Secu Monastery
About Secu Monastery
Secu Monastery stands in the valley of the stream of the same name, in the commune of Vânători-Neamț, in a place where hermits settled as early as around 1500. In the first half of the 16th century, under the hieroschemamonk Zosima, who came from Neamț Monastery, a hermitage took shape here, and Prince Petru Rareș built its church. In 1602 the high steward Nestor Ureche, father of the chronicler Grigore Ureche, and his wife Mitrofana built the stone monastery in the shape of a rectangular fortress, with the church in the middle, dedicated to the Beheading of St John the Baptist.
The Slavonic inscription on the south wall records that the church was built between 7 June and 5 October 1602. Metropolitan Varlaam studied here and retired here in old age; he was buried in the church wall in 1657. Between 1775 and 1779 the abbot was St Paisius Velichkovsky. In 1821 Secu saw the last battle between the Greek Eterists and the Turks, after which the monastery was set on fire; today's monks' cells were rebuilt after that.
The monastery is part of the Vânători-Neamț monastic cultural landscape, added in 2026 to Romania's Tentative List for UNESCO World Heritage.
What you can see
The enclosure, about 95 × 75 m, is closed by walls more than 3 m thick in places and 9 m high, with corner towers and the massive entrance tower, which houses the bell tower. The large church, on a triconch plan, with two towers on octagonal bases showing Wallachian influence, keeps a Deesis icon from 1602 above the inscription, and inside, the founders' tombs in niches with original Byzantine frescoes; the rest of the painting is in oil, from 1849–1850.
In the south-east corner is the chapel of the Dormition of the Mother of God, from 1640, and in the north-east corner the chapel of St Nicholas, from 1823–1824, with a gilded Baroque iconostasis. The monastery museum displays more than 70 pieces from the old treasury: the gold-embroidered liturgical veil given by the founders in 1608, Varlaam's book of homilies of 1643, manuscript Gospels and silverware.
Good to know
It is a working monastery of monks with daily services: enter modestly dressed and keep quiet. The patronal feast is on 29 August. Sihăstria Monastery is about 3 km further up the same road.
Information verified on 21 October 2026.
- The Slavonic inscription of 1602 on the south wall of the church, with the Deesis icon painted above it in the same year.
- The tombs of Nestor and Mitrofana Ureche, in niches with Byzantine frescoes preserved from 1602.
- The enclosure walls with corner towers and the entrance tower with the bell tower, on the west side.
- The gold-embroidered liturgical veil of 1608 and Varlaam's book of homilies of 1643, in the monastery museum.
- The chapel of St Nicholas in the north-east corner, with its gilded Baroque iconostasis.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: from Târgu Neamț, head west on the DN15B to Vânători-Neamț, then take the DJ157F (Strada Mănăstirilor), the signposted road to Secu and Sihăstria. It is about 18 km (20 minutes) from Târgu Neamț, 56 km (about an hour and a quarter) from Piatra Neamț, via the DN15C and DN15B, and about 125 km (2–2.5 hours) from Iași. Neamț Monastery and the Bison Reserve are in the same area.
Public transport: the nearest town is Târgu Neamț; from there, take a taxi or a local minibus (check current connections in town).
- Fees & discounts
The monastery does not publish prices on its official website; ask at the entrance, especially about the museum.
- Rules
Modest dress: shoulders and knees covered. Keep quiet within the grounds, no smoking. Ask at the entrance whether photography is allowed in the church and the museum; no photos during services.
- Facilities
Accommodation in the monastery guesthouse from 15 April to 15 October, in rooms with 2, 4 and 8 beds and shared bathrooms, booked by phone at least 30 days ahead · museum
Frequently asked questions about Secu Monastery
- How long does a visit to Secu Monastery take?
- A visit to Secu Monastery takes about ½ – 1 hours (church, enclosure and museum).
- Can you visit Secu Monastery with kids?
- Yes, Secu Monastery is suitable for children (modest dress and quiet).
- How do I get to Secu Monastery?
- Secu Monastery is located at Strada Mănăstirilor (DJ157F), Vânători-Neamț, Neamț County. By car: from Târgu Neamț, head west on the DN15B to Vânători-Neamț, then take the DJ157F (Strada Mănăstirilor), the signposted road to Secu and Sihăstria. It is about 18 km (20 minutes) from Târgu Neamț, 56 km (about an hour and a quarter) from Piatra Neamț, via the DN15C and DN15B, and about 125 km (2–2.5 hours) from Iași. Neamț Monastery and the Bison Reserve are in the same area. Public transport: the nearest town is Târgu Neamț; from there, take a taxi or a local minibus (check current connections in town).
- When is the best time to visit Secu Monastery?
- The best season for Secu Monastery: All year round (crowded on the feast, 29 August).
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