Sihla Monastery and the Cave of St Theodora
About Sihla Monastery and the Cave of St Theodora
Sihla Hermitage lies at about 1,000 m above sea level, in a rocky, wooded spot in the Stânișoara Mountains, on the forest road that links the village of Agapia with the Sihăstria and Secu monasteries. Hermits withdrew into these forests long before there was any settlement, and the hermitage itself was founded in 1731. The first church, of wood, was built in 1741 by the Cantacuzino family; in 1813 Archimandrite Benedict, abbot of Secu, rebuilt it almost entirely of fir logs on the old foundations. Since November 2011 the hermitage has had the rank of a monastery of monks, under the official name of Sihla Monastery.
The place owes its fame to St Theodora of Sihla, the daughter of a man-at-arms of Neamț Fortress, who lived as a hermit in the surrounding forests in the second half of the 17th century and died in the cave next to the hermitage in the first decades of the following century. Tradition says that birds brought her crumbs from Sihăstria and that the rock split open to hide her from the Turks. The Romanian Orthodox Church canonised her on 20 June 1992, with her feast on 7 August; since 1856 her relics have been kept at the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra.
The Sihla area 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
Within the grounds, the wooden church dedicated to the Nativity of St John the Baptist has a triconch plan, plank-clad walls and a tower with an onion-shaped roof. Inside, the limewood iconostasis is carved and gilded, four of the main icons are dated 1852, and the fresco painting dates from 1973–1974.
Higher up, among the rocks, a climb leads to the cave of St Theodora, a narrow cleft between two stone walls, with an altar lit by candles and oil lamps. Close by are a rock climbed by a ladder, the place where tradition says the saint took her meals, the hollow known as St Theodora's Spring, and the small church "made from a single fir" of 1763, dedicated to the Transfiguration, built beneath the rock face by Ioniță Cantacuzino Pașcanu.
Good to know
It is a working monastery of monks with daily services: come modestly dressed and keep quiet. The way up to the cave follows stone steps and paths, which can be wet. Thousands of pilgrims come on 6 August (the Transfiguration) and 7 August (St Theodora); since August 2025 a new church dedicated to St Theodora has been in preparation here.
Information verified on 21 October 2026.
- The cave of St Theodora, a narrow cleft between the rocks, its altar lit by candles and oil lamps.
- The wooden church of 1813, with its triconch plan, onion-domed tower and gilded limewood iconostasis.
- The rock climbed by a ladder, where tradition says St Theodora took her meals.
- The small church “made from a single fir” of 1763, built beneath the rock face by Ioniță Cantacuzino Pașcanu.
- St Theodora's Spring, the hollow in the rock from which, tradition says, the hermit drank.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: from Târgu Neamț, head south on the DN15C for about 3.5 km, then take the DN15F towards Agapia (7 km); in the village of Agapia, the Agapia–Sihla forest road starts from Drumul Sihlei street and runs unpaved for about 7 km to the monastery. It is about 20 km (40 minutes) from Târgu Neamț and 50 km (1 hour 20 minutes) from Piatra Neamț. A second forest road, also unpaved, comes from Sihăstria Monastery (about 8 km, 40 minutes). The last few metres to the cave are on foot.
Public transport: the nearest town is Târgu Neamț; from there, take a taxi. Pilgrims often walk up through the forest on paths from Sihăstria.
- Fees & discounts
The monastery does not publish prices on its official website; candles and prayer lists are given for a donation.
- Rules
Modest dress: shoulders and knees covered. Keep quiet within the grounds and at the cave, no smoking. Ask whether photography is allowed in the church; no photos during services. Shoes with a good grip are needed for the climb to the cave and onto the rocks.
- Facilities
Shop selling religious items · weak mobile signal in the forest
Frequently asked questions about Sihla Monastery and the Cave of St Theodora
- How long does a visit to Sihla Monastery and the Cave of St Theodora take?
- A visit to Sihla Monastery and the Cave of St Theodora takes about 1 – 1½ hours (church, cave and rocks).
- Can you visit Sihla Monastery and the Cave of St Theodora with kids?
- Yes, Sihla Monastery and the Cave of St Theodora is suitable for children (stone steps up to the cave).
- How do I get to Sihla Monastery and the Cave of St Theodora?
- Sihla Monastery and the Cave of St Theodora is located at at the end of the Agapia–Sihla forest road, Agapia, Neamț County. By car: from Târgu Neamț, head south on the DN15C for about 3.5 km, then take the DN15F towards Agapia (7 km); in the village of Agapia, the Agapia–Sihla forest road starts from Drumul Sihlei street and runs unpaved for about 7 km to the monastery. It is about 20 km (40 minutes) from Târgu Neamț and 50 km (1 hour 20 minutes) from Piatra Neamț. A second forest road, also unpaved, comes from Sihăstria Monastery (about 8 km, 40 minutes). The last few metres to the cave are on foot. Public transport: the nearest town is Târgu Neamț; from there, take a taxi. Pilgrims often walk up through the forest on paths from Sihăstria.
- When is the best time to visit Sihla Monastery and the Cave of St Theodora?
- The best season for Sihla Monastery and the Cave of St Theodora: May – October (forest road hard in winter).
Reviews
Other attractions nearby
The closest attractions to Sihla Monastery and the Cave of St Theodora, sorted by distance.
4 km from Sihla Monastery and the Cave of St Theodora
6 km from Sihla Monastery and the Cave of St Theodora
7 km from Sihla Monastery and the Cave of St Theodora