BUCOVINA

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. 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, with its distinctive greens, and Humor, where the frescoes are predominantly red. Also nearby are, Arbore, Dragomirna, Moldovita and Putna monasteries.

The town of 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 explore

• 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

Main Museums

• Art Museum in Iasi
• Ethnographic Museum in Iasi
• Jewish History Museum and Great Synagogue in Iasi
• Moldavian History Museum in Iasi
• Bucovina History Museum in Suceava
• Etnographic Museum in Suceava

Performing Arts

• Moldova Philharmonic in Iasi
• National Opera and Opereta House in Iasi
• Vasile Alecsandri National Theater in Iasi

Festivals & Events

• The Regional Festival of Folk Music and Dance (April) - Radauti
• Ceahlau Folk Music Festival (Second Sunday in August) - Durau
• Harvest Celebration at the Cotnari winery (September) - Iasi
• Trandafir de la Moldova Folk Music Festival (October) - Iasi

Outdoor Adventures & Parks

• Calimani National Park - volcanic plateau dominated by the Calimani caldera
• Vanatori Neamt Nature Park - home of the Dragos Voda bison and
  Carpathian wildlife reserve
• Ceahlau National Park - the Olympus of Romania
• Hasmas-Cheile Bicazului National Park - spectacular gorges and the
  Red Lake natural reservoir

Activities

Biking, Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Nature walks, Skiing, Wildlife and bird watching