Suceava

Suceava is the largest city in the region of Bucovina, and for nearly 200 years, it served as the capital of the Principality of Moldavia. The city has been assaulted several times in its history, and more than once, the fortresses built around it decided the outcome of the battle.  

In 1918, Suceava and the entire region of Bucovina became part of ‘Greater Romania’. Moreover, in the interwar period, the city developed its infrastructure following the heavily industrialized period after the 1950s.

The most significant and best-preserved site is by far The Seat Fortress of Suceava, but other places that you shouldn't miss are the Bucovina History Museum, Bucovina Village Museum or the Șcheia Fortress.

 

In the last couple of years, Suceava has been developing rapidly, restoring and preserving several historical landmarks and improving its infrastructure. In 2020, the city had a population of 105,796 and a size of 20 sq. miles (52 sq. kilometres).

The city and county of Suceava have the food industry, based mainly on milk and meat production, as its predominant industry. As a result of the large surface area of forests, wood exploitation and handling are major industries as well. Other industries that are predominant in the region are the car manufacturing industry, textile and leather industry, and mining industry.

 

Cultural Landmarks

The Seat Fortress of Suceava 

 

Photo source : MuzeulBucovinei.ro

 

The fortress was built at the end of the 14th century in the time of Petru Musat, further strengthen during the reigns of  Alexander I of Moldavia (1400–1432) and Stephen the Great (1457–1504). The Seat Fortress also served as a princely residence from 1388 to 1565. Suffering from a series of destruction and being deserted, the fortress started to be restored from the end of the 19th century; between 2011 and 2015, the construction was put under a major restoration program. 

The fortress is nowadays an important tourist attraction and a landmark in Suceava, being used as well for hosting different cultural events.

 

Princely Inn (Hanul Domnesc)

 

Photo Source: MuzeulBucovinei.ro

 

The oldest civil building in the city of Suceava and an important historical landmark, the Pricely Inn was built in the 17th century being meant to host important meetings for nobility. The building was restored in 1962, and is today the home of Bucovina Ethnographic Museum.

 

Zamca Monastic Complex

The monastery was constructed by the Armenian community between 1551 and 1606. The complex includes various stone structures, including the church and a defensive wall surrounding the monastery.

 

Religious Landmarks

Mirauti Church 

 

Photo Source: ComoaraCulturalaARomaniei

 

Being known as the oldest church in Suceava, the establishment was built in the 14th century and reconstructed in the 17th century.  The church is dedicated to Sf. Gheorghe, and was the metropolitan cathedral of Moldavia during 1402-1522. The church was also the coronation church of Moldavia until 1522, Stephen the Great being crowned in 1457 at the Mirauti Church.

 

The Monastery of Saint John the New / Saint George's Church 

 

Photo Source: ThePaintedMonasteriesofBucovina

 

An important cultural and religious landmark in Suceava, Saint John the New Monastery was built between 1514 and 1522 and is a part of UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its construction began after the Mirauti Church was destroyed, and it served as the metropolitan cathedral of Moldavia until 1677 and is today the seat of the Archbishop of Suceava and Radauti. The monastery consists, besides the monumental church, of a bell tower from 1589, a chapel, a house for the abbot old cells for monks and surrounding walls.

 

St. Dumitru Church

 

Photo Source: ZiarulLumina

 

The church was built by Petru Rares (the son of Stephen the Great) between 1534-1535 and the bell tower added by Alexandru Lapusneanu in 1560. Located near the Pricely Court of Suceava, the church still has murals visible on the outside walls.

 

Museums

Bucovina History Museum

 

Photo Source : MuzeulBucovinei.ro

The museum presents the local history of Suceava and Moldavia. You can also see a reconstruction of a scene with some of the most important people in history of Moldavia.

 

Bucovina Village Museum 

 

Photo Source: MuzeulBucovinei.ro

 

The open air museum is located near the Seat Fortress and includes traditional cultural and architectural items of the region of Bucovina. The museum is developed and organized as a traditional village in Bucovina, that includes different attractions such as a water mill from Manastirea Humorului and a traditional pottery workshop.

 

Bucovina Ethnographic Museum 

 

Photo Source: MuzeulBucovinei.ro

 

Opened in 1968 , the museum is located in the Princely Inn building and includes different exhibits and collections, such as folk costumes, traditional regional  items and crafts.

 

Transportation

Air Transport

You can reach Suceava by air at Suceava Stefan cel Mare International Airport(SCV) 

 

By train 

For internal travel Suceava has the railway station with connections to : Bucharest. Brasov, Cluj, Constanta, Gura Humorului, Timisoara, Vatra Dornei and other cities in Romania.

 

By car

If you plan to get to Suceava from Bucharest by car the fastest route is via E85. From Cluj Napoca to Suceava the fastest route is via E578 – E58.