Sinaia Monastery lies in the Prahova Valley in Romania, close to Peleș Castle. Prince Mihail Cantacuzino founded it in 1695 after a pilgrimage to Mount Sinai and named it for Saint Catherine's Monastery there. It was also designed as a fortified stronghold on the route between Brașov and Bucharest.
The complex has two courtyards. The Old Church dates from 1695, and the Great Church was completed in 1846 to a design by George Mandrea. Both are in the Byzantine style. The Great Church was the first church in Romania with electric lights.
The monastery opened the first exhibition of religious objects in Romania in 1895. The museum is open daily except Mondays from April to October. The Old Church was closed for restoration in 2006 and reopened in 2016.
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