A Royal Journey Through Western PA

Thom Nickels: The last Romanian princess

''I’m on Amtrak’s Pennsylvanian traveling from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh to check out the legacy of the last Romanian Princess.

Arranging this trip was almost as difficult as planning a trip to Romania. Figuring out how to get to Ellwood City, Pennsylvania from Pittsburgh was a challenge. Ellwood City is where Princess Ileana of Romania — in her later incarnation as Mother Alexandra — founded the Orthodox Monastery of the Transfiguration..."

About Thom Nickels:

Thom Nickels is a Philadelphia-based journalist/columnist and the 2005 recipient of the AIA Lewis Mumford Award for Architectural Journalism. He writes for City Journal, New York, and Frontpage Magazine. Thom Nickels is the author of fifteen books, including “Literary Philadelphia” and ”From Mother Divine to the Corner Swami: Religious Cults in Philadelphia.” His latest is “Death in Philadelphia: The Murder of Kimberly Ernest.” He is currently at work on “The Last Romanian Princess and Her World Legacy,” about the life of Princess Ileana of Romania.

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