The most famous attractions in Bucovina are the painted Orthodox Churches, although that is not all this region can offer. Besides customs, traditions and other rural things, you can enjoy skiing and hiking on the nearby mountains. And if you’re here only to rest while on a vacation from a busy year, you’ll have plenty of places to choose from.
1. Visit the fortified Monastery of Putna
Prince Stephen the Great built the Putna Monastery between 1466 and 1469. The Putna Monastery is found in the Moldavian Plateau, 77 kilometers (47.8 miles) away from the former capital city of Suceava. The church ensemble has a tower gate, a bell tower, sanctums, chapel, museum, turret, court, and the fortified wall surrounding the premises. The legend says that the place where the monastery should be built is decided by shooting an arrow to the hill. During medieval times, fortified monasteries sheltered peasants and soldiers against Tartar invasions. The access to the monastery is on the eastern side, through the tower gate. The gate has, on its exterior wall, the Moldavian coat of arms – a bison’s head. The Fortified Monastery of Putna is one of the most beautiful monasteries in Bucovina, and if you are passing through this area, this beautiful place is a must-see.
The Putna Monastery
Address: Strada Principală 201, Putna 727455
Access: 76 km (47 mi) from the Suceava International Airport
Contact: +40 230414055
Website: The Putna Monastery
2. Visit what is remaining of the Suceava Citadel
The Seat Fortress of Suceava or Suceava Citadel is the most significant and best preserved medieval site, that is closely linked with the history of Principality of Moldavia. The Fortress is a medieval castle situated on the eastern edge of the contemporary city and was built during the reign of Petru II of Moldavia. The medieval castle was part of the fortification system built in Moldavia in the late 14th-century, because of the emergence of the Ottoman danger. It became strong enough to hold off an attack by Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II (the Conqueror of Constantinople), in 1476. The Seat Fortress of Suceava consists of two concentric citadels. The inner citadel, known as The Mușatin Fort, has a rectangular shape and a patio. In the second half of the 15th-century, Stephen the Great expanded the structure, by adding another citadel that has a circular shape and surrounds the old one. Today, the castle is encircled by a large defensive ditch, and it’s a landmark of Suceava and a touristic attraction.
Suceava Citadel
Address: Aleea Cetății, Suceava
Opening Hours: Tue - Sun 10:00 am - 10:00 pm
Duration: around 45 minutes required.
Access: 19 minute walk from the Centru Bus Station
Contact: +40 230216439
3. Learn more about the local customs at the Bucovina Village Museum
The Bucovina Village Museum is the youngest of the open-air museums in Romania. It was “born” around 1980, and it displays various monuments of folk architecture. One of the essential roles of this open-aired museum is preserving, restoring and displaying the ethnographic cultural heritage. Also, the Bucovina Village Museum has become prominent in the national cultural landscape by the organization of national and local cultural events. So, if you are in this area, you can witness presentations of the region’s customs and traditions, folk handicraftsmen fairs, camps for students and other events from Suceava’s cultural life.
Bucovina Village Museum
Address: Aleea Cetății, Suceava 720028
Price: from 12 RON (2.8 USD)
Opening Hours: Tue - Sun 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Access: 15 min walk from the Centru Bus Station
Contact: +40 230216439
Website: Bucovina Museum (in Romanian)
4. Eat the famous Radautian soup in the City of Radauti
The Radautian soup is a traditional soup from Bucovina. It is made with chicken breast, cream, and various vegetables. The perfect amount of garlic and lemon gives this soup a heavenly taste. The soup is named after the city where it was invented, Radauti. If you want to eat it, you should come to this town and ask the locals about the restaurant of the founders. You can eat Radautian soup in the city of Radauti, but because it is a loved dish in Romania, you can find it in almost any decent traditional restaurant within the entire country.
5. Discover the customs of painting eggs in the Egg Museum
The Museum of Decorated Eggs hosts a collection of 3,000 exhibits, gathered from throughout Romania and abroad for everyone to admire them. The initiator of this private initiative is Mrs. Letitia Orsvischi, artisan, and creator of most exhibits found in the museum. She has represented Romania at many international expositions as she is very appreciated in her line of work. As an artist, she learned the craft from her family. Decorating eggs is an old Easter tradition that was formed on Romanian soil. The decorated eggs represent traditions from many countries from all over the world. The museum’s egg collection contains 50-year-old eggs belonging to Mrs. Orsvischi’s family and other old eggs from Bucovina. Legend says that when St. Mary came to see her crucified Son and to weep, she had a basket of eggs that she left near the cross. They say that Jesus’s blood was spilled on the eggs, dyeing them red, and since then the Easter egg tradition has been followed by every generation.
The Egg Museum
Address: Strada Gării, Vama, Suceava 727590
Price: from 10 RON (2.32 USD)
Opening Hours: Tue - Sun 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Duration: around 1.5 hours required.
Access: 3 min walk from the Vama train station
Contact: +40 230239212
6. Admire the painted walls of the most famous Monasteries in Bucovina
Among the most picturesque treasures of Romania are the Painted Monasteries of Bucovina. Their painted exterior walls are decorated with elaborate 15th and 16th-century frescoes, featuring portraits of saints and prophets, scenes from the life of Jesus, images of angels and demons, and heaven and hell. If you are interested in seeing such masterpieces of Byzantine art, visit these churches from Bucovina because they are one-of-a-kind architectural sites in Europe.
7. Visit the Shelter of Daniil the Hermit
Daniel the Hesychast, or Daniil the Hermit, was a renowned Romanian Orthodox spiritual guide, advisor of Stephen the Great, and Hegumen of Voroneț Monastery. He was canonized by the Romanian Orthodox Church in 1992, and he is commemorated on December 18th. Daniil the Hermit encouraged Stephen the Great to fight for the defense of Christendom and to build holy places. He has been considered a saint ever since he was alive, being credited with healing the sick, exorcising demons, and removing suffering. Romanian believers and tourists from all over the world come to visit the cave where Saint Daniil lived his life.
The Shelter of Daniil the Hermit
Address: Putna 727455
Opening Hours: Mon - Sun 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Duration: around 1.5 hours required.
Access: 12 min walk from the Putna Rail Station
Contact: +40 753020678
8. Go down in the Cacica Salt Mine
If you are on your way to find interesting places to visit in Bucovina, then take a day to go down in the Cacica Salt Mine (Cacia Saltern). Archaeological discoveries from Cacica in 1989 showed that under the Cacica village there is one of the most ancient recrystallization salt exploitations in Europe. These exploitations date since the Starčevo-Criș culture in late Neolithic. In this area, there are still salted sources.
Cacica Salt Mine
Address: Cacica 727095
Price: from 10 RON (2.32 USD)
Opening Hours: Mon - Sun 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Contact: +40 230237084
9. Take a trip to the Rarău Peak
If you are more of an outside person, then a trip to Rarău Mountains is perfect for you. Marvelous landscapes wait for you up there, where the pine trees and spruces bring with them the charm of the North and the silhouettes of Lady Stones take you into the world of fairytales.
10. Visit the Balneary Station of Vatra Dornei
If you are planning to visit Bucovina, the Station of Vatra Dornei is a must-see, especially because you can do all kinds of activities here. You and your family can swim in the natural waters, that are excellent for your health. There are pools with warm water, suited for kids. For people who love the open air, there are plenty of things to do too. You can go hiking, river-rafting, and paragliding, or you can just enjoy the wonders of the Carpathian Mountains, the clear air, quiet forests and various plants and small animals. In the winter season, you can enjoy skiing in Vatra Dornei.
Enjoy the unique charms of Bucovina
Bucovina is a place for all kinds of people because it brings together different interests such as churches, religion, architecture, quiet places, mountains, sports and many others. Bucovina is one of the greatest choices for a peaceful vacation destination.
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