Welcome to Moldovita Monastery
Location:
Close to Vatra Moldovitei Village, situated on DN 17A, approximately 30 km south-west of Rădăuţi City and north of Câmpulung Moldovenesc City at the junction of Moldovita and Ciumârna streams.
How to get here:
By car:
At Moldoviţa Monastery you can get from Rădăuţi on the National road DN 17A through Marginea, then through Suceviţa and you’ll get at the destination after passing through splendid landscapes. From the European road E58 if you come from Gura Humorului or from Suceava, continue to west and then to north on DN 17A from Câmpulung Moldovenesc City which is an easier way to get to Moldovita Monastery.
Transport:
We recommend the car because is the fastest way to get here. However, you can arrive here by bus from Câmpulung Moldovenesc City because there are several daily routes or even by bicycle.
Foundation Year:
1402-1410
Church or Monastery saint title:
The Annunciation
The painted monasteries from Bucovina
Moldovita Monastery
History, importance and paintings (pictures) at Moldovita Monastery:
First Moldovita Monastery situated in Bucovina region was built by the ruler Alexandru cel Bun (Alexander the Good) in the first half of XV century, but due to its decay from a landslide, later on it was built the actual church in 1532 under Petru Rares ruler, son of Stephan the Great. Also in that time, it was built a defensive wall and towers which gives you the impression of a medieval citadel exactly like Sucevita Monastery. In the following century it was built the Ecumenical House where numerous objects were held and where the bishops of that time lived. At Moldovita Monastery is a unique opened porch with five high arcades, which shows you that we’re talking about an important monument. (Find more journeys on blog.worldlifetimejourneys.com) Also, Moldavian and Gothic styles beautifully combine together and this can be seen on the porch as well as narthex. Together with Petru Rares reign, the external paintings appear. Due to these and to its unique and beauty, Moldovita Monastery was included in UNESCO World Heritage since 1993.
Moldovita Monastery, seen from the main entrance
Regarding the external and internal paintings at Moldovita Monastery, they were made by different artists in 1537. On the southern facade appear Saint George, Saint Dimitrie, Saint Mercurie and Saint Nestor, but also The Akathist Hymn or a military scene like The Siege of Constantinople (today Istanbul). These last two pictures have a very tight connection because they demonstrate through the present scenes, Moldavians wish to go away from the ottoman domination. A unique picture that appears on all the painted monasteries from Bucovina is Ieseu’s Tree which illustrates the genealogical tree of Jesus Christ.
Annexed building with the statue of ruler Petru Rares in front of it
Also, on the external facades, other important pictures which deserve a bit of interest are Our Lady on the shrine with Baby Jesus, who appears to be surrounded by angels, The Triumphant Church from the heaven and The Fighter Church from the earth, The life of Saint Anthony or scenes from Genesis. Of course that not to be missed is the picture with The Last Judgement or the image with The Annunciation which is also the saint name of the monastery. Among the inside pictures are Jesus Christ Pantocrator, The Pentecost, The Crucifixion, The denial and repentance of Peter, Our Lord burial. On the shrine facade appear scenes like Apostles Sharing, Washing the feet, Last Supper, Our Lord Resurrection or The tomb of Christ. (Find more journeys on blog.worldlifetimejourneys.com) So, we can observe that Moldovita Monastery is probably the richest in religious paintings and it shows us the wonderful Moldavian art.
Moldovita Monastery with the opened porch, view from the back
Museum of Moldovita Monastery:
Of course, you cannot miss Moldovita Monastery’s museum which houses rare and unique pieces of a beautiful religious and historic load, like medieval icons, manuscripts and old church books, embroideries, but also stalls from Petru Rares ruler or two epitaphs from Stephan the Great reign. Also here is the International Prize called the Gold Apple obtained from UNESCO in 1975 “for the artistic, cultural and historic value of the five unique painted monasteries from Bucovina”. Visit Moldovita Monastery!
The superb color and exterior paintings of Moldovita Monastery
