Religion And Tourism - Tismana Monastery

The word "Tismana" is of Thraco-Dacian origin and means "Place fortified with walls". St. Nicodim (1310-1406) is the one who founded this monastery; he decided where it will be built, the architecture it will have as well as the specific decorations that will later individualize this monastery. Originating from the south of Danube, St. Nicodim’s desire was to do something for God, something that will last and be remembered. The wish of dedicating his life to God, lead him to leave his home, in Prilep, Macedonia at age 16. Helped by some generous monks, he makes his way to Hilander Monastery on Mount Athos. Here, he learns Greek, Slavic, and becomes initiated into: architecture, calligraphy, painting, making of silverware, masonry and barrel making. St. Nicodim came in Walachia as his mission was to build a monastery here.

After a temporary Hungarian occupation of Severin, St. Nicodim, and a group of monks from Vodiţa Monastery came to Tismana. Here in Tismana, on the ruins of a former church destroyed by invaders, St. Nicodim built what we can see today as the Monastery of Tismana. It wasn’t (of course) from his material possessions that he managed to make and finish the new construction; Voievode Radu (1377-1383) offered the required material support.

On 15 August 1378, the Tismana Monastery was officially and finally dedicated. Initially, the church had a monochrome painting of simple, geometric or floral drawings that can still be seen. After the monastery was built, St. Nicodim initiated a "cultural stage". The initiator of this project, St Nicodim had also been a brilliant mind that knew how to make use of his resources. He is also the founder of a calligraphy school where ecclesiastical books were copied in different languages bringing a great blessing for the people interested in them at that time. Besides the organizing and spiritual activity St. Nicodim was in correspondence with many people. His correspondence is not preserved excepting the letters received from the Patriarchate of Tarnovo and their written discourse impresses the reader trough its cultural and theological style.

A conflict arose between Metropolitan Athanasie of Severin and Nicodim. Than St. Nicodim had to leave the monastery he had founded; this is the reason he headed towards Prislop, which is a Romanian center in Haţeg Country. There, on the foundation of an old church, he built a new church, the only one monument in Transylvania with a "three cone" design.

The death of Metropolitan Athanasie of Severin occurred in 1404 thus, St. Nicodim came back to Tismana in the year of 1406. His stay was not meant to be long in the monastery as he soon passed away, on December 26 of the same year. He was buried in the tomb from the church porch that was dug by him.

Persecution did not go around Tismana monastery either. So, after numerous destructions caused by the Turks, the monastery knew more periods of restoration and change achieved with the help of Basarab rulers.

Several important personalities participated to the restoration of the monastery during time: Neagoe Basarab (1520) was the one who sponsored the covering of the church with lead. Radu Paisie (1541) completed the frames and the doors of the monastery. Matei Basarab was the one who built a small size church for the hospital of the monastery in the year of 1650. He also made the steeple of Tismana monastery and offered a big church bell. Cornea Brailoiu was another important persona who helped with rebuilding. Mrs.Stanca Glogoveanu had the painting restored twice: once in the year of 1733 and the second time in 1766. Constantin Brancoveanu who ruled between 1688 and 1714 also contributed financially to the restoration of this monastery. This is the place where Tudor Vladimirescu conceived the Proclamation from Padeş (22 January 1821) of "Justice law".

The Tismana Monastery Thesaurus

A great part of Tismana Monastery Thesaurus has been lost; its thesaurus consisted in the complex art involved in the decoration of the church. As you may have seen, the orthodox traditional churches are adorned with beautiful fine art, also the painting of icons plays an important role in the orthodox Christianity beliefs. The cult objects –some made of silver and gold- are also a significant part of the art inheritance. The cult objects that were preserved from Tismana Monastery can still be seen in The National Art Museum. In the Monastery Museum there is a great collection of murals, old wooden icons, worship objects, old books, vestments and the former doors of the church which date back to 1782.

The famous Romanian poet George Cosbuc, provided two colored glass windows for the Chapel of the monastery which was built by Matei Basarabov. George Cosbuc was also involved in the translation of Dante's opera "The Divine Comedy" and it was here at this monastery where he finished the laborious work of translation stimulated by the splendor of this region’s natural environment.

In 1949, the monastery became a cohabitation community for nuns having a communal life that combines work and prayer. The services are held according to the traditional ritual: the daily Holy Liturgy, in the evening the Vesper, at midnight Matius and Midnight service.