Cernica Monastery
About Cernica Monastery
Cernica Monastery stands on two islets in Lake Cernica, a few kilometres east of Bucharest. The place bears the name of its founder, the great vornic Cernica Știrbei, an official of Michael the Brave, who established a small monastery here with his wife, Chiajna; the first documentary record is the charter of Prince Radu Șerban of 29 May 1608, which confirmed donations made to the monastery.
Its golden age began in 1781, when St George took over the community, rebuilt the monastery almost entirely and brought here the monastic rule of Paisius Velichkovsky. His disciple, St Calinic of Cernica, abbot from 1820 and later Bishop of Râmnic, built on the islet the great church of St George, with the enclosure around it, the infirmary, the refectory and the library. Cernica became a true school of monasticism and a centre of copyists and church painting; between 1900 and 1904 the young Tudor Arghezi was a monk here. The ensemble is a listed historic monument.
What you can see
On one island stands the church of St George, Calinic's foundation, surrounded by white monks' cells with wooden verandas and by rose gardens; on the other, the church of St Nicholas, rebuilt between 1809 and 1815 by Archimandrite Timotei after the earthquake of 1802, and the old bell tower. In the monastery cemetery, around the small church of St Lazarus from 1804, lie the painter Ion Țuculescu, the writer Gala Galaction, the theologian Dumitru Stăniloae, Metropolitan Nifon, the pianist Johnny Răducanu and the singer Zavaidoc, along with many other well-known figures. The monastery museum, in a 1910 building renovated and reopened in 2021, holds icons, vestments, church objects, old books and manuscripts made by the monks, including the 1608 charter; next to it is the memorial house of St George, in the Athonite style, from the time he was abbot (1781–1806).
Good to know
It is a working monastery for monks and an important place of pilgrimage: many believers come for the feast of St Calinic on 11 April. The saint's relics are kept at the monastery.
Information verified on 20 October 2026.
- The great church of St George, St Calinic's foundation, in the middle of the rose garden.
- The view of the monastery from the shore of Lake Cernica, with its towers reflected in the water.
- The cemetery with the graves of Ion Țuculescu, Gala Galaction and Dumitru Stăniloae, around the small church of St Lazarus.
- Radu Șerban's charter of 1608, kept in the monastery museum.
- The memorial house of St George of Cernica, in the Athonite style.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: the monastery is ~15 km from the centre of Bucharest (~30–45 minutes, depending on traffic): take Șoseaua Pantelimon east, through the town of Pantelimon, then Șoseaua Cernica to the monastery sign. It can be combined with Plătărești Monastery, further east.
Public transport: TPBI buses 406 and 407 leave from Republica metro station (M1) and stop at the "Mănăstirea Cernica" stop on Șoseaua Cernica; from there it is a few minutes' walk to the monastery. Check the route and timetable on tpbi.ro.
- Where to park
The monastery car park is on the northern shore of the lake, a few minutes' walk from the monastery grounds; there are more spaces near the bus stop on Șoseaua Cernica. On the feast day and busy weekends it fills up quickly.
- Fees & discounts
The monastery's website does not publish prices for entry, the museum or photography; ask on site.
- Rules
Modest dress: shoulders and knees covered, women with their heads covered in church. Keep quiet within the grounds and in the cemetery, and switch phones off during services. Photos inside the churches only with the monks' permission. The monastery does not hold weddings or baptisms.
- Facilities
museum and memorial house · pilgrim accommodation at the St Calinic Centre · drinking-water spring · level paths
Frequently asked questions about Cernica Monastery
- How long does a visit to Cernica Monastery take?
- A visit to Cernica Monastery takes about 1 – 1½ hours (with the museum and cemetery).
- Can you visit Cernica Monastery with kids?
- Yes, Cernica Monastery is suitable for children (lakeside walk, keep quiet).
- How do I get to Cernica Monastery?
- Cernica Monastery is located at Șoseaua Cernica 305, on the shore of Lake Cernica, Cernica, Ilfov County. By car: the monastery is ~15 km from the centre of Bucharest (~30–45 minutes, depending on traffic): take Șoseaua Pantelimon east, through the town of Pantelimon, then Șoseaua Cernica to the monastery sign. It can be combined with Plătărești Monastery, further east. Public transport: TPBI buses 406 and 407 leave from Republica metro station (M1) and stop at the "Mănăstirea Cernica" stop on Șoseaua Cernica; from there it is a few minutes' walk to the monastery. Check the route and timetable on tpbi.ro.
- When is the best time to visit Cernica Monastery?
- The best season for Cernica Monastery: April – October (spring, gardens in bloom).
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