Florești Monastery

Monastic life in this land of Vaslui county reaches back into history to the time of Stephen the Great, when a small hermitage was built on the ruins of another foundation, becoming Florești Monastery. It was once under the administration of Mount Athos, led by Greek abbots, until 1863, when, following the secularization of monastery assets, their influence came to an end.

Legend has it that during Cuza's reign, upon hearing that Florești Monastery was led by the merciless Greek abbot Nil, who was harsh towards those who knocked at the monastery gate, he orchestrated one of his "incognito excursions".

Dressed as a beggar, he knocked on the monastery gate at dusk, seeking shelter. Initially refused, he was eventually admitted into the penitential chamber upon insistence. The next day, Cuza revealed his royal insignia and reproached Abbot Nil for the abuses and luxury at the monastery, while the common people had nothing to eat. Later, in the context of the secularization of Florești Monastery's assets, Nil had to leave the monastery with only what he could carry.

Since then, the life of the community has intertwined with that of the monastery, its precious treasure being the wonder-working Icon of the Mother of God with the Child or "The Saint from Florești", to which the people of Vaslui still devoutly pray today.

Now, the imposing neo-Gothic church impresses with stone-carved ornaments, decorative elements adorning the facade, and a remarkable bell tower, approximately 25 meters high, which watches over the faithful.

The monastic complex was erected between 1852-1859, on the ruins of the foundation built here in 1590 by a former steward of the Upper Country, Cârstea Ghenovici. Thus, the existence of a monastery here was first documented in 1596 when Cârstea Ghenovici donated the village of Florești to the holy place.

However, it is said that monastic life in these places has much deeper roots, starting even from the time of Stephen the Great, around 1480.

In 1991, the monastery was re-established as a community monastery for nuns.

Externally, stone-carved ornaments are easily noticeable, especially the frieze with floral and geometric elements, as well as the window frames.

Also, the bell tower located on the south side of the monastery stands out for its height of approximately 25 meters, whose construction lasted almost 50 years. The tower is also beautifully decorated with elegant ornaments, similar to those found on the church's facade.

Shortly after the end of the First World War, significant restorations took place, during which the altar was adorned with a mural painting.

Subsequently, between 2008 and 2013, a monumental fresco painting was created in the place of worship, with the painters offering a special expressiveness to the scenes and faces depicted in warm colors.