Bat Cave at Bistrița (Vâlcea)
About Bat Cave at Bistrița (Vâlcea)
St Gregory Decapolites' Cave, also known as the Bat Cave, opens in the wall of the Bistrița Gorges, north of Bistrița Monastery in the commune of Costești. It is ~250 m long with two entrances, and inside, besides galleries with a small infiltration spring, there are two churches and hermits' cells. According to tradition, the relics of St Gregory Decapolites were hidden here in times of danger, which gave the cave its name.
Monks lived in the cave from the 17th century into the 20th; Father Veniamin Micle counts 24 of them. Metropolitan Matei of Myra took shelter here at the end of 1610, and in 1860 Alexandru Odobescu deciphered the inscription of the Church of the Holy Archangels. After 1959, when the monastery was closed, the cave passed to the Vâlcea County Museum, which electrified it; since 1998 it has been in the care of Bistrița Monastery again.
What you can see
Ovidenia Church, dedicated to the Entry of the Mother of God into the Temple, is the oldest monument in the cave: a foundation of the hieromonk Macarie, abbot of Bistrița, from the end of the 15th century. Its nave measures only ~3 × 2.2 m, the altar is carved into the rock, and the paintings were redone in 1649, 1769 and 1828. The Church of the Holy Archangels, raised in 1633 by Metropolitan Theophilus, a former abbot of Bistrița, stands in front of the cave's large opening (~12 × 10.5 m) like a house under the rock vault; it has a pronaos, nave and altar, and was restored in 1781–1782 and in 1829, after fires set by looters. Traces of painting are still visible on the walls, covered by inscriptions scratched by visitors.
Good to know
Bats roost on the ceiling of the main gallery, so the cave is entered only with the monastery's guide. The cave is part of a nature reserve and of the Buila-Vânturarița National Park.
Information verified on 30 October 2026.
- Ovidenia Church, the oldest in the cave, with its altar carved into the rock.
- The Church of the Holy Archangels, built under the vault of the large opening, above the Bistrița.
- The main gallery, with bat colonies on the ceiling.
- The old paintings on the church walls, redone in 1649, 1769 and 1828 at Ovidenia.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: the cave is in Bistrița village, commune of Costești, ~43 km (~1 hour) from Râmnicu Vâlcea and ~14 km (~20 minutes) from Horezu. Take the DN 67 as far as Căline, then the DJ 646 (strada Arnotei) to Bistrița Monastery; from there a ~400 m path leads north, starting in the monastery courtyard.
- Rules
The visit is made with the monastery's guide. Do not disturb the bats: no flash, no noise, and do not enter the galleries where they roost. The churches are in use: modest dress. Within the Buila-Vânturarița National Park: wear mountain footwear.
Frequently asked questions about Bat Cave at Bistrița (Vâlcea)
What are the opening hours of Bat Cave at Bistrița (Vâlcea)?
Opening hours at Bat Cave at Bistrița (Vâlcea): Monday–Friday 11:00 – 15:00, Saturday–Sunday 11:00 – 16:00. More under “Opening hours”
How long does a visit to Bat Cave at Bistrița (Vâlcea) take?
A visit to Bat Cave at Bistrița (Vâlcea) takes about ½ – 1 hours (with guide and the walk).
Can you visit Bat Cave at Bistrița (Vâlcea) with kids?
Yes, Bat Cave at Bistrița (Vâlcea) is suitable for children (a few steps, damp galleries).
How do I get to Bat Cave at Bistrița (Vâlcea)?
Bat Cave at Bistrița (Vâlcea) is located at Bistrița Gorges, ~400 m north of Bistrița Monastery (DJ 646, Bistrița village), Costești, Vâlcea County. More under “Getting there”
When is the best time to visit Bat Cave at Bistrița (Vâlcea)?
The best season for Bat Cave at Bistrița (Vâlcea): All year round (on days with good weather).
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