Mănăstirea Dragomirna

Dragomirna Monastery is one of the most valuable monuments in Bukovina, founded in the early seventeenth century by the scholarly metropolitan Anastasie Crimca. Its church stands out through unusually slender proportions: it is remarkably tall and narrow, crowned by a richly carved stone tower whose rare refinement recalls lace worked in hard material. The complex is surrounded by massive defensive walls with corner towers, added later, giving it the appearance of a fortified monastery typical of the troubled times in which it was built.

Inside are preserved frescoes, liturgical objects and a tradition of illuminated manuscripts linked to the personality of its founder. The natural setting, a quiet forest near Suceava, reinforces the atmosphere of contemplation. Practical note: the monastery is active, so decent attire and respect for silence are recommended; it can be visited together with the other painted monasteries of Bukovina.