Săpânța-Peri Monastery: Maramureș’s record-height wooden church
Săpânța-Peri Monastery (Mănăstirea Săpânța-Peri) is an Orthodox nunnery in the village of Săpânța, in Maramureș, northern Romania, on the banks of the Tisza. Its wooden church, in the local double-eaved style, reaches 78 m and is described as the tallest of its kind in the world. It continues the tradition of the medieval Peri monastery, whose ruins now lie in Ukraine.
The Archangel Michael church at Săpânța-Peri is described as the tallest wooden church in the world, and its gilded tower can be seen from five kilometres away, across the Tisza in Ukraine.
The history of Săpânța-Peri Monastery
The Săpânța-Peri Monastery is a young foundation with a very old name. It continues the tradition of the Orthodox monastery of the Holy Archangel Michael at Peri, in historic Maramureș, whose ruins can be found today in the area of Hrushove in Ukraine. To understand the new monastery, it helps to start with the old one.
The story of Peri goes back to 1391, when the grandsons of Dragoș of Moldavia gave lands and goods to the monastery and a stone church was built. For more than three centuries that church served as the seat of the Romanian diocese of Maramureș. Under the Dragoșești voivodes the monastery was placed under the patronage of the Archangel Michael. It was also a place of writing: the Psalter, the Gospel, the Sunday Legend, the Voroneț Codex and the Acts of the Apostles are said to have been translated and copied into Romanian there for the first time. A charter of 1404 shows several Romanian nobles confirming the monastery’s possessions, including three villages, Taras, Criva and Peri, and a mill at the point where the Săpânța river flows into the Tisza.
Historical events led to the destruction of the original monastery church in 1783, and the tradition of Peri remained only a memory for a long time. It was taken up again in 1997, when a new monastery was founded within the boundaries of the village of Săpânța, out of the wish to renew the historical tradition of the old monastery of Archangel Michael. The initiative came from the parish priest, and the church was built according to the plans of an architect.
The new church was raised between 1998 and 2003 on the banks of the Tisza, and from 2005 a community of nuns settled here and continued the building work. The church follows the Maramureș style of wooden churches, which is known for its double eaves. It was originally plated with 8.5 kg of gold, and its cross, seven metres high, was covered with a further four kilograms. With a maximum height of 78 m, it is described as the tallest wooden church in the world. Its tower is visible from five kilometres away across the Tisza, so it can also be admired by the Romanians of Transcarpathia, the part of historic Maramureș that lies today in Ukraine.
Curiosities about Săpânța-Peri Monastery
- The church of Archangel Michael is described as the tallest wooden church in the world, with a maximum height of 78 m.
- The church was originally plated with 8.5 kg of gold, and its seven-metre cross was covered with four kilograms more.
- The tower can be seen from a distance of five kilometres across the Tisza, and can be admired by Romanians living on the Ukrainian side, in historic Maramureș.
- The old Peri monastery, whose tradition this one continues, is said to be where the Psalter, the Gospel and other texts were first translated and copied into Romanian.
- The ruins of the original Peri monastery are found today near Hrushove, in Ukraine, while the new monastery stands in Săpânța.
- A charter of 1404 mentions a mill “in the land of Câmpulung on the Săpânța river, where it flows into the Tisza”.
Tours near Săpânța-Peri Monastery
Experiences in the area that you can book online with Viator:
Visiting Săpânța-Peri Monastery: what to see
- The wooden church is the main sight: look up at the tower and the double eaves typical of the Maramureș style.
- The monastery stands on the banks of the Tisza, with views toward the Ukrainian side, in the north of Săpânța village.
- It is a working community of nuns and a place of prayer, so modest dress and a quiet approach are appropriate.
- It combines well with other wooden churches of Maramureș: the church in Desești is about 26 km away, Bârsana about 32 km, Budești Josani about 34 km and Stephen’s Tower about 37 km.
- Check the current opening hours before you go.
Opening hours, access and conditions can change. Check before you go.
Map: where Săpânța-Peri Monastery is
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors
Photos of Săpânța-Peri Monastery
Questions
Where is Săpânța-Peri Monastery?
It is in the north of the village of Săpânța, in Maramureș County in northern Romania, on the banks of the Tisza.
Is this the tallest wooden church in the world?
Sources describe the church of Archangel Michael as the tallest wooden church in the world, with a maximum height of 78 m.
How old is Săpânța-Peri Monastery?
The current monastery was founded in 1997 and its church was built between 1998 and 2003. It continues the tradition of the old Peri monastery, documented from 1391.
What happened to the old Peri monastery?
Its stone church was destroyed in 1783. The ruins are now near Hrushove in Ukraine.
Is the church really covered with gold?
According to the sources, it was originally plated with 8.5 kg of gold, and the seven-metre cross was covered with four kilograms.
What can you see near Săpânța-Peri Monastery?
Other Maramureș churches lie within reach: Desești about 26 km, Bârsana about 32 km, Budești Josani about 34 km and Stephen’s Tower about 37 km.
Also nearby
Saint Parascheva Wooden Church, Desești
Maramureș · painted wooden church, UNESCO site
26 km away
Church of the Presentation of the Virgin in the Temple in Bârsana
Bârsana · UNESCO wooden church, moved twice
32 km away
Budești Josani Church
Maramureș · UNESCO wooden church with a 26 m tower
34 km away
Stephen’s Tower
Baia Mare · medieval bell tower with city views
37 km away