Mraconia Monastery
About Mraconia Monastery
Mraconia Monastery stands on the Romanian bank of the Danube, in the Danube Gorges, where the river is squeezed between rock walls. It belongs to the commune of Dubova, about 19 km from Orșova. The white church, with three dark-roofed towers, rests on a headland right above the water, and the wooded slope of the gorge rises behind it.
What you see today is a new monastery. After 1989 it was decided to re-establish it: the foundation stone of the church was laid in 1993, and the work was led by Father Cristian Târtea, with the help of believers. The church, built of brick in the shape of a cross, is dedicated to the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel and to the Holy Trinity.
The old monastery stood in the Mraconia valley: according to some accounts it existed as early as the 15th century, and in 1523 it was built anew by ban Nicola Gârlișteanu. It was destroyed in the Russo-Austro-Turkish war of 1787–1792, rebuilt, then demolished in 1967, when the Danube was dammed at the Iron Gates. Its cross-shaped ruins lie under the waters of the reservoir and can be seen only when the level of the Danube drops sharply. The royal doors and a lamp from it have survived, displayed at the parish museum in Eșelnița.
What you can see
From the road you see the whole church, with the rock on one side and the Danube on the other; the Serbian bank is right opposite. Inside, the walls and vaults are covered in vividly coloured murals, and the iconostasis is of carved, gilded wood, with a large chandelier in the nave. The Face of Decebalus can be seen from nearby, about 500 m away, across the Mraconia bay.
Good to know
Today's church is a recent building, not the historic one from the old site: of the 16th-century monastery only the ruins under the water remain. The monastery is a place of prayer: come modestly dressed and keep quiet. The DN57 runs right beside the walls, with tourist traffic in season, so stop cars only in the wider spots.
Information verified on 29 October 2026.
- The white three-towered church on a headland right above the Danube.
- The vividly coloured murals and the carved, gilded wooden iconostasis inside.
- The Serbian bank, only a few hundred metres across the water, and the rock walls of the gorge.
- The Face of Decebalus, seen across the Mraconia bay, about 500 m away.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: the monastery is right on the DN57, the road along the Danube between Orșova and Moldova Nouă, about 19 km from Orșova (around 30 minutes), after Eșelnița and the Mraconia bay and before the Great Cauldrons (Cazanele Mari) and Dubova. It is ~48 km (about an hour) from Drobeta-Turnu Severin and ~85 km (about 1 hour 35 minutes) from Moldova Nouă.
Public transport: the nearest railway station is Orșova, on the Timișoara – Craiova – Bucharest line; from there, only a taxi or a car will take you to the monastery. It can also be seen from the boat trips through the Danube Gorges.
- Where to park
Cars are left on the side of the DN57, in the wider stretches by the monastery and towards the Mraconia bay. It gets crowded in summer; do not stop on bends.
- Rules
Modest dress: shoulders and knees covered. Keep quiet within the grounds, no smoking. Ask before photographing inside the church; no photos during services. The road is busy: keep children by the hand.
- Facilities
Guesthouses in Dubova and Eșelnița
Frequently asked questions about Mraconia Monastery
How long does a visit to Mraconia Monastery take?
A visit to Mraconia Monastery takes about 30 min (church and view).
Can you visit Mraconia Monastery with kids?
Yes, Mraconia Monastery is suitable for children (the road runs beside the walls).
Where can I park at Mraconia Monastery?
There is free parking at Mraconia Monastery (on the side of the DN57). More under “Where to park”
How do I get to Mraconia Monastery?
Mraconia Monastery is located at DN57, Danube Gorges, Dubova, Mehedinți County. More under “Getting there”
When is the best time to visit Mraconia Monastery?
The best season for Mraconia Monastery: All year round.
Reviews
Other attractions nearby
The closest attractions to Mraconia Monastery, sorted by distance.
0 km from Mraconia Monastery
Top 1001 km from Mraconia Monastery
Top 1006 km from Mraconia Monastery
