Moldoviţa Monastery

The first monastery erected on the site was the one built by Alexandru cel Bun (1400-1432), between 1402 and 1410, but it collapsed at the beginning of the 16th century because of the very heavy rains and ground sliding; its ruins can still be seen today.

Moldovita Monastery that one can we see today dates back to 1532 and is due to ruling prince Petru Rares (1532-1546). It has the aspect of a fortress, with imposing towers and high, thick walls (6 m high, 1.2 m wide). According to the architectural tradition set by Stephen the Great, the church has a three-cusped plan, as well as an open porch. Moldovita’s frescoes have best preserved their colors which are astonishingly fresh and vivid.

The masters who painted its interior and exterior walls have decorated them with scenes from 16th century Moldavian daily life. But the most interesting painting is the Siege of Constantinople. The painting combines scenes of the siege of Constantinople from 1453 with others referring to a previous such attempt made by the Persians, in 626.

On the right side of the nave, there is a mural painting of Petru Rares and his family, presenting the monastery to Jesus.

The two-storey “clisarnita” with a circular tower houses a rich museum with 17th and 18th century books, as well as other monastic treasures, including a silver-chased Evangelistry presented by Catherine the Great, empress of Russia.