Japca Monastery

Japca Monastery, located on the right bank of the Dniester River in northern Moldova, is a unique nunnery known for its remarkable history and its spectacular setting on a cliff. Founded in the 17th century as a cave hermitage, it was elevated to monastery status in 1818 at the initiative of Metropolitan Gavriil Bănulescu-Bodoni. It is renowned as the only monastery in Bessarabia that remained open throughout the Soviet period, preserving an unbroken spiritual life and a strict monastic routine: without electricity, with services held in Church Slavonic, and deep-rooted traditions.

The complex includes stone churches, a cave church, monastic cells, and healing springs, while its breathtaking location attracts pilgrims and visitors in search of peace, spirituality, and authentic Orthodox tradition.