The vibrantly painted monasteries of the Bucovina (or Bukovina) region, located in northeastern Romania, are known for their exquisitely decorated walls. Interior and exterior walls, as well as ceilings, are decorated with elaborate 15th and 16th century frescoes, featuring events taken from the Holy Bible and the Holy Scriptures and interpreted in the Orthodox Christian style.
Vibrantly and elaborately painted monasteries with frescoes dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries
Many of the paintings feature complete cycles of religious themes such as the life of Jesus with portraits of saints and prophets, and images of angels, demons, heaven and hell. These masterpieces, inspired by Byzantine art, are best experienced at the monasteries of Humor, Moldovita, Suceava, Sucevita, and Voronet. Most paintings are authentic with minimal intervention over the years. Restorations since the 1970’s have respected the original motifs and pigments and have been executed extremely carefully.
Why travel to the Painted Monasteries of Bucovina?
- The low-down: The magic about these monasteries is that even on the outside, these centuries’ old painted frescos have faded very little which apparently baffles the paint-scientists as much as it baffles me. Quite an amazing paint they used.
- The brightest highlight: Walking on the outside and then explore the insides and just stare at these complicated paintings, and wonder how they managed to stay in such good condition over so many years.
- Intrepid destination: Not really. When I visited there were almost no visitors, but I can image the area can get busy in high season.
- Globerovers score (10 is highest): These painted monasteries are quite awesome. Not to be missed if you travel around Romania! I’ll score it 9/10 for the painter’s amazing skills, and a 10/10 for the paint-makers of the 15th century.
Table of Contents
Voronet’s Painted Monastery
Located about 40 km southwest of the town of Suceava, Voronet Monastery, with its main church of Saint George, was founded in 1487 by Stephen the Great to celebrate his victory over the Turks. Apparently, it was built in less than four months, although the frescos were added much later.
With its intense shade of blue, commonly known as “Voronet blue”, the paintings of this monastery are perhaps the most impressive of them all. Scientists remain puzzled by the composition of the colours which are remarkably well preserved after so many centuries in the sun and wind.
Soon after 1775 the Habsburg Monarchy annexed the northern part of Moldavia and interrupted the monastic life here. Nuns returned in 1991 and they now offer a painting workshop and guided tours of the monastery.
- Address: Strada Voronet 166, Gura Humorului – Suceava county
- Nearby large town: Gura Humorului (4 miles north) and Suceava (30 miles east)
- Access: car, bus (from Gura Humorului), 3 ½-mile walk from Gura Humorului
- Nearest train stations: Gura Humorului
- Admission fee: 5 lei ($1.5) // Camera/ Photo fee: 10 Lei ($2.5)
Info source: Romania Tourism at RomaniaTourism.com
Exterior fresco at Voronet Monastery Exterior fresco at Voronet Monastery
Moldovita’s Painted Monastery
Moldovita Monastery, located about 70 km west of Suceava in the village of Vatra Moldovitei, was constructed by Petru Rareș (Peter IV – war-lord of Moldavia) in 1532. The predominantly gold-yellow and deep blue paintings on the exterior walls were completed by Toma of Suceava in 1537.
The paintings portray the Siege of Constantinople and depict the Tree of Jesse, representing Christ’s genealogy shown in a tree which rises from Jesse (the father of David) of Bethlehem.
- Address: Village of Vatra Moldovitei, Suceava county
- Nearby large town: Suceava (45 miles east) and Gura Humorului (20 miles south-east)
- Access: car, train (from Suceava to Vama, 1¼ hours,
and from Vama to Vatra Moldovitei, 35 min.) - Nearest train station: Vatra Moldovitei HC
- Admission fee: 5 lei ($1.5) // Camera/ Photo fee: 10 Lei ($2.5)
Info source: Romania Tourism at RomaniaTourism.com
Humor’s Painted Monastery
Located 40 km west of Suceava, Humor Monastery is 5 km north of the town of Gura Humorului. The monastery was closed in 1786 by the Habsburg Monarchy but was reopened in 1991.
Constructed in 1530 by warlord Petru Rareş, it is dedicated to the Dormition of the Virgin Mary and it is run by a few nuns. Its frescoes date from 1535 and include an illustration of the Return of the Prodigal Son as well as a “humorous” depiction of the devil as a woman. The hues of the frescoes are a reddish-brown with rich blues and green infusions.
- Address: Village Manastirea Humorului, Suceava county
- Nearby large town: Suceava (25 miles east)
- Access: car, bus (from Suceva), train
- Nearest train stations: Gura Humorului
- Admission fee: 5 lei ($1.5) // Camera/ Photo fee: 10 Lei ($2.5)
Info source: Romania Tourism at RomaniaTourism.com
Sucevita’s Painted Monastery
Sucevița Monastery is located about 55 km northwest of the town of Suceava. Founded in 1581 by Gheorghe Movila, and later expanded by his brother, the monastery is surrounded by high walls and four defensive towers.
Sucevita boasts a magnificent depiction of the Ladder to Paradise with red-winged angels in six orderly rows climbing the ladder to the heavens. Sinners fall through the ladder rungs and are pointed away to hell by grinning devils. The Tree of Jesse is also painted on one of the walls. Several old graves can be found in the yard near the main building.
- Address: Village of Sucevita, Suceava county
- Nearby large town: Suceava (35 miles southeast) and Gura Humorului (32 miles south)
- Access: car, bus (from Radauti)
- Nearest train stations: Radauti, Vatra Moldovitei HC
- Admission fee: 5 lei ($1.5) // Camera/ Photo fee: 10 Lei ($2.5)
Info source: Romania Tourism at RomaniaTourism.com
Saint John the New Monastery
Built between 1514 and 1552 by Bogdan the 3rd and his son, Stefanita Voda to serve as the Metropolitan Church of Moldavia, Saint John the New Monastery is now the seat of the Archbishop of Suceava and Radauti.
Saint George’s Church houses the relics of Saint John the New, brought to Moldavia by Alexandru cel Bun in 1415. The relics are placed in a silver casket, richly decorated with scenes from the saint’s life.
The outstanding exterior frescoes, illustrating scenes from the Bible’s Old and New Testament, were completed in 1534 during the reign of Petru Rares, a glorious time in the era of religious murals.
The style of St. George’s frescoes resembles those at Moldovita and Humor.
Although only some parts of The Hymn of the Dead and the legend of the Prodigal Son can still be seen on the southern wall, the church is nonetheless impressive, especially due to its mosaic roof and belfry tower (section text source: http://romaniatourism.com, edited).
- Location: Suceava
- Address: Str. Ioan Voda Viteazul 2
- Nearest train station: Suceava
Info source: Romania Tourism at RomaniaTourism.com
Other Monasteries
In addition to the above shortlist, also check out the following monasteries:
- Probota Monastery
- Patrauti Church
- Arbore Monastery (known for its scenes from the Bible book of Genesis)
The best way to get around to all the monasteries is by car. To only rely on public transport is ok for some monasteries but not all. Some guesthouses offer a day trip by a minibus that visits all the monasteries. Ask around.
The painted monasteries in Bucovina are open from Monday to Sunday, from about 9 am until 6:30 pm. Some monasteries do not allow photography or restrict some areas of the building. Don’t take photos during the morning and afternoon mass, or be extremely discreet.
☛ Read more: Posts of “Places of Worship”
Further reading
- Romania’s Painted Monastries and Churches in Bucovina
- Travel planner: The painted monasteries in Bucovina
- Beginner’s Guide to Romania’s Painted Monasteries of Bucovina
Blog post and photos by Peter who has been travelling almost full-time since 2005 and has been to over 122 countries. He visited several countries, such as Japan, more than 20 times. Peter is Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of GlobeRovers Magazine, an independent travel magazine focused on intrepid destinations.