Most important things to do in Suceava

If you plan to visit the painted monasteries from Bucovina, Suceava is the right place for lodging. The town has good connections to the Capital Bucharest, or Iasi, or even Transilvania. It is an excellent base for short trips to Voronet, Putna, Dragomirna, Moldovita and Sucevita, to name only the peaks.

The fortress of Suceava, the landmark of the city

But besides, Suceava has its own monuments and charming places, which you may not miss. The town is tighten to Stefan Cel Mare/Stephen the Great, and to the most glorious times of Moldavian history.

Suceava has an excellent position, to the intersection of trading ways from Russia to Transilvania, or from Poland to the Black Sea. Starting from the XIIIth century it became the Capital of Moldova for 200 years. Right here, in the lofty fortified citadel on the top of a hill, Stefan cel Mare welcomed many Turkish or Polish sudden attacks or sieges. The fortress last until 1675 when it was set on fire, according the orders of the Turks, which could not been disobeyed.

It is easy to reach the fortress, one of the city's main boulevard simply passes by. The outside walls are still good preserved and really look amazingly strong and reliable. Also,  from the inside separating walls has been kept arches and vaults. You can follow the defending system,, which is brilliant through its simplicity. In the good old times the fortress had one hanging bridge, as many narrow places, where the host could easily trap the unwelcomed guests. Walking through the ruins, simply to observe how little were all the rooms there.

Further, visit the old Mirauti church, which was the residence of the Moldavian archbishop, as also the very place where Stefan cel Mare was appointed and confirmed as the ruling prince of Moldavia. Very close to it the St. Dimitri church, build in the XVIth century, and still proudly carying a scuplture with the aurochs head, the coat of arms of the Medieval Moldavia.

The Mirauti Church from Suceava, very old and full of glory

If you are going to visit Suceava at about 15th August, search the Armenian Monastery Hagigadar, also called as the place where the dreams come true. You can be the witness of a very odd scene: hundreds of pilgrims climb on the knees the hill of the monastery, with a burning candle in their hands. After that, still on the knees, they go three times around the church. Thus, their hottest wish will come true. The origin of this behavior is losing in the old times. After the divine service, all the participants are invited to a ritual lunch ( or hurban, from Armenian), where they get beef rice, but also the delicoius, but strange, dumplings soup. These damplings are very specific to the Armenians, and are filled with meat.

If you wanna eat better, go to one of the city's many restaurants! I would mention first Bucovina and Casa Arcasului (excellent kitchen, good prices)

Suceava, the gate to the painted monasteries

Bucovina, the upper northern part of the Romanian Moldavia, is a wonderful hill land,scattered with many painted monasteries build in the middle age, mainly by the well known legendary ruler Stephen the Great (1457-1504).

Suceava Fortress, residence of Stephen the Great and capital of Moldavia

Stephen the Great is still living today, being subject to many jokes, proving his strong influence in all Romanian history. The history fact is that he was an exponent of a new ascending country, namely Moldavia, and he managed to keep a certain independence of Moldavia, despite its many enemies ( Turks, Polish, Hungarians etc). His capital was in Suceava, look anyway for the fortress of Suceava (Cetate).

City Hall from Suceava is a good example of Secession style

The fortress of Suceava is very strong, and from here Moldavia has been ruled for centuries. On unknown reasons, in the XVII th the fortress of Suceava was left and deserted, but even nowadays, after successful restaurations, is very impressive. The walls are 20 meters high and 2 meters thick, and you can try climbing then during your visit (there is a small fee to be paid). From the fortress you have a good sight to the all city, and decide what else to do here.

The interesting railway station from Suceava, in my opinion one of the nicest in Romania

Suceava has today 100000 inhabitants, among them a few Rusians, Ukrainians, Lipovans and Polish (more than 90 % are Romanians). Suceava was a century ruled by the Habsburgic empire, and you can still find some things to remember, e.g. the Catholic Church. Orthodoxes Curches are much more, but you may not miss the Miclauti Church, where for centuries the Moldavia's ruler have been appointed and crowned. Observe there the ingenious positioning of the bell, which is not in a separate tower, but included in the front wall.

The orthodox church of Miclauti, Suceava where for centuries the  Moldavian Rulers have been appointed and crowned

You also can't miss the horse statue of Stephen the Great, dominating the city, and the railway station with its 100 years old architecture, one of the most beautiful in Romania.

Suceava is maybe the only city in Bucovina, and has an important tourist circulation. The offer on hotels and restaurants is wide and generous. I would suggest you Hotel and Restaurant Bucovina, and the restaurant Casa Arcasului, for the good balance quality and price (the both are high end category).

From Suceava you can make daily trips to the painted monasteries, one of the most important things to see in all Romania. But you need nevertheless at least another day to visit Suceava Museums: Ethnography Museum, History Museum, Art Museum. Men, you are going to like and love Suceava for sure.