About Solca Monastery
Solca Monastery stands in the town of Solca, in the north of Suceava County, at the foot of the Bukovina Obcine hills. It was built by the ruler Ștefan Tomșa II: the church was ready in 1614, when the founder made his first donation of villages, and in his second reign (1621–1623) he completed the complex with enclosure walls, towers, an abbot's residence and monks' cells. No dedication inscription survives, so the exact year work began is not known. The founder was deposed in 1623 and died far from the country, and the burial chamber prepared for him stayed empty.
The church has a trefoil plan and rises to about 36 m, with walls almost 2 m thick, braced by four pairs of tall buttresses with Gothic-profiled canopies; in proportions and decoration it resembles the church at Dragomirna. The octagonal tower stands on a triple base, with niches and a frieze of glazed bricks, and the roof is of enamelled tiles.
The monastery was dissolved by the Austrians in 1785 and the church became a parish church; the cells and refectory disappeared over time, through a fire and demolitions. Monastic life resumed in 2021, after 236 years, with the first abbot installed on 7 March 2021, and the rebuilding of the complex was entrusted to Putna Monastery.
What you can see
The church, with its tower and buttresses, is the main sight. Inside, the vault of the pronaos and the dome of the nave have carved stone ribs in simple and crossed arches, with panels, capitals and sculpted shields. The treasury chamber above the burial room, reached by a narrow spiral staircase, has been arranged as a small church museum, with vestments, liturgical objects and old books. In the pronaos are two gravestones from 1683 and 1707, belonging to boyars of the Abăza family.
In the grounds you can see sections of the stone wall with towers, some of them in ruins, and the ruins of the old cells.
Good to know
The site is both a monastery under reconstruction and a church where services are held; modest dress is expected.
Information verified on 13 October 2026.
- The octagonal tower on a triple base, with niches and a frieze of glazed bricks.
- The four pairs of tall buttresses with Gothic-profiled canopies.
- The vault of the pronaos and the dome of the nave, with carved stone ribs and sculpted shields.
- The treasury chamber above the burial room, reached by a spiral staircase.
- The enclosure wall with towers and the ruins of the old cells.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: Solca is on the DN2E, about 25 minutes from Cacica and about 50 km from Suceava, via Gura Humorului or via Rădăuți; the monastery is in the town, close to the centre.
Public transport: the nearest station on the Suceava – Vatra Dornei line is Gura Humorului; from there take a minibus or taxi to Solca. Check the timetables beforehand.
- Rules
Modest dress: shoulders and knees covered. Keep quiet within the grounds. Ask at the entrance whether photography is allowed in the church; no photos during services.
Frequently asked questions about Solca Monastery
- How long does a visit to Solca Monastery take?
- A visit to Solca Monastery takes about 45 min (church and grounds).
- Can you visit Solca Monastery with kids?
- Yes, Solca Monastery is suitable for children (modest dress and quiet).
- How do I get to Solca Monastery?
- Solca Monastery is located at Strada Tomșa Vodă, Solca, Suceava County. By car: Solca is on the DN2E, about 25 minutes from Cacica and about 50 km from Suceava, via Gura Humorului or via Rădăuți; the monastery is in the town, close to the centre. Public transport: the nearest station on the Suceava – Vatra Dornei line is Gura Humorului; from there take a minibus or taxi to Solca. Check the timetables beforehand.
- When is the best time to visit Solca Monastery?
- The best season for Solca Monastery: All year round (afternoon light on the facades).
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