A truly quiet place, a place where peace is truly the absolute master - Galata Monastery in Iasi, Romania.
Romanian medieval architecture is dominated by Orthodox Christian architecture. There are, of course, several fortresses and castles, but the most famous and numerous are the fortress monasteries. These monasteries were not only places of worship but also real fortresses where people took refuge in moments dangerous for their lives.
The city of Iasi, one of the most beautiful cities in Romania, is surrounded by seven hills. A monastery is built on each hill. Galata Monastery is obviously one of them and is my favorite.
This monastery was built at the request of the ruler of Moldova, Petru Schiopul. Construction began in 1582 and was completed in just two years. Remarkable, in my opinion, for that era. In comparison, a large cathedral is being built in Bucharest, work has been going on for more than ten years and many more are needed to complete it.
In an old drawing, we see what the monastery and the place look like at the time of construction.
An aerial photograph shows the current situation. The monastery, the huge courtyard and the defensive walls.
The source of these two images above
As a traveler who had the chance to live for a while in the city of Iasi, my steps took me to this monastery. I also visited some of the seven important monasteries, each one is unique in its beauty, but I liked Galata Monastery the most. Not so much because of the constructions but especially because of the peace I felt as soon as I took the first step inside it.
A few hours spent at the monastery. I try to make a presentation of this complex, of the main building which is the church.
I forgot to say where the name of the monastery comes from. It's not known for sure, but it's suspected that the name is taken from the name of a neighborhood in Istanbul, Galata, a neighborhood where Moldovan rulers lived when they were called to the Sultan.
These monasteries have always been a place of refuge, both for the leaders of the country and for the nearby inhabitants, they were also a place where the treasure was hidden, in times of war. In the Middle Ages, there were many wars, all conflicts ended with a war. Because of this, the monasteries were surrounded by strong and high walls.
Moreover, the entrance gate was well fortified and guarded by a tower much higher than the rest of the wall. The tower was used for observation and warning, from its height the whole area could be kept under observation. The big bell was at the top of the tower and the noise made by it announced in advance when enemies were observed around.
Galata means gate in Turkish. We passed the gate and now we enter the courtyard of the monastery. At only a hundred meters from the monastery, the hustle, and bustle of the city are maximum, streets full of cars and people in a hurry to solve their problems. Entering the courtyard of the monastery, I feel that I have entered another world. A world long ago!
The high walls stop the noises and everything related to modern life to enter this space. This space seems torn from our reality, a space that has its own rhythm, reminiscent of the past.
Protective walls, thick and high, provided at the top with holes to be able to shoot through them. Walls meant in the past to protect those insides from Tatar and Turkish invasions and now, useless, of course.
Good, though, for climbing plants.
These walls ultimately protect two important objectives. The Church and the Royal House.
The Church
The church was built in two years, starting with the year 1582. It is quite old, almost half a millennium!
Many earthquakes, fires, damage caused by invaders passed over it, but it was always repaired and so we came to see it now in all its beauty, except for the exterior painting which has deteriorated irreparably.
The church is built of stone and rows of three bricks each, which give the effect of polychrome. The facade was divided into two registers separated by a continuous median belt, which separates the part of heaven from the earth (metaphorically).
It is the first church in Moldova built with two towers, until then the Moldovan churches had either a single tower or none.
In all those depressions on the walls of the church, there were paintings with saints and biblical scenes but they have degraded and are no longer seen today. In northern Moldova (Bucovina) there are still many monasteries that still have exterior painting.
The interior of the church - let's take a look!
My wife and I were the only visitors and in the church, we met only one man, a kind of caretaker who did not pay attention to us. However, even if it is a tourist and historical objective, the church is also functional from the point of view of the Christian ritual. This prevents photography from being allowed, ie it is allowed but not seen with good eyes. This made me shoot on the run and in secret (and in insufficient light) and led to a not very good quality of photos.
The church is built in a triconch plan, being divided into a closed porch, narthex, tomb, nave, and altar. The porch has a hemispherical vault and three windows finished in a broken arch.
Closed porch
Narthex
Tomb
Nave and altar
Here was the least light and the photos are not quality but I publish them so you can see this area, in fact the most important in the church.
As I said, the church is still functional five hundred years after its construction. Various religious objects can be bought and prayers can be left to be read by the nuns.
This was the church. Apart from the church, there is also the Royal House, built for the ruler of the country. In this place, the ruler and his family retired to spend time together.
Royal House
Now, this building houses a small museum, embroidery workshops, and the rooms where the nuns live. I don't know if I said, this monastery is a monastery for nuns. These nuns hold the whole church ritual and then work embroidery for the priests' clothes
I couldn't visit the museum. The truth is that I did not meet anyone, the nuns were probably at their activities and did not show up. All that remained was to admire the exterior of the building, namely the entrance.
Not only these buildings determine the beauty of the place, the garden and the courtyard are also completely special.
A place so closed also needs water. An old fountain and a spring caught in another fountain solve the problem.
A few pleasant hours spent in this oasis of peace and beauty passed quickly. We walk the road to the exit, still having our oasis of beauty.
We can't leave without taking a few more photos to remember. A few steps and we will be back in "our modern civilization". I find it difficult to detach myself from the peace of this place.
I cannot part with this monument without leaving here the image of the first bell of the church.
Pure Romanian architecture, church architecture. This was my first post in this community and I chose to present these constructions. Soon I will post about the painted churches in Bucovina.