Monasteries in Bukovina

Northern Moldavia (or Bukovina) is the land of the painted monasteries, jewels of the Moldavian civilization between the 15th and the 17th century. Built some 500 years ago under the rule of Stephen the Great and of his successors, these architectural monuments are rather small, with stonewalls and wooden roofs, being surrounded by cells meant for the monks and defensive walls.

Voronet Monastery, nicknamed "The Sixtine Chapel of the Orient", was built by Stephen the Great in 1488. The interior frescos are unbelievable, the best example being The Last Judgement. The frescos are particularly outstanding through their blue paint, whose chemical contents have remained a mystery.

Humor Monastery, dating from 1530, also has a certain number of very interesting frescos of a high artistic value, among which the most representative might be Virgin Mary's Life. Both monasteries are easily accessible, as they conveniently lie close to Gura Humorului town (national asphalted road, railway station) where accommodation can be set up in a couple of small hotels. The tourist services quality is good but the quantity of such services is still low.

Moldovita Monastery is the biggest of the painted monasteries and its frescos rank among the best preserved ones. Built back in 1532 and painted in 1537, it has certain outstanding frescos, among which we can list The Siege of Constantinople and The Last Judgement. Sucevita Monastery is picturesquely located between some partially wooden hills. In sunny days, its walls shine, making it look more like a fortress. The green color prevails in most frescos: The Last Judgement, Jesus' Genealogy, and The Philosophers' Procession. Arbore Monastery, built in 1503, was decorated in 1541 with lovely frescoes. A fresh, light green with many shades prevails in most frescoes.

Further northwards we find Putna Monastery rose between 1466 and 1469 in a period of glory by Stephen the Great, who was also buried there. Having white and simple walls, the monastery has traversed many fires, earthquakes and devastations. Nowadays only a tower has been preserved from the original building, the rest being rebuilt afterwards. In the same area, other places of interest can be Dragomirna (1602), Radauti (1365), Zamca, Probota, Dolhasca and Slatina Monasteries.