Monastery of Horezu (UNESCO/NHK)

Summary

Nestled in the Carpathian Mountains of southern Romania, the 17th-century Romanian Orthodox Monastery of Horrors stands as a serene testament to faith and history. Still home to nuns who follow a life dedicated to God, the monastery features striking frescoes depicting heaven, hell, and biblical scenes. These paintings served as religious teachings for the illiterate and continue to adorn the chapel and dining hall. With nuns maintaining centuries-old traditions, including the crafting of icons, life within the monastery remains timeless, offering a glimpse into the sacred and contemplative way of life from centuries past.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Monastery of Horrors is located at the foot of the Carpathian mountain range in southern Romania.
• 😀 This Romanian Orthodox monastery, built in the 17th century, is still used by nuns who live in the surrounding buildings.
• 😀 The monastery was originally built by a local ruler and features simple but elegant architecture with curved walls.
• 😀 The entrance wall of the monastery displays fresco paintings depicting heaven and hell, meant to teach religious lessons to the illiterate.
• 😀 One fresco illustrates the consequences of bad deeds and indulgence in desires, emphasizing moral lessons.
• 😀 The interior of the chapel is entirely covered with frescoes, showing biblical scenes and icons of saints.
• 😀 The monastery's dining hall is also decorated with fresco paintings, where the nuns dine daily.
• 😀 The lives of the nuns are entirely devoted to God, and the sound of wooden clappers signals prayer time, a tradition unchanged since medieval times.
• 😀 A studio inside the monastery continues the tradition of painting icons, a practice that has been ongoing for centuries.
• 😀 Despite 300 years having passed since its foundation, the monastery remains a place where time passes slowly and quietly, preserving its historical and spiritual heritage.

Q & A

Where is the Monastery of Horrors located?

The Monastery of Horrors is located in the Carpathian mountain range in southern Romania.

When was the Monastery of Horrors built?

The Monastery of Horrors was built during the 17th century.

Who originally built the Monastery of Horrors?

The monastery was originally built by a local ruler.

What is the purpose of the fresco paintings on the entrance wall of the monastery?

The fresco paintings on the entrance wall depict heaven and hell, and were created to pass on religious teachings, especially to those who were illiterate.

What scenes are depicted in the interior of the chapel?

The interior of the chapel is completely covered with fresco paintings that depict biblical scenes and icons of the saints.

What adorns the dining hall of the monastery?

The dining hall of the monastery is also adorned with fresco paintings.

What is the daily routine of the nuns living at the monastery?

The nuns live a life completely dedicated to God. They dine in the dining hall and follow a strict prayer schedule, which is announced by the sound of wooden clappers.

What is the historical significance of the method used for announcing prayer time?

The method of using wooden clappers to announce prayer time has remained unchanged since medieval times.

What tradition continues to this day at the monastery?

At the monastery, nuns continue the long tradition of painting icons, a practice that has been ongoing for centuries.

How long has it been since the foundation of the monastery?

It has been over 300 years since the monastery was founded.