Tismana Monastery is one of the oldest and most important monastires in Romania. Located on a rock edge, at 40 m hight, was originally built of wood in 1370 by Nicodim monck, during the reign of Vladislav I. Building stone walls began in 1377 and ended in 1385. The monastery was painted in 1564 by master painter Dobromir.
Tismana Monastery, situated 30 km west of the Targu Jiu city and 5 km N of Tismana village, had an important role in maintaining the orthodox faith throughout the centuries. Toponymical Tismana word comes from fortified walls. But names can be taken of trees tuia of natural afforestation in the past in these places.
Tradition tells that the beauty of the surroundings was decisive in the choise of St. Nicodim to build here the monastery. 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. Choosing of devoted Nicodim was determined, however, by most important reasons.
Romanian writters called this place a fairy tale and phantasms world.
In the Tismana Monastery many hours were spent for learning, so monastery become one of the first cultural centers in old Wallachia, land of Romania.
