Saharna Monastery
The cave monastery and the 1776 monastery at Saharna, on the Dniester · the relics of St Macarius, a steep path to the cave and waterfalls
The morning liturgy and the te deum at the relics of St Macarius, then the climb up the rocky path to the cave, the spring and the waterfalls
Worth the trip north for the rare mix of a cave monastery, churches with cupolas and a gorge with waterfalls · free, with a hike to the cave and spring. Good shoes and time: the path is steep, and the way back without a car is long.
A monastic complex in the village of Saharna, Rezina district, on the right bank of the Dniester, 77 km from Chișinău as the crow flies · the monastery site, which calls it "the pearl among Bessarabian monasteries", describes it as one of the oldest monastic settlements in the country, made of two monasteries: the cave one, the Annunciation, whose founding date "is not known", and the ground one, the Holy Trinity, founded in 1776 by the schema-monk Vartolomeu Ciungu. The service schedule on the site: the liturgy every morning, between 6:30 and 7:45 depending on the day, followed by a te deum at the relics of Saint Macarius, vespers at 17:00; there is also a guesthouse, "Saint Abraham". Reviews: "a beautiful and peaceful place, surrounded by nature and history", with "the main church and the cave chapels carved into the cliffs"; "tucked away in a valley between two hills", with "beautifully decorated cupolas" and woods at the back worth a walk. The way to the cave and the holy spring takes "some hiking: the path can be a bit steep and rocky in places, good shoes are a must, especially after rain", with "amazing views from the hilltops" and the sound of the nearby waterfalls. One detailed visitor mentions the relics of Saint Macarius in the main church and the footprint attributed to the Virgin Mary on a rock above, "a major site of pilgrimage". The complex has churches, residences, a cemetery, a grocery store and a souvenir shop; entrance is free; one visitor was sorry to see "the animals in the cages" on the grounds. Someone came 150 km by bus and walked back nearly four hours through the hills.
- "A beautiful and peaceful place, surrounded by nature and history"
- "The main church and the cave chapels carved into the cliffs"
- "Tucked away in a valley between two hills", with "beautifully decorated cupolas"
- "Amazing views from the hilltops" and the sound of the waterfalls
- Free entry · a grocery and a souvenir shop on the grounds
- The relics of St Macarius and a daily service schedule, per the site
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“Saharna Monastery is a beautiful and peaceful place, surrounded by nature and history. The main church and the cave chapels carved into the cliffs give it a unique atmosphere. You can really feel the spiritual vibe of the area. The walk around the monastery is calm, but if you go further toward the cave and the holy spring, be ready for some hiking. The path can be a bit steep…”
“A fantastic place to visit, tucked away in a valley between two hills. A variety of different buildings, with beautifully decorated cupolas. Make sure to take a walk through the woods at the back”
“I traveled 150 km by bus to visit this monastery. The journey included a scenic return walk of nearly four hours through the mountains. Despite the long trip, the experience was rewarding and the serene surroundings made it worthwhile. # Moldova”
- The path to the cave and spring is "a bit steep and rocky in places" · good shoes, especially after rain
- "The animals in the cages" on the grounds saddened one visitor
- Far · 77 km as the crow flies; without a car, one visitor walked back nearly four hours
- A working monastery · modest dress, discretion during services