Suceava, Painted Monasteries. Bucovina, Humor, Sucevita. Byzantine frescoes.

These Painted Churches, at the monasteries in the north, are World Heritage sites. See http://www.geocities.com/paintedchurches/. The Byzanatine frescoes date from the 15th-16th Centuries, see http://www.romaniatourism.com/painted-monasteries.html/ The paintings are sequential, a way to teach the Bible stories to villagers who could not read or write. Churches and painted monasteries in Bucovina (for Voronet, the nearest large town is Suceava) and Moldovita often also served as forts. War and peace at once. Many painted monasteries were mustering areas for gathering fighters,and the stories on the outer walls were a scriptural teaching tool for the orthodox while they waited - also for villagers seeking refuge inside. The monasteries usually have walls around for that defense, and many buildings for functions and shelter.

1.  Voronet Painted Monastery

Voronet painted monastery, Bucovina, Romania


Voronet was founded by Peter the Great, who then ruled Moldavia (the country of Moldova is nearby) in gratitude for his victory over the invading Turks.  The hermit Daniil, or Daniel, convinced him to undertake the effort. See http://www.romaniatourism.com/painted-monasteries.html#voronet'

See Voronet and others at http://www.romaniatourism.com/monasteries. See details also http://www.atdntis.ro/romania/unicef/index.

2. Sucevita Painted Monastery

Sucevita Painted Monastery, near Suceava, Romania

There are many of these painted monasteries at Suceava, northeast Romania. See similar one at Arbore, http://www.rotravel.com/romania/monasteries/arbore.php.

Sucevita was also a noble residence, and is on extensive walled grounds.




3.  Humor Painted Monastery, interior.  Humor is the name, not a description.


Humor painted monastery, interior, near Suceava, Romania

At many Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches, there will be prayer shelters: a receptacle with beeswax candles, water and a layer of sand on bottom of a sheltered tray. Candles are placed to remember a life or make a prayer. The candle burns down to its natural extinguishing in the water.