Stavropoleos Monastery

Stavropoleos Monastery on Strada Stavropoleos in Sector 3 of Bucharest is a small Orthodox convent tucked between the banks and cafes of the Old Town. The church was founded in 1724 by the Greek monk Ioanikie Stavropoleos and is a leading example of the Brancovenesc style, recognisable for its carved stone portico, slender columns with floral reliefs and the delicate frescoes along the entrance. Inside, the small nave holds an iconostasis of carved and gilded wood, painted icons and beeswax candles, and the atmosphere is calm despite the busy streets outside. The adjacent courtyard has a collection of carved stone fragments, tombstones and ecclesiastical items, and a small museum and library preserve Byzantine music manuscripts and religious art. The nuns of the community are known for their choir singing Byzantine chant during services, and visitors can often hear it during morning and evening services. A visit takes 20 to 30 minutes. The best time to come is mid-morning outside service times, when the portico can be photographed without crowds and the interior is open. Modest dress, covered shoulders and knees, is expected, and quiet behaviour is appropriate because the church is an active place of worship. Photography is usually fine in the courtyard and portico but may be restricted inside during services. The monastery sits a few steps from Strada Lipscani, Hanul cu Tei and the National History Museum, so it fits easily into an Old Town walk. Entrance is free, and donations are welcome. A small shop sells books and candles. The courtyard is a quiet place to rest between the busier lanes of central Bucharest, Romania.