Sight · 15 minutes · Sinaia

Sinaia Monastery, the place that gave the town its name

Sinaia Monastery was founded in 1695 by the court dignitary Mihail Cantacuzino, after a pilgrimage to Mount Sinai. It is a 15-minute drive from Forest Retreat Villas and lies right on the road to Peleș Castle.

The Great Church of Sinaia Monastery, with three towers and a brick-and-stone façade, under a blue sky in the monastery courtyard
At a glance

What to know before you go.

  • About 8 km from the villas, roughly 15 minutes by car
  • Founded in 1695 by the court dignitary Mihail Cantacuzino
  • Two courtyards: the Old Church, from the 17th century, and the Great Church, from the 19th century
  • About a 15-minute walk from Peleș Castle
  • Modest dress: shoulders and knees covered
A little history

From Mount Sinai to the Prahova Valley

In the late 17th century, the court dignitary Mihail Cantacuzino made a pilgrimage to Saint Catherine’s Monastery on Mount Sinai. Back home, in 1695, at the foot of the Bucegi Mountains, he built a monastery and named it after that place. Over time, the town of Sinaia grew up around it.

Today the monastery has two courtyards. The first holds the Old Church, the Cantacuzino foundation, small and full of quiet. The second is home to the Great Church, built in the 19th century and far larger. The monastery also has a museum collection of old church objects.

Photos

The monastery, outside and in

Sinaia Monastery seen from the park below, with a paved path, benches, the stone wall and the Bucegi Mountains in the background
From the park below, with the Bucegi behind. The path climbs to the entrance of the monastery courtyard.
Inside the Great Church of Sinaia Monastery, with murals on the walls and dome, a chandelier and a gilded iconostasis
Inside the Great Church: paintings on every wall, the dome lit from above and the gilded iconostasis.
Tips from your hosts

How to fit the visit into your day

Then, Peleș

Walk up through the park to Peleș Castle in about 15 minutes.

And Pelișor

Queen Marie’s castle stands on the same estate: Pelișor and Foișor.

Parking

Park just once in Sinaia and see the monastery and the castles on foot.

Quiet

This is an active place of worship. Take photos discreetly and respect the services.

Frequently asked questions

What our guests ask about Sinaia Monastery

How far is Sinaia Monastery from Forest Retreat Villas?+
About 8 km by road, roughly a 15-minute drive to Sinaia.
Who founded Sinaia Monastery?+
The court dignitary Mihail Cantacuzino, in 1695, after a pilgrimage to Saint Catherine’s Monastery on Mount Sinai. The town of Sinaia took its name from the monastery.
Can you visit Sinaia Monastery and Peleș Castle on the same day?+
Yes. The monastery lies on the road that climbs to Peleș, and from there the castle is about a 15-minute walk.
What can you see inside the Great Church?+
Walls, vaults and dome entirely covered in murals, a large chandelier and a gilded iconostasis of carved wood. Please take photos discreetly and without flash.
Is there a dress code?+
Yes, as in any Orthodox monastery: shoulders and knees covered. Ladies may wish to keep a scarf at hand.
Plan your visit

A day in Sinaia, with the monastery and the castles?

Write to us and we will tell you how best to combine the monastery, Peleș and Pelișor in a single day. WhatsApp is the quickest way.

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