Tismana Monastery

Romania / Gorj / Tismana /
 church, interesting place
Tismana Monastery – also named “the Star of Orthodoxy” – is one of the oldest, the most important, and the most beautiful monasteries in Romania. The word “Tismana” is of Thraco-Dacian origin and means “Place fortified with walls”. The presence in the language of such toponimics derived from the root “tis” – or “dis” – is a strong proof on the Romanian people’s continuity of existence on the territory of Dacia.
Because it’s placed in full natural frame, one may find its entrance through its West side and thank to its fortificated walls, Tismana Monastery gives the viewer the impression that it can’t be conquered.
In the beginning, the church was painted only in one colour, in ochre, presenting figures and flowers. The first icon was painted by the painter Dobromir from Targoviste in 1564, icon that is considered the first Byzantine painting from Wallachia.

The hallway of Tismana Monastery keeps Saint Nicodim’s tomb.
In 1732, the painting was restored and in 1766 Dimitrie Diaconu painted a fresco that was eventually placed in the pronaos of the church. The fresco was then taken out in 1955 under G. Rusu’s leadership and incorporated to the museum of the monastery.
The hallway was rebuilt in 1983, according to Nicodim, the Pious’ plans, and repainted by Grigore Popescu. With this occasion, all known and canonized Dacian-Roman saints were painted as well.
In 1949, Tismana Monastery became a nuns community, nuns that even now keep the tradition of working for the monastery and praying daily.
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Coordinates:   45°4'51"N   22°55'33"E

Comments

  • Wondering how this monastery and place got its name TISMANA? Anything to do with the toponim TAMANA? What are the numbers for this place as far as geographical location is concerned? Can somebody help?
This article was last modified 12 years ago