UNESCO – Painted Monasteries

Leaving Suceava, take the northwest road for 50km (one hour) towards Arbore village and Arbore Monastery. Arbore Church It is distinguished by exterior mural painting and is dedicated to Beheading of St. John the Baptist. The interior painting was done immediately after completion, in the years 1503-1504. It was damaged in the campaign of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, in 1538.
After we leave the village Arbore we heading to Marginea village to visit Black Pottery Workshop. Marginea is the only place in the world where the black color is obtained without adding anything to the clay paste. The black color is obtained after ten hours spent by the clay in the coal furnace.

Set in a beautiful landscape, near the mountains and surrounded by hills covered by thick forests, Sucevita village has kept its traditions. It’s a place where you’ll admire beautiful old houses built in the traditional way or different wells protected by intricate carved wooden shelters. Near the Sucevita river, Sucevita monastery rises like a fairytale castle. It was built in 1585 by Movila brothers. Along with elaborate frescoes, this fortified monastery’s tower offers nice views.
With eyes wide open after so many outstanding collections of historical and art objects we heading to Palma pass to observe the awesome landscape of Bucovina. Over there we can enjoy a ride with ZIpline. IS OPTIONAL!!!! Zipline is fun! Imagine standing on the edge of the hill looking down more than 50m and below you is just high pines and large valley. Secured by a harness and connected to the steel zip line by a pulley, you anticipate the adrenaline.

From here, head west (19km, 25 minutes), passing through Vatra Moldoviţei for Moldoviţa Monastery, a pretty place known for its frescoes The Story of Jesus’ Life and The Siege of Constantinople. From Moldoviţa village you can take a ride with “Hutulca” – a steam train for 15 km. But for this trip, you need 5 hours, this means another day in Bucovina. Is a very good option!! Also here you can visit Laura Condrea private Egg museum.
After so many things to see or to feel, we continue on the south, southeast to Gura Humorului city for 28km (20 minutes) to Voroneţ Monastery, a spectacular structure known for its unique blue paint and the detailed fresco of The Last Judgement. We’ll stop to have lunch in a traditional guesthouse. Because Bucovinean food is very tasty we must walk to Voronet Monastery – known as the “Sistine Chapel of the East”. This church is well-known throughout the world for its exterior frescoes of bright and intense blue – Voronet blue.

After such a day with so many cultural sites and awesome scenery, we end our tour at Humor Monastery constructed in 1530 by prince Petru Rares and his chancellor Teodor Bubuiog. Along with elaborate frescoes, this fortified monastery’s tower offers nice views. The Humor monastery was closed in 1786 and was not reopened until 1990.
We return to Suceava at your accommodation.