Brâncoveanu Monastery, Sâmbăta de Sus, Brasov

Holy place of prayer and home for Arsenie Boca at the foot of Făgăraș

Location and access

Brâncoveanu Monastery is situated on the Sâmbăta river valley 95 km from Brasov and 85 km from Sibiu. In Sambata de Jos you leave the DN1 to the south, towards the mountains, and follow the DJ105B for 15 km. A large parking lot at the edge of the forest, outside the perimeter (wall) of the monastery is the place to leave the cars.

Fountain of the Fountain of the Fountain of Wisdom

About Brâncoveanu Monastery

Brâncoveanu Monastery de la Sambata de Sus is a monastery of monks, with an important obste of 35 Orthodox monks, and is dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary (August 15). As founders are considered Constantin Brâncoveanu, hence the name, and King Michael I. I've been here several times, either in Fagarasene mountain journeys, or in mini-holidays based in Sambata de Sus or passing through. I visited it both on the run and by chance. I also caught the time when Arsenios Boca lived here and you could look at the Confession Dance. It is a place that has always charged me positively, a clean and welcoming place.

History

– secolul al XVI-lea – este atestatat documentar fantana Izvorul Tamaduirii, aflata pe arealul manastirii
- 1654 - Sambata de Sus village and manor house become the property of the boyar Preda Brancoveanu, grandfather of Constantin Brancoveanu
- 1657 - Preda builds a wooden church for the local Sikh monks
- 1696-1707 - Prince Constantin Brancoveanu rebuilds the stone and brick church
- 1785 - the church is destroyed under Habsburg rule which for years resisted the forced Catholicization of the population
- 1926 - restoration of the church begins
- 1946 - the consecration of the church in the presence of King Michael I, who is considered the second founder of the monastery, the portrait of the king being painted in the church
- 1985 - the Metropolitan of Transylvania Antonie Plamadeala, considered the third founder of the monastery, completely renovates the complex and builds the current walls
- 1993 - consecration of the new church dedicated to the martyred saints Brancoveni, located upstairs
- 2003 - Sambata Academy is inaugurated, which organizes mainly religious conferences and provides accommodation

1. Driveways

From the gate opens a nice perspective with the monastery built at the foot of the Fagaras Mountains. We have 3 parallel alleys, the middle one wider and flanked with tall tuia trees aligned to the picture. The architecture belongs to the classic brancovenesc style. On many days during the year, especially holidays, the courtyard of the monastery as well as its church gets crowded, we chose to (re)visit it on a certain day in January 2021, so we did not get crowded, as we have on other occasions.

parallel alleys

2. New Church

We pass under the arcade and enter the square-shaped inner courtyard. To enter new churchWe climb the stairs on the left. It is spacious and bright for a church. The predominantly blue and green painting looks very good.

new church

in the new church

3. The monastery courtyard

In the courtyard, on the right side facing the arcade, you will find bust of Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu, very suggestively represented with the church held in the palms, symbolizing the role of its first founder. Behind the bust is a superb mosaic fresco. Then to their right, towards the arcade, marble plaques mention those who contributed to the restoration of the monastery. In the outer courtyard are the Sambata Academy, a large ecclesiastical magazine, the candlestick, a manicured park-like space and a spring, somewhere at the back of the property.

Very appropriate inscription at the exit of the courtyard: Peace to those who come. Joy to those who remain. Blessing to those who leave.

bust of Prince Constantin Brancoveanu

4. Spring of Healing Fountain

On the left flank is Spring of Healing Fountainfrom where I took aghiasma. I have appreciated that since my last visit here, a solution has been installed to pump the (holy) water from the fountain by the push of a button, a pumping system drawing water from the ground and directing it through a pipe to the bottles of those taking the aghiasma. Perhaps its diameter should have been smaller to fit the neck of the bottles.

Fountain of the Fountain of the Fountain of Wisdom

5. Old Church

In the middle of the courtyard is old churchwith porch, nave, nave, pronaos and altar. Candles are lit in a newly arranged outside, in the courtyard. If you make it to the monastery, it's also worth going inside museumwhich collects many old books, manuscripts, icons and handicrafts.

old church

Conclusion

Brâncoveanu Monastery In this place I have felt on several occasions that I can find silence for prayer. On two different occasions I appreciated the grace of some priests who listened to my confession or that of other believers. Once I was also invited to a blessed meal after such a dedicated prayer, when Fr Arsenie Boca.

Nearby, about 1 km following the outer perimeter of the complex you will find Arsenie Boca's spring.

Visit nearby: Sâmbăta de Jos Stud Farm, City of Sibiu, city of Brasov, fortified church Cincșor.

All the best!

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