The Region

Tucked into the north-eastern corner of Romania, Bucovina lies at the Carpathian foothills. Over the years this region has been the place of fusion and co-habitation of many different types of populations. Here we discover the origins of Moldova, one of the three provinces of Romania, with its beautiful ”sacred places” hiding the vestiges of some of the most remarkable events of Romanian history.

Both mythical and mystical, Bucovina, also known as ”The Oak’s Country”, is situated in the North of Moldova and is abounding of places of worship: churches, monasteries and hermitages.
The painted monasteries of Southern Bucovina are by far the most beautiful touristic attraction and a “must see” for any visitor.
There are 48 monasteries in total, some with fortified walls to protect against invaders. These unique monasteries with their exceptional exterior frescoes are one of the most fascinating sights in Romania. Seven of the painted monasteries have been included on the UNESCO World Heritage List (Vornet, Humor, Sucevita, Moldovita, Arbore, etc).

Bucovina is worth visiting, not only for its wealth of religious art and the beautiful monasteries, but also for the natural beauty and simplicity of the region. It is a territory with clean unspoiled nature. It has a unique landscape: thick forests and imposing crests (”obcine”), branching off from the Carpathians, which allow a wonderful panorama of valleys, with houses scattered here and there, with large gardens and farm yards inviting one to lie down by the haystacks and look up at the blue sky with its marvelous hues. You might even catch a glimpse of a buffalo, a species that is being reintroduced into a natural reservation. The countryside is scattered with picturesque villages and rural scenery as local folk go about their daily business; horse-drawn carts dominate the lanes, driven by people bundled up against the cold, outdoor wells and piles of chopped wood adorn the yards, and produce markets bustle with activity. These are some of the scenes the traveler will encounter in this fascinating region of Romania, a stark contrast to the frenetic pace and way of life shaped by the modern face of city living.