About Putna Monastery
Putna Monastery was founded by Stephen the Great, who laid its foundation stone in July 1466; the church was consecrated in 1469. The voivode intended it as a necropolis for himself and his family and showered it with gifts, so within a few years it had become the most important monastery in Moldavia. It holds the tombs of Stephen the Great, canonised in 1992, and of his wives Maria of Mangop and Maria Voichița.
The church seen today is not the one from the founder's time: it was rebuilt between 1653 and 1662, on the site and to the plan of the old one, and in the 18th century Metropolitan Iacob Putneanul remodelled the dome and the facades. The only building preserved from Stephen's day is the Treasury Tower, raised in 1481, 18 metres high up to the eaves, where the monastery's valuables were kept in times of danger. The monastery has been repaired and restored several times, most recently in 1968–1976.
Putna remains a working monastery of monks and a national place of pilgrimage, tied to the memory of Stephen and, through Eminescu, who passed through in his youth, to Romanian culture. Marker number 1 of the Via Transilvanica trail is also here.
What you can see
The voivodal church, dedicated to the Dormition of the Mother of God, with facades of exposed stone and the tombs in the narthex and nave. Within the grounds are the Treasury Tower, the Eminescu Tower above the entrance gate, the bell tower and the Princely House, in a courtyard with flowers and a covered well.
The monastery museum, with separate opening hours, holds Byzantine and medieval embroideries, manuscripts, icons and precious-metal objects, among them the burial cloth of Maria of Mangop and pieces donated by Stephen the Great.
Good to know
It is a working monastery where services are held daily: enter with shoulders and knees covered, in silence, and avoid moving around the church during services. Around the major feasts (the patronal feast on 15 August, the commemoration of Stephen) many pilgrims arrive and both the car park and the church fill up.
Information verified on 13 October 2026.
- The tomb of Stephen the Great in the voivodal church, a place of pilgrimage for believers and for those who come for the history.
- The Treasury Tower of 1481, the only building preserved from the voivode's time, with four buttresses and octagonal storeys.
- The monastery museum, with Byzantine and medieval embroideries, manuscripts and icons.
- The Eminescu Tower above the entrance gate, and the avenue leading to the church.
- The Princely House and the flower courtyard, from which the church is best seen with its dome and stone facades.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: Putna is about 70 km from Suceava and about 25–30 km from Rădăuți, in the north-west of the county, towards the Ukrainian border; the monastery is on the edge of the commune, with its entrance on the main street. The route through Rădăuți combines with Sucevița and Moldovița monasteries, which are hours away rather than minutes, so it is worth planning separate days.
Public transport: the monastery's website publishes the Putna – Suceava train timetable, in both directions; check the current schedule before you set off.
- Where to park
Parking spaces near the monastery; on major feast days it gets crowded.
- Fees & discounts
The monastery does not publish prices on its official website; ask at the gate and at the museum before you go in.
- Rules
Modest dress: shoulders and knees covered. Keep quiet within the grounds, no smoking. Ask at the entrance whether photography is allowed in the church and the museum; no photos during services. Do not touch the museum objects or the tombs.
- Facilities
Museum and church shop · pilgrim accommodation in shared rooms (guesthouse) · guesthouses and restaurants in the commune of Putna
Frequently asked questions about Putna Monastery
- What are the opening hours of Putna Monastery?
- Opening hours at Putna Monastery: daily 06:00 – 20:00. The monastery can be visited daily from 6:00 to 20:00; the museum and the church shop are open daily from 9:00 to 19:00 (hours published by the monastery). During services access to the church may be restricted.
- How long does a visit to Putna Monastery take?
- A visit to Putna Monastery takes about 1 – 1½ hours (church, grounds and museum).
- Can you visit Putna Monastery with kids?
- Yes, Putna Monastery is suitable for children (modest dress and quiet).
- How do I get to Putna Monastery?
- Putna Monastery is located at Strada Ștefan cel Mare no. 1, at the entrance to the monastery grounds, Putna, Suceava County. By car: Putna is about 70 km from Suceava and about 25–30 km from Rădăuți, in the north-west of the county, towards the Ukrainian border; the monastery is on the edge of the commune, with its entrance on the main street. The route through Rădăuți combines with Sucevița and Moldovița monasteries, which are hours away rather than minutes, so it is worth planning separate days. Public transport: the monastery's website publishes the Putna – Suceava train timetable, in both directions; check the current schedule before you set off.
- When is the best time to visit Putna Monastery?
- The best season for Putna Monastery: All year round (winter, with fewer pilgrims).
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