Saint Nicholas Wooden Church Ensemble in Colacu
About Saint Nicholas Wooden Church Ensemble in Colacu
Colacu is a village in the Moldova valley, in Fundu Moldovei commune, and its wooden church, dedicated to Saint Nicholas, can be seen from the county road. It was built around 1800 on the foundation of a smaller church, whose iconostasis survives. The founder was the archpriest Gavril Ciupercovici, who is buried in the churchyard, and the builders named in historical sources are Ioniță and Gheorghe Șalvariu. A bell from 1810 and an iconostasis painted in 1818 are further marks of its age.
The structure is made of fir logs joined with dovetails, on a river-stone plinth, and the walls are lined with boards. The plan is cross-shaped, with side apses, and three octagonal turrets rise from the shingle roof along the axis of the church. The wide eaves rest on horse-head brackets. The building is neither plastered nor painted, inside or out, so bare wood is visible everywhere. The ensemble is a historic monument (LMI code SV-II-a-A-05522) and includes the church, the bell tower and a parish house. The church was restored in 1972–1974 and in 1997, when it was also reconsecrated.
What you can see
The churchyard, enclosed by a wooden fence typical of Bukovina, is entered beneath the wooden bell tower. Among the 19th-century gravestones, some with Cyrillic inscriptions, lies the grave of Traian Popovici (1892–1946), mayor of Cernăuți during the Second World War, who saved some 20,000 Jews of Bukovina from deportation. Beside the old church stands the village's new masonry church. A house in the ensemble was turned into a museum in 1997.
Good to know
No official visiting schedule is published in the sources consulted: this is a parish church and may be locked outside services. The churchyard can be seen from the road.
Information verified on 13 October 2026.
- The unpainted fir-log church, with three octagonal turrets under shingle.
- The wooden bell tower through which the churchyard is entered.
- The grave of Traian Popovici, the mayor of Cernăuți who saved some 20,000 Jews.
- The old crosses and gravestones with Cyrillic inscriptions.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: Colacu lies on the DJ175, in Fundu Moldovei commune, on the left bank of the Moldova river, about 14 km as the crow flies west of Câmpulung Moldovenesc. The church stands right by the road.
Public transport: no regular connection to Colacu is confirmed; a car is the safer option.
- Rules
This is a working parish church: dress modestly and keep quiet during services. Before photographing inside, ask the person who opens it for permission.
Frequently asked questions about Saint Nicholas Wooden Church Ensemble in Colacu
How long does a visit to Saint Nicholas Wooden Church Ensemble in Colacu take?
A visit to Saint Nicholas Wooden Church Ensemble in Colacu takes about 30 min (churchyard and exterior only).
Can you visit Saint Nicholas Wooden Church Ensemble in Colacu with kids?
Yes, Saint Nicholas Wooden Church Ensemble in Colacu is suitable for children (open grassy churchyard).
Where can I park at Saint Nicholas Wooden Church Ensemble in Colacu?
There is free parking at Saint Nicholas Wooden Church Ensemble in Colacu (by the roadside).
How do I get to Saint Nicholas Wooden Church Ensemble in Colacu?
Saint Nicholas Wooden Church Ensemble in Colacu is located at DJ175, în satul Colacu, Colacu, Suceava County. More under “Getting there”
When is the best time to visit Saint Nicholas Wooden Church Ensemble in Colacu?
The best season for Saint Nicholas Wooden Church Ensemble in Colacu: May – October (summer, for the road and the churchyard).
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