The monastery is named after the 'Turnu' (Tower), a Roman observation post used to guard the Arutela castrum.
The original hermitage was established by the hermit Misail in the 16th century within natural mountain caves.
The main church is dedicated to the Presentation of the Theotokos in the Temple.
It is situated within the protected territory of the Cozia National Park.
Several former monks from this monastery were canonized as saints by the Romanian Orthodox Church.
Turnu Monastery is an Eastern Orthodox monastic complex located in the Olt River valley near the southern exit of the Cozia Gorge. The site features a 17th-century stone church founded by Metropolitan Varlaam of Wallachia, built atop the ruins of an older hermitage. The monastery includes a museum housing medieval religious icons, liturgical objects, and rare books. Its name, Turnu, refers to the ancient Roman watchtower ('turn') that once stood on the nearby hill. The current monastic buildings were mostly reconstructed or restored during the 19th and 20th centuries. The complex is physically integrated into the forested slopes of the Southern Carpathians, offering views of the Olt River. Visitors can access a network of small caves and hermitages carved into the surrounding cliffs used by monks for centuries.
From the elevated path leading to the cave hermitages, which provides an unobstructed view of the monastery complex with the Olt River as a backdrop.
Wear comfortable, sturdy footwear as the path to the higher hermitages involves steep, rocky terrain.
Carry a light jacket even in summer, as the mountain valley location keeps temperatures lower than the surrounding plains.
Respect the monastic silence, especially near the living quarters and the cave hermitages.
Do not wander into the forest trails outside the marked monastery paths without proper preparation, as the area is rugged.
Visitors must cover shoulders and knees; women should wear a headscarf inside the church. Speak in low voices and avoid photography during liturgical services.
