Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Driving Tour: Bucovina Monasteries
Bucovina's painted monasteries are Moldavia's top cultural draw. Dazzling frescoes run from top to bottom in
churches where monks and nuns follow traditional Orthodox vigils and services. On either a round-trip circuit or or-
ganised tour from Suceava, visiting the four most spectacular monasteries is achievable in a day. For a more leis-
urely tour and to visit additional monasteries like Putna, Arbore and Dragomirna, overnight at a rural guesthouse.
Leaving Suceava, take the southwest road for 50km (one hour) towards
Gura Humorului
village and
Hu-
mor Monastery
. Along with elaborate frescoes, this fortified monastery's tower offers nice views.
Continue on the south side of the Gura Humorului road for 10km (20 minutes) to
Voroneţ Monastery
, a
spectacular structure known for its unique blue paint and detailed fresco of
Last Judgment
.
From here, head west and then northwest (35km, 45 minutes), passing through
Vatra Moldoviţei
for Mol-
doviţa Monastery, a pretty place known for its frescoes
The Story of Jesus' Life
and
The Siege of Constantinople
.
Backtrack to Vatra Moldoviţei and continue northeast on a winding mountain road, peaking at 1100m at
Ci-
umârna Pass
, dubbed 'Palma' (a giant human-palm statue stands here). You'll find great views, refreshing breezes
and local vendors selling crafts and natural products.
Continue northeast for 10km to
Popas Turistic Bucovina
, an excellent lunch stop (it also has a hotel). Local
forest mushrooms are used here in traditional sauces for chicken and pork dishes, and in hearty soups.
Another 4km north is
Suceviţa Monastery
, with paintings including the
Ladder of Virtues
and
The Miracles
of Jesus
.
Travel 6km on the road back to Suceava to pass through
Marginea
, known for its unique black pottery,
which is available at
AF Magopat Gheorghe
, where potters work on traditional wheels from Monday to Saturday.
From here it's 50km (one hour) to Suceava.
MOLDOVIŢA MONASTERY
Built in 1532
Moldoviţa Monastery
(adult/student 5/2 lei; 8am-7pm summer, to 4pm
winter)
occupies a fortified quadrangular enclosure with tower, gates and well-tended
lawns. The central painted church has been partly restored and features impressive fres-
coes from 1537. The southern exterior wall depicts the Siege of Constantinople in AD
626, under a combined Persian-Avar attack. Interestingly, the besiegers are depicted in
Turkish dress - keeping parishioners concentrated on the current enemy.
On the church's porch is another
Last Judgment
fresco. Inside the sanctuary, on a wall
facing the carved iconostasis, a pious Prince Petru Rareş offers the church to Christ. The
monastery's small museum displays Rareş' original throne.
