Bucovina

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Why is Bucovina famous for? Moldova? Bucovina?

Bucovina & Moldova - Fast Facts

About the name	The name Bucovina means beech land
Location	Northeastern Romania - between the Carpathian Mountains and the Prut River. Bucovina is situated in the northern part of the region of Moldova, bordering with Ukraine. Note: The region of Moldova (often referred to in the Western press as Moldavia) is not to be confused with the Republic of Moldova, its eastern neighbor.
Area	27,062 sq miles
Population	Approximately 4.5 million
Main cities	Suceava(the entire county)
Climate	Temperate continental with hot summers and cold, snowy winters

Moldova ( the Romanian one and not the Republic of Moldova which is an independent State) rivals Transylvania when it comes to rich folklore, natural beauty and astonishing history. Over the past 500 years, history, culture and religious life have molded Iasi, the cultural capital of Moldova. Iasi boasts an impressive number of Orthodox churches, almost 100, most of them located in the Golden Plateau, representing the nucleus of the city, around which the city developed over the centuries. One of the most famous monuments in the city is the stunning Church of the Three Hierarchs, built in 1639. Another major landmark in Iasi is the neo-gothic Palace of Culture, built between 1900-1926, currently housing the Ethnographic Museum, the Art Museum, and the History Museum of Moldova.

 

 

Nestled in the rolling hills of northern Moldova is the region of Bucovina ( the northern part of the country), home to one of the world's greatest art treasures: the UNESCO World heritage sites of the Painted Monasteries of Bucovina. Built in the 15th and 16th centuries and featuring colorful exterior frescoes depicting dramatic religious scenes, these richly decorated houses of worships are unique in the world.

 

 

The most famous of these, often called "the Sistine Chapel of the East", is Voronet Monastery Erected in 1438 by Stefan the Great, Voronet's most stunning feature is a Last Judgment fresco painted - as at all the churches - on the exterior façade. The blue paint that has miraculously never faded is known throughout the world as ‘Voronet blue'. The artists here worked in isolation, guarding their trade secrets and to this day, the composition of the paint remains a mystery.

Other painted churches not to be missed include Sucevita with its distinctive greens, and Humor where the frescoes are predominantly red. Also nearby are, Arbore, Dragomirna, Moldovita and Putna monasteries.

 

Suceava- the heart of Bucovina

 

The town of Suceava may be the best starting point for a trip to the monasteries. Once the capital of Moldavia (from 1375 until 1565), it has some noteworthy attractions of its own, such as the remains of the Fortress of Suceava built in 1388. Today, visitors can tour the remains of the impressive fortifications and take in a great view of the city. Other sights in Suceava include the St. George Church (UNESCO World Heritage Site),  Mirauti Church, the Zamca Monastery and a number of museums dedicated to woodcraft, ethnography, history and folk art. The Bucovina History Museum displays medieval armor, coins, tools and ancient documents. Its Hall of Throne is a re-creation of Stephen the Great's court with furniture, weapons and costumes.

 

 

A visit to Bucovina would not be complete without some stunning nature walks through Ceahlau National Park, Romania's Olympus - the sacred mountain of the Dacians, the forefathers of the Romanian people. Make sure you bring binoculars as some 90 species of birds can be seen in the park area. Hikers won't want to pass up taking a crack at the Bicaz Gorges, a steep, twisting-and-turning climb more than three miles long.

 

 

MOLDOVA AND BUCOVINA

PLACES TO EXPLORE 

• The monasteries and churches with painted exterior frescos of Bucovina: Voronet (‘the Sistine Chapel of the East'), Moldovita, Sucevita, Humor, Probota, Arbore, Rasca
• The old monasteries and convents of: Putna, Dragomirna, Bogdana-Radauti, Neamt, Agapia (one of the largest nun monasteries in the Orthodox world)  and Varatec
• Trei Ierarahi Church  in Iasi - built in 1635, its walls, real stone embroidery
• The Neamt Fortress (Cetatea Neamtului) in Targu Neamt
• The natural scenery of the Bicaz Gorges - one of the most spectacular road
  passes in Romania
• The Ceahlau, Romania's Olympus - sacred mountain of Dacians, the forefathers
  of the Romanian people, where Zamolxes, their supreme god, had his temple.
• Take a wine tasting tour and try some of Romania's finest sweet wines at
  Cotnari Vineyards, established in1448

MAIN MUSEUMS

• Art Museum in Iasi
• Ethnographic Museum in Iasi
• Jewish History Museum and Great Synagogue in Iasi
• Moldavian History Museum in Iasi
• Bucovina History Museum in Suceava
• Etnographic Museum in Suceava

PERFORMING ARTS

• Moldova Philharmonic in Iasi
• National Opera and Opereta House in Iasi
• Vasile Alecsandri National Theater in Iasi

FESTIVALS & EVENTS

• The Regional Festival of Folk Music and Dance (April) - Radauti
• Ceahlau Folk Music Festival (Second Sunday in August) - Durau
• Harvest Celebration at the Cotnari winery (September) - Iasi
• Trandafir de la Moldova Folk Music Festival (October) - Iasi
• Christmas/Easter in Bucovina- Suceava

OUTDOOR ADVENTURES & PARKS

• Calimani National Park - volcanic plateau dominated by the Calimani caldera
• Vanatori Neamt Nature Park - home of the Dragos Voda bison and
  Carpathian wildlife reserve
• Ceahlau National Park - the Olympus of Romania
• Hasmas-Cheile Bicazului National Park - spectacular gorges and the
  Red Lake natural reservoir

ACTIVITIES

Biking, Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Nature walks, Skiing, Wildlife and bird watching

 

 

Bucovina's Painted Monasteries

Why You Should See Them:

The Bucovina Region of northern Romania is known for its Painted Monasteries. These beautiful structures, averaging between 4 and 5 centuries old, are decorated inside and out with richly colored frescoes as old as the buildings themselves. They are deemed significant enough to be protected by UNESCO, and they also give visitors an excuse to explore the Eastern Carpathian Mountains, rural villages of the region, and other, non-painted churches.

 

How To See Them:

Many travelers will find it most convenient to book a guided tour of the Painted Monasteries, which can be done from Suceava or Gura Humorlui. Public transportation may get you to to a couple of the Painted Monasteries, but train and buses only go so far and may not make regular stops. It is also possible to hire a taxi driver to take you to the monasteries by car. If you choose to rent a car on your own, make sure you have a well-marked map and plan to stay in one of the larger towns overnight so that you don't find yourself rushed.

Arbore :

Arbore, though not really a monastery, is nonetheless painted in a similar manner as the four authentic Painted Monasteries. It is located in the village of Arbore, and is difficult to get to via public transportation, but is located very near to Suceava. Getting a cap ride to and from this church should not be expensive if you want to include Arbore on your self-tour of the Painted Monasteries.

 

Humor Monastery:

Humor Painted Monastery is located in the vicinity of Gura Humorlui, and can be reached on foot from this town. Gura Humorui is a good place to base yourself if you plan on seeing other monasteries in Bucovina. You can get to Gura Humorlui via train or bus from either Suceava to the east or Campulung to the west.

 

Voronet Monastery:

Voronet Monastery can also be reached on foot from Gura Humorlui. This Painted Monastery is probably the most famous of the four Painted Monasteries - the particular blue special to the monasteries is widely called "Voronet blue." In addition, the frescoed walls of Voronet are extremely detailed, depicting the Last Judgement and other religious scenes.

 

Moldovita Monastery:

Getting to Moldovita Monastery and the village of Vatra Moldovitei can be confusing for someone not familiar with local public transportation or the area. If you choose to use the bus or train, make sure to make note of their schedules and the stops you'll need to use.

Moldovita Monastery's frescoes also depict the Last Judgement and other scenes. They also illustrate the monastery's founder, Petru Rares.

 

Sucevita Monastery:

Sucevita is one of the best examples of Painted Monasteries in Bucovina. It contains a museum with antique tapestries on display, and, of course, intricately detailed frescoes.

If you decide to use public transportation to see Sucevita Monastery, plan on staying overnight in Sucevita. You'll be able to catch a bus from Campulung, but it doesn't run often.

 

Other Monasteries and Churches:

On your tour through Bucovina, you'll see other medieval churches and monasteries, and you may want to make special effort to see those not located on the way to any of the Painted Monasteries. Among some of the most interesting monasteries and churches are Dragomira Monastery, Putna Monastery, the church at Solca, and Suceava's many historic churches.