Localization
The Sucevita commune is situated in a wonderful region, at the junction of Obcina Mare with the Radauti Depression, guarded by the beautiful peaks of Furcoi, Poiana Tarscior, Poiana Ovazului and Palma. The Sucevita locality has a surface of 89 km and it represents a peerless unique place, very appreciated by the ones who come and visit it.
The Sucevita commune is mostly surrounded by centuries old forests, mainly coniferous forests, and the fresh air of this region attracted and continues to attract more and more tourists.
The modern accommodation and amusement which were built here make the locality more attractive and interesting. The authorities’ receptivity to new, useful and modern is part of the general effort of promoting the area.
Sucevita commune is part of the settlements very well known in Romania, especially due to Sucevita Monastery, which, in fact gave the name to the locality. The Sucevita Monastery ends the glorious chapter of the Moldavian art from the 15th and the 16th centuries and, unlike the precedent monuments, it is not the work of a founder, but of a noble family which gave Romania a metropolitan and two rulers: The Movilesti.
The construction of a large monarchal ensemble begins between 1582 -1586, when the Movila brothers become counselors of Petru Schiopul Waivode. Ieremia Movila, former counselor in Petru Schiopul government and ruler of Moldavia from 1595 until his death in 1606, is considered the main founder of the monastery’s stone hall.
The Sucevita Monastery’s hall is almost square, with sides of 100x104m. The walls are approximately 3 m thick, build in hard rock with mortar and they have a height of 6 m. The 4 corner towers and the tower from the North side entrance enhance the impression of a medieval fortress.
Two bells are kept in the bell tower; they were ordered by Ieremia Movila for the Sucevita Monastery and they engraved the scene of God’s Resurrection which illustrates the patron of the monastery and the blazonry of Moldavia, together with hatchment of the Movila family: two crossed swords.
John and Sofronie’s painting delights us and invites the viewers to reflect, opening as a huge illustrated Bible that asks to be read page by page. The narrative and picturesque character can be deciphered from the whole universe of images presented by the paintings from the Sucevita Monastery. From these stylistic features, the frescos of Sucevita carry the brand of originality in the whole of the art from the 16th century Moldavia.
One particularity of the painting from Sucevita is represented by the dominant chromatics: “the green from Sucevita”, illustrated through a multitude of chromatic shades, which harmonize with the green of the forests and the pastures surrounding the monastery.
