Entry of the Mother of God into the Temple Wooden Church in Mănăstioara
About Entry of the Mother of God into the Temple Wooden Church in Mănăstioara
Mănăstioara is a small village in Udești commune, and its wooden church, also known as the Mănăstioara Skete, stands on a hill at the edge of the settlement, in the village cemetery. Its dedication is the Entry of the Mother of God into the Temple, and it is a historic monument (LMI code SV-II-m-B-05567). Specialists date it to the 18th century; an antimension of 1762 and an icon of the Saviour of 1775–1776 are among the oldest firm landmarks.
Local tradition says that Stephen the Great, after his father was killed, hid in the hollow of an oak in the forest here and later built the church from the tree's wood. No historical source confirms the legend, but it has made the place known. The church was extended westwards in 1848, when the porch and bell tower were added, and in the 20th century the walls were lined with boards, replaced in 1974.
The building is made of oak logs, with a cross-shaped plan, a five-sided sanctuary and a double eave, a feature common among wooden churches in the northern Carpathians. The walls are covered with vertical boards, and a small false turret rises above the sanctuary.
What you can see
The church stands in the middle of the cemetery, surrounded by forest. In the yard is an old stone cross with a partly worn Cyrillic inscription. Nearby is the Mănăstioara-Udești monastic skete, re-founded in 2021, and according to the archdiocese restoration work on the little church is under way.
Good to know
The village is small and remote, and the church is used rarely: in a 2016 report only a few services a year were held there, including on the Transfiguration (6 August), the skete's patronal feast. No visiting schedule was found; the interior may be locked.
Information verified on 14 October 2026.
- The small wooden church with its double eave and bell tower, in the middle of the cemetery.
- The legend of the oak that supposedly hid Stephen the Great.
- The forest path that leads to the church from the edge of the village.
- The old stone cross in the yard, with a Cyrillic inscription.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: Mănăstioara is in Udești commune, about 15 km as the crow flies south-east of Suceava. The road runs through Udești to the village, and from there the church is reached on foot, climbing the hill on a forest path.
Public transport: no regular connection to the village is confirmed; a car is the safer option.
- Rules
This is an active place of worship: dress modestly and keep quiet. The cemetery around the church is in use, so graves should be respected. Before photographing inside, ask the person who opens it for permission.
Frequently asked questions about Entry of the Mother of God into the Temple Wooden Church in Mănăstioara
- How long does a visit to Entry of the Mother of God into the Temple Wooden Church in Mănăstioara take?
- A visit to Entry of the Mother of God into the Temple Wooden Church in Mănăstioara takes about ½ – 1 hours (estimate, including the climb on the path).
- Can you visit Entry of the Mother of God into the Temple Wooden Church in Mănăstioara with kids?
- Yes, Entry of the Mother of God into the Temple Wooden Church in Mănăstioara is suitable for children (forest path).
- Where can I park at Entry of the Mother of God into the Temple Wooden Church in Mănăstioara?
- There is free parking at Entry of the Mother of God into the Temple Wooden Church in Mănăstioara (at the roadside in the village).
- How do I get to Entry of the Mother of God into the Temple Wooden Church in Mănăstioara?
- Entry of the Mother of God into the Temple Wooden Church in Mănăstioara is located at in the village cemetery of Mănăstioara, on the hill, at the end of a forest path, Mănăstioara, Suceava County. By car: Mănăstioara is in Udești commune, about 15 km as the crow flies south-east of Suceava. The road runs through Udești to the village, and from there the church is reached on foot, climbing the hill on a forest path. Public transport: no regular connection to the village is confirmed; a car is the safer option.
- When is the best time to visit Entry of the Mother of God into the Temple Wooden Church in Mănăstioara?
- The best season for Entry of the Mother of God into the Temple Wooden Church in Mănăstioara: May – October (easier in dry weather).
Reviews
Other attractions nearby
The closest attractions to Entry of the Mother of God into the Temple Wooden Church in Mănăstioara, sorted by distance.
Top 10017 km from Entry of the Mother of God into the Temple Wooden Church in Mănăstioara
17 km from Entry of the Mother of God into the Temple Wooden Church in Mănăstioara
20 km from Entry of the Mother of God into the Temple Wooden Church in Mănăstioara
