Cheia Monastery, Valea Prahovei

Cheia Monastery - details and images

Located in a small depression in the foothills Ciucaş in a wonderful natural environment, to confluence with the brook Telejenelului Tampa, close Bratocea Pass (the border that separates the old Transylvania Wallachia) monastery had a key role in maintaining brotherly ties between Romanians on both sides of the Carpathians. Key monastery dating from 1770, when shepherds in Sacele Brasov up here a wooden hermitage, which was destroyed by the Turks in 1777.
A new monastery was built in 1880, dedicated to Virgin Mary, but it was destroyed by fire in 1832.
The present church was built in 1835, the Transylvanian brothers, Justin Abbot Damascene Barsan, on land donated by the great governor Michael Ghica and was sfiintita 20 July 1839, receiving dedicated to "Holy Trinity" ..
In terms of architectural style monastery belongs key traditional Wallachian architecture românesşti porch. Construction is a massive 23 meters long and 6.5 meters wide, with three towers, which gives elegance monument, the work of local artisans. Indoor and outdoor frescoes, completed on 26 August 1839 are the work of painter Nahum Painter.
Carved and gilded wooden iconostasis, a remarkable work of art was designed by Viennese baroque masters, is worthy donation Chesarie Bishop of Buzau. Royal icons, of great beauty, are the work of the famous Romanian painter Gheorghe Tattărăscu.
Around the church are the monks' cells, on the western side of the enclosure is bell, and in the north chapel is dedicated to the Assumption, built between 1924-1927 by Abbot Gregory Georgescu. Chapel in the cross was painted in oil by painter Gregory Byzantine style of the area Cepoiu Sources - Prahova iconostasis, carved cherry wood sculptor Profilescu and pews are true works of art.

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