Destination Overview
Tucked into the northeastern corner of Romania, and the medieval
principality of the Moldavian region, Bucovina lies in the
easily-defended Carpathian foothills where the region's hero,
Stefan the Great, fought back the Turks in the 14th and 15th
centuries and then built churches and monasteries throughout
Moldavia to celebrate his victories. There are 48 monasteries in
total, some with fortified walls to protect against invaders. These
unique monasteries and Byzantine churches with their exceptional
exterior frescoes is one of the most fascinating sights in Romania.
Seven of the painted monasteries have been included on the UNESCO
World Heritage List.The area is worth visiting, not only for its wealth of religious
art and the beautiful monasteries, but also for the natural beauty
and simplicity of the region with its rolling hills, forests and
tranquil valleys. The countryside is scattered with picturesque
villages and rural scenery as local folk go about their daily
business; horse-drawn carts dominate the lanes, driven by people
bundled up against the cold, outdoor wells and piles of chopped
wood adorn the yards, and produce markets bustle with activity.
These are some of the scenes the traveller will encounter in this
fascinating region of Romania, a stark contrast to the frenetic
pace and way of life shaped by the modern face of city living.The largest town in the area, and previous capital of Moldavia,
is Suceava, today the gateway to visiting the painted monasteries
of Southern Bucovina. The town has a couple of places of interest,
including old medieval churches, the Bucovina History Museum and
its main tourist site, the Schaun Citadel, a fortress built to hold
off Mehmed II in 1476.
