Exaltation of the Holy Cross Wooden Church in Horodnic de Jos
About Exaltation of the Holy Cross Wooden Church in Horodnic de Jos
The church in the cemetery of the Schit Călugărița hamlet, on the north-western edge of Horodnic de Jos, was built in 1717 and dedicated to the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, celebrated on 14 September. Tradition holds that it is the third place of worship of the hermitage that stood here, the first two having been burned by Tatars. The hermitage was dissolved and the church became a parish church, then a cemetery church once the village received a new church in its centre in 1814. It is among the oldest wooden churches in Moldavia and is listed as a historic monument (LMI code SV-II-m-B-05556).
It is a small building, about 8.6 m long and 4 m wide, made of larch logs joined with dovetails on a river-stone foundation. The plan is that of a simple nave without a tower, with a stepped-in altar and a polygonal narthex, and the broad eaves reach far down over the walls. In 1911 the shingle roof was replaced with sheet metal, which can still be seen today.
What you can see
The beauty of the church lies in its exterior decoration: a belt of carved wood in a twisted-rope pattern runs around the walls, and higher up is a row of 92 blind arcades with twisted colonnettes. The west portal has an ogee-arched frame, a cross, rosettes and a carved inscription giving the year of construction as 7225 from the creation of the world (1717). Inside, wooden icons from the 18th century survive, and the iconostasis was painted in 1782. At the cemetery entrance stands a two-storey wooden bell tower covered with shingle. The silhouette of the church also appears on the commune's coat of arms.
Good to know
No official visiting schedule appears in the sources consulted. The church stands in a working cemetery, and a new masonry church dedicated to the Ascension of the Lord was begun nearby; the old church may be locked outside services.
Information verified on 14 October 2026.
- The carved twisted-rope belt that encircles the church.
- The 92 blind arcades with twisted colonnettes along the top of the walls.
- The west portal, with a cross, rosettes and the 1717 inscription.
- The wooden bell tower at the cemetery entrance.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: Horodnic de Jos is in Suceava county, near Rădăuți; the church stands in the cemetery of the Schit Călugărița hamlet, in the north-western part of the village.
Public transport: no regular connection to the hamlet is confirmed; a car is the safer option.
- Rules
A cemetery church and place of worship: dress modestly and keep quiet, especially during services or funerals. Before photographing inside, ask the person who opens it for permission.
Frequently asked questions about Exaltation of the Holy Cross Wooden Church in Horodnic de Jos
- How long does a visit to Exaltation of the Holy Cross Wooden Church in Horodnic de Jos take?
- A visit to Exaltation of the Holy Cross Wooden Church in Horodnic de Jos takes about 20 min (exterior and cemetery).
- Can you visit Exaltation of the Holy Cross Wooden Church in Horodnic de Jos with kids?
- Yes, Exaltation of the Holy Cross Wooden Church in Horodnic de Jos is suitable for children (small building, seen from outside).
- Where can I park at Exaltation of the Holy Cross Wooden Church in Horodnic de Jos?
- There is free parking at Exaltation of the Holy Cross Wooden Church in Horodnic de Jos (by the roadside).
- How do I get to Exaltation of the Holy Cross Wooden Church in Horodnic de Jos?
- Exaltation of the Holy Cross Wooden Church in Horodnic de Jos is located at în cimitirul din cătunul Schit Călugărița, Horodnic de Jos, Horodnic de Jos, Suceava County. By car: Horodnic de Jos is in Suceava county, near Rădăuți; the church stands in the cemetery of the Schit Călugărița hamlet, in the north-western part of the village. Public transport: no regular connection to the hamlet is confirmed; a car is the safer option.
- When is the best time to visit Exaltation of the Holy Cross Wooden Church in Horodnic de Jos?
- The best season for Exaltation of the Holy Cross Wooden Church in Horodnic de Jos: May – October (summer, for the road and the exterior).
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