About Negoiești Monastery
At a glance: Monasteries and churches in Negoești, Călărași County. The visit takes 45 min. Information verified on 10 October 2026.
Negoiești Monastery stands in the village of Negoești, in Șoldanu commune, on the left bank of the Argeș, beside the road from Bucharest to Oltenița. The church was built in 1648–1649 by Prince Matei Basarab and his wife, Lady Elina: the inscription at the entrance mentions the princess, and the chronicle counts it among the prince's foundations. According to local historians, Matei Basarab had his summer residence here between 1640 and 1650, with the council of state, charters and ambassadors received at Negoiești. The monastery, dedicated to the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel, was enclosed by a precinct wall with cells, was repaired in 1777 and had an unusual role between 1825 and 1838, when the mentally ill from several Bucharest monasteries were moved here.
After the secularisation of monastic estates in 1863-1864, the building became a parish church, as it still is today, although the name monastery has remained in the List of Historic Monuments. The 1977 earthquake left the church in a serious state, and in the following years it was almost abandoned. An EU-funded project restored it in 2011–2015, and the Bishop of Slobozia and Călărași reconsecrated it on 9 October 2016. It is regarded as one of the most important historic monuments in Călărași County.
What you can see
The church is 31 m tall with three towers, its walls are 1.2 m thick, and the white façades carry plastered decoration from the 19th-century repairs. Inside, the mural painting was done by Constantin Lecca in the 1860s, and the carved wooden iconostasis, from 1864, is the work of Constantin Babic. In the courtyard you can see the precinct walls, the rebuilt bell tower and the ruins of the old cells, left exposed after the works.
Good to know
It is not a community monastery but a parish church: access to the church depends on services and on the priest. We did not find a published visiting schedule; the surest way is to come during services or to ask the parish priest.
- The west front of the three-towered church, seen from the precinct gate.
- Constantin Lecca's mural painting of the 1860s, in the nave and under the vaults.
- The iconostasis carved in 1864 by Constantin Babic.
- The ruins of the old cells and the precinct walls, preserved in the courtyard.
- The story of Matei Basarab's summer residence, where he held the council of state.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: Negoești is on the DN4 (Bucharest–Oltenița) at km 42: from Bucharest it is ~45 km (~1 hour), from Oltenița ~20 km, from Călărași ~85 km. The church is visible from the road, on the bank of the Argeș, and the precinct gate opens onto the courtyard. It combines well with Plătărești Monastery, ~20 km to the north-west, and with the Danube at Oltenița.
Public transport: buses and minibuses run along the DN4 between Bucharest and Oltenița; ask the driver whether they stop in Negoești and check the timetable before you set out. There is no dedicated transport to the church.
- Where to park
The restoration project provided for a car park with 52 spaces next to the precinct; we found no information about a fee.
- Fees & discounts
We found no visiting fees; entry to the courtyard and the church does not seem to be ticketed, but ask the priest.
- Rules
Modest dress: shoulders and knees covered, women with their heads covered in the church. Keep quiet during services and switch phones off. Photography inside the church only with the priest's consent; do not climb on the ruins of the cells.
- Facilities
paved, open courtyard · ruins of the cells exposed in the courtyard · parish / monastic house in the precinct · no other known facilities
Frequently asked questions about Negoiești Monastery
- How long does a visit to Negoiești Monastery take?
- A visit to Negoiești Monastery takes about 45 min (church and courtyard with the ruins).
- Can you visit Negoiești Monastery with kids?
- Yes, Negoiești Monastery is suitable for children (open courtyard, with ruins).
- Where can I park at Negoiești Monastery?
- There is free parking at Negoiești Monastery (car park next to the precinct). The restoration project provided for a car park with 52 spaces next to the precinct; we found no information about a fee.
- How do I get to Negoiești Monastery?
- Negoiești Monastery is located at DN4 Bucharest–Oltenița, km 42, on the left bank of the Argeș, Negoești, Călărași County. By car: Negoești is on the DN4 (Bucharest–Oltenița) at km 42: from Bucharest it is ~45 km (~1 hour), from Oltenița ~20 km, from Călărași ~85 km. The church is visible from the road, on the bank of the Argeș, and the precinct gate opens onto the courtyard. It combines well with Plătărești Monastery, ~20 km to the north-west, and with the Danube at Oltenița. Public transport: buses and minibuses run along the DN4 between Bucharest and Oltenița; ask the driver whether they stop in Negoești and check the timetable before you set out. There is no dedicated transport to the church.
- When is the best time to visit Negoiești Monastery?
- The best season for Negoiești Monastery: April – October (fine weather, for the courtyard).
Reviews
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