Monasteries of Moldova 

• Capriana
• Butuceni
• Tiganesti
• Cosauti
• Harbovat
• Harjauca
• Dobrusa
• Curchi

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The Hermitage in Butuceni was established in the XIth century and is one of the most ancient cave monument located in the neighborhood of Orheiul Vechi, near the village of Butuceni, 17 km from the town Orhei.

“The Stefan Tomsa reign document dating from May 13, 1612 states the fact that the holy Golag monastery’s friars and the nobleman Voico - the great bailiff, affirmed with great repetance, that there was an idea to build a castle at Pastere on the Raut River. At that time many neighboring noble villages of Pastere were occupied by enemies and in stead of them others villages were given to them”. The above mentioned is the first document of the Butuceni village (Pestere). Unfortunately, the year of its foundation remain unknown.

Probably, the initial foundation of the Butuceni Hermitage dates from XV century. Fated for a restrained number of friars, and namely for 10 – 12 persons, the initial small monastery was cut in limestone at a considerable height at the top of a rock.

Nowadays it is impossible to enter the monastery off-shore the Raut River, the way friars used to enter. The entrance was overgrown with stones and the path to it disappeared after an earthquake. In 1820, in order to provide access to the hermitage, the inhabitants dug through a tunnel from Butuceni, which made it possible to get to the chapel. Now it serves as monastery entrance for friars and visitors. The tunnel is followed by the monastery hall. On the northern monastery wall, three windows are cut. Light penetrates into the hermitage through rectangular entrance doors hewn out of the stone. The church has a traditional unshapely pronave with a surface of 36 meters, its nave comprising 6x4 meters and being followed by the altar. The altar ancient table is cherished yet.

There are 12 cells at the hermitage. It is stated that a part of the friars were living in the rock caves situated at the 500 meters distance of the monastery. In 1816, unhappy event happened – the monastery was closed.

The Bosie Hermitage

There exists another monastery - Bosie Hermitage; it has some caves in the same rock. It is easy to enter it from the Raut River side.

The caves are similar to the Tipova Monastery cells. Various inscriptions can be seen on the cave walls. At the entrance of the big cave the following inscription can be read: “this monastery was built by the God slave – Bosie, mayor of the Orhei town, his wife and sons, thus honoring God – 7183 (1675).

Another inscription states: “this script is made by Vasile Adeescu and Ratalean in the days of Constantin Voda Duca in Ivancea, they were priors in Ucraine and passed the winter in the cave on November 20, 7198 (1690)”.

In the soviet period, the monastery was transformed into an open air museum fated for the Soviet Union tourists only.

In 1996 the monastery was reconstructed thanks to Butuceni village inhabitants. At present Hermitage of Butuceni makes a part of the national park and historical complex "Orheiul Vechi" 

Translated from Romanian by Felicia Lupasco, Moldova.ORG