Ghighiu Monastery, Prahova

At the miracle-working icon

the parking lot

Where is it, when is it open, how much does it cost?

Ghighiu Monastery is located on the edge of Ghighiu village, Prahova county, 10 km from Ploiești and 60 km from Bucharest. From Ploiești you can reach the monastery in 15 minutes. It is located right on the eastern belt of the city of Ploiești, on DN1A. The postcode is 107056. Parking is free in a dedicated space on both sides of the road. The Ghighiu Monastery can be visited daily between 7am and 9pm. The entry is free.

Ghighiu Monastery

About Ghighiu Monastery

The Ghighiu monastery belongs to the Orthodox rite.

1471 – the name Ghigheu is documented in a charter of voivode Radu cel Frumos, in the 15th century and refers to the village of the same name
1601 – the first documentary attestation of the Ghighiu monastery in a document written by the logofat Bunea, who is also the founder of the monastery

1. The Great Church and the Little Church

The Great Church is dedicated to the Healing Spring. In 1858, the Most Reverend Archimandrite Eftimie began the construction of the large church in place of the existing one, which had become too large. The work was continued and completed by the Most Reverend Archimandrite Anthony. The architectural style is neoclassical. The church occupies 416 square meters, with a length of 31 meters, a width of 11 meters and a maximum height of 21 meters. It has an enclosed porch, porch, nave and altar. The catapeteasma is carved in linden wood, polished with gold and painted by the famous Gheorghe Tattarescu. The Little Church can be found in the Ghighiu Monastery cemetery. It was built in the 19th century.

Biserica Mare

intrarea în Biserica Mare

Mănăstirea Ghighiu

2. The Miracle-Working Icon

The Ghighiu Monastery is famous for the Miracle-Working Icon located in the Great Church. The icon dates from the 16th century and represents the Syrian Mother of God. At the end of the week and on holidays, believers sit in long queues to pray at the icon. There are actually 2 identical icons, placed back to back, the original one facing the altar. The icon of the Syriac Mother of God was brought to the Ghighiu Monastery in 1958.

Maica Domnului Siriaca

Icoana făcătoare de minuni

cupola

catapeteasma

în biserica mare

3. The Healing Spring

The monk Agapie stopped to rest together with 4 disciples. They were awakened by the sound of a spring. Thus they decided to build a hermitage in that place on the site of today’s monastery. The spring water is healing. This is the source legend. To reach the spring, follow the signs, past the small church and the mini zoo. The terminal part of the landscaped alley is covered by a vault covered with a hedge and flanked by benches. Next to the cottage where the spring is located are a small pond with fish, gazebos and a playground.

aleea acoperită

lacul

pești în lac

la Izvorul Tămăduirii

loc de joacă

Izvoul Tămăduirii

4. The Monastery Yard, the Religious Art Collection and the Church Store

The courtyard of the Ghighiu Monastery is well maintained and arranged. A paved path surrounds the large church and branches off to the nuns’ cells, to the candlestick, to the gazebo with a small aghiasma, to the cemetery and to the collection of religious art and to the spring. The collection of religious art was organized in 1964 by the nun Lavrentia Zainea. On the way out of the monastery courtyard you can stop at the church shop located on the left side.

aghiasmarul

chiliile

trandafir

colecția de artă religioasă

IIsus și Samarineanca

coada din curte

5. The Mini Zoo

A mini zoo with birds is arranged between the cemetery and the road to the spring. We see peacocks, pheasants, pigeons, hens and roosters.

zoo

păun

cocoș

minigrădina zoo

Conclusion

The Ghighiu Monastery is a very visited tourist destination especially due to the belief in the miracle-working icon and the healing water of the spring. Regardless of faith, the Monastery is also an interesting tourist attraction as a whole. You can read more information on the monastery’s website https://www.manastireaghiiu.ro/.

A short presentation film of Ghighiu Monastery can be found here.

If you have arrived here, also visit the city of Ploiesti with its unique watch and oil museums.

All the best!

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