Sucevita Monastery
Sucevita Monastery
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This 16th-century painted monastery boasts thousands of images against a green background.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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5.0
364 reviews
Excellent
286
Very good
70
Average
7
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Laurentiu
Bucharest, Romania3,652 contributions
Sep 2021
Sucevița Monastery is an Eastern Orthodox convent situated in the Northeastern part of Romania. It is situated near the Suceviţa River, in the village Sucevița, 18 km away from the city of Rădăuţi, Suceava County. It is located in the southern part of the historical region of Bukovina.
Written July 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tiberiu_Baranyi
Timisoara, Romania17,107 contributions
Jul 2021
Built in the late 1500 - by the Movila family - after the reign of King Stephen - but in the style that was established during the great king's reign. Got its paintings during the reign of king Petru Rares - during his reign the majority of the monasteries churches received the now world wide famous exterior paintings.
Most impressive painting is on the northern side - but almost altogether faded - hence no photo - "the ladder of virtues" with angels separating the righteous from the sinners ... the Haven and Hell allegory.
Also here are the tombs of Ieremia and Simion Movila - one was King of Moldavia for a few years and his brother was put on the throne of Wallachia for some time after the violent demise of King Michael "the Brave" in 1601.
There is also a museum in the monastery courtyard - dedicate to the Movila family - but it is forbidden to take pictures inside the museum. So no pics attached.
The Sucevita monastery is impressive and even that the northern wall is the 1 exposed to the elements it is still in better shape than the other monasteries I've visited. Once again pictures can't be taken inside of the church only on the outside.
Once again an very interesting place that is slowly but surely degrading so I urge you to visit while the paintings are not totally faded into oblivion.
Most impressive painting is on the northern side - but almost altogether faded - hence no photo - "the ladder of virtues" with angels separating the righteous from the sinners ... the Haven and Hell allegory.
Also here are the tombs of Ieremia and Simion Movila - one was King of Moldavia for a few years and his brother was put on the throne of Wallachia for some time after the violent demise of King Michael "the Brave" in 1601.
There is also a museum in the monastery courtyard - dedicate to the Movila family - but it is forbidden to take pictures inside the museum. So no pics attached.
The Sucevita monastery is impressive and even that the northern wall is the 1 exposed to the elements it is still in better shape than the other monasteries I've visited. Once again pictures can't be taken inside of the church only on the outside.
Once again an very interesting place that is slowly but surely degrading so I urge you to visit while the paintings are not totally faded into oblivion.
Written September 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wofford W
Washington DC, DC11 contributions
May 2015
Difficult to get to, but absolutely beautiful and well worth the trip. Hire "Hello Bucovina" tours and don't miss this great experience and beautiful historic building. Beautiful paintings in an even more beautiful setting.
Written June 25, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MonicaZ
Suceava8 contributions
Sucevita Monastery dates back to 1585 and it can be considered the church of 3 superlatives: it is the only one that has the north side still preserved, it is the last one to be painted in the peculiar style of the 7 painted churches of Bucovina and it is the largest one of the painted monasteries. Today it is the home of 60 nuns who have dedicated their lives to serving God. In the tombs' room there are painted many scenes of Moses' life. It is said that this is the largest space dedicated to Moses in a church in Eastern Europe. The iconostasis is not the original, it just dates back to 1801. Comparing the iconostasis with the rest of the painting, one can see that Byzantine painting is closer to reality than the Baroque one. What was St. John the Baptist eating? Honey from wild bees (dark and bitter) and locusts. Byzantine painting portrays saints who have elongated bodies, thus it is closer to reality since the saints were eating just enough to survive and not to grow those fleshy Baroque bodies...
Written February 4, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
davidh400
New York City, NY129 contributions
Jul 2019
The walls around Sucevita impress as you walk up to the site. Thick, massive walls and when you walk through the impressive gate you see the church itsdelf strategically back from the walls and waiting for you exploration. The church roof was undergoing repairs and the workers' hammers filled the air as we walked in the large inner court of the walled fortress of the monastery. This is a fortress of a church meant to protect those who lived and worked here, and it is still here after 5 centuries. Visit and feel yourself go back in time to the middle ages.
Written September 2, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Siegmar H
brisbane86 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
Build in 1585 and similar to Voronet and Molovita Monasteries. The predominent colour of this one is green. It is also UNESCO protected. One is not allowed to take photos inside the building. It is not essentual to visit all 3 Monasteries, as theu are similar.
Written June 3, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Soccca
Tolmin, Slovenia1,794 contributions
Jul 2017 • Couples
Among others this monastery is well known by its mighty walls around it. Also the monastery itself is wonderful. It is a bit newer than other monasteries so the colours are better preserved. Definitely worth a visit if you are in Bukovina.
Written July 22, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nursetommey1
Phoenix, AZ70 contributions
Jun 2015 • Couples
Of the 4 painted monasteries that we visited (and I can't remember the other 3!) this was by far the best! Ornately decorated inside and out, it was quite impressive.
Written July 12, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ioana288
Suceava, Romania55 contributions
May 2015 • Family
Beautiful location, amazing views but the places around are expensive enough for what they offer. It is a nice monastery in the mountains with a big garden and big stone walls and a lot of fresh air.
Written June 30, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Big-G66
Bristol, UK250 contributions
Jun 2015 • Friends
The monastery (actually a nunnery) and the countryside in which it is set are both spectacular.However this was the third such place we had visited in quick succession and our guide had never used one word when ten would do. I was a bit 'churched-out' by then and looking at a wonderful exterior depiction of angels and saints ascending a ladder, rather than standing in awe I found myself quietly singing 'Three Steps To Heaven'. TIP - buy the glossy booklet 'Bukovina the monastery archipeligo' - it's very good and cheaper than three seperate camera fees.
Written June 14, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ullu73
Province of Cuneo, Italy
È facile da raggiungere, ci sono indicazioni stradali ?
Written July 11, 2016
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