Aninoasa Monastery

Aninoasa Monastery is an Orthodox monastic ensemble for nuns, a historic and architectural monument, situated in the south-eastern part of the commune of Aninoasa, on the left bank of the Bratia river, Argeș County, on DN73C, 16 km from Câmpulung Muscel and 30 km from Curtea de Argeș. The name of the monastery and of the locality derives from the alder forests that once stretched across the surrounding hills. The church, dedicated to "Saint Hierarch Nicholas", was founded by aga Tudoran Vlădescu between 1677 and 1678. The founder later became a monk under the name Teodosie, donating to the establishment several plots of land from the estates of Aninoasa, Slănicul de Jos and Teleorman, as well as vineyards on the hill of Pitești. Above the entrance door of the church, the votive panel depicting the founders Tudoran and Alexandra Vlădescu together with their eleven children is still preserved. The interior mural painting, executed in fresco by the renowned painter Pârvu Mutu from Câmpulung, makes this the first church he ever painted, predating the period in which he became the painter of the Cantacuzino family. The paintings were restored in 2014–2016. The architectural ensemble comprises the church of "Saint Nicholas" with an open porch supported by six cylindrical stone columns (added in 1722–1729), the Chapel with the dual dedication of "Saint Great Martyr George" and "Saint Great Martyr Dimitrie" (built in 1773), the bell tower, the abbot's house and the monks' quarters. The enclosure walls, with a maximum thickness of 1.84 m, give the ensemble a unique character of a fortified citadel; they were raised with the contribution of the Metropolitanate of Bucharest. In 1778 the monastery became a metoc of the Metropolitanate of Bucharest. Major restoration works were carried out in two phases: 1924–1927 and 1973–1977. Access is via DN73C from Câmpulung Muscel.