Less than five kilometers of Ploiesti city we find one of the most famous places of worship in Prahova County, Ghighiu Monastery. The monastic precinct located at Barcanesti is one of the few that have the dedication "Healing Spring". Now raised more than four centuries, in the middle of a forest which was part of legendary Vlasiei Forests, monastery attracts pilgrims from all over the country. Two are the reasons why people come to pray here: miracle-working icon of Virgin Mary, brought all the way from Syria and a famous healing spring.

 

The present church of the monastery was built between 1858-1866 at the repeated requests of abbots Anton and Eftimie, and by the care of Metropolitan Nifon, supported even on the foundation of the former wooden church.

 

The foundation of the present church is on the massive stone blocks, on which were built the walls of brick. The architecture of the Church recalls the style of Brancovan architecture (Romanian architectural style): clubs form, single tower on the nave and porch open in the front side. Painting, except the tower scenes, is influenced by the Italian school; its author is painter Gheorghe Tatarescu

 

Monastery of Ghighiu suffered much damage, both during the great earthquake of 1940 and during the allied bombing of oil fields in Prahova, from 1944. For these reasons, the monastery highly benefited from the care that the Patriarch Justinian Marina gave to the restoration of the church, from 1954-1958 after this was transformed in a monastery.

 

In the monastery we find valuable things in the collection of religious art, including, in a place of honor is the icon of the Virgin and Child - miracle-working icon - a summit of sacred art, from Syrian Christian people, in the XVI century .

 

Address: Ghighiu com Barcanesti, County Prahova
Builder: Arsene of Cernica
Year of creation: 1817
Celebration: Spring Healing

 

 

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