Antim Monastery: the church Saint Anthim designed in Bucharest
Antim Monastery (Mănăstirea Antim) is a Romanian Orthodox monastery in central Bucharest, built between 1713 and 1715 by Anthim the Iberian, then Metropolitan of Wallachia. Its trefoil church, with openwork stone discs and richly carved details, is one of the most distinctive buildings of early 18th-century Bucharest and a quiet detour in the old centre.
Above the door of this Bucharest church is a snail, the emblem of its founder, Saint Anthim the Iberian, who tradition says carved the oak door himself.
The history of Antim Monastery
The monastery was founded by Anthim the Iberian, known in Romanian as Antim Ivireanul, a poet, miniature painter and orator who became Metropolitan of Wallachia and is venerated as a saint. It was built between 1713 and 1715 on the site of an old wooden church of Saint Nicholas, where the holy chrism was kept, about two hundred metres west of the Metropolitan Hill. An inscription in Greek above the entrance gives the year 1715 and names the ruler of the time, Ștefan Cantacuzino.
At first the monastery looked like a small fortress. The church stood in the centre, the monks’ cells ran along the four sides of a square, and a little turret rose at each corner. The whole complex, including the church, cells, chapel, bell tower and abbot’s house, was built and painted according to plans drawn up by the metropolitan himself. Tradition says that the stone carving of the iconostasis, the column bases and the window frames, as well as the paintings in the church and the chapel, followed his sketches, and that he painted a few icons himself.
The church is the only one built in Bucharest in the 18th century with a trefoil plan. It measures about 30 metres in length and 10 in width, and its walls are decorated with discs of openwork stone, a detail that suggests Persian, Arab or Georgian influence. It has large windows with carved stone frames, rich rosettes, an open porch with a monumental portal and columns with floral capitals. Above the door is the emblem of Saint Anthim, a snail, which stands for faith and humility. The heavy oak door is said to have been carved by Anthim himself.
The complex was restored in 1863, when the oak pulpit and gallery were added by Carol Storck, and again in the 1960s under Patriarch Justinian Marina, when the original stone iconostasis was reassembled in 1966. During the communist period, when many historic buildings in Romania were threatened with demolition, the church was moved to another nearby site in a project led by engineer Eugeniu Iordăchescu, and so saved. Since then it has stood among concrete blocks.
The monastery’s name is also linked to a painful chapter. On 22 January 1941, during the Legionary rebellion and the Bucharest pogrom, a group of monks led by Hieromonk Nicodem Ioniță blew up a nearby synagogue and terrorised the Jewish residents of the neighbourhood. Today the complex serves as a monastery and the residence of the patriarchal vicar bishops, and it also houses part of the patriarchal administration and the library of the Holy Synod.
Curiosities about Antim Monastery
- The snail carved above the door is the personal emblem of Saint Anthim, a symbol of faith and humility. The first door key was reportedly snail-shaped too.
- Tradition says the massive oak door at the entrance was carved by Saint Anthim himself.
- The church is the only one built in Bucharest in the 18th century with a trefoil plan.
- Its walls are decorated with discs of openwork stone, a detail with possible Persian, Arab or Georgian influences.
- Inside the entrance, the dedication inscription is in Greek and was published by the historian Nicolae Iorga.
- The original stone iconostasis was reassembled in 1966, with royal and festal icons made in mosaic.
Tours near Antim Monastery
Experiences in the area that you can book online with Viator:
Visiting Antim Monastery: what to see
- Look at the exterior: the openwork stone discs, the carved window frames and the porch with its monumental portal are the highlights.
- At the entrance, find the snail emblem above the door, set in a laurel wreath with a star above it.
- Inside, the original stone iconostasis and the painting, which tradition says follows the founder’s own sketches, are worth time.
- The complex also houses a small museum of religious objects and the life of Saint Anthim; the nearest sights on this site are Radu Vodă Monastery, Stavropoleos Monastery and Kretzulescu Church, each about 1 km away.
- This is a working monastery, so dress modestly and check the current opening hours before you go.
Opening hours, access and conditions can change. Check before you go.
Map: where Antim Monastery is
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors
Photos of Antim Monastery
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Questions
Where is Antim Monastery?
It stands in central Bucharest on Mitropolit Antim Ivireanu Street, a short distance from the Metropolitan Hill.
Who founded Antim Monastery?
It was founded by Anthim the Iberian, Metropolitan of Wallachia, who built it between 1713 and 1715. He is venerated as Saint Anthim.
What is special about the church of Antim Monastery?
It is the only Bucharest church of the 18th century with a trefoil plan, and it is decorated with openwork stone discs and carved details. Above the door is a snail, the saint’s emblem.
Was Antim Monastery moved?
Yes. During the communist period, when many historic buildings were threatened with demolition, the church was moved to another nearby site in a project led by engineer Eugeniu Iordăchescu.
Can you visit Antim Monastery today?
Yes, it is a working monastery that also holds a museum, the library of the Holy Synod and part of the patriarchal administration. Check the current opening hours before you go.
What can you see near Antim Monastery?
Radu Vodă Monastery, Stavropoleos Monastery and Kretzulescu Church are each about 1 km away, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier about 2 km.
Also nearby
Stavropoleos Monastery
Bucharest · 1724 Brâncovenesc church and nuns’ monastery
700 m away
Radu Vodă Monastery
Bucharest · monastery on a hill settled since prehistory
1 km away
Kretzulescu Church
Bucharest · Brâncovenesc church by Revolution Square
1.5 km away
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Bucharest · the World War I tomb chosen by a boy
1.5 km away