The monastery was completely leveled in 1785 by the Austrian military to suppress Orthodox influence in Transylvania.
It served as a major center for the 'icon on glass' movement, a unique folk art tradition preserved in the local museum.
The founder, Constantin Brâncoveanu, was a prince of Wallachia who was executed in Istanbul and later canonized as a saint.
The current structure features a hidden 'crypt' area that was excavated and restored to reflect the original foundation.
The monastery is located in a 'climatic resort' zone, known historically for its favorable air quality and mountain microclimate.
Sâmbăta de Sus Monastery, also known as Brâncoveanu Monastery, is a historic Romanian Orthodox site located at the foothills of the Făgăraș Mountains. Founded in the late 17th century by Constantin Brâncoveanu, it serves as a center for spirituality and traditional religious art. The monastery complex features a Brâncovenesc-style church known for its distinctive exterior frescoes and stone carvings. The on-site museum preserves a collection of 18th and 19th-century glass icons, a craft deeply rooted in the surrounding Transylvanian villages. The grounds include cloisters, a bookstore, and a small spring often visited by pilgrims for its purported healing properties. The architectural style blends Byzantine, Venetian, and local folk influences characteristic of the Wallachian Renaissance. It was destroyed in 1785 by General Preiss of the Habsburg Empire but was extensively rebuilt during the 20th century under Metropolitan Nicolae Bălan.
From the park entrance looking back toward the monastery church with the mountains in the backdrop.
Bring a water bottle to fill from the natural spring located on the monastery grounds.
Explore the forest trails starting behind the monastery for views of the Făgăraș peaks.
Visit the small museum early in your stay to better understand the significance of the glass icons.
Avoid taking photos inside the church during ongoing religious services.
Modest clothing covering shoulders and knees is required; silence must be maintained in the courtyard and church.
