Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
CITY OF RESIDENCE CITADEL
Some 3km down Str Mitropoliei, the 1388
City of Residence Citadel
(Cetatea de Scaun; adult/child 5/2 lei, photo-
graphy 10 lei; 9am-6pm)
is where an attack by Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II was halted in 1427, 23 years after
his conquest of Constantinople (Istanbul). Without this defensive achievement against the Islamic empire, the Bu-
covina painted monasteries would not likely have been built.
Massive stretches of the rectangular structure remain. The original fortress was dubbed 'Muşat's Fortress' (after
founder Petru I Muşat). Its eight square towers were surrounded by trenches. Ştefan cel Mare added 4m-thick, 33m-
high walls, foiling archers outside.
The unconquerable fortess withstood multiple attacks. Exasperated Ottomans finally blew it up in 1675; a century
later, home builders were still pillaging the ruins. Continuing restoration and excavation work began in 1944.
Nearby, the
Bucovinian Village Museum
(Muzeul Satului Bucovinean; City of Residence Citadel; adult/child 6/2
lei)
displays relocated Bucovina traditional homes, with their original furnishings, accessories and tools.
Sleeping
HOTEL
Hotel Sonnenhof $$$
( 0230-220 033;
www.hotelsonnenhof.ro
; B-dul Sofia Vicoveanca 68; s/d from 220/265
lei; )
This fancy four-star place is good for drivers and those not budget-conscious.
It's 3km from town on the Târgu Neamţ road (10 lei by taxi), but has excellent rooms
loaded with amenities and decorated in soothing tones (though, the huge paintings above
each bed are rather gauche). The hotel's Restaurant Mosaik is well regarded.
Hotel Gloria $
( 0230-521 209;
www.hotelgloria.ro
; Str Vasile Bumbac 4-8; s/d/ste incl breakfast
from 85/140/ 260 lei; )
If Suceava is your base for local excursions, this three-star
throwback is a good and central budget choice; it has perfectly fine, simple rooms with
super-powered hot showers and cable internet. Although English is hit-or-miss, staff are
unfailingly polite. Omelette breakfasts are served in the cavernous adjoining hall.
HOTEL
Union Apartment $
APARTMENT
