Mănăstirea Ortodoxă „Schitul Dârvari”

Tucked away amidst the bustling city of Bucharest, Mănăstirea Ortodoxă “Schitul Dârvari” offers a sanctuary of peace. Mănăstirea Ortodoxă “Schitul Dârvari” began its life in 1834. Mihail Darvari and his wife Elena established it as a simple wooden family chapel dedicated to the Resurrection of Saint Lazarus. Imagine the scene: a modest structure nestled behind the Icoanei Church, surrounded by walls and the quiet hum of prayer. In 1835, the Dârvari family invited nuns from the Pasărea and Samurcășești monasteries to join the burgeoning community at Mănăstirea Ortodoxă “Schitul Dârvari”. They filled the small space with their devotion. The church saw changes over the years. In 1894, Nicolae Darvari, likely a descendant of the founders, oversaw repairs and added a small dome. But the most dramatic transformation occurred between 1933 and 1934. The original wooden structure of Mănăstirea Ortodoxă “Schitul Dârvari” was completely demolished, making way for the church you see today. Architect Gheorghe Simotta designed the new building in the Oltenian-Muntenian style. Inside, artist Iosif Keber adorned the walls with neo-Byzantine frescoes. The cross-shaped church, measuring 19 meters long and 8 meters wide, features a distinctive octagonal dome resting on a square base above the nave and a closed porch. However, the serenity of Mănăstirea Ortodoxă “Schitul Dârvari” was shattered in 1959 when the communist regime forced the monks to leave, moving them to Cernica Monastery. The church became a branch of the Icoanei Church. Hope returned in 1992. Mănăstirea Ortodoxă “Schitul Dârvari” was declared a historic monument. Then in 1996, it was reopened as a monastery, its spiritual life rekindled. Further restorations, completed in 2001, brought renewed beauty to the monastic cells, the chapel, and the belfry. Today, Mănăstirea Ortodoxă “Schitul Dârvari” stands as a testament to enduring faith, a peaceful haven in the heart of a vibrant city.