Over the centuries, political challenges were the most difficult for the monastery. As different empires, the Ottomans or the Hungarians, took over, the monks and the monastery were forced to adapt. The monastery itself has been burned down three times and rebuilt. A large square protects the church from strong winds and the location between major cities allows the monks to sell original artwork and religious items those traveling through.
As I said earlier, the monastery has been burned down at least three times, but each time the Romanian people have built it back stronger than before. Today, it is one of the most beautiful monasteries in all of Romania. The monks will often cook for each other and help maintain the buildings by shoveling snow, landscaping or painting religious icons to sell. Even though the harsh alpine climate can be cold and unwelcoming at times, the people themselves are warm and inviting. They invited us in for lunch with them and would not let us pay for the food.
