- Tourist Information
- Map
- Why is Voronet Monastery famous?
- Why is Voronet Blue such a famous color?
- Who painted the Voronet Monastery?
- What frescoes can be admired on the walls of the Voronet Monastery?
- Why is Voronet called the Sistine Chapel of the East?
- Is the Voronet Monastery a UNESCO location?
- What legends does the Voronet Monastery have?
- The legend of Stephen the Great and Daniil the Hermit
- The legend of building in just three days
- Painters and the mystery of colors
- The legend of Stephen the Great and his prayer
- Is Daniil Sihastru’s grave in Voroneț?
Tourist Information
| Construction Year | 1488 |
| Type | Monastery / UNESCO |
| Style | Moldavian |
| Founder | Stephen the Great of Moldavia |
| Getting there | Car, bus (from Gura Humorului), 3 ½-mile walk from Gura Humorului Nearest train stations: Gura Humorului The closest airports are located in Suceava (SCV) – www.aeroportsuceava.ro Iasi (IAS) – www.aeroport.ro. |
| When to visit | Monday – Sunday, 9 am – 6:30 pm Admission fee: 10 lei Camera / Photo fee: 10 Lei |
| Other tourist attraction | Folk Traditions Museum of Bucovina (5 Km) Humor Monastery (10 Km) Schitul Daniel Sihastrul (3 Km) |
| Website | https://www.manastireavoronet.ro/ |
| Location | Voronet Street166, Gura Humorului, Suceava County, 725300, Romania, Europe |
Map
Why is Voronet Monastery famous?
The Voronet Monastery, also known as the “Sistine Chapel of the East” is an indisputable and highly acclaimed tourist destination located in Romania’s Bucovina region.
About 20 resident nuns live at the Voronet Monastery.
The blue that will last forever, called Voronet blue, is very famous because it resisted over time and is as bright and vibrant as when it was applied to the walls of the monastery.
The monastery was constructed by Stephen the Great in 1488 over a period of 3 months and 3 weeks.
Why is Voronet Blue such a famous color?
The vibrant blue color used in the frescoes of Voronet Monastery is often referred to as “Voronet Blue” or “Moldovan Blue”. It is a unique shade of blue and is said to symbolize heaven or the divine. The pigments used to create this blue have proven to be remarkably durable over the centuries.
At the base of “Voroneț Blue” is azurite or maybe lapis lazuli, blue crystals that are found in China, Africa, and France, therefore obtaining them was probably very expensive in the past. The azurite or lapis lazuli was then finely ground and mixed with an unknown organic substance, which ensures the long durability of the exterior frescoes.
Who painted the Voronet Monastery?
The exact names of the painters who created the frescoes at the Voronet Monastery are not known, but they were probably skilled painters with Byzantine training. These artists have left an impressive legacy through their remarkable frescoes.
What frescoes can be admired on the walls of the Voronet Monastery?
The Last Judgment: This impressive fresco is found on the west wall of the church and depicts scenes from the Last Judgment, with Jesus Christ in the midst of it, judging the souls of men.
In the lower part, the image of heaven appears in opposition to the river of fire and a very happy Satan who joyfully greets sinners.
Angels have key roles, one opening the gates of heaven and the other pushing sinners into hell.
A rare image is the “Resurrection of the Dead”.
In the upper scene groups of saints who have already ascended to heaven stand close to Jesus, portrayed as the Great Judge.
A rare depiction of God and angels wrapping a scroll with the signs of the zodiac, symbolizing the world as we know it, occupies the top.
Jesus Christ Pantocrator: Jesus Christ is often represented as Pantocrator, that is, “Lord of all,” with hands outstretched in blessing.
The Last Supper: This fresco depicts the moment of the Last Supper when Jesus and his apostles take part in the Last Supper.
Scenes from the life of Saint Mary: Voroneț has frescoes dedicated to Saint Mary, including scenes representing her birth and death.
The Tree of Jesse: The fresco is also called the Root of Jesse and is a symbolic representation of the genealogy of Jesus. Some say that in this fresco there are portraits of ancient Greek philosophers, such as Aristotle and Plato. Whether this is true or not is for you to discover.
Scenes from the Old Testament: The frescoes include depictions of significant events from the Old Testament, such as the story of Adam and Eve, Moses, and Noah’s Ark.
Scenes from the life of Saint John the Baptist: The frescoes depict moments from the life and work of Saint John the Baptist, one of the important saints in the Christian tradition.
Scenes with saints and angels: In addition to the main scenes, the walls of the Voronet Monastery are decorated with representations of different saints and angels.
Local symbols: To make the painting representative of the local community, the painters added some symbols of the local culture, including musical instruments, traditional clothing, and nearby landscapes.
Some have identified astrological, occult, esoteric, or masonic symbols in the frescoes from the Voronet monastery. We can find zodiac symbols in the Last Judgment fresco. In the frescoes from Voroneț, the hexagram can also be seen with a graphic representation of the shape of the atom.
Why is Voronet called the Sistine Chapel of the East?
This comparison is due to the exceptional murals that cover the exterior walls of the church, which were made in the 16th century. Like the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican, which is famous for its frescoes by Michelangelo, the Voronet Church is famous for its artistic frescoes, full of bright colors and mystical symbols.
Is the Voronet Monastery a UNESCO location?
Currently, Voronet is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, along with six other churches in the region, this religious monument is a unique symbol of how the local medieval princes emphasized their special support for the Orthodox faith.
What legends does the Voronet Monastery have?
The Voronet Monastery, located in northern Romania, is surrounded by numerous legends and historical stories that amplify its mystery and cultural importance.
The legend of Stephen the Great and Daniil the Hermit
According to the legend, Voivode Stefan the Great ordered the construction of the Voronet Monastery and invited Daniil Sihastru, a monk, to paint the church with scenes from the Bible. The monk accepted and worked in silence and prayer for ten days. When Stephen the Great came to see the progress, he was surprised to find that the church was already mostly painted. In this short period, Daniil Sihastru created remarkable paintings, which brought beauty and religious values to the souls of those who came to pray in Voroneț.
Stephen the Great, impressed by the monk’s work, wanted to thank him and asked Daniil Sihastru to tell him what he wanted as a reward. Daniil Sihastru refused any material reward and instead asked that, when the time came, the voivode would help him build a monastery in the wilderness of Bucovina, far from the crowded world.
The legend goes on to say that Daniil the Hermit and Stephen the Great went together to the wilderness of Bucovina and found a suitable place for the construction of the Daniil the Hermit Monastery, also known as the Daniil the Hermit Monastery of Humor. Here, the monk lived and continued to paint the church, leaving another important artistic legacy.
This legend emphasizes the generosity and Christian spirit of voivode Stephen the Great, as well as the value of art and religion in his era. Both monasteries, Voronet and Daniil Sihastrul, are today part of the UNESCO World Heritage and are known for their historical and artistic murals.
The legend of building in just three days
One of the most famous legends says that the monastery was built in just three days, with the help of a nun named Anastasia, who asked for the help of the Holy Virgin Mary. During this short period, the monastery was erected and the frescoes were painted under divine supervision.
Painters and the mystery of colors
It is said that those who worked on painting the Voronet monastery kept the secret of their vibrant and unique colors, including the famous “Voronet Blue”. This color manufacturing secret has not been revealed until now.
The legend of Stephen the Great and his prayer
It is said that voivode Stephen the Great, who ordered the construction of the monastery, prayed for victory before the third battle at Valea Albă. According to legend, at the end of the prayer, the sky suddenly closed with black clouds, and torrential rain hit the enemy camp, helping the Moldavians to achieve victory.
Is Daniil Sihastru’s grave in Voroneț?
The tomb of Saint Daniil is inside the monastery. On the tombstone, which was made at the request of Stephen the Great, it is written: “This is the tomb of our father David, the architect Daniil“.
