Facts about Bucovina and Moldova
About the name: The name Bucovina means the land of beech trees
Location: Northeastern Romania - between the Carpathian Mountains and the Prut River.
Bucovina is situated in the northern part of the region of Moldova (eastern Romania).
The region of Moldova (often referred to in the press as Moldavia) is not to be confused with
the Republic of Moldova an independent country onece part of Romania then a Soviet Union Republic.
Area: 27,062 sq miles
Population: Approximately 4.5 million
Main cities: Bacau, Botosani, Galati, Iasi,
Piatra Neamt, Radauti, Suceava
Climate: Temperate continental with hot summers and cold, snowy winters.
Highlights
Moldova rivals Transylvania when it comes to rich folklore, natural beauty and astonishing history.
Over the past 500 years, history, culture and religious life have molded Iasi, the cultural capital of Moldova.
Iasi boasts an impressive number of Orthodox churches, almost 100, most of them located in the Golden Plateau, representing the 'nucleus' of the city, around which the city developed over the centuries. One of the most famous monuments in the city is the stunning Church of the Three Hierarchs, built in 1639.
Another major landmark in Iasi is the neo-gothic Palace of Culture, built between 1900-1926, currently housing the Ethnographic Museum, the Art Museum, and the History Museum of Moldova.
Nestled in the rolling hills of northern Moldova is the region of Bucovina, home to one of the world's greatest Byzantine art treasures: the 'Painted Monasteries' - UNESCO World heritage sites.
Built in the 15th and 16th centuries and featuring colorful exterior frescoes depicting dramatic religious scenes, these richly decorated houses of worships are unique in the world.
The most famous of these, often called "the Sistine Chapel of the East" is Voronet Monastery.
Erected in 1488, Voronet's most stunning feature is a Last Judgment fresco painted on its façade. The blue paint, that has miraculously never faded, is known throughout the world as 'Voronet blue'. The artists here worked in isolation, guarding their trade secrets and to this day, the composition of the paint remains a mystery.
Other painted churches not to be missed include Sucevita, with its distinctive greens, and Humor, where the frescoes are predominantly red. Also nearby are, Arbore, Dragomirna, Moldovita and Putna monasteries.
More information about Bucovina Painted Monasteries
The town of Suceava, is a convenient starting point for a trip to the monasteries. Once the capital of Moldova (1375 until 1565), Suceava has some noteworthy attractions of its own, such as the remains of the Fortress of Suceava built in 1388. Today, visitors can tour the remains of the impressive fortifications and take in a great view of the city. Other sights in Suceava include St. George Church (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Mirauti Church, the Zamca Monastery and a number of museums dedicated to woodcraft, ethnography, history and folk art. The Bucovina History Museum displays medieval armor, coins, tools and ancient documents. Its Hall of Throne is a re-creation of Stephen the Great's court with furniture, weapons and costumes.
A visit to Bucovina would not be complete without some nature walks through Ceahlau National Park. 90 species of birds can be seen in the park. Hikers won't want to pass up taking a crack at the Bicaz Gorges, a steep, twisting-and-turning climb more than three miles long.
20 Places to explore in Moldova and Bucovina
1. The Painted Monasteries that feature spectacular Byzantine frescos:
Voronet ('the Sistine Chapel of the East'), Moldovita, Sucevita, Humor, Probota, Arbore, Rasca
2. City of Iasi, the cultural capital of the region of Moldova (eastern Romania).
3. Bucovina convents of: Putna, Dragomirna, Bogdana-Radauti, Neamt, Agapia (one of the largest nun monasteries in the Orthodox world) and Varatec
4. Trei Ierarahi Church in Iasi, built in 1635, its walls feature a real embroidery in stone.
5. Neamt Fortress (Cetatea Neamtului) in Targu Neamt
6. Bicaz Gorges – one of the most spectacular road passes in Romania
7. Ceahlau Mountains National Park
Ceahlau was the sacred mountain of the Dacians, the forefathers of the Romanian people, home to their supreme god Zamolxe;
(Ceahlau Mt. is seen by locals as Romania's equivalent of Greeks' Mt. Olympus - home of Greek gods).
8. Wineries not far from Iasi or Suceava: Cotnari, Girboiu, Panciu and Averesti all producing world-class wines,
many quite unique, obtained from native grape varieties.
9. Hutul Horses Ranch in Lucina, near Campulung Moldovenesc
10. Village Marginea and Marginea pottery workshops.
11. Village Solonețu Nou and Cacica Salt Mine
12. Village Ciocanesti with its colorful houses, nicely decorated with traditional motifs.
13. "Hutulca" narrow-gauge train experience, Moldovita - Argel scenic route,
operated by the Narrow Gauge Rail Company (Calea Ferata Ingusta SRL)
14. TransRarau scenic drive, from Pojorata to Chiril over Rarau Mts.
15. Tinovul Mare - a 1,600 acres peat moss nature reserve, located at the foot of Calimani Mountains
16. '12 Apostoli' Geology Reserve and hiking/ bicycle trail, near Poiana Negri - Vatra Dornei
17. Ponoare - Bosanci Wild Flowers protected area (Fâneţele seculare Ponoare-Bosanci),
just south of town of Suceava
18. Pietrele Doamnei hiking trail
19. Monastery Dragomirna, near Suceava
20. Ruginoasa Palace and Sturdza - Miclăușeni Mansion near Iasi
Main Museums in Moldova and Bucovina
Botosani:
Botosani County History Museum
Iasi:
Moldova Region Ethnography Museum
Iasi Art Museum
Moldova Region History Museum
Science and Technology Museum 'Stefan Procopiu'
Museum of the First Jewish Teathre in the World
Suceava:
Museum of Ethnography of Bucovina Region
Museum of Bucovina Villages
Bucovina History Museum
Performing Arts
Botosani:
Botosani Philharmonic Orchestra
Botosani Municipal Theatre "Mihai Eminescu"
Galati:
Opera and Operetta Theatre Nae Leonard’
Iasi:
Moldova Philharmony
Iasi Opera and Ballet Theatre
Iasi National Theatre "Vasile Alecsandri"
Suceava:
Suceava Municipal Theatre "Matei Visiniec"
Festivals & Events
The Regional Festival of Folk Music and Dance (April) - Radauti
Ceahlau Folk Music Festival (Second Sunday in August) - Durau
Harvest Celebration at the Cotnari winery (September) - Iasi
Trandafir de la Moldova Folk Music Festival (October) - Iasi
Outdoor Adventures & Parks
Calimani National Park - volcanic plateau dominated by the Calimani caldera
Vanatori Neamt Nature Park – home of 'Dragos Voda' bison and Carpathian wildlife reserve
Ceahlau Mts. National Park
Hasmas-Cheile Bicazului National Park – spectacular gorges and the Red Lake natural reservoir
Activities
Biking, Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Nature walks, Skiing, Wildlife and bird watching
Food & Wine
Bucovina and Moldova Traditional food
The cuisine of Bucovina and Moldova regions in Romania is mainly based on pork meat and grain.
Some local dishes feature Habsburg and Polish influences.
A typical, traditional meal, in Bucovina/ Moldova includes:
~ Chiscă Moldovenească (Thick sausage made from minced pork meat, rice and spices, boiled and served cold)
~ Ciorbă Rădăuțeană (a hearty - chicken or hen - soup,
prepared with root vegetables, onions and finished with egg yolks, fermented sour cream and garlic)
~ Tochitură Bucovineana (Traditional stew made from pork meat, bacon, sausage w sweet paprika, white wine, garlic)
Tochitura is usually served with polenta and one sunny-side up egg)
~ Poale-n Brau or “Brânzoaice” (mini-pies made from a fluffy dough filled with vanilla-flavored cottage cheese and raisins)
Other Moldova culinary specialties include:
~ Bulz Moldovenesc (Sheepherder’s Polenta – traditional appetizer, sometimes main course, made from cornmeal, smoked rib, smoled sausage, aged sheep’s milk cheese "Branza de Burduf", butter and – optional – eggs)
~ Pârjoale Moldovenești (meatballs obtained from minced pork meat, potatoes, carrots and lots of dill and other herbs)
~ Sărmăluțe Moldovenești (the regional version of the popular stuffed cabbage – minced pork and beef meat, rice and spices wrapped in cabbage or sauerkraut leaves and baked in the oven – traditionally in a clay pot – for several hours).
~ Alivenci (a custard tart served as an appetizer or as dessert.
Alivenci ingredients include salty/ white or yellow cheese, cornmeal, sour cream, butter, eggs and yogurt or buttermilk.
The salty cheese is replaced with cottage cheese - and sugar and vanilla are added - when the Alivenci are meant to be served as dessert).
Popular, traditional, dishes in Bucovina are:
~ Păstrăv Afumat în Cobză de Brad (smoked trout – fresh, local, trout is guted and placed in-between young pine branches and nettle leaves and smoked with beech and fir wood)
~ Lamb or Pork Cighir (mix of minced lamb or pork internal organs, and meat, herbs, eggs and seasonings,
wrapped in caul fat and, baked in the oven. This dish – resembling the haggis – is a must have appetizer at Easter lunch)
~ Balmoș Bucovinean
(Creamy cheese polenta prepared with cornmeal, lots of sour cream, sheep’s milk cheese and fresh white cheese)
~ Tocănița de hribi (local Porcini mushrooms stew)
~ Mușchi Bucovinean Împănat (Oven-roasted pork tenderloin stuffed with carrots, parsley root and bacon)
Vineyards and Wineries in the region of Moldova
Moldova grapevine acreage is currently estimated at over 170,830.
There are 12 major wine regions in Moldova: Colinele Tutovei, Cotești, Cotnari, Covurlui, Dealul Bujorului, Huși, Iași, Ivești, Nicorești, Odobesti, Panciu and Zeletin, with 52 large wineries. Moldova produces mostly white wines.
The wines produced at Cotnari winery are considered - alongside with Sauternes and Lacryma Christi – the best sweet wines in the world.
The largest and best-known wineries in the region of Moldova include:
Cotnari WineryLocated in the small village of Cotnari, the Cotnari vineyards are famous for their delicious sweet white wines made of grapes rich in sugar and harvested in late autumn following the first frost. The quality of these wines relies on a combination of rich soil, the late harvest and the presence of a special mold (Botritis cinerea). The vineyards have a long history, spanning over seven centuries.
The winery's most popular wines include Francusa (dry), Feteasca Alba (semi-sweet) - highly appreciated for preserving the flavor and freshness of the grape; and the sweet, golden Grasa and Tamaioasa dessert wines.
Grasa de Cotnari is a naturally sweet wine with a delicate fragrance and a smooth interplay of fruitiness and acidity.
Tamaioasa Romaneasca - a sweet or semi-sweet white wine - has subtle honey and basil aromas, an exquisite amber color and a persistent rich taste. Its sweet taste may also suggest a blend of rose petals and wild-berries.
Odobesti WineryMoldova is also home to another well-know vineyard, Odobesti, one of largest and oldest in Romania. There are written references to the Odobesti wine growing region dating from the 17th century. Among the wines produced at Odobesti are six varieties made from native grapes, namely: Galbena de Odobesti, Plavaie, Feteasca Alba, Feteasca Regala (white grapes) and Babeasca Neagra (red).
Galbena de Odobesti is a light, white, wine with a delicate bouquet that preserves the fragrance of the mellow grape.
Babeasca Neagra - is a full-bodied red wine with a delicate bouquet and a slight taste of clove.
Bucium Winery
The Bucium and Copou vineyards are set in the very hills that surround the city of Iasi. Bucium's wine-production centre also includes an interesting wine-growing and production museum and a wine tasting room. One of the most appreciated wines produced by Bucium winery is the sparkling obtained from gently-pressed Muscat-Ottonel grapes, which ensures a lower concentration of alcohol, sweetness, delicacy, and prolonged sparkle.
Odobesti Winery
The two centuries old Beciul Domnesc - Odobesti (Princely Cellar), is the temporary home of a collection of overe 100.000 bottles of old and rare wines.
Panciu Winery
If visiting Panciu do not miss a walk through the vineyards to Panciu Royal Cellars, dating from early 1400s. Dozens of thousands of bottles of sparkling wines perfect their taste in Panciu Cellars.
Winetasting / Wineries in Moldova (Eastern Romania)
Crama Cotnari
Address: : DN28B, Cotnari
Telephone: (+4) 0757 056.700
Website
Wines: Busuioacă de Bohotin, Fetească Albă, Fetească Neagră, Frâncușă, Grasă de Cotnari, Tămâioasa Românească
Labels: Cotnari, Vinotecă
Casa de Vinuri Cotnari - Crama Vlădoianu
Address: DC135, Str. Vlădoianu 1, Cârjoaia
Telephone: (+4) 0747 231.902
Website
Wines: Busuioacă de Bohotin, Fetească Albă, Fetească Neagră, Frâncușă, Grasă de Cotnari, Tămâioasa Românească
Labels: Castel Vlădoianu, Colocviu, Domenii, Iris, Zav
Crama Gramma
Address: : Str. Sfantul Ilie 95, Vișan - Barnova
Telephone: 0725 149.762
Website
Wines: Aligoté, Fetească Albă, Fetească Neagră, Fetească Regală, Sauvignon Blanc
Labels: Gramma
Crama Bucium
Address: : Stradela Plopii Fără Soț
Telephone: 0742 109.864
Website
Wines: Aligoté, Busuioaca de Bohotin, Cabernet Sauvignon, Fetească Albă, Fetească Neagră
Labels: Bucium, Fresca, Selectii, Vinoteca
Domeniile Bohotin
Address: : Str. Principală 525, Bohotin - Răducăneni
Telephone: 0742 109.864
Website
Wines: Busuioacă de Bohotin, Fetească Neagră
Labels: Poem, Reserve, Simbol, Zurzur
Crama VinNoir - Nicoresti
Address: Nicorești
Telephone: (+4) 0743 051.266
Website
Wines: Băbească Neagră, Italian Riesling, Muscat Ottonel
Labels: Burghez, Reper
Domeniile Averesti
Address: Averesti – Bunesti, Vaslui county
Telephone: 0235 484.830
Website
Wines: Aligoté, Busuioacă, Chardonnay, Fetească Neagră, Sauvignon Blanc, Traminer, Zghihara
Labels: Doamond, Herb, Nativa, Nativus, Regală
Crama Gîrboiu
Address: Str. Dealul Cramelor 43, Dragosloveni – Dumbraveni
Telephone: (+4) 0724 222.810
Website
Wines: Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Fetească Neagră, Fetească Reagală, Merlot, Muscat Ottonel, Plăvaie, Sârbă, Tămaioasă Românească
Labels: Bacanta, Cuartz, Epicentrum, Livia, Tectonic, Varancha
Domeniile Panciu
Address: Domeniile Panciu, Sârbi - Tifești
Telephone: 0734 887.117
Website
Wines: Băbească Neagră, Chardonnay, Fetească Neagră, Fetească Reagală, Muscat Ottonel, Sauvignon Blanc
Labels: Casa Panciu, Gran Riserva, Panciu Riserva, Podgoriile Domnească
Crama Șarba
Address: Șarba 23, Vărsătura - Jariştea
Telephone: 0722 243.331
Website
Wines: Fetească Neagră, Fetească Reagală, Galbenă de Odobeşti, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Şarbă
Labels: Blazon Domnesc, Dinastie
Crama Vingex
Address: Hanul lui Urechești - sat Urechești
Telephone: (+4) 0763 174.278
Website
Wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Şarbă
Labels: Vinul lui Ureche, Vingex
BUCOVINA and MOLDOVA TRIP PLANNING INFO
Transportation
Air transportation to Bucovina and Moldova
Major airports in Bucovina and Moldova regions:
Iasi International Airport
Suceava Airport
Bacau International Airport
Airlines with service to Bucovina and Moldova region:
Austrian Airlines
Tarom
Wizz Air
Travel to Bucovina and Moldova by train or bus
There are several daily trains and buses from to Bucharest and other major cities in Romania to Bucovina and Moldova regions.
Main train stations: Iasi, Suceava, Gura Humorului.
To check train and bus schedules for domestic routes please visit
RomaniaTourism Domestic Transportation section.
Information on international trains with service to/from Bucovina and Moldova are available at
RomaniaTourism International Transportation section
Road access
Border crossing points into Bucovina and Moldova regions include:
Siret and Vicsani (travel from the Ukraine)
and
Albita, Galati, Oancea, Sculeni, Stanca (travel from the Republic of Moldova).
Bucovina and Moldova Tourist Info Centres
Bucovina Tourism Promotion Association
Asociatia pentru Turism Bucovina
Address: Str. Universitatii 15-17; Room 10, Suceava
Website
Telephone: (+4) 0230 531.977
E-mail
Iasi Tourist Information Centre
Centrul de Informare pentru Turism
Address: Piata Unirii nr.12
Website
Telephone: (+4) 0232 261.990
E-mail
Suceava Tourist Information Center
Centrul Judetean de Informare Turistica InfoTurism Suceava
Address: Str. Stefan cel Mare 23
Website
Telephone: (+4) 0230 551.241
E-mail
Open: Mon. – Fri.: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m..
Neamt County Tourist Info Centre
Centrul de Informare pentru Turism - CNIPT
Address: Piaţa Petrodava 1, Piatra Neamţ
Website
Telephone: (+4) 0744 787 597
E-mail
Open: Mon. – Fri.: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m..
Featured area in Moldova region: Neamt county
Maps
