Monastery Tismana
Tismana Monastery, situated 30 km west of the town of Targu Jiu and 5 km N of village Tismana, this facility is among the monastic oldest in Romania, having a role in maintaining the orthodox faith throughout the centuries. Toponymical Tismana word comes from "instead of fortified walls. But names can be taken and the tree "tuia that afforestation in the past these places.
Tismana Monastery is the oldest and largest of the monasteries over Olt "(as a named Grigore Alexandrescu)," great nest of Basarabilor "(considered as a George Cosbuc)," dreaming a world of fairy tales "(as distinct a Vlahuta Alexander)," without any seaman in this country or in another place of beauty and settlement through a lot of water and strengthen its natural that has helped and its surrounding walls of protection " (described as a famous traveler Paul of Aleppo - attendant Macarie Patriarch of Antioch of the trip in 1657).
The rock of the church is located south of the cave and devout of St. Nicodemus (December 26. 1406), which has led a life of hermit. He founded the monastery in the XIV th century with material support of rulers Basarabi, Radu I (1374-1385) of his sons, Dan I (1385-1386) and Mircea the Old (1386-1418), being built on a site wooden hermitage.
Monastery Tismana - monastic complex history
History of the oldest monasteries in Wallachia - Tismana - and her life founder of St. Nicodemus devout, have much in the legend. At the fame that has enjoyed uninterrupted convent contributed much charm and is situated.
Tradition of support even as the beauty of the surroundings was decisive in the selection of St. Nicodemus and searched a long time in the valley "living river water" Starmina’s rock with its waterfall. In truth, all the riches and beauties of nature seem to be tight here: rows of peaks with reliefs whimsical, rivers rich in trouts, chestnut orchards of which had to come on line in monastic. Choosing devotion Nicodim was determined, however, and most important reasons. 
Legends in the shrubbery that enveloped both foundation monastery and its founder’s personality, often in contradictory data contained in the first studies on the monument, documentor may hardly light.
Although the documents related to the monument have been preserved, in time for the new closer, the birth of our churches - not the first royal charter outfit. How about devotion Nicodim data related activity before and after coming on Romanian soil is extremely poor, and the legend of his life writing, quite late.
Tismana documents should be considered not in isolation but tightly integrated complex event which cross the Romanian history in the last third of a century XIV century. For this time, the very foundation of a monastery is not only a reflection of the struggle for the preservation of national independence and stavilirea penetratiei Catholicism south of the Carpathians.
Last three decades of the XIV century is the century just when Mr groups under his leadership the resistance actions of the Orthodox peoples of southeastern Europe against attempts to catolicise employment and forced the Hungarian kingdom, encouraged by the papacy.
In these circumstances, any effort to strengthen religious life, even in terms of its monastic, means a measure of default contra attack church. This explains the great support that Vladislav Vlaicu-monk in the Greek-Serbian refugee Nicodim southern Delta, along the whole of activities on the land of our country.
Research results that the future abbot of Tismana passed in Wallachia in holding Crainic, then dragged in the Bulgarian Vidin, where extensive work performed on monastic land, when it is held - temporarily - under occupation catoloc Hungarian kingdom — 1370. Once he passed the Danube a small community of 11 monks.
Vlaicu-Vladislav receives devotion Nicodim as orthodox opposition representative in the Balkans, and, when it is required, support for creation of a monastery north of the Danube. This first foundation, Vodita, was richly endowed man with the villages and income.
Collaboration between state and head of representative monarhist South Danube has a simple explanation. The settlement of a foundation to orthodox western edge of the country, in the Banat of Severin so disputed by Wallachia and Hungary, should serve as a fulcrum of the state of religion among Orthodox meeks of lore, represented by Cneziala Romanian Banat, in documents ii time signals in a continuous state of disobedience against the Hungarian crown. 
But over several years of their settlement here, "the monks onest Nicodim community and to, are forced to leave because the foundation of Severin Banat and a date with him Vodita with all her possessions are lost temporarily in the Wallachia the Hungarian kingdom, probably by 1375.
Losing hope continued activity on the ground and Hungarian Catholic, but left without resources, devotion Nicodim pass in Serbia. Over less than a year returned in Wallachia and again addressed to Mr. - this time I Radu - asking him to help found another place on earth monastic romanesc. Support was granted for the right reasons and easily intuited: the new monastery was supposed to take over the role that had been entrusted Vodita.
His Nicodim was ordered to go inside the country in May so he Ungro-Vlahiei, Baniei Severin, not only to choose a nice place, according to "live the council. Place the settlement had to be at the same time less dangerous as the Vodita and not too far from the border of Banat, who dropped Mr. Roman is not the same at that time.
Radu I grant devotion Nicodim several Danii as compensation for lost possessions on Hungarian territory and small community, now numbering only 10 monks, began to build a church on the water Tismana, the place chosen after long searches, near a waterfall.
Legend, fully established since the XVII century, states that first house built on rock under Starmina was made of a wood tis, a species of conifer wood hard rosietic, which would come monastery’s name. But is more likely, given the importance that is given, that the church was started construction of a wall that must have had great resemblances with the Vodita.
Raising them can place between 1375 - when the refugees council of monks from Vodita - sanctification and 1377-1378 data, the known from a note written on the back of a document from Dan II. This second data record that can be taken as reliable: "The holy church in 6886 (1377-1378), died Nicodim our holy father in the year 6915 (1406).
God endowed the first time since the foundation in the ground with Danii income and to assure maintenance brothers led by devotion Nicodim. A charter from Radu but I was not kept, either as the donation has not received confirmation in writing or it is lost. But it is known that those donations were from a charter of 1385 the son of Radu I, Dan I.
From the same charter says "that I learned my reign in the country, the place called Tismana, a monastery not get them all finished parts, the holy defunct, well faithful ruller Radu, ruler of my father, raised it from the foundation, but finally not did it because of his short life. That is why he deign me that, as in the Lord, I be the follower in this so I renew to relieve my father away and reinforced with all gifts and income, not only they, but and many were given to the monastery in the time my father, all to strengthen and empower them. "
Also by this document is Tismana strengthens mastery over all the possessions they had in holding Vodita of the Severin by Dan I regain around that year. Thus the owner community became large areas of both foundations and administratoarea (Vodita and Tismana) and devotion Nicodim, abbot of both.
Next on Tismana document dated 1387, the first year of the reign of Mircea the Great. Reconfirming his rights and possessions, Mircea adds that his back has a duty to fulfill "the imperfect" forms unclear which refers probably end cells or other monastic buildings.
Under "parent and prayer, pope Nicodim, three precious collaborator waivodes, qualities that meet the connoisseur in zidirii craft, the calligrapher and miniaturist, with the organizer of religious life, and good fortune of managing of monasteries, community Tismana to intensify every year.
Monastery Tismana - important cultural and religious
As a religious institution, Tismana enjoyed since the beginning of a unique situation. It was a samovlastie, meaning a monastic community alone, nor Metropolitan of Ungrovlaha rebellious, neither of Severin, being driven only by its own synod, which orderliness Nicodim devotion brought her to Mount Athos "after the death of Chir Nicodim volna not be put in place the abbot nor Mr. or episcope nor any other, but how you say Chir Nicodim and how you sit, so to keep the monks that are there and to them alone and put the abbot. "
This tradition is kept up late, being reminded of the small papers all princely. Besides, Priory Tismana were given special awards: devotion Nicodim received from the Patriarch of Constantinople, Filotei, rank prior, as well as the right to job bedernita (small piece of liturgical embroidery with special significance in the hierarchy of the clergymen).
Until the XVI th century, when this distinction is given to the Diocese of Curtea de Arges Monastery Archimandrite Tismana is unique from Tara Romaneasca. Regarding wealth monastery was Tismana posesoarea, a century from inception, has the largest area of monastic voivodeship.
Her master monks 10 villages on the land of Wallachia and 10 other villages in Serbia (donations of cneazului Lazar), 40 room "atigani" graul from district Jalesul (Gorj Today), customs revenue at Calafat, Balta and Valcan Bistret, cuivre tithe of mine from Bratilovo, ponds over monopoly grazing in the mountains Sorbele, Oslea, Boul and Parang, and a series of annual revenue from royal house.
As a true master feudal, Nicodim resort rule to protect assets. Even from the time of Mircea the Great certain villages of monasteries gifts is exempt from the obligation in exchange for a "made straja" at the monastery.
The existence of the church devotion Nicodemus was not too long. Although the great number of small papers stored in the strengthening of the XV century (from Vlad Tepes, Radu the Beautiful, Vlad the Monk) and it appears that the monastery has continued uninterrupted activity as an institution, a cause obscure until now led to the ruinous church and made necessary a full restoration of it.
Moreover, while "Life preacuviosului Nicodim Sfintitul" written in the monastery in 1839 by Stefan the ruller, record oral tradition according to which "it is not one in which intaiu done through the efforts of St. Nicodemus, by Radu Negru Voda" (meaning I Radu) . Regarding the second founder of this there are many discussions. Pisania painted in the nave at zugravirea new churches in 1564, reminds us all of a gentleman named Radu. But that Radu can be?
He is identified with when I Radu, the founder of the first churches, since Radu the Beautiful (in "Life well onest Nicodim Sfintitul" written by Stefan ieromonahul), since Radu Paisie (recorded in the inscription of the 1541 border of the main door).
Stefan the priest but retains a precious item identification: this was his father Radu Mircea Ciobanul, you know not to be other than Radu cel Mare. Coroborand historical data with the arguments of a style can be said that the second building from the weather Tismana dates from the reign of Radu the Great (1495-1508). She was one of the monuments of Wallachian architecture from the beginning of the XVI century, a large church for the time, composed of the altar, the nave, and pronaos exonartex open having three towers.
But Radu cel Mare has probably managed to finish construction. But it explains the second gap in the history of the monument - carved in stone embedded after the usual facade, as seen for example the hill Monastery, founded voivode same. Construction works at the Monastery Tismana continued and so the next rule.
Neagoe Basarab "a church all covered with lead and other things have obarsia. How all Tismana he gave a series of cult objects necessary, it can be assumed that, during his reign began to serve in the new church, although the had not been painted yet. To make a provisional ornament, the plaster had been drawn yet sprinkle red stripes.
In the reign of Radu Paisie (named in the documents and Petru Voda), prior aseaza Vasile beautiful stone borders of the doors (1541). In 1564, during the reign of Peter the Young, vornicul Nedelco Balaceanu zugraveste the church. Then sit and pisania painted, so important is the fact that the oldest attestation on behalf of the founders, and for that recorded the name of master painter "ot Dobromir of Targoviste.
In 1610-1611, a ferocious marauding army of Prince Gabriel Bathory brought damage the surrounding walls of the monastery. Before taking the rule, the walls closed Tismana, Matei Basarab resisted siege victorious army sent against him by Leon-Voda.
The Chronicle says that "Matthew and others were locked in monastery Tismana and three days around the monastery stand gonacii nothing they could hurt, but at night they went out and passed again Transylvania.
Soon he becomes king, Matei Basarab reconstruct buildings and premises manastiresti (1646-1651). He built the chapel, located outside the enclosure at the eastern edge of shelf. Some years after these changes, in 1657, Paul of Aleppo, his apprentice, and the Secretary the arhi priest Macarie Patriarch of Antioch, visiting Romanian monastic settlements, making the first desriere Tismana. Bookmark travel are its most valuable information about many of the monuments of that time.
Describing the entry in the monastery, Paul of Aleppo say went on a narrow path around the building, before reaching the first window with iron. This place is a fountain with water tasnitoare, and turn over a big serve the gate, there are numerous battlements. After I have gone through this, we reached a second, all of iron, which is above the bell. " In 1698 Brailoiu Cornea, Craiovei money, built homes egumenesti.
An era of peril and pustiiri Tismana for repeated starts with the conflicts between Turks and Austrians. In 1716 the monastery is robbed of the Turks back from the siege of Timisoara.
Later, between 1718 and 1739 Tismana falls, once with the Oltenia under Austrian occupation. Teams of army engineers military imperial province to inspect the strategic choice were to be strengthened with the fortress. Plan and the overall order made on this occasion by the engineer Johann Weiss, graph represents the first known document on Tismana enclosure Monastery (1728-1731).
The monastery was forced by circumstances, especially in the centuries XVII century and the eighteenth century, when the old fortress of Wallachia had been destroyed by order Gate, and to serve as a fortress. Since 1605, the documents mention the existence of weapons Tismana. In 1600, 1614, 1784, 1793 exemptions are renewed dari of villages which were in turn double duty to "guard hill", ie from outside Transylvania and to defend the monastery talharii who often tried to loot.
At the beginning of the century XVIII century, the old paint by Dobromir of Targoviste "is very outdated. Prior John helped Stanca Glogoveanu wife, who gave "aorul and vapseli" recover fully painting the church. Pisania of 1732 mention the painters injured, Gligorie, Ghiorghie and Tudor.
Three years later, other craftsmen including Vasile Diaconu, they sign on the main spire of the church. Also during the eighteenth century century have made a series of smaller works, such as location, lateral enlargement of windows, and equipping the church with carved wooden doors with wood different objects and furniture.
In the 1766 run, in a second campaign, a new series of paintings, probably the pronaos exonartex and subsequently disappeared. Is founded and this time Stanca Glogoveanu and Master painter Dimitrie Diaconu.
Between 1787 and 1792, when they incorporate conflict between Turks and Austrians, Turks are soldiers’ disposition towards the monastery in winter and watch the mountains. " Tismana suffer damage on this occasion meant clopotnitei doors of iron are taken and taken to Vidin fortress, lead on the roof (4600) is high, thesaurus objects price is hidden in caves. Many of them were lost. Monks have lived 10 years wasted almost scary Mount Cioclovina. Only in 1798 prior Manastireanu Stefan manages to make some repairs to the walls of the chamber and to reorganize monasticism.
Over two decades, beginning in of the Pandurs movement, Tudor Vladimirescu monastery walls used to "guard yourself in" on ispravnicii placed in Oltenia. Later there will join the two squads led Panduri Macedonski D. and D. Gârbea, totaling about 3,500 people. If the year 1821 as many monasteries Strehaia, Cozia, Bistrita, Polovragi have served as bases of resistance rasculatilor, Tismana was undoubtedly the most important of them.
On 1 June 1971, on the occasion of the anniversary of a century and a half from the revolution of Tudor Vladimirescu here to set a record with the following inscription: "Tudor Vladimirescu organized Monastery Tismana a basis for preparing the revolutionary movement of 1821.
In 1844 began an era of great changes for old monument, which I had but the happiest result. On the initiative of Mr. George Bibescu restore ancient and important historical monuments of the country, these works were executed by foreign architects and in a time when Europe was mostly neo-Gothic style, also Foreign and without roots in our traditions. Bibescu strive to transform the southern part of the monastery enclosure in the royal palace.
Schlatter architect and raised manufacterers its place in the style of old buildings and traditional monastic architecture, facades loaded with western neo-Gothic ornament, in obvious contrast to the church of the enclosure.
Tismana Monastery - Church Central
As for the church itself, the collapse in 1855 exonartex the open top body of the church and eliminating gang cameras and supporting both sides of pronaos and part of the nave, Schlatter has caused an irreparable loss.
Besides this he demolished Contraforturi altar, the carved facades of old modenatura replacing it with an expressionless plaster imitating stone increased windows, opened new ones, changed the location niches apses and built a new entry, inappropriate with the old monument.
Historical Monuments Commission conducted the first research in the spirit of modern scientific restoration in 1934. They have resulted in the indication of old forms of church.
Restoration works were resumed only in 1954. In the span of a decade, Department of Historical Monuments in the Metropolitan of Oltenia, the arhipastoria Metropolitan Firmilian, finished pickling facades and gave out his paintings Dobromir of Targoviste pronaos of the church, In the same time to extract and display the Museum paintings layer of overlapping the XVIIIth century. Sinaxar only 304 were recovered paintings.
In 1970 there have been important archeological digging sampling occasion revealed that the foundation of another place of worship plan trilobat built of rocks and bricks bad english, before construction Nicodim devotion.
There were works of restoration of the two churches, the cells, the roof and floor under the direct supervision and guidance of the Metropolitan of Oltenia Vornicescu Dr. Nestor, researcher and historian passionate discoverer of the past.
By reconstruct large church porch in 1983, the Monastery Tismana returned to its original architecture, authentic Romanian. On this occasion were rebuilt tower roofs were removed decorative elements Romanian foreign architecture were strengthened wings south and west, have upgraded the hosting of the believers and monastic personnel.
Tismana Monastery - the architecture and ornaments
Architecture Tismana monastery in the Byzantine style, specifically the XIV century century is coming to the contemporary architecture of the churches in Macedonia and Mount Athos, representing the Romanian construction features.
The present church of the monastery is built directly on the rock in Tricon, with towers on the nave, porch and pronaos. Catapeteasmă is oak (1765-1766), in post-Brancoveanu style, with floral decorations in gold blown.
The altar is lit by a large window in the wall from the East, the other on the lower right of the same wall and one double window on each side, fitted with metal railing, and one small window on each wall, the vault.
Pronaos is poorly lit so that the two windows are placed in the upper part of the walls. The porch has four large windows on every wall in the west, north and south. Exterior façades not painting, are in white as whitewash walls and buildings around them.
The church was largely painted in 1564, of painters Dobromir of Targoviste, subsidized by the great action Nedelea vorne. It is Byzantine style in fresco plaster applied over the first monochrome fresco. In the year 1732 has been restored painting from the altar and the nave.
In pronaos, fresco in 1564 was destroyed, but it was from Applied new fresco dated 1766, is a painter Dimitrie deacon. In 1814, the first register of the altar and the nave, icons and royally doors were painted in oil painting from the 1732, Alex Zugravul of Campulung Muscel.
Since 1955, the painting was pickle pronaos made in 1766 and embedded on the walls of the monastery and museum corridors cells. The chapel, which has several glass windows donated by the poet George Cosbuc, was painted in 1948 by painter Dimitrie Nicolaide. In 1994 the church porch is painted by the painter Grigore Popescu Campulung Muscel, in Byzantine style. Here, for the first time are painted St. straromanii discover saint and in recent years.
In 1979, osardia by priests and nuns of Mother abbess Gligor Jerusalem, was a scrape of silver, made of plastic artist Gheorghe Stoica, Bucharest. Inside they found three part of the holy relic of St. Nicodemus (finger), St. Ignatie Teoforul and St. John the Golden Mouth, together with the cross of lead worn by St. Nicodemus. The cap is set in enamelled medallions these saints. outside on the scrape, are rendered scenes from the life and miracles of St. Nicodemus. Scrape is placed in the nave on the left side in front.
In pronaos are the graves of two founders, Matthew Gloveanu (1731), right, and Rosita Braileanu (1747), on the left. St. Nicodemus tomb, the eternal past December 26 in 1406, is in the church porch at the time the holiday is the second dedication of the church.
Much of the value of the objects found at the Monastery Museum of Art of Romania, among which the most important is Tetravanghelul St. Nicodemus. Museum of the monastery has a rich collection of murals (painted in 1766, from the pronaos), old wooden icons, religious objects, old books, a schedule, bedernita and epitrahil what belonged to St. Nicodemus.
Tismana Monastery - location and access roads
Monastery Tismana go to roads desfatatoare, unforgettable. One of these roads start Drobeta-Turnu Severin, the gate Motrului. From the fortress on the bank Danubiului, DN 67 to get to the new mining settlement Motru.
A county road connects the town of Black Water located at a distance of 29 kilometers, where the next Ramificatia right until Tismana area. The other route starts from Craiova to Targu-Jiu and on DN 67. At mile 82 is Ramificatia to Tismana and Baia de Arama.
