1400AD-Present-Modern Era Europe Romania Churches, Cathedrals, Basilicas, Monasteries

Putna Monastery, Bucovina, Romania | The tomb of Stephen the Great

Putna Monastery, Bucovina, Romania | The tomb of Stephen the Great
Putna Monastery
In a legend full of mystery and faith, the Putna Monastery found its sacred place on the land of Moldova through the will of Stephen the Great. According to legend, this place was chosen with the help of a bow and arrow, shot from a hill near the monastery. Thus, the blessed place of the Putna Monastery was determined by the direction in which that arrow fell, a sign of the divine grace that gave birth to this historical gem.

Tourist Information

Construction Year1466
TypeMonastery
StyleMoldavian
FounderStephen the Great of Moldavia
Getting thereCar, bus (77 km away from the city of Suceava)
Nearest train stations: Putna, Suceava
The closest airports: Suceava (SCV) – www.aeroportsuceava.ro, Iasi (IAS) – www.aeroport.ro
When to visitTourist season (May to September)
Monday – Sunday: 8:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Off-season (October to April)
Monday – Sunday: 9:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Admission fee: 5 lei ($1.5)
Camera/ Photo fee: 10 lei ($2.5)
Tourist
attractions
closed by
Daniil the Hermit rock home (1 km)
Dragos Voda’s wooden church (500m)
Cross Hill (500m)
Monastery Sihastria Putnei (4km)
LocationStrada Principala 201, Putna 727455, Suceava, Romania, Europe

Map

Why is Putna Monastery famous?

According to legend, this place was decided by Stephen the Great, after shooting with a bow from a hill located near the monastery. The monastery was built on the spot where the arrow fell and stuck in the ground. This legend is very well known in Romania and increases the fame of the monastery.

Ruler Stephen the Great is buried here, which increased the importance of the monastery as a place of pilgrimage and veneration.

What is the history of Putna Monastery?

The Putna Monastery was founded in 1466 by the ruler Stefan the Great of Moldavia. It was built as an Orthodox monastery and became an important religious and cultural center in the history of Moldova.

Putna is the first monastery fortified by Stephen the Great.

The Putna Monastery presents a Gothic and Moldavian architectural style, with elements specific to the Moldavian style of that time, such as the conical spire and high defensive walls. It is known for its beautiful exterior fresco depicting religious and historical scenes.

What does the Putna Monastery consist of?

The church complex consists of the church (central), the tower gate, the bell tower, the cells, the chapel, the museum, the tower, the courtyard, and the fortified wall that surrounds the premises. In medieval times, fortified monasteries sheltered peasants and soldiers against Tatar invasions.

Putna Monastery, Bucovina, Romania | The tomb of Stephen the Great
Putna Monastery

The current church is not the one built by ruler Stefan. Putna Church was later rebuilt in 8 years by Vasile Lupu, Gheorghe Ștefan, and Istrate Dabija.

The entrance to the monastery premises is made under the vaulted arch of a tower composed of a ground floor and a first floor, on the eastern facade of which is the coat of arms of Moldova.

Putna Monastery, Bucovina, Romania | The tomb of Stephen the Great
Putna Monastery

The Treasury Tower is the only one still standing today from the original fortification (1481).

Putna Monastery, Bucovina, Romania | The tomb of Stephen the Great
Putna Monastery

Putna Monastery Museum

In the churchyard there is a museum worth visiting, the exhibits being very old. Here you can see a fragment of the trunk of a paltin, in which, according to tradition, Stephen the Great’s arrow would have been stuck when he shot the bow from the top of the mountain, a replica of the ruler’s sword, icons from 1500 and much more.

Is Stefan the Great buried in Putna?

The church houses the tomb of Stephen the Great. Next to it, there are the tombs of Maria (Stefan’s wife), Maria (Stefan’s daughter), Bogdan (the voivode’s son, ruler during 1504-1517), and Ștefănița (the voivode’s grandson, ruler during 1517-1527). The tombstones are very beautifully executed. They are covered with stone canopies.

What fascinating legends does Putna Monastery have?

The legend of Stephen the Great and Daniil Sihastru

The legend says that Stephen the Great, who was defeated and wounded in battle, wandered through the country and finally arrived at the cell of Daniil the Hermit, who gave him food and shelter. In the middle of the night, the Hermit took Stefan by the hand and led him out of the cell, pointing to a certain place in the distance and asking him three times in a row if he saw anything there. The first two times Stefan did not see anything, but the third time, the voivode answered that he saw some lights. Daniil the Hermit told him that these were not lights, but angels, and that place was sacred. Daniil added that if he wanted to defeat his enemies he should build a monastery on that spot.

The legend of the place where the arrow stuck

Legend has it that after the ruler Stephen the Great decided to build a monastery in honor of God for his victory in the Battle of the White Valley, he needed to choose a suitable place for the construction. Stephen the Great wanted the place to be chosen with divine help and did not want to make this choice arbitrarily.

So he took a bow and arrow and climbed a hill near the area where the monastery was to be built. From the hill, he shot his bow in a random direction, and where the arrow landed, he decided to build the monastery. According to legend, the arrow landed on the current site of the Putna Monastery, in a tree. The part of the tree where the arrow is said to have stuck can be seen in the monastery museum.

This act was seen as a manifestation of the divine will and guided the choice of the site for the construction of the monastery. Thus, the legend emphasizes the deep faith of Stephen the Great and the importance of religion in his decisions. This legend has remained an important element of the history and mythology related to Putna Monastery and contributes to its special aura.

The Legend of the Undried Tree

Another legend says that in the courtyard of the Putna Monastery, there is a tree that never dries up. It is believed that this tree was planted by Stephen the Great and that it was a divine sign of protection over the monastery and his burial place.

The legend of the miracle-working icon

An icon of the Mother of God in the Putna Monastery is said to have witnessed miracles and miraculous healings. Many believers come here in search of healing and spiritual help, considering this icon holy.

Legend of the Heroes’ Graveyard

In the courtyard of the Putna Monastery is the Cemetery of Heroes, where Romanian heroes from the First and Second World Wars are buried. Legend has it that these heroes are blessed by God and that Putna Monastery offers them a sacred resting place.

Are there shops near the monastery where I can buy handicrafts or souvenirs?

Yes, there are souvenir shops and workshops near the monastery where you can purchase local handicrafts, icons, religious books, and souvenirs related to Putna Monastery to remember your visit.

What secrets does the Putna Monastery hide?

A royal burial place

In addition to hosting the tomb of ruler Stephen the Great, Putna Monastery is also the burial place of other Moldavian rulers and their families. For example, the graves of Petru Rareș and his wife, Elena, are also located here.

An educational center

In the past, the Putna Monastery had an important role in religious education and training. A monastic school was held here and important manuscripts were copied.

Refuge for hoarders

During World War II, many hoards and valuable works of art were housed in Putna Monastery to protect them from destruction or theft.

Heroes’ Cemetery

In the courtyard of the monastery is the Heroes’ Cemetery, where heroes from the First and Second World Wars, as well as from other conflicts, are buried. This cemetery is a place to pay tribute and commemorate those who fell in battle.

International relations

Putna Monastery also had important international connections. For example, Ivan the Terrible, Tsar of Russia, was baptized here.

About the author

Catalina

I am Catalina, and my passion for travel, mysteries, legends and archaeology drives me to explore the world and uncover its hidden wonders.