Basarbovo monastery

About

Founded in the 15th century by Ivanko Basarab, father-in-law of Tsar Ivan Alexander, the monastery takes its name from St. Dimitry, who spent his life within the cave. His remains were moved to Bucharest following the Russo-Turkish War. To access the monastery, visitors pass through a heavy wooden gate, after which they’re greeted by a quiet courtyard overlooked by the monastery’s cave chambers. At the base of the rocks, is the cave refractory, with a set of stone steps leading up to the niche where St. Dimitry is said to have slept. Another set of stairs leads to the cave where Hrisant, the monk who restored the monastery in the 1930s is buried. Throughout the monastery, visitors will find centuries-old carvings and gilded icons, the most important of which is the icon of the patron saint embedded with a piece of his holy relics.