Săpânța-Peri Monastery
About Săpânța-Peri Monastery
The Monastery of the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel at Săpânța-Peri, also called "Săpânța New Peri" by the diocese, is an Orthodox convent of the Diocese of Maramureș and Sătmar, set in the "Livada" Dendrological Park on the northern edge of the village, towards the Tisza. It was re-founded by the parish priest Grigore Luțai: the foundation stone of the church was laid in the summer of 1997, and the lower church was consecrated on 31 August 2003. Since 2005 a community of nuns has lived here, led by Abbess Agnia Ciuban.
The name comes from Peri Monastery, founded at the end of the 14th century by the Maramureș voivodes Balc and Drag, which in 1391 became a stauropegion of the Patriarchate of Constantinople and for more than three centuries was the seat of the Orthodox bishopric of Maramureș. The first religious books in Romanian were copied and translated there. The old monastery was destroyed at the beginning of the 18th century, and its ruins now lie in Ukraine, across the Tisza, ~10 km in a straight line from the new church.
The church, designed by the architect Dorel Cordoș and built by the master carpenter Ioan Știopei "Buga" from Bârsana, is of oak on a stone base. According to the diocese it is 75 m tall, with a 7 m cross at the top (other sources give 78 m), and it is usually described as the tallest wooden church in the world.
What you can see
You enter through a Maramureș gateway and follow the path through the park's woods to the precinct. The church's pointed spire can be seen from far away, including from the Ukrainian bank of the Tisza; close up you can see the tiered roofs, with the double eaves typical of the Maramureș wooden churches, and the stone base that houses the lower church. Around it stand a large building of nuns' cells with wooden galleries, the summer altar with its tower of several storeys, built in 2003–2004 also by master Buga, and flowery lawns. The precinct is ~2 km from the Merry Cemetery, so the two are easy to visit on the same day.
Good to know
It is a working monastery, not a museum: visit quietly, without disturbing the services.
Information verified on 21 October 2026.
- The spire of the oak church, ~75 m high, seen from the path that comes from the Maramureș gateway.
- The tiered roofs and double eaves, as on the old wooden churches of Maramureș, but on a different scale.
- The summer altar with its tower of several storeys, made by the master carpenter Ioan Știopei "Buga" from Bârsana.
- The building of nuns' cells, with wooden galleries and flowers at the windows, facing the lawn of the precinct.
- The path through the woods of the "Livada" Dendrological Park, on the way to the monastery.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: Săpânța is on the DN19, 18 km west of Sighetu Marmației (~20 minutes), towards Negrești-Oaș; the monastery is on the northern edge of the village, towards the Tisza, along a tarmac road, ~2 km from the Merry Cemetery. From Baia Mare it is ~85 km (DN18 over the Gutâi Pass to Sighet, then the DN19, ~1 hour 45 minutes), from Satu Mare ~75 km (DN19 via Negrești-Oaș, ~1 hour 30 minutes).
Public transport: train to Sighetu Marmației, then the Sighet – Săpânța – Negrești-Oaș minibus to the village centre; from there it is ~2 km on foot to the monastery.
- Where to park
The monastery does not publish parking information; the tarmac road reaches the entrance, from where you continue on foot along the path through the park. At the patronal feast and on summer weekends there are many visitors, together with those coming from the Merry Cemetery.
- Fees & discounts
The diocese does not publish prices for visiting the monastery; ask at the entrance whether there is a photography fee.
- Rules
Modest dress: shoulders and knees covered, women with their heads covered in the church. Keep quiet within the precinct and switch phones off during services. Do not take photos in the church without the nuns' permission; drones are not appropriate at a working monastery.
- Facilities
tarmac and paved paths through the park · summer altar for open-air services · guesthouses and restaurants in the village of Săpânța
Frequently asked questions about Săpânța-Peri Monastery
- How long does a visit to Săpânța-Peri Monastery take?
- A visit to Săpânța-Peri Monastery takes about 45 min (precinct, church and path).
- Can you visit Săpânța-Peri Monastery with kids?
- Yes, Săpânța-Peri Monastery is suitable for children (park with paths, modest dress).
- How do I get to Săpânța-Peri Monastery?
- Săpânța-Peri Monastery is located at Săpânța no. 85, in the "Livada" Dendrological Park, on the northern edge of the village, Săpânța, Maramureș County. By car: Săpânța is on the DN19, 18 km west of Sighetu Marmației (~20 minutes), towards Negrești-Oaș; the monastery is on the northern edge of the village, towards the Tisza, along a tarmac road, ~2 km from the Merry Cemetery. From Baia Mare it is ~85 km (DN18 over the Gutâi Pass to Sighet, then the DN19, ~1 hour 45 minutes), from Satu Mare ~75 km (DN19 via Negrești-Oaș, ~1 hour 30 minutes). Public transport: train to Sighetu Marmației, then the Sighet – Săpânța – Negrești-Oaș minibus to the village centre; from there it is ~2 km on foot to the monastery.
- When is the best time to visit Săpânța-Peri Monastery?
- The best season for Săpânța-Peri Monastery: May – October (green park, gardens in bloom).
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