Among the most beautiful fortunes of Romania are the Painted Monasteries of Bucovina found in the northeastern Romania. Their painted walls are enriched with expounding fifteenth and sixteenth century frescoes including pictures of prophets and saints, scenes from the life of Jesus, pictures of angels and demons, and the afterlife. The painted monasteries of Bucovina are included in the UNESCO World heritage and they were added in the record as “great monuments of the world” in 1993. In this blog, we are going to look at the various popular painted monasteries of Bucovina and understand their historical and cultural aspects.

The Fascinating Painted Monasteries Of  Bucovina

Esteemed superb examples of Byzantine art, these monasteries are exceptional structural sites in Europe. They are not simply painted walls; the paintings speak of religious events and the culture of the place. Not just in Bucovina, but rather everywhere throughout the nation, these monasteries had an imperative influence in the lives of the natives of the land. At these churches, the main schools were organized and they also provided as a safe house for the people at the time of attacks and wars.

You will surely be fascinated by the development and decorations, outside and inside of these structures, regardless of the fact that you are interested in religion, history, architecture or art. Coming along, we would look at the different famous monasteries of Bucovina, what do they feature and how to get to these places in your next trip to Romania.

Moldovita Monastery :

The Moldovita Monastery is situated in the town of Vatra Moldovitei and is dedicated to the Annunciation. It was built by Alexander the Good, on the site of an ancient church in 1410 and was reconstructed in stone by Petru Rares in 1532. The prevalently gold and dark blue painting artworks on the outside walls were made by Thomas of Suceava, which were very much protected, with the exception of the north side, which has been degraded due to the climatic conditions. The frescoes demonstrate scenes from the Orthodox Moldovians battle against the Ottomans. Another dazzling portrayal shows the Tree of Jesse, depicting Christ’s lineage, a broad iconographical topic in Europe amid the Middle Ages. In 1975, the monastery was granted the Pomme d’Or trophy by FIJET for its novel works of art.

Probota Monastery :

Probota Monastery was built by Petru Rares in 1530 and it is dedicated to St. Nicholas. The artworks were made in 1532. Just the church and the prince’s house remain today from the first outfit established by Petru Rares in 1530. The inside artworks were changed, yet the outside ones were generally ruined but the rest of the pieces are still admirable. High walls around Probota with corner towers served as defense and a gate tower built in 1550. Judgment patio was made here for the first time in Moldavia, presented by Petru Rares’ brother, the future Metropolitan Grigore Rosca. All through its history, Probota Monastery has experienced quite a few revivals and protection campaigns. More restorations were done in 1930 to replace a portion of the gothic tracery and repair the floor. The design is illustrative of sixteenth century Moldavia.

Humor Monastery :

Humor monastery is devoted to the Assumption of St. George and is situated in the town of Gura Humorului. Established in 1530, Humor is fairly little physically, yet comes up huge among Bucovina’s historical treasures with an assortment of frescoes dating from 1535, including one representing the Return of the Prodigal Son and one with a “humorous” illustration of the devil as a lady. It was built by Toader Bubuiog and his wife Anastasia, with the assistance of the Moldavian ruler Petru Rares on the site of an old fourteenth century church, built by Alexander the Good. This monastery isn’t the first to take the Moldavian paintings on the exterior, yet it was very well protected. One of the major paintings being one of the siege of Constantinople, intended to keep the old Orthodox faith. The church, topped by a cross-molded shingled rooftop, is without a steeple, showing that it was built by a court official as opposed to a king. An amazingly significant collection of icons from the sixteenth century is shown in the monastery.

Voronet Monastery :

Maybe the most acclaimed and beautiful of the painted monasteries is Voronet, established in 1487 by Stephen the Great to celebrate the triumph over the Turks. Voronet Monastery is present in Voronet, part of the town Gura Humorului and it is dedicated to St. George. Known worldwide for its “Voronet Blue”, the monastery is additionally famous for the scene depicted on the west veneer, the Doomsday. This artwork is divided into multiple registers, in the upper piece of the assembly being God the Father, center one contains Deisis icon – Jesus Christ surrounded by the Virgin Mary on the right and St. John the Baptist on the left, and in addition a Byzantine symbol. In the third portion, the Holy Spirit is shown as a dove. Paintings of old Greek thinkers, for example, Aristotle and Plato, are highlighted in the Tree of Jesus fresco. In the nave, there’s the votive painting of Stefan the Great with his wife Maria Voichita and Bogdan, the thrones’ heir. The nuns run a painting workshop and give guided tours through the church for guests.

Sucevita Monastery :

High walls and vigorously buttressed guard towers cover the large church complex of Sucevita, giving it the look of a fortress. Today, the thick walls protect an exhibition hall showing an exceptional accumulation of artistic and historical objects. Established in 1581 by Gheorghe Movila, Bishop of Radauti, it was later extended by his brother, Ieremia, the prince of Moldavia ruling then, who included huge turrets and ramparts. Sucevita is the most complete regarding design and the artworks, both interior and exterior. Ion Zugravul made the paintings in 1596. The prevailing color in the artworks is green. An exquisite steeple lying on a star-shaped base is on the churches’ top. The gigantic roof protects the exterior frescoes, painted by local artists in 1602-1604. Here, at the monastery, is the Movilesti family buried. Outside paintings are very well guarded, including the north side, where the Ladder of Virtues – the antithesis between good and evil, and the Prayer of All Saints give an extraordinary theme. On the south side, foliage weaves the rows of figures in the Tree of Jesse. Nearby it is the Hymn to the Virgin.

Apart from the ones mentioned here, there are some other great monasteries in the Bucovina region like Arbore Monastery, Patrauti Church, Saint John the New Monastery and Scripture Alfresco. You could give them a visit too.

Tours To The Painted Monasteries Of Bucovina

The painted monasteries of Bucovina are genuinely one of a kind in light of their works of art, as well as for the fact that they have such a rich history and a profound effect on early Moldavian culture. If you want to visit them, we prescribe you the 6-Days Transylvania And UNESCO Painted Monasteries Tour From Bucharest, which likewise incorporates a complete monastery tour. You can also visit the famous towns in this region from Bucharest, Transylvania and a visit to the most acclaimed Romanian Castles. If you want to spend your vacation in Romania, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us to discover more information about our tours and day trips from Bucharest.

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