Turnu Monastery

 church, monastery, interesting place

Turnu Monastery is one of the most sacred Christian monastic dwellings of the Ramnic Diocese. Secluded on the left
bank of the Olt River, sheltered by Cozia Mountain and located nearly 2 km away from Cozia Monastery, also built by an
ancient Romanian ruler, Mircea The Old, Turnu Monastery was, for centuries, a very remote and unreachable place.
Coming from the South, the only way of access was by taking the cart from Jiblea, and, after reaching Cozia, by sailing
across the Olt, then walking along the river. From the North, the only connection was made by the paths going up the
mountain and then descending in Lovistei Valley villages. The renowned geographer George Lahovari mentioned, in the
19th century, that only "the leg and the horse could go there"
.Nowadays, the possibilities to reach Turnu Monastery are multiple and easier. Those who want to take a walk can go
there by foot, leaving from Caciulata Resort then passing the dam, which connects one side of the river to the other. You
can also take the train until the nearby railway station or drive the car until the very courtyard of the Holy Location.
The name of the Monastery comes from a massive tower, located on a rock called “Teofil`s Peak”, which
was built by the Roman legions of the Arutela Roman Camp, in the 2nd century. Its ruins are still there, in the Bivolari
Clearing, somewhere lower than the hydro-electric power plant. Turnu Monastery was first called “the convent
behind the tower”, then “Turnu Convent” and finally “Turnu Monastery”.
History tells us that, in the 15th and 16th century, some monks left Cozia Monastery and lived isolated, in completely
poverty, sheltered by shacks and wood made houses. Among those hermits retreated there the most renowned were
Daniil and Misail, whose caves lasted until today.
At the middle of the 16th century, more hermits together with the monk Misail built, on today's location of Turnu
Monastery, a small wood made church, establishing Turnu Convent.
In 1676, after being promoted as Bishop of Ramnic, the Father Superior of Cozia Monastery, Varlaam, gives very special
attention and care to the hermits from Turnu. Becoming Metropolitan Bishop of Vlach Region, he builds another church,
made of stone and brick, located on the grounds of the former wooden small chapel. Here he sheltered the relics of
Daniil and Misail and since that time, Turnu Convent became a settled monastic place, protected by Cozia Monastery.
Between 1891 and 1896, a railway was built, which was now connecting Ramnicu Valcea to Raul Vadului; in 1902, this railway was connected to the one leading to Sibiu and a railway station was established near Turnu Convent. From this
station you could reach the Calimanesti – Sibiu main road by sailing across the Olt on a floating bridge.
Between 1893 and 1901, due to all those advantages, Gherasim Timus, Bishop of Arges, decided to build a summer
residence at Turnu. This would have a double functionality: a spacious church and habitable rooms. The church was built
at the first floor and its dedication day was on the 6th of August. The drafts of this construction were made by Anton
Grigorievici Lapinscky, a Polish established on Romanian lands; therefore that group of houses has a total different style
than the one of the Romanian church. He was also the painter and used a very modern technique. At 28th of October
1901, when the new establishment was sanctified, Turnu Convent became Turnu Canonical Monastery.
A catastrophic event ended the prosperity at Turnu. A fire burst out because of a stove in the guest chamber, destroyed,
in only one hour, 5 groups of houses with 26 rooms, 2 sheds, the old refectory, the belfry, the dome of the small church,
the altar screen with all the icons and icon lamps; the interior painting together with the plaster degraded badly. The new
house burst into flames also, but, due to a special effort, the fire was isolated and extinguished. Later on, the church, the
belfry and 2 houses have been reconstructed thanks to Bishop Nichita Duma and to the donations of the believers.
Painter Belizarie remade the painting and the whole reconstruction was finished in 1935 – 1936; monk Calist
Barbu was the Abbot.
Following the order 410/1959, Turnu Monastery was closed and transformed, in 1961, in Resting House for the
personnel of the Ramnic and Arges Diocese. This absurd situation lasted until 1975, when monk Teoctist Dobrin (1975
– 1990) has been appointed as Superior and the Resting House has been evacuated and reestablished as a
convent subordinated to Cozia Monastery. Pious, gentle and hardworking, Father Superior managed to gather around
him young people and to live a monastic life, with daily services. In the same year the access road to the Monastery was
build due to the construction of a bridge over the Olt, at Lotrisor. In 1988, he succeeded in reestablishing Turnu Convent
as Turnu Monastery. For his exemplary life and work, he has been promoted by the Bishop.
After the retirement of the Abbot Teoctist, in 1990, monk Ioanichie Trifa was appointed Father Superior and he continues
to run Turnu Monastery in the present time. Native of Alba District, he is devoted to the monastic life and he is a good
manager.
After 1932 fire, the holy settlement has been repaired properly, but, because of the 1977, 1986 and 1990 earthquakes,
the place needed more reconstructions. This occasion was used to remake the roof and to bring it closer to the
Romanian architecture. The ground-floor refectory became a bigger church, appropriate for the multitude of the believers
coming to the Monastery. Between 1994 and 1996 the western wing of the building has been restored.
The caves, in which once lived the holy hermits of Turnu, are a special attraction for the visitors.
In the present time, at Turnu Monastery live, praying and working, over 25 monks and friars. The pilgrims find their rest
here, in this wonderful and peaceful place, blessed by God and protected by Virgin Mary.