, with hairpin bends, past the limestone quarry. It can be combined in one day with Bistrița Monastery, the Bat Cave and the Trovanți Museum in Costești.
- Where to park
A small car park next to the precinct, at the end of the access road.
- Rules
Modest dress: shoulders and knees covered, women with their heads covered in the church. Keep quiet within the walls and switch phones off during services. Photos in the church only with the nuns' permission.
- Facilities
museum collection, open on request
Frequently asked questions about Arnota Monastery
How long does a visit to Arnota Monastery take?
A visit to Arnota Monastery takes about 45 min (the church and the precinct).
Can you visit Arnota Monastery with kids?
Yes, Arnota Monastery is suitable for children (modest dress and quiet).
Where can I park at Arnota Monastery?
There is free parking at Arnota Monastery (next to the precinct). More under “Where to park”
How do I get to Arnota Monastery?
Arnota Monastery is located at end of the DJ646 road, above Bistrița Monastery, Bistrița village, Costești, Vâlcea County. More under “Getting there”
When is the best time to visit Arnota Monastery?
The best season for Arnota Monastery: All year round (patronal feast on 8 November).
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