Moldovița Monastery

About Moldovița Monastery

At a glance: Monasteries and churches in Vatra Moldoviței, Suceava County. The visit takes 1 – 1½ hours. Information verified on 7 October 2026.

Moldovița Monastery stands inside an enclosure of thick walls and towers, like a small fortress, at the edge of the village of Vatra Moldoviței, among the wooded hills of the Bukovina Obcinas. The first monastery here already existed under Alexander the Good, but it collapsed at the end of the 15th century because of a landslide; its ruins can still be seen about half a kilometre from today's enclosure.

The present church, dedicated to the Annunciation, was built in 1532 by Petru Rareș, son of Stephen the Great, a little lower down than the old site. He also surrounded it with defensive walls. The painting, inside and out, was done five years later, in 1537, by the painters led, according to most specialists, by Toma of Suceava, the prince's court painter. The exterior frescoes, best preserved on the south side, have a warm, golden-yellow tone that sets them apart from the blue of Voroneț.

The Church of the Annunciation is part of the UNESCO site "Churches of Moldavia", inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1993 together with seven other painted churches of northern Moldavia. Today it is a convent of nuns, in the care of the Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuți.

Good to know before you go

Getting there

By car: from Suceava take the DN17 (E58) to Gura Humorului and on to Vama, then turn right onto the county road heading north for another ~14 km to Vatra Moldoviței (~75 km in total, about 1½ hours). From Gura Humorului it is ~35 km (~45 minutes). To Sucevița (~35 km) you take the DJ 176 over the Ciumârna Pass, one of the most beautiful roads in Bukovina. It combines easily with Voroneț, Humor and Sucevița.

Public transport: train on the Suceava – Vatra Dornei line to Vama or Câmpulung Moldovenesc station, then a local minibus or taxi to Vatra Moldoviței. The "Huțulca" narrow-gauge tourist train leaves from the neighbouring commune of Moldovița, a few kilometres away.

Where to park

You park in the designated areas near the monastery; we found no official information on fees or the number of spaces.

Fees & discounts

The monastery does not publish its prices in an official source. Access to the courtyard is free; a small fee is usually charged at the entrance for visiting the church and the museum and for taking photos.

Rules

Modest dress: shoulders and knees covered, long trousers for men, a skirt or long trousers for women. Keep quiet, no food, drink or smoking within the walls. Photography only once the fee is paid; ask at the entrance where it is allowed. Do not touch the frescoes.

Facilities

Museum in the clisiarniță · shop with icons and books · guesthouses and restaurants in Vatra Moldoviței · the courtyard is level, the church has steps at the entrance