Hâncu Monastery · Mănăstirea Hâncu
Hâncu Monastery (1678) — founded by serdar Mihalcea Hâncu for his daughter who hid in a cave, legend of bell sounds.
Pilgrimage to Paraskeva's relics + walk through forest where daughter hid + Mihalcea Hâncu historical tour.
A must — a forest monastery founded in the 17th century by the boyar Mihalcea Hâncu, after the legend of his daughter Irina, who became a nun. Pairs with Curchi.
Hâncu Monastery (Nisporeni district, ~50km from Chișinău, at the foot of the woods), founded in 1678 by deed of gift from serdar Mihalcea Hâncu, has one of Moldova's most poetic founding legends. The Paraskeva Hâncu legend: serdar Mihalcea needed an army to overthrow Gheorghe Duca; ally Constantin Sorocean helped in exchange for the promise of marrying his daughter. The daughter refused — fled home and hid in a forest cave. The father found her with hunters; the daughter agreed to come out only after she would hear the bells of a church. Thus he ordered the monastery built, where the daughter dedicated her life to God as Mother Paraskeva (patron saint of Moldova). In 1992, reopened after the Soviet period.
- founded 1678 by serdar Mihalcea Hâncu
- Paraskeva Hâncu legend (cave + bells)
- Paraskeva patron saint of Moldova
- reopened 1992 after Soviet closure
- at the foot of Nisporeni woods
- pilgrimage on feast day
- monastery façade with woods behind
- bell tower
- Paraskeva's cave
- courtyard with candles on feast day
- icon of Mother Paraskeva
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“What a beautiful view walking up to this Monastery from the parking lot. The distinctive yellow for all of the buildings make it all more welcoming.”
“Big monastery outside of Chișinău. The monastery itself is not yet finished . There are several areas that one can visit or chill in the park . The monastery doesn't allow more than 1 night per person , you can enter at 20:00 and exit at 6:30 am . You also have to pay 50 Moldavian lei per night . Down the monastery there is a holy spring .”
“What a breathtaking environment here and I need to say, that it is one of the most beautiful Monasteries, I saw until now. A truly wonderful place, worth a visit.”
- ~50km from Chișinău
- modest dress required
- crowded on feast day (Oct 14)