Ghighiu Monastery

Ghighiu Monastery is an Orthodox monastic complex for nuns located in the village of Ghighiu, Bărcănești commune, Prahova County, south-east of Ploiești, about 6 km from the city centre. In 1817, during the reign of Voivode Ioan C. Caragea, Măriuța Răfoveanca and her mother Ana donated the land for a hermitage at the request of the monk Agapie; the main church was built in 1858-1866 and consecrated on 31 March 1866. The monastery operates under the Archdiocese of Bucharest. The centrepiece of the complex is the miracle-working icon of the Mother of God with the Christ Child, known as "Sirianca", regarded by experts as a pinnacle of Syrian sacred art. It was brought to Ghighiu on 25 February 1958 by Bishop Vasile Samaha of Serghiopolis of the Patriarchate of Antioch, in the presence of Patriarch Justinian Marina, after the bishop recounted that the Mother of God had appeared to him in a dream and indicated Ghighiu Monastery as the icon's destination. The moment the procession arrived at the monastery was marked by the tears of the Syrian bishop, who felt that the icon had been destined to leave Syria as a consequence of his compatriots' sins. Since then, the icon has been displayed in the main church and draws pilgrims from across Romania. The monastery's art collection, organised as a museum from 1964, comprises printed works, old icons, liturgical objects and other items of cultural heritage. The healing spring within the monastery's grounds is likewise a constant draw for pilgrims. The monastery is well worth visiting for its icon with a uniquely remarkable story of origin and for the peaceful atmosphere amid the former forests of the Codrii Vlasiei.