Bucovina and Moldova
Moldova rivals Transylvania when it comes to rich folklore, natural beauty and astonishing history. Over the past 500 years, history, culture and religious life have molded Iasi, the cultural capital of Moldova. Iasi boasts an impressive number of Orthodox churches, almost 100, most of them located in the Golden Plateau, representing the nucleus of the city, around which the city developed over the centuries. One of the most famous monuments in the city is the stunning Church of the Three Hierarchs, built in 1639. Another major landmark in Iasi is the neo-gothic Palace of Culture, built between 1900-1926, currently housing the Ethnographic Museum, the Art Museum, and the History Museum of Moldova.
Nestled in the rolling hills of northern Moldova is the region of Bucovina, home to one of the world’s greatest art treasures: the UNESCO World heritage sites of the Painted Monasteries of Bucovina. Built in the 15th and 16th centuries and featuring colorful exterior frescoes depicting dramatic religious scenes, these richly decorated houses of worships are unique in the world.
The most famous of these, often called “the Sistine Chapel of the East”, is Voronet Monastery (Painted-Monasteries.html#Voronet). Erected in 1438 by Stefan the Great, Voronet’s most stunning feature is a Last Judgment fresco painted – as at all the churches – on the exterior façade. The blue paint that has miraculously never faded is known throughout the world as ‘Voronet blue’. The artists here worked in isolation, guarding their trade secrets and to this day, the composition of the paint remains a mystery.
Other painted churches not to be missed include Sucevita (Painted-Monasteries.html#Sucevita), with its distinctive greens, and Humor (Painted-Monasteries.html#Humor), where the frescoes are predominantly red. Also nearby are, Arbore (Painted-Monasteries.html#Arbore), Dragomirna, Moldovita (Painted-Monasteries.html#Moldovita) and Putna monasteries.
For more information about The Painted Monasteries please visit www.RomaniaTourism.com/Painted-Monasteries.html
The town of Suceava (www.RomaniaTourism.com/Suceava), may be the best starting point for a trip to the monasteries. Once the capital of Moldavia (from 1375 until 1565), it has some noteworthy attractions of its own, such as the remains of the Fortress of Suceava built in 1388. Today, visitors can tour the remains of the impressive fortifications and take in a great view of the city. Other sights in Suceava include the St. George Church (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Mirauti Church, the Zamca Monastery and a number of museums dedicated to woodcraft, ethnography, history and folk art. The Bucovina History Museum displays medieval armor, coins, tools and ancient documents. Its Hall of Throne is a re-creation of Stephen the Great’s court with furniture, weapons and costumes.
A visit to Bucovina would not be complete without some stunning nature walks through Ceahlau National Park, Romania’s Olympus – the sacred mountain of the Dacians, the forefathers of the Romanian people. Make sure you bring binoculars as some 90 species of birds can be seen in the park area. Hikers won’t want to pass up taking a crack at the Bicaz Gorges, a steep, twisting-and-turning climb more than three miles long.
Nestled in the rolling hills of northern Moldova is the region of Bucovina, home to one of the world’s greatest art treasures: the UNESCO World heritage sites of the Painted Monasteries of Bucovina. Built in the 15th and 16th centuries and featuring colorful exterior frescoes depicting dramatic religious scenes, these richly decorated houses of worships are unique in the world.
The most famous of these, often called “the Sistine Chapel of the East”, is Voronet Monastery (Painted-Monasteries.html#Voronet). Erected in 1438 by Stefan the Great, Voronet’s most stunning feature is a Last Judgment fresco painted – as at all the churches – on the exterior façade. The blue paint that has miraculously never faded is known throughout the world as ‘Voronet blue’. The artists here worked in isolation, guarding their trade secrets and to this day, the composition of the paint remains a mystery.
Other painted churches not to be missed include Sucevita (Painted-Monasteries.html#Sucevita), with its distinctive greens, and Humor (Painted-Monasteries.html#Humor), where the frescoes are predominantly red. Also nearby are, Arbore (Painted-Monasteries.html#Arbore), Dragomirna, Moldovita (Painted-Monasteries.html#Moldovita) and Putna monasteries.
For more information about The Painted Monasteries please visit www.RomaniaTourism.com/Painted-Monasteries.html
The town of Suceava (www.RomaniaTourism.com/Suceava), may be the best starting point for a trip to the monasteries. Once the capital of Moldavia (from 1375 until 1565), it has some noteworthy attractions of its own, such as the remains of the Fortress of Suceava built in 1388. Today, visitors can tour the remains of the impressive fortifications and take in a great view of the city. Other sights in Suceava include the St. George Church (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Mirauti Church, the Zamca Monastery and a number of museums dedicated to woodcraft, ethnography, history and folk art. The Bucovina History Museum displays medieval armor, coins, tools and ancient documents. Its Hall of Throne is a re-creation of Stephen the Great’s court with furniture, weapons and costumes.
A visit to Bucovina would not be complete without some stunning nature walks through Ceahlau National Park, Romania’s Olympus – the sacred mountain of the Dacians, the forefathers of the Romanian people. Make sure you bring binoculars as some 90 species of birds can be seen in the park area. Hikers won’t want to pass up taking a crack at the Bicaz Gorges, a steep, twisting-and-turning climb more than three miles long.
Places to go...
- The monasteries and churches with painted exterior frescos of Bucovina: Voronet (‘the Sistine Chapel of the East’), Moldovita, Sucevita, Humor, Probota, Arbore, Rasca
- The old monasteries and convents of: Putna, Dragomirna, Bogdana-Radauti, Neamt, Agapia (one of the largest nun monasteries in the Orthodox world) and Varatec
- Trei Ierarahi Church in Iasi - built in 1635, its walls, real stone embroidery
- The Neamt Fortress (Cetatea Neamtului) in Targu Neamt
- The natural scenery of the Bicaz Gorges – one of the most spectacular road
passes in Romania
- The Ceahlau, Romania’s Olympus – sacred mountain of Dacians, the forefathers
of the Romanian people, where Zamolxes, their supreme god, had his temple.
- Take a wine tasting tour and try some of Romania’s finest sweet wines at
Cotnari Vineyards, established in1448
- The old monasteries and convents of: Putna, Dragomirna, Bogdana-Radauti, Neamt, Agapia (one of the largest nun monasteries in the Orthodox world) and Varatec
- Trei Ierarahi Church in Iasi - built in 1635, its walls, real stone embroidery
- The Neamt Fortress (Cetatea Neamtului) in Targu Neamt
- The natural scenery of the Bicaz Gorges – one of the most spectacular road
passes in Romania
- The Ceahlau, Romania’s Olympus – sacred mountain of Dacians, the forefathers
of the Romanian people, where Zamolxes, their supreme god, had his temple.
- Take a wine tasting tour and try some of Romania’s finest sweet wines at
Cotnari Vineyards, established in1448
» Traditional food
Bean soup, stewed sauerkraut, parjoale (the local version of meatballs) or iahnie (a dish made of beans), are some of Moldavians’ favorite dishes. Standing out among the soups and broths is ciorba de potroace, made with chicken entrails boiled with carrots, onions, parsley, a spoonful or two of rice and flavored with bors.
The Moldavian sarmale (meat rolls in sauerkraut leaves) are not only very popular in Romania but are also a famous dish served in Romanian restaurants around the world. These meatballs, rolled in cabbage or vine leaves, are made from minced pork mixed with rice, salt, pepper, chopped dill and parsley as well as chopped onion; small portions of this mixture are then rolled in cabbage or vine leaves and boiled. The sarmale are always accompanied by polenta, a finely ground yellow cornmeal.
Local deserts include papanasi – cottage cheese dumplings (boiled or fried) and Poale in Brau(sweet cheese pie).
Other local specialties:
Poale-n brau - small pies made from dough, eggs and cheese and fried in oil
Pasca - a sweet cheesecake
» Vineyards
For centuries, Moldova has been renowned for its vineyards and wines. One third of the wine growing surface of Romania is to be found in this part of the country.
Cotnari Vineyard
Located in the small village of Cotnari, the Cotnari vineyards are famous for their delicious sweet white wines made of grapes rich in sugar and harvested in late autumn following the first frost. The quality of these wines relies on a combination of rich soil, the late harvest and the presence of a special mold (Botritis cinerea). The vineyards have a long history, spanning over seven centuries, dating from the time of Stephan the Great (1457 - 1504).
The winery’s most popular wines include Francusa (dry), Feteasca Alba (semi-sweet) - highly appreciated for preserving the flavor and freshness of the grape; and the sweet, golden Grasa and Tamaioasa dessert wines.
Grasa de Cotnari – A naturally sweet wine with a delicate fragrance and a smooth interplay of fruitiness and acidity.
Tamaioasa Romaneasca - A naturally sweet or semi-sweet white wine with subtle honey and basil aromas, an exquisite amber color and a persistent rich taste. Its sweet taste may also suggest a blend of rose petals and wild berries.
For more information please visit: www.cotnari.ro
Odobesti Vineyard
Moldova is also home to another well-know vineyard, Odobesti, one of largest and oldest in Romania. There are written references to the Odobesti wine growing region dating from the 17th century. The wide variety of wines produced by the Odobesti includes six traditional sorts of Romanian wine, namely: Galbena de Odobesti, Plavaie, Feteasca Alba, and Feteasca Regala (white wines) and Babeasca Neagra (red wine).
Galbena de Odobesti – A light white wine with a delicate bouquet that preserves the fragrance of the mellow grape.
Babeasca Neagra- A traditional full-bodied red wine with a delicate bouquet and a slight taste of clove.
For more information please visit: www.vinconromania.ro
Other vineyards in the region include:
Bucium (www.buciumiasi.ro), Cotesti, Husi (www.vinurihusi.ro) Panciu
Bean soup, stewed sauerkraut, parjoale (the local version of meatballs) or iahnie (a dish made of beans), are some of Moldavians’ favorite dishes. Standing out among the soups and broths is ciorba de potroace, made with chicken entrails boiled with carrots, onions, parsley, a spoonful or two of rice and flavored with bors.
The Moldavian sarmale (meat rolls in sauerkraut leaves) are not only very popular in Romania but are also a famous dish served in Romanian restaurants around the world. These meatballs, rolled in cabbage or vine leaves, are made from minced pork mixed with rice, salt, pepper, chopped dill and parsley as well as chopped onion; small portions of this mixture are then rolled in cabbage or vine leaves and boiled. The sarmale are always accompanied by polenta, a finely ground yellow cornmeal.
Local deserts include papanasi – cottage cheese dumplings (boiled or fried) and Poale in Brau(sweet cheese pie).
Other local specialties:
Poale-n brau - small pies made from dough, eggs and cheese and fried in oil
Pasca - a sweet cheesecake
» Vineyards
For centuries, Moldova has been renowned for its vineyards and wines. One third of the wine growing surface of Romania is to be found in this part of the country.
Cotnari Vineyard
Located in the small village of Cotnari, the Cotnari vineyards are famous for their delicious sweet white wines made of grapes rich in sugar and harvested in late autumn following the first frost. The quality of these wines relies on a combination of rich soil, the late harvest and the presence of a special mold (Botritis cinerea). The vineyards have a long history, spanning over seven centuries, dating from the time of Stephan the Great (1457 - 1504).
The winery’s most popular wines include Francusa (dry), Feteasca Alba (semi-sweet) - highly appreciated for preserving the flavor and freshness of the grape; and the sweet, golden Grasa and Tamaioasa dessert wines.
Grasa de Cotnari – A naturally sweet wine with a delicate fragrance and a smooth interplay of fruitiness and acidity.
Tamaioasa Romaneasca - A naturally sweet or semi-sweet white wine with subtle honey and basil aromas, an exquisite amber color and a persistent rich taste. Its sweet taste may also suggest a blend of rose petals and wild berries.
For more information please visit: www.cotnari.ro
Odobesti Vineyard
Moldova is also home to another well-know vineyard, Odobesti, one of largest and oldest in Romania. There are written references to the Odobesti wine growing region dating from the 17th century. The wide variety of wines produced by the Odobesti includes six traditional sorts of Romanian wine, namely: Galbena de Odobesti, Plavaie, Feteasca Alba, and Feteasca Regala (white wines) and Babeasca Neagra (red wine).
Galbena de Odobesti – A light white wine with a delicate bouquet that preserves the fragrance of the mellow grape.
Babeasca Neagra- A traditional full-bodied red wine with a delicate bouquet and a slight taste of clove.
For more information please visit: www.vinconromania.ro
Other vineyards in the region include:
Bucium (www.buciumiasi.ro), Cotesti, Husi (www.vinurihusi.ro) Panciu
Transportation
» By air
Major airports located in:
Iasi (IAS) - www.aeroport.ro/index-eng.htm
Bacau (BCM) - www.bacauairport.ro/index.php?limba=engleza
Suceava (SCV) - www.aeroportsuceava.ro/index_en.html
Airlines with service to the region:
Austrian Airlines - www.aua.com
Carpatair - www.carpatair.com
Tarom - www.tarom.ro
» By train
Main train stations: Iasi, Suceava, Gura Humorului
To check the latest train schedules for domestic routes please visit the website of the Romanian Railways: www.infofer.ro
The site has complete information about domestic train schedules and fares.
Note: For departures from/to Bucharest please select Bucuresti Nord
» Road access
Border crossing points in the Bucovina and Moldova regions from Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova into Romania include:
Ukraine: Siret , Vicsani
Republic of Moldova: Albita, Galati, Oancea, Sculeni, Stanca
Major airports located in:
Iasi (IAS) - www.aeroport.ro/index-eng.htm
Bacau (BCM) - www.bacauairport.ro/index.php?limba=engleza
Suceava (SCV) - www.aeroportsuceava.ro/index_en.html
Airlines with service to the region:
Austrian Airlines - www.aua.com
Carpatair - www.carpatair.com
Tarom - www.tarom.ro
» By train
Main train stations: Iasi, Suceava, Gura Humorului
To check the latest train schedules for domestic routes please visit the website of the Romanian Railways: www.infofer.ro
The site has complete information about domestic train schedules and fares.
Note: For departures from/to Bucharest please select Bucuresti Nord
» Road access
Border crossing points in the Bucovina and Moldova regions from Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova into Romania include:
Ukraine: Siret , Vicsani
Republic of Moldova: Albita, Galati, Oancea, Sculeni, Stanca