Suceviţa between Monastic Culture and Forest Landscape

Suceviţa lies at the foot of the Obcina Mare, on the western edge of the Rădăuți Depression. The commune stretches along national road DN 17A, which connects Rădăuți with Câmpulung Moldovenesc. The Suceviţa River flows through the commune from west to east; it is a tributary of the Suceava River.

Suceviţa Monastery appears as a medieval fortress. At its centre is the Church of the Resurrection. Its interior and exterior walls are completely decorated with 16th-century mural paintings. The fortress character concerns the entire complex, while the mural paintings define the church both inside and out.

The Suceviţa Monastery Museum preserves religious art in several forms. These include embroideries, illuminated manuscripts bound in gilded silver, polychrome wooden sculptures, icons, and liturgical and decorative silverwork. The collection therefore encompasses textile and handwritten works as well as wood, pictorial works and silver.

Suceviţa was first mentioned in a document on 6 August 1582. This mention is connected with the Movilă family and the foundation established there. The date marks the beginning of the village’s documented history. The connection with the Movilă family forms part of this early foundation history.

The landscape around Suceviţa Monastery is rural and shaped by forests. To this day, it has undergone only few changes. The forest character remains connected with the rural nature of the surrounding area. The Suceviţa River complements this natural environment as a tributary of the Suceava River.

From Suceviţa Monastery Church, the Via Transilvanica initially follows an asphalt road towards Poiana Mărului for about 3 km. It then continues along the Poiana Mărului forest road. The change in surface is relevant when planning a hiking stage: the approximate distance refers to the paved starting section; the forest road follows as a separate section.

What is the “Sinaxarul” in Suceviţa?

The “Sinaxarul” in Suceviţa is an ecclesiastical calendar painted entirely in a single room. It comprises 366 scenes, one for each day of the year. The 366 scenes thus form the sequence of a complete year.

What is known about the cemetery church of Suceviţa?

The cemetery church of Suceviţa was rebuilt in 1772 together with its stone bell tower. Its architecture is regarded as an archaic building type for that period. The church and bell tower belong to the same reconstruction of 1772.

Which church is located in the village cemetery?

The church “Arătarea Domnului” is located in the cemetery of the village of Suceviţa. It is listed as a historic monument.

For the higher-level travel overview: Comuna Sucevița.