Sihăstria Monastery
About Sihăstria Monastery
Sihăstria Monastery lies in a wooded valley in the Neamț mountains, at the end of the road that climbs past Secu Monastery, in an area where hermits lived in isolated cells as early as the 16th century. The hermitage came into being in 1655, when seven hieroschemamonks gathered in the "Clearing of Atanasie" and Metropolitan Ghedeon of Moldavia built the first church here, of wood. In 1734 Bishop Ghedeon of Roman built a new one, and in 1821, during the fighting between the Greek Eterists and the Turks at Secu, the settlement was burned.
Today's church, dedicated to the Nativity of the Mother of God, was built from its foundations in 1824–1825, with the support of Metropolitan Veniamin Costachi, by the master stonemason Nicolae Cerneschi, together with the bell tower, the monks' cells and the enclosure wall. The almost deserted hermitage revived after 1909 under Abbot Ioanichie Moroi and became a monastery in 1947.
Sihăstria's fame comes from the 20th century, from Father Cleopa Ilie (1912–1998), abbot and confessor sought out by believers from all over the country, and from his own spiritual father, Paisie Olaru (1897–1990). The Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church canonised them in July 2024, and the local proclamation took place here on 7 August 2025, with 24 hierarchs and about 20,000 pilgrims; since then their relics have been open for veneration in the large church.
What you can see
The old enclosure holds the stone church on a triconch plan, with a single tower and a gilded limewood iconostasis of 1827, painted in fresco in 1986–1988 by Archimandrite Vartolomeu Florea. Next to it rises the large church of St Theodora of Sihla, begun in 1995 and consecrated in 2007, 42 m long and 36 m high, which houses the reliquary of Saints Cleopa and Paisie.
The museum, opened in 2022 in a restored range of cells, holds more than 300 objects: icons, vestments, liturgical vessels, books and manuscripts from the 15th century onwards. Higher up, the cemetery laid out by Father Cleopa in 1944–1945 keeps the site of the two saints' graves and the small wooden church of 1738–1740, brought from the village of Hlăpești.
Good to know
It is a working monastery of monks with daily services: enter modestly dressed and keep quiet. Thousands of pilgrims come on 7 August (St Theodora of Sihla), on 8 September (the patronal feast) and on 2 December (Saints Cleopa and Paisie). Secu Monastery is about 3 km away, and the road continues towards Sihla Hermitage.
Information verified on 21 October 2026.
- The reliquary of Saints Cleopa and Paisie, in the large church of St Theodora of Sihla.
- The stone church of 1824–1825, with its slender tower and the gilded limewood iconostasis of 1827.
- The monastery cemetery, with the site of the two saints' graves and that of Father Ioanichie Bălan.
- The small wooden church of 1738–1740, moved from the village of Hlăpești and set above the cemetery.
- The museum in the restored cells, with manuscripts and service books from the 15th century onwards.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: from Târgu Neamț, head west on the DN15B to Vânători-Neamț, then take the signposted road to Secu Monastery; Sihăstria is at its end, about 3 km beyond Secu. It is about 22 km (25 minutes) from Târgu Neamț, 60 km from Piatra Neamț and 130 km 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 and in the cemetery, no smoking. Ask at the entrance whether photography is allowed in the churches; no photos during services.
- Facilities
Accommodation in the monastery guesthouse, booked by phone (0233 251 486) · shop selling religious items · museum · monastery publishing house
Frequently asked questions about Sihăstria Monastery
- How long does a visit to Sihăstria Monastery take?
- A visit to Sihăstria Monastery takes about 1 – 1½ hours (churches, museum and cemetery).
- Can you visit Sihăstria Monastery with kids?
- Yes, Sihăstria Monastery is suitable for children (modest dress and quiet).
- How do I get to Sihăstria Monastery?
- Sihăstria Monastery is located at at the end of the road that climbs past Secu Monastery, Vânători-Neamț, Neamț County. By car: from Târgu Neamț, head west on the DN15B to Vânători-Neamț, then take the signposted road to Secu Monastery; Sihăstria is at its end, about 3 km beyond Secu. It is about 22 km (25 minutes) from Târgu Neamț, 60 km from Piatra Neamț and 130 km 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 Sihăstria Monastery?
- The best season for Sihăstria Monastery: All year round (crowded on feast days).
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