The walled Schitul Darvari - with its lovely grounds - is a gorgeous oasis of peace and quiet in busy central Bucharest. Founded in 1834 by Mihai Darvari and his wife Elena - who purchased the site from the Biserica Icoanei - it was originally a private church for the Darvari family and their close acquaintances. Renovated extensively in 1894 and again from 1933-4, a community of monks lived here continuously from 1835 to 1959, when they were forced to move to Cernica Monastery by Romania's communist authorities. Made a national monument in 1992 the church is richly decorated both inside and out.