Stavnic Monastery
About Stavnic Monastery
Stavnic Monastery lies in the village of Schitu Stavnic, in the commune of Voinești, about 22 km south-west of Iași, in a landscape of hills and fields. The hermitage was founded around 1727 by the medelnicer Constantin Cocoranu, who became a monk here and took the name Calistru, and its first dedication was "Vovidenia", the Entry of the Mother of God into the Temple. In 1766 the founder's heirs gave it to the Monastery of St Spyridon in Iași, and the village of the same name grew up around it.
The masonry church, with a nave and narthex and towers over both, was bombed during the Second World War and was left with only its side walls. The ruin can still be seen, with blind arcades and ogee niches on its facades, and the complex is listed as a historic monument. In the 1980s villagers built a modest adobe church nearby, and in 1993 Metropolitan Daniel re-established the hermitage; since 2005 it has been an independent monastery. Today's patron feast is that of the Great Martyr Demetrios, the Myrrh-Gusher, celebrated on 26 October.
What you can see
The ruins of the old "Vovidenia" church are the main sight: brick walls rising on a hill, with the facade decoration still legible and, inside, traces of the burial chamber with a trefoil arch in the south wall of the narthex. The new church, of clay adobe reinforced with plaster, is not painted, and its walls are covered with icons. Within the grounds there are also the monks' cells and a monastic house, an orchard and a pond.
Good to know
For the consolidation and restoration of the "Vovidenia" church, the monastery tendered design services (DALI stage) in October 2022, so the ruin has not yet been restored. It is a working monks' monastery with a community of a few residents: enter in modest dress and keep quiet.
Information verified on 13 October 2026.
- The ruin of the 1727 Vovidenia church, with its brick walls and facade decoration still visible.
- The burial niche with a trefoil arch in the south wall of the old narthex.
- The new adobe church dedicated to St Demetrios the Myrrh-Gusher, decorated with icons instead of paintings.
- The hilly landscape around the grounds, with the monastery's pond and orchard.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: the monastery is in the village of Schitu Stavnic, Voinești commune, about 22 km south-west of Iași. You can drive up to the gate of the grounds.
Public transport: no confirmed public connection to the village was found; the simplest way is by car or taxi from Iași.
- Rules
Modest dress: shoulders and knees covered. Keep quiet within the grounds, no smoking. Ask at the gate whether photography is allowed, especially in the church and during services. The ruin is fragile: do not climb the walls or touch the masonry.
- Facilities
Grounds with a church, cells and a monastic house · no official information about toilets or a gift shop
Frequently asked questions about Stavnic Monastery
- How long does a visit to Stavnic Monastery take?
- A visit to Stavnic Monastery takes about 45 min (ruin, new church and grounds).
- Can you visit Stavnic Monastery with kids?
- Yes, Stavnic Monastery is suitable for children (modest dress, quiet).
- How do I get to Stavnic Monastery?
- Stavnic Monastery is located at Schitu Stavnic village, Voinești commune (postcode 707602), Schitu Stavnic, Iași County. By car: the monastery is in the village of Schitu Stavnic, Voinești commune, about 22 km south-west of Iași. You can drive up to the gate of the grounds. Public transport: no confirmed public connection to the village was found; the simplest way is by car or taxi from Iași.
- When is the best time to visit Stavnic Monastery?
- The best season for Stavnic Monastery: All year round (nicer in dry weather).
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