Tismana: Monastery History, Crafts and Nature

If you are looking for a hotel in Tismana, the purpose and timing of your trip can help guide your plans. Highlights include the history of the monastery, folk art and traditional crafts, as well as a cave, nature reserve and mountain hiking trail.

Monastery History and Collections

Tismana Monastery is considered the oldest monastery in Romania. Construction began two centuries before the arrival of Saint Nicodemus. The monastery museum contains old objects from the church and old paintings.

The Muzeul Costumului Popular Gorjenesc Tismana offers another perspective on local culture. It is located in the Casa de Cultură „George Coșbuc“ Tismana and holds unique items as well as folk costumes from the 19th century. The two collections focus on different areas: church objects and paintings in one, costumes and folk art in the other.

The church of Schitul Cioclovina de Sus also has a clearly defined construction history. It dates from the 18th century, is 7 meters long and 3 meters wide, and was built from stone, rock fragments and bricks. In 1841, it was renovated by Archimandrite Spiridon.

Crafts and Fairs

In the village of Pocruia, skilled craftspeople make traditional wooden vessels and barrels, milk churns, grain containers and small handcrafted casks. Arta Casnică Tismana is associated with Tismana rugs, carpets and embroidered textiles. The traditional range of textiles and clothing also includes shirts, veils, aprons, belts and traditional footwear.

Two annual fairs provide regular highlights in the events calendar. On March 25, the Annunciation fair sells pots and small earthenware vessels, garden seeds, willow baskets and willow chairs. The Assumption fair takes place on August 15; performances are moved on this feast day to Poiana Sântămăriei near the Şarşori Forest. Check the specific event program locally if you are planning your trip around one of the fairs.

Nature, Geology and Hiking Route

Gura-Plaiului Cave lies north of the village of Topeşti at an altitude of 650 meters. Water shaped it in Jurassic-Cretaceous limestone; it is 150 meters long. It begins with a small, 7-meter-deep shaft. The shaft leads to a small chamber and a large chamber with abundant stalactite and stalagmite formations. The large chamber is 70 meters long and 4 meters high.

The Cioclovina Nature Reserve offers another natural highlight: this botanical protected area of national interest belongs to IUCN Category IV, covers 12 hectares and lies within the administrative territory of the town of Tismana. Rare whitebeams grow in rocky meadows.

For hikers, the Peştişani–Gureni–Cheile Bistriţei–Lacul Vâja–Vârful Oslea–Schiturile Cioclovina–Valea Tismana–Tismana Monastery mountain trail is marked with a red triangle. Check current trail conditions locally before setting out.

Discover more destinations: Aninoasa, Târgu Jiu, Baia De Fier, Ţânţăreni, Novaci, Aninişu din Deal, Runcu, Țicleni.

For the broader travel overview: Gorj.