Radu Vodă Monastery
About Radu Vodă Monastery
On the hill near Piața Unirii, where traces of Palaeolithic habitation and of a fortified Getic-Dacian settlement have been found, one of Bucharest's great monasteries rose in the 16th century. It was founded by Prince Alexandru II Mircea (reigned 1568–1577) and Princess Ecaterina in thanks for a victory in battle, and conceived as the future metropolitan church of the capital, under the name of the Holy Trinity. In 1595 it fell into Ottoman hands and was destroyed when Sinan Pasha withdrew. From 1614 it was rebuilt by Radu Mihnea, from whom it takes its name today. In 1875 a large part of the monastery was demolished, but the church, the bell tower and some of the cells were left standing.
The Church of the Holy Trinity has a triconch plan, with a tower over the nave and a widened pronaos covered by three towers; the main one rests on twelve columns, as in the model at Curtea de Argeș, but it is built of brick, not stone. The façades, divided into two registers by a belt course, have niches with receding arches that give rhythm to the whitewashed surfaces. Its present appearance is due to the restoration led by the architect Ștefan Balș, completed in 1974, and the church was reconsecrated in 1979. The monastery was dissolved in 1960 and reactivated in 1998. It is dedicated to the Holy Trinity and to Saint Nectarios of Aegina, whose relics are kept here.
What you can see
Inside you can see the Baroque iconostasis and the tombstones in the pronaos, among them that of Vlad Voivode, son of Mihnea Turcitul, from the end of the 16th century. The tomb of the founder Radu Mihnea is in the niche between the pronaos and the nave, and Patriarch Justinian Marina, who started the restoration of the 1960s and 1970s, is buried in the church. The church painting is by Archimandrite Sofian Boghiu, and part of the painting by Gheorghe Tattarescu survives in the pronaos. In the courtyard stand the bell tower, with a painted vaulted passage, and the surviving cells.
Good to know
This is a working monastery with services every day, and many pilgrims come on feast days. In November 2023 work began on the conservation and restoration of the church's mural painting, with the support of the State Secretariat for Religious Affairs and CEC Bank.
Information verified on 25 October 2026.
- The brick Church of the Holy Trinity, with three towers, modelled on the episcopal church at Curtea de Argeș.
- The relics of Saint Nectarios of Aegina, a place of pilgrimage.
- The Baroque iconostasis and the tombstones in the pronaos.
- The tombs of Prince Radu Mihnea and Patriarch Justinian Marina.
- The bell tower, with its painted vaulted passage, and the cells that survive from the old monastery.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: Bucharest is ~80 km from Ploiești, ~120 km from Pitești and ~185 km from Brașov. The monastery is on Strada Radu Vodă, in the central area, near the bank of the Dâmbovița; in the city the simplest is to leave the car in a car park nearby and walk in.
Public transport: the nearest metro station is Piața Unirii, ~900 m on foot (~12 min). Trams 15, 27 and 30 and several bus lines stop nearby. The North Station is ~5 km away (metro or bus, about 25 minutes).
- Where to park
The monastery has no car park for visitors. In the area you park on the surrounding streets, in the paid zones (parking meter or app), or in nearby car parks. On feast days and at weekends spaces fill up quickly; the simplest is to come by metro or public transport.
- Rules
This is a working monastery: modest dress (shoulders and knees covered, men bareheaded in the church), quiet, no food or drink. Do not use a flash and do not take photos during services; ask if you are unsure.
- Facilities
church and courtyard · bell tower · cash machines, cafés and toilets in the area, a few steps away
Frequently asked questions about Radu Vodă Monastery
- What are the opening hours of Radu Vodă Monastery?
- Opening hours at Radu Vodă Monastery: daily 07:00 – 21:00. Hours: every day, 7:00–21:00. Daily services: the Divine Liturgy in the morning (from 8:00, with Matins as well on Saturdays and Sundays), vespers in the afternoon (from 17:00); on some weekday evenings the Holy Unction is held. The week's liturgical schedule is published on the website.
- How long does a visit to Radu Vodă Monastery take?
- A visit to Radu Vodă Monastery takes about 30 min (church and courtyard; estimate).
- Can you visit Radu Vodă Monastery with kids?
- Yes, Radu Vodă Monastery is suitable for children (quiet place, no play area).
- Where can I park at Radu Vodă Monastery?
- There is paid parking at Radu Vodă Monastery (city centre, paid zone). The monastery has no car park for visitors. In the area you park on the surrounding streets, in the paid zones (parking meter or app), or in nearby car parks. On feast days and at weekends spaces fill up quickly; the simplest is to come by metro or public transport.
- How do I get to Radu Vodă Monastery?
- Radu Vodă Monastery is located at 24A Strada Radu Vodă, Sector 4, București. By car: Bucharest is ~80 km from Ploiești, ~120 km from Pitești and ~185 km from Brașov. The monastery is on Strada Radu Vodă, in the central area, near the bank of the Dâmbovița; in the city the simplest is to leave the car in a car park nearby and walk in. Public transport: the nearest metro station is Piața Unirii, ~900 m on foot (~12 min). Trams 15, 27 and 30 and several bus lines stop nearby. The North Station is ~5 km away (metro or bus, about 25 minutes).
- When is the best time to visit Radu Vodă Monastery?
- The best season for Radu Vodă Monastery: All year round (all year round).
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