Putna Monastery

Mănăstirea Putna

Founded by Stephen the Great, who is buried here, this is one of the most revered monasteries in Romanian history. A serene pilgrimage site set in forested Bucovina hills.

Things to do

• Visit Stephen the Great's Tomb — Pay respects at the marble tomb of Ștefan cel Mare inside the monastery church, a deeply revered pilgrimage focus for Romanians.
• Explore the Monastery Church — Admire the restored Moldavian-Gothic church rebuilt over centuries, with its painted interior and royal burials.
• Tour the Monastery Museum — See rare medieval manuscripts, embroidered epitaphios textiles, silverware, and religious treasures gathered from Putna's five-century history.
• See the Treasury Tower — Visit the fortified Treasury Tower (Turnul Tezaurului), one of the oldest surviving structures on the monastery grounds.
• Hike to Daniil the Hermit's Cave — Walk a short forest trail to Chilia lui Daniil Sihastru, the rock-hewn cell where the hermit who advised Stephen the Great once lived.
• Walk the Bucovina Forest Trails — Stroll the wooded hills surrounding the monastery for the serene natural setting that has drawn pilgrims for centuries.
• Attend an Orthodox Service — Join the monks for morning or evening prayers to experience Byzantine chant echoing through the ancient church.

Food to try

• Bucovina Mămăligă with Brânză — Cornmeal polenta served with local sheep's cheese and sour cream, a staple of the Moldavian highlands.
• Sarmale — Cabbage or vine leaves stuffed with minced meat and rice, slow-cooked and often served at monastery feast days.
• Ciorbă Rădăuțeană — A creamy sour chicken soup from nearby Rădăuți, thickened with egg and garlic and beloved across Bucovina.
• Monastic Fasting Meals — Simple meat-free dishes of beans, vegetables, and bread offered during fasting periods, reflecting Orthodox monastic life.
• Afinată and Homemade Preserves — Bilberry liqueur and forest-fruit jams made from Bucovina's wild berries, sold locally near the monastery.
• Păstrăvi (Mountain Trout) — Fresh trout from the region's cold streams, grilled or pan-fried, a specialty of the forested Carpathian foothills.

Local customs & good to know

• Dress Modestly — Cover shoulders and knees, and women may be offered a skirt or headscarf at the entrance to enter the church respectfully.
• Respect Photography Rules — Photography is often restricted inside the church and museum, so ask permission and avoid shooting during services.
• Honor the National Reverence — Stephen the Great is a national hero canonized by the Orthodox Church, so approach his tomb with the solemnity Romanians accord it.
• Visit During Feast Days — The monastery is especially lively around July 2, the commemoration of Stephen the Great's death, when pilgrims gather in large numbers.

Nearby

• Sucevița Monastery — 13 km
• Marginea (Bucovina) — 17 km
• Moldovița Monastery — 24 km
• Humor Monastery — 38 km