Ialomicioara Monastery and Cave

The basics

Once you’ve admired the small church, head inside the cave complex and explore. More than 1,300 feet (400 meters) of pathways lead through natural highlights such as the cavernous Bear Hall, which was full of 10,000-year-old bones of cave bears when it was first discovered in the 19th century, and the St. Mary Grotto, named after limestone formations that are said to resemble the Virgin Mary.

Some day trips from Bucharest combine the subterranean wonderland with a stop at Peles Castle, a lavish structure with 170 elaborately decorated rooms.

Things to know before you go

• It’s cold and dark inside the caves, so wear warm clothes and bring a flashlight or headlamp.

• A lot of walking is involved in a visit to Ialomicioara Monastery and Cave, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes.

• There’s an admission fee for the church, but children under 6 years of age can enter for free.

• If you can’t reach the caves in person, you can take a virtual tour on the attraction’s website.

How to get there

The closest town to Ialomicioara Monastery and Cave is Brasov, a popular stop on multiday tours of Transylvania. From there, the complex is a 2-hour drive via winding mountainous roads. No public transportation heads out that way, so the most convenient option is to rent a car or visit as part of a tour.

When to get there

Ialomicioara Monastery and Cave is open from morning until early evening during the spring and summer months of May through September. It closes a couple of hours earlier during the winter season, from October through April. Because it is mostly indoors, a visit to the monastery it’s a great rainy-day activity.

The best things to do in nearby Brasov

Brasov’s Old Town is a Gothic wonderland of cobbled streets and churches topped by spiky spires. Must-see sights include the 14th-century Black Church (Biserica Neagra), one of the largest Gothic churches between Vienna and Istanbul, and Bran Castle, a short drive from the town. Known as Dracula’s Castle, this monument inspired Bram Stoker’s horror novel, Dracula.