Travel Guide Voroneț

It is the most visited monastery in Bucovina and it is not uncommon to have to queue there in the middle of summer. It is then far from the ideal small sylvan monastery sold by the brochures... Its popularity, its multiple titles (the most famous being "the Sistine Cahpelle of the East") are however justified. This monastery was erected by Ştefan cel Mare in 1488, in only 21 days, it is said. The walls of its church Sfântul Gheorghe (typical Moldavian style) present the most beautiful fresco in Bucovina (the one that earned it the nickname of Sistine Chapel). The exterior murals were painted in 1547 under Petru Rareş.The place is famous for the colour known as the "blue of Voroneţ", which fascinates with its unique transparency. The secret of its manufacture is kept secret and art lexicons have placed it alongside Rubens' red or Veronese's green. This background blue wonderfully brings out the details of the many richly coloured characters, religious or local figures; peasants can also be recognised.The most famous of the frescoes is that of the Last Judgement, which covers the entire western wall of the veranda. This recurring scene in the monasteries of Bucovina is here detailed to the extreme. One will recognize Jesus judging the living and the dead, the gates of Paradise, Etimasia (classic of Byzantine iconography), Adam and Eve and the paths that sinners and righteous will take to Hell or Paradise. Interesting detail: for the first time sinners are depicted according to their ethnic origin (Turks, Tatars, Armenians, Jews).Finally, the bells still in function are those of the time of Ştefan cel Mare.In Gura Humorului, near the monastery of Voroneţ, you will also find a modern ski slope. Inaugurated at the beginning of 2010, it is 1,500 metres long and has a medium degree of difficulty.