Sucevita Monastery

Tradition sets a wooden church on the valley of the river Sucevita, between the hills, in the beginning of the 15th century. The legend says that, later on, in order for her sins to be forgiven, a woman had brought the stone that was necessary for the construction of this edifice, with the help of her oxen, throughout 30 years.

The monastery was first mentioned in official papers in 1586, as a result of the initiative of the ruler Petru Movila. The monument is actually a commonly-built edifice of the Movila family (a family of culture, that has also ruled Moldavia and Tara Romaneasca between the 16th and the 17th centuries). Built in the Moldavian architectural style- a combination between Renaissance, Gothic and old Moldavian style, the great edifice also keeps some elements of the Stephanian age, such as the clover shape of the church or the closed porch.

The two small open porches are an exception from the classical Moldavian style. They have later been added on the northern and southern sides of the church, as a symbol of the southern Romanian art. The church also has a tower with a star-shaped base, this being a symbol of the fact that the church had been built by a reigning family, and not by an ordinary man. The walls of the monastery are 6 meters high and 3 meters thick. In the corners, there are watching towers, that would provide protection for the great riches hidden inside the church (according to the chronicle of Ion Neculce).

Accessibility: On the National road 17 A, 18 km away from Radauti (Suceava County).