Crasna Hermitage

A monastic refuge at the foot of the Parâng Mountains

The Crasna Hermitage, located in the village of the same name in Gorj County, is one of the oldest and most valuable places of worship in northern Oltenia. Situated in an isolated natural setting, under the crest of the mountains, the hermitage preserves the atmosphere of humility and tranquillity typical of ancient monastic centres. Access to this sacred space is via a picturesque road, strategically located between the towns of Targu Jiu and Novaci, close to the Transalpine.

History and foundation: Over four centuries of prayer

Historical documents attest the presence of a church in this place since 1486, but the present wall church was founded later, in 1636, by the great pitar Dumitru Filișanu. It was built during the reign of Matei Basarab, on the site of an old wooden church.

Over time, the hermitage functioned as a metoc of the Polovragi Monastery. A turning point came in the 18th century, when the monastery was renovated and painted, and given the honour of St Hierarch Nicholas. Although it has gone through periods of decay, the Crasna hermitage has remained a pillar of faith, being fully restored in the modern period to regain its former splendour.

Architecture and artistic treasures

The architecture of the church follows the Byzantine style, being a nave-shaped construction with thick stone and brick walls. The centrepiece of the church's value is the catapeteasma, a piece of rare finesse, carved in wood and gilded, dating from the mid-18th century. The interior painting, frescoed, preserves biblical scenes of great expressiveness and is attributed to painters from the local school of Gorje.

Legends surrounding the hermitage

Local tradition tells of a network of secret tunnels that linked the hermitage to nearby caves, used by the monks to protect their objects of worship during invasions. Another legend mentions the presence of Isishatic monks who lived in huts dug into the mountain above the hermitage, considered to be the „holy guard” of the Crasna valley.

Useful information for visitors

• Localisation: Crasna commune, Crasna village, Gorj county.
• Access: It can be reached from DN 67 (Tg. Jiu - Rm. Vâlcea), following DJ 665.
• Rules: As a monastery of monks, you are advised to dress decently and to keep quiet on the premises.
• Objectives nearby: Icoana Monastery, Novaci town and Rânca resort.