Mănăstirea Humor

Humor Monastery is one of the oldest and most treasured painted monasteries of Bukovina, built in 1530 during the reign of Petru Rareș. The small, harmonious church, without a tower, keeps on its outer façades 16th-century frescoes dominated by a warm brick-red, with famous scenes such as the Akathist Hymn, the Siege of Constantinople and the Last Judgement. Beside the church rises a defensive tower offering a fine view over the complex and the surrounding village.

Though more modest in size than its sisters, Humor impresses through its balance, the freshness of its colours and its intimate atmosphere. It belongs to the group of Moldavian monasteries inscribed on the UNESCO list and is a natural stop on the painted-monastery trail, close to Gura Humorului. Respect the dress code and the calm of the place, and check visiting hours, especially during services and off-season.