Strâmba Monastery
About Strâmba Monastery
Strâmba Monastery, officially the Holy Trinity Monastery of Strâmba-Jiu, lies in southern Gorj, in a secluded courtyard beneath wooded hills at the edge of the village of Strâmba-Jiu, which belongs to the town of Turceni. An inscription painted in 1793 above the entrance to the narthex says that a hermitage already stood here in 1519. Today's church was rebuilt by the treasurer Stoichiță Râioșeanu in the early 17th century (he died in 1620), with the help of his wife Dochia and his nephew Miloș.
In the following centuries the monastery was a dependency of Govora and then of Tismana. Its wealthiest period was between 1604 and 1628, when Dochia donated nineteen villages. After 1812 it was abandoned and became a branch church of a parish, and in 1927 the hieromonk Veniamin Pestrea, who had come from Mount Athos, restored it with the support of the Historic Monuments Commission. Since 1956 it has been a convent.
What you can see
The Holy Trinity church is white, with an octagonal tower on a low tower base and façades divided into narrow raised panels. The interior and exterior painting was completed in 1793 by Constantin Râioșeanu, a great armaș, and his wife Păuna. Around it stand the cells with arcades, the abbess's house, the entrance to the courtyard with a small tower, a wooden gazebo and the chapel of the Protection of the Mother of God, where the daily services are held. The ensemble (the church, the abbess's house and the precinct wall) is a listed historic monument.
Good to know
A block of cells was damaged by a fire in February 2026 and is due to be rebuilt. It is a working convent: come in modest dress and keep quiet.
Information verified on 29 October 2026.
- The Holy Trinity church, white, with its octagonal tower and façades divided into raised panels.
- The entrance to the courtyard, beneath the building with arcades and the small tower.
- The wooden gazebo in the courtyard, with icons under the eaves.
- The quiet courtyard, surrounded by cells with arcades, beneath the wooded hills.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: from Craiova it is ~72 km (~1 h 25), on the DN6 and then on county roads through Turceni, the last stretch on the DJ 674; from Târgu Jiu ~47 km (~1 hour), through Turceni. The last few kilometres are on local roads.
Public transport: there is no direct connection; the nearest place with services is the town of Turceni, from where you continue by car or taxi.
- Where to park
Park at the entrance or close to it; on feast days the spaces can fill up.
- Rules
Modest dress: shoulders and knees covered, women with their heads covered in church. Keep quiet within the precinct and switch phones off during services. Do not take photos in the church without the nuns' permission.
- Facilities
cells and precinct buildings around the courtyard · chapel for the daily services
Frequently asked questions about Strâmba Monastery
How long does a visit to Strâmba Monastery take?
A visit to Strâmba Monastery takes about 30 min (the church and the courtyard).
Can you visit Strâmba Monastery with kids?
Yes, Strâmba Monastery is suitable for children (modest dress and quiet).
How do I get to Strâmba Monastery?
Strâmba Monastery is located at Strada Mănăstirii, Strâmba-Jiu village (Turceni town), Strâmba-Jiu, Gorj County. More under “Getting there”
When is the best time to visit Strâmba Monastery?
The best season for Strâmba Monastery: All year round (nicest in spring and autumn).
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