Cheia Monastery, Prahova

Monastery at the foot of the Ciucaș Mountains

Where is it, how much does it cost?

The Cheia Monastery is located in Cheia, Măneciu commune, Prahova county, postal code 107356, on the left side of the national road DN1A on the way Ploiești - Brasov, 67 km from Ploiești and 50 km from Brasov, which can be traveled in about 1 - 1.5 hours by car from both Brasov and Ploiești, from Bucharest are 140 km, which requires a travel time of 2.5 hours. There is also an entrance from a side street parallel to the highway, where there is also a parking lot. Visiting the monastery is free of charge. The monastery can also provide accommodation and meals.

About Key Monastery

Key Monastery belongs to the Orthodox rite and is dedicated to the Holy Trinity and the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. It lies at the foot of the Ciucaș Mountains, on the banks of the Berii stream. Although it is close to the highway and in a tourist resort, the monastery is built in a peaceful location. The first church here was built during the reign of Constantine Mavrocordat in 1770 and was made of wood. The current monastery has its beginnings a century ago and encompasses 3 19th century cellars. The large church is built of brick and stone.

1. The monastery courtyard

In the monastery courtyard there are the aghiasmatarium, the candlestick, the bell tower, the chapels, a museum and a church shop. The courtyard is well kept.

entrance from the side street

Ciucaș Mountains

entry

2. Great Church

The Great Church has nave, pronaos and altar. The pronaos has one spire and a small porch with two other spires. Christ Emmanuel is painted on the north spire and God the Father on the south one. The iconostasis is made of carved wood and gold-plated. In the church there are icons painted by Gheorghe Tattarescu.