Bogdana Monastery
About Bogdana Monastery
The Church of St Nicholas at Bogdana Monastery was built in the second half of the 14th century by Bogdan I, the voivode who came from Maramureș and laid the foundations of Moldavia as an independent state. It is considered the oldest masonry church in Moldavia to have kept its original form: a tall church without a tower, with walls 1.40 metres thick, a steep roof and wide eaves. The enclosed porch was added by Alexandru Lăpușneanu in 1559.
Bogdan I chose it as his family's necropolis. He, his son Lațcu, Stephen I, Roman I and other members of the first dynasty are buried in the nave, and the carved tombstones with Slavonic inscriptions were placed there by Stephen the Great in 1480 in honour of his forebears. Under Alexander the Good the monastery became the seat of the Bishopric of Rădăuți, until 1782. The Austrians dissolved it in 1783 and turned it into a parish church; monastic life only resumed in 1992, with a community of monks.
Between 2017 and 2020, an EU-funded project restored the church, its paintings, the bell tower and the former bishop's house. During the work, four cells, an altar and a painted Last Judgement were discovered in the church's attic.
What you can see
From the courtyard, with its stone paths and old trees, the church appears as a massive block of stone, its tall roof reaching far down over the walls; in front of it stands the bell tower of 1781. Inside, the space combines Romanesque, Byzantine and Gothic elements: a central nave and two side aisles, separated by massive pillars. Today's paintings are largely those redone in 1880 by Epaminonda Bucevschi over older layers; scenes from the time of Stephen the Great survive in the altar.
The princely tombs, with their carved slabs, are in the nave, and the votive painting of the founders is on the south-west wall. Here too are the relics of St Leontius of Rădăuți, a bishop in the time of Alexander the Good, rediscovered during the archaeological research of 1974–1977. The courtyard also holds the new church dedicated to St Leontius, from 1998, and the monastery museum, in the former bishop's house.
Information verified on 21 October 2026.
- The silhouette of the 14th-century stone church, without a tower, with its tall roof and wide eaves, seen from the path by the bell tower.
- The tombstones carved by Stephen the Great in 1480 for Bogdan I, Lațcu, Stephen I and Roman I, in the nave.
- The votive painting of the founders on the south-west wall of the nave.
- The reliquary with the relics of St Leontius of Rădăuți.
- The bell tower of 1781, built by Bishop Dosoftei Herescu, the last bishop to reside here.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: the monastery is in the centre of Rădăuți, on Strada Bogdan Vodă. It is ~36 km from Suceava (~40 minutes), ~43 km from Gura Humorului (~1 hour) and ~185 km from Iași (~3.5 hours). It combines easily with Sucevița Monastery (~19 km) and Putna Monastery (~31 km), and in town with the Ethnographic Museum, a few steps away.
Public transport: buses and minibuses run frequently from Suceava to Rădăuți. Rădăuți railway station is ~1 km from the monastery on foot; trains from Suceava usually require a change at Dornești.
- Fees & discounts
The monastery does not publish prices for entry, the museum or photography; ask on site.
- Rules
It is a working monastery of monks: modest dress (shoulders and knees covered), quiet within the grounds and respect for the services. Ask before taking photographs in the church. The paintings and tombstones are old and fragile: do not touch them and do not step on the tombs in the nave.
- Facilities
Monastery museum in the former bishop's house · church shop · the courtyard is level, with stone paths
Frequently asked questions about Bogdana Monastery
- How long does a visit to Bogdana Monastery take?
- A visit to Bogdana Monastery takes about 45 min (church and courtyard).
- Can you visit Bogdana Monastery with kids?
- Yes, Bogdana Monastery is suitable for children (modest dress and quiet).
- How do I get to Bogdana Monastery?
- Bogdana Monastery is located at Strada Bogdan Vodă 4-6, Rădăuți, Suceava County. By car: the monastery is in the centre of Rădăuți, on Strada Bogdan Vodă. It is ~36 km from Suceava (~40 minutes), ~43 km from Gura Humorului (~1 hour) and ~185 km from Iași (~3.5 hours). It combines easily with Sucevița Monastery (~19 km) and Putna Monastery (~31 km), and in town with the Ethnographic Museum, a few steps away. Public transport: buses and minibuses run frequently from Suceava to Rădăuți. Rădăuți railway station is ~1 km from the monastery on foot; trains from Suceava usually require a change at Dornești.
- When is the best time to visit Bogdana Monastery?
- The best season for Bogdana Monastery: All year round (spring and summer).
Reviews
Other attractions nearby
The closest attractions to Bogdana Monastery, sorted by distance.
11 km from Bogdana Monastery
16 km from Bogdana Monastery
22 km from Bogdana Monastery
