Putna Monastery

The Putna monastery (română. Mănăstirea Putna) is a Romanian Orthodox monastery, one of the most important cultural, religious and artistic centers established in medieval Moldavia; as with many others, it was built and dedicated by Prince Stephen the Great. Putna was founded on the lands perambulated by the Putna (which has its source in the Obcina Mare mountains, Bukovina). Stephen the Great is famous for building and influencing the building of dozens of churches and monasteries all over Moldavia (allegedly, he founded a religious edifice after each important military victory). The Putna Monastery houses the tombs of Stephen —nowadays, a place of pilgrimage —, and several of his family members. The icon veils and tombstones are held as fine examples of Moldavian art in Stephen the Great’s time.

History

Right after Stephen the Great won the battle in which he conquered the Kilia citadel, he began work on the monastery as a means to give thanks to God, on July 10, 1466 - the church was to be dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The terrain on which the monastery is built is believed to have been previously occupied by a fortress. A chronicle of the time mentions that Stephen bought the Vicovu de Sus village in exchange for 200 zlots, and awarded the land and revenue to the treasury of the monastery.

Putna was completed in three years, but was consecrated only after four more years passed, given that the Moldavians engaged in other battles. On September 3, 1470, during a ceremony attended by Stephen and all his family, the monastery was consecrated, and subsequently became the most important religious site in the area.

The present church was practically rebuilt between 1653 and 1662 by Vasile Lupu and his successors. Although the building follows the ground plan of a typical 15th and 16th century Moldavian church, it has many architectural and decorative features that are characteristic of 17th century architecture.

For long, the site was believed to have been designed by a Greek architect named Theodor - the interpretation of the Kilia chronicles on which this was based has since been proven wrong.

Burials

  • Stephen III of Moldavia
  • Radu Mihnea
  • Bogdan III cel Chior

External links

Listed in the following categories:
Post a comment
Tips & Hints
Arrange By:
Alexandra Trofin
29 July 2012
Superb locul
Octavian Barbanta
21 April 2014
Legenda spune ca Stefan cel mare (aka Fane Babanul) s-a urcat pe un deal si a tras cu arcul. Unde a cazut sageata a pus altarul manastirii Putna.
Ciprian marius
29 March 2014
Lectia de istorie dintre munti
Bogdan Marius
8 August 2011
Manastirea Putna - ctitorire a lui Stefan cel Mare
Load more comments
foursquare.com
8.4/10
75,604 people have been here
Map
0.4km from DC48, Putna 727455, Romania Get directions
Sun 9:00 AM–6:00 PM
Mon 10:00 AM–7:00 PM
Tue 11:00 AM–6:00 PM
Wed Noon–8:00 PM
Thu 9:00 AM–10:00 AM
Fri 11:00 AM–6:00 PM

Mănăstirea Putna on Foursquare

Putna Monastery on Facebook

Hotels nearby

See all hotels See all
Best Western Bucovina Club de Munte

starting $58

Pensiunea Carmen Silvae

starting $32

Square Hostel&Cafe

starting $5

Casa Octavian

starting $33

Pensiunea Perla Brazilor

starting $75

Hotel Zimbru

starting $30

Recommended sights nearby

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Sucevița Monastery

Sucevița Monastery is an Eastern Orthodox convent situated in the

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Moldoviţa Monastery

The Moldoviţa Monastery (Romanian: Mânăstirea Moldoviţa) is a Rom

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Arbore Church

The Arbore Church (română. Biserica Arbore), dedicated to the B

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Humor Monastery

Humor Monastery located in Mănăstirea Humorului, about 5 km north of t

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Voroneț Monastery

The Voroneț Monastery is a medieval monastery in the Romanian village

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Church of the Holy Cross, Pătrăuţi

The Church of the Elevation of the Holy Cross (română. Biserica Î

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Трьох-Святительська церква (Чернівці)

Трьох-Святительська церква (Семінарська церква) —

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Residence of Bukovinian and Dalmatian Metropolitans

The Residence of Bukovinian and Dalmatian Metropolitans in Chernivtsi,

Similar tourist attractions

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Bellapais Abbey

Bellapais Abbey (also spelled Bellapaïs) is the ruin of a monastery

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
聖露西亞聖殿

聖露西亞聖殿(葡萄牙語:-{Santuário de Santa Luzia}-)位於葡萄牙維亞納堡,供奉耶穌聖心

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Mission Santa Barbara

Mission Santa Barbara, also known as Santa Barbara Mission, is a

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Westminster Abbey

The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, which is almost

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Monastery of Serra do Pilar

The Monastery of Serra do Pilar is a former monastery located in Vila

See all similar places