# Cernica Monastery

[Romania](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/attractions) › [Muntenia](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/region/muntenia) › [Ilfov County](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/county/ilfov) › [Cernica](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/locality/cernica)

> A monastery for monks built on two islands in Lake Cernica, on the edge of Bucharest: the lavra of St Calinic, with two large churches, a museum and the graves of figures from Romanian culture.

**At a glance:** Monasteries and churches in Cernica, Ilfov County. The visit takes 1 – 1½ hours. Information verified on 20 October 2026.

## Key facts

- **Opening hours:** The monastery publishes online only the times of services (Divine Liturgy daily from 8:00, on Sundays from 9:00; evening services from 16:00 and 19:00 in April–October, from 15:00 and 18:00 in November–March) and the office hours (Monday–Friday 8–14, Saturday 8–12). It has no published visiting hours; the museum's opening times are available on site.
- **Visit duration:** 1 – 1½ hours — with the museum and cemetery
- **With kids:** Yes — lakeside walk, keep quiet
- **Best season:** April – October — spring, gardens in bloom
- **Address:** Șoseaua Cernica 305, on the shore of Lake Cernica, Cernica, Ilfov County
- **Coordinates:** 44.4349, 26.259
- **Website:** https://manastireacernica.ro/
- **Wikipedia:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cernica_Monastery
- **Wikidata:** https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q18538864
- **Categories:** [Monasteries and churches](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/manastiri-si-biserici), [Museums and memorial houses](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/muzee-si-case-memoriale)

## 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.

## Don't miss

- 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

## Details

- **Construction period:** 17th–19th centuries
- **Founder:** vornic Cernica Știrbei
- **Dedication:** St Nicholas, St George
- **Denomination:** Orthodox
- **Pilgrim accommodation:** Yes
- **Collection type:** religious art

## 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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Last updated: 20 October 2026
Source: Pe Plaiuri (https://peplaiuri.ro/en) — Guide to tourist attractions in Romania