Snagov Church: Beautiful Medieval Art and a Fake Tomb Stone

If you’d like to visit Snagov Church, contact us via www.uncover-romania-tours.com

Located on a small island outside Bucharest, Snagov Church is one of the most important religious monuments in Southern Romania. The small church, originally part of a monastery, dates since the medieval centuries when local princes endowed, strengthened, and enlarged it in their effort of supporting the Orthodox Church.

Was Vlad the Impaler really buried here?

Strongly connected to the time of Vlad the Impaler who over the centuries inspired more or less accurately the myth of Dracula, Snagov Church was supposedly built on an ancient Dacian site. The religious monument was, however, mentioned for the first time in the second half of the 14th century when a local prince donated an entire village to the monastery.

This practice was not unusual at the time, and more documents indicate even more donations in the next century from medieval princes like Mircea the Old or Vlad Dracul.

Frescoes, Snagov Church

The former monastery was further enlarged by Vlad the Impaler during his reign from the second part of the 15th century. He added fortification walls, a bridge, a belfry that still exists today, and is said to have ordered the construction of an underwater tunnel. He also built there a prison for highwaymen and traitors.

The monastery also had a powerful cultural role as here functioned a printing press used for publishing religious books written in Greek, Russian, and even Arabic. It’s here that the first religious service book written in Romanian was printed using the Latin alphabet.

Bell Tower, Snagov Church

Snagov Church conserves unique frescoes

The monastery’s church went through many changes over the centuries. Today, it’s one of the few parts of the monastery that survived time. The original frescoes done by Dobromir the Young in 1563 are only preserved in the narthex, while the rest of the paintings date from the 19th century.

The importance of the medieval frescoes, beyond their artistic value and richness of detail, is enhanced by the large gallery of local princes painted on the walls of the church. In fact, this ensemble is one of the most beautiful in Southern Romania.

Besides the church, only the belfry, the fountain, and some ruins still stand from what was once the powerful Monastery of Snagov. Built in the Byzantine style with local influences, the church has four towers, two above the altar, one above the nave, and one above the narthex. The exterior of the church still has its original brick decorations, while some of the authentic decorative religious objects are exhibited today at the National Art Museum from Bucharest.

Snagov Church

The church of Snagov is also part of the many legends surrounding Vlad the Impaler. Although never proved, this famous medieval prince was supposedly buried here by the monks who found his body and kept the secret afraid of the Ottomans’ revenge. A symbolic tomb of the prince is placed inside the church, in front of the altar.

True or not, the church is still one of the most beautiful places near Bucharest as its frescoes and scenic location on Snagov Lake make it a perfect destination for a trip outside the capital.

Travel tips

Mogosoaia Palace is the perfect stop after Snagov Church for a half-day trip from Bucharest.

If you’d like to visit Snagov Church, contact us via www.uncover-romania-tours.com