Cuvioasa Paraschiva Wooden Church in Târgu Ocna
About Cuvioasa Paraschiva Wooden Church in Târgu Ocna
The Cuvioasa Paraschiva wooden church, also called the Princely Church (Biserica Domnească), stands in a cemetery in Târgu Ocna, in the valley of the Vâlcele stream, less than 500 m from the salt mine. It was built in the 17th century on the site of an older wooden place of worship and served as a house of prayer for the mine workers and convicts. A small infirmary for them was later set up around it.
In 1725 the church was rebuilt almost entirely by the mine's chamberlain, Dediu Codreanu, father-in-law of Prince Mihai Racoviță. Other interventions are recorded around 1800 and in 1833, when the iconostasis was renewed with money from Tănase Gheorghiu and the priest Ioan Brătescu, as an inscription on a deacon's door records. After the 1977 earthquake a concrete foundation was poured on the north side of the plinth and several decayed logs were replaced. The ensemble, with the church and its 19th-century bell tower, is a historic monument (LMI code BC-II-a-B-00907).
What you can see
The church is built of oak logs joined at the corners with straight notches, on a river-stone foundation. The roof, originally of wooden shingles, is now sheet metal, and the side windows have ogee-shaped frames. On the west side rises the bell tower, with a bulb-shaped spire. Inside, the walls are lined with fir boards and the space is divided into sanctuary, nave and narthex. The iconostasis has painted registers; the oldest icon, of Saint Nicholas, is dated 1677.
Good to know
This is a parish church, and no visiting schedule appears in the sources consulted. The exterior can be seen from the cemetery. A 2014 article says the timber needs consolidation, and that recovering the roof with shingles was only proposed for lack of funds; no works or closures appear in sources from recent years. Do not confuse it with the wooden church of Saint George, in the Tisești district, which is a different monument.
Information verified on 20 October 2026.
- The oak-log church with ogee-shaped windows, on a river-stone plinth.
- The wooden bell tower on the west side, with a bulb-shaped spire.
- The iconostasis painted in 1833, with an icon of Saint Nicholas dated 1677.
- The Târgu Ocna Salt Mine less than 500 m away, for a combined visit.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: the church is in Târgu Ocna, on Strada Gheorghe Doja, in a cemetery less than 500 m from the entrance to the salt mine. Târgu Ocna is in Bacău county.
Public transport: no direct connection to the church has been verified; from the town centre it can be reached on foot or by car.
- Rules
This is a parish church in a cemetery: dress modestly and keep quiet, especially during services. Before photographing inside, ask the person who opens it for permission.
Frequently asked questions about Cuvioasa Paraschiva Wooden Church in Târgu Ocna
- How long does a visit to Cuvioasa Paraschiva Wooden Church in Târgu Ocna take?
- A visit to Cuvioasa Paraschiva Wooden Church in Târgu Ocna takes about 20 min (exterior and grounds; estimate).
- How do I get to Cuvioasa Paraschiva Wooden Church in Târgu Ocna?
- Cuvioasa Paraschiva Wooden Church in Târgu Ocna is located at Strada Gheorghe Doja 1, Târgu Ocna, Bacău County. By car: the church is in Târgu Ocna, on Strada Gheorghe Doja, in a cemetery less than 500 m from the entrance to the salt mine. Târgu Ocna is in Bacău county. Public transport: no direct connection to the church has been verified; from the town centre it can be reached on foot or by car.
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