- Tourist Information
- Map
- Why is Moldovita Monastery famous?
- The Musatini voivodes
- Moldovita Monastery Museum
- The frescoes of the Moldovita Monastery
- Special Yellow Color
- Barrier against the Ottomans
- What legends does the Moldovita Monastery hide?
- Legend of the founder
- The legend of the Cypress wood
- Legend of the color of the frescoes
- Legend of the Golden Cross
- The code is hidden in the color
Tourist Information
| Type | Monastery, Religious |
| Completed | 1532 |
| Tickets | Adults: 5 Lei Filming fee (outside only): 10 Lei Filming is not permitted inside the Church. |
| Location | Vatra Moldovitei, Suceava County, Romania, Europe |
Map
Why is Moldovita Monastery famous?
The Musatini voivodes
In a world shrouded in the mysteries of time, the roots of the old Moldovita Monastery persist as an ancient memory, preserved in the traditions that take us back a long time, in the era of the Musatin voivodes.
Today, the Moldovița Monastery shines as a symbol of Romanian faith and culture, hidden in the heart of Vatra Moldoviţa commune, Suceava county, in picturesque Moldova, Romania. In an era of turbulence, in 1532, with a soul full of vision, Petru Rareș, the illegitimate son of Stephen III of Moldavia, raised this holy place to stand proudly in front of the Ottoman Muslim invaders, who were coming from the east.
Moldovita Monastery Museum
In the sanctuary of time, the Moldovita Monastery Museum spreads the light of knowledge through its 15th-century manuscripts, revealing the organization of education and cultural activity from that uplifting period.
When you step into the courtyard decorated with the most charming flowers, a fragrant world of colors envelops you. It is a delight to look at the masterfully painted frescoes and let your gaze rest on the rows of petals that frame your every thought.
The frescoes of the Moldovita Monastery
On the walls of the monastery, like voices loaded with history, historical, religious, and cultural scenes come to life. How the Moldovan painters managed to bring to light these artistic wonders remains a secret, while the colors that became famous in the world have been carefully preserved ever since. Color has always been a special language of these places, and in Moldovita, red dances with yellow, and red join green, all reminding us that each monastery has its colorful and unique voice in this sacred symphony.
- The Last Judgment: This impressive and allegorical fresco depicts the moment when souls are judged and divided between Heaven and Hell.
- Church of the Lord: A representation of the Church, with the image of Jesus Christ and the saints, is often present on the walls of the church.
- Scenes from the Life of Jesus: The frescoes include significant moments in the life of Jesus Christ such as the Birth, Baptism, Resurrection, and others.
- Saints and Apostles: The image of saints and apostles is a constant presence in the frescoes of the monastery, reflecting their veneration in the Christian tradition.
- Biblical Scenes: The frescoes depict important events from the Bible, such as Moses bringing the tablets of the Law, Noah’s ark, and more.
Special Yellow Color
The yellow color of the exterior frescoes of the Moldovița Monastery is sometimes called “Moldovita yellow”. This distinctive yellow is obtained from a rare pigment, traditionally called “Moldovita yellow”, which was used only in this monastery and is considered unique in mural art.
Barrier against the Ottomans
Moldovita Monastery was built not only as a place of worship but also as a defense barrier against Ottoman invasions. This defensive aspect contributed to the architecture and strategic location of the monastery.
What legends does the Moldovita Monastery hide?
Moldovita Monastery is full of stories and legends that have been passed down from generation to generation. Although some of these legends may vary depending on the source, they add a mystical and enigmatic air to this sacred place.
Legend of the founder
One of the most famous legends is related to the founding of the monastery by Petru Rareș, the illegitimate son of voivode Ștefan cel Mare. It is said that Petru Rareș had a divine vision in which he was asked to build a monastery to protect Moldova from Ottoman invasions. He chose the current site of the Moldovita Monastery, it was built with passion and deep faith.
The legend of the Cypress wood
It is said that Petru Rareș decided to bring cypress wood from overseas for the construction of the church. This rare wood is said to have been chosen because it had wood-preserving properties and because it had a divine fragrance.
Legend of the color of the frescoes
The unique and vivid colors of the frescoes at the Moldovița Monastery gave birth to an interesting legend. It is said that the painters of the monastery were inspired by the angels and saints who came down from heaven to bring divine colors to their paintings. This is one of the reasons why the colors are so bright and preserved over the centuries.
Legend of the Golden Cross
Another legend says that, during the construction of the monastery, Petru Rareș hid a golden cross in the walls of the church, to bring the divine blessing on the place. This golden cross is believed to have remained there, bringing protection and prosperity.
The code is hidden in the color
It is said that in the unique colors of the frescoes at the Moldovita Monastery, a coded message could be hidden, which has not yet been decoded. This idea adds a touch of mystery and complexity to the sacred arts of the monastery.
