Town of Suceava in Bucovina region (northeastern Romania)

Suceava Fast Facts

Name:   Suceava (pronounced: Soo cha v'ah)
Location:   Norteastern Romania, Bucovina Region
Nearest Airports:   Suceava (SCV) and Iasi (IAS)
Area:   20 sq. miles (52 sq. kilometers)
Elevation:   1070 - 1120 ft. (325 - 340 meters)
Population:   105,000
First documented:   1388 AD
Oldest building:   Hanul Domnesc (mid-1600s)

A former capital of the region of Moldova (1388 until 1565), town of Suceava is an excellent starting point for trips to the many historical, cultural and natural attractions travelers can enjoy in the Bucovina region (northeastern Romania). Suceava is also the gateway to visiting the Painted Monasteries of Bucovina - UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Town of Suceava has some noteworthy attractions of its own: the Saint George's Church (UNESCO World Heritage), Bucovina Ethnography Museum (hoe to an impressive collection of folk costumes and traditional tools and household objects as well as the remains of Suceava Princely Court.
Other sights of interest, in Suceava, include the 14th century Mirauti Church, Zamca Monastery and Bucovina Village Museum, dedicated to the woodcraft, ethnography, history and folk art of the region.

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Suceava Sights and Landmarks

Biserica Mirauti
Address: Str. Mirautilor 17
The oldest church in Suceava, Mirauti Church was founded by Petru I Musat in 1375. Until 1522 it served as the Moldavian coronation church. It was here where Stephen the Great was crowned Prince of Moldavia in 1457 after receiving the bishop's blessing. The church was restored between 1898 and 1901, preserving the original design.

Cetatea de Scaun a Sucevei
Address: Dealul Cetatii
Open: Mon. – Sun.: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. (summertime);
Mon. – Sun.: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. (wintertime)
Built during the reign of voivode Petru Musat, at the end of the 14th century, Suceava fortress was later enlarged and strengthened by Voivode Alexandru cel Bun to hold off invading Ottoman Turks. Voivode Stephan the Great (1457 – 1504) added the moat, 105-foot-tall defensive walls, and defensive towers that enabled the fortress it to withstand the artillery of Mehmmed II, conqueror of Constantinople. The fortress was destroyed by the Ottomans in 1675. Today, visitors can tour the remains of the impressive fortifications and take in a great view of the city.

Hanul Domnesc
Address: Str. Ciprian Porumbescu 5
One of the oldest buildings in Suceava, featuring thick stonewalls and vaulted ceilings, Hanul Domnesc (inn) served for a long time a favorite meeting point for the Moldovian princes and noblemen court as they returned from hunting in the thick forests near Suceava; hence its name, the Princely Inn. The ground floor dates from the beginning of the 17th century. The second floor was added at the beginning of the 19th century when the inn served as a hunting lodge of the Hapsburg rulers. Today, the Princely Inn is home to the Bucovina Ethnograpy Museum.

Biserica Sf. Gheorghe / Manastirea Sf. Ioan cel Nou
Address: Str. Ioan Voda Viteazul 2
Open: daily 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Commisioned by Moldova's ruler Bogdan the 3rd and his son, Stefanita Voda, and completed in 1552, Saint George's Church served as the Metropolitan Church of Moldavia. Saint John the New Monastery is nowadays the seat of the Archbishop of Suceava and Radauti.
St. George Church houses the relics of Saint John the New, brought to Moldavia by Alexandru cel Bun in 1415. The relics are placed in a silver casket, richly decorated with scenes from the saint's life. The outstanding exterior frescoes of the church, illustrating scenes from the Old and New Testament, were completed in 1534 during the reign of Petru Rares, a glorious time in the era of religious murals.
St. George church's frescoes resembles those at monasteries Moldovita and Humor. Although only some parts of the Hymn of the Dead, the Tree of Jesse and the legend of the Prodigal Son can still be seen on the southern wall, the church is nonetheless impressive, especially due to its mosaic roof and belfry tower.

Zamca Monastic Complex
Manastirea Zamca
Located at the west end of town, this fine architectural complex was founded by Armenians exiled in Moldavia. The church dates from the beginning of the 17th century. According to an inscription, the bell-tower was built in 1606.

Biserica Sfantul Dumitru
Address: Str. Stefan cel Mare 1
Commisioned by prince Petru Rares and completed in 1535, this church built from stone blocks is quite large by local standards and features beautiful interior frescoes, dating from the 16th to 19th centuries. The church serves as resting place for voivode Bogdan, the son of prince Petru Rares, and a series of important Moldavian boyars.

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Jewish Suceava

The presence of Jews in Suceava is documented since 1473. Several sources indicate that Voivode Stephen the Great (1438 - 1504) had a Jewish physician by the name of Shmil. Suceava was already home to an established community at the beginning of the 16th century The Old Jewish Cemetery (located on Str. Stefan Tomsa) with its elaborately carved tombs bearing traditional Jewish symbols, dates back to the 16th century, making it one of the oldest in Moldavia. Impressive tombs from the late 19th and early 20th centuries can be seen in the newer Jewish Cemetery (located at Str. Parcului 6). Some 18 synagogues and small Hasidic prayer rooms were in use before World War II, the majority of them taken down during the 1950s' communist 'urban renewal' period. Only one synagogue still stands today, beautifully preserved, along with two Jewish cemeteries.

Sinagoga Gah
Address: Str. Dimitrie Onciul 7
Richly decorated on the interior with symbolic representations of the Tribes of Israel and views of Jerusalem, this is the only remaining synagogue still in use in Suceava.

Comunitatea Evreilor din Suceava
Address: Str. Armeneasca 8
Telephone: (+4) 0230 213.084

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Suceava Museums

Muzeul de Etnografie "Hanul Domnesc"
Address: Str. Ciprian Porumbescu 5
Telephone: (+4) 0230 516.439
Open: Tue. – Sun. 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Housed in the 16th century Princely Inn (Hanul Domnesc), the museum features a comprehensive collection of folk costumes, domestic tools, crafts and other traditional items from several regions of Bucovina.

Muzeul de Istorie al Bucovinei
Address: Str. Stefan cel Mare 33
Telephone: (+4) 0230 516.439
Open: Tue. – Sun. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Medieval armor, coins, tools and ancient documents are on display at the museum.
The Hall of the Throne is a re-creation of Stephen the Great's court with original furniture, weapons and costumes.

Muzeul Satului Bucovinean
Address: Platoul Cetatii, Suceava
Open: Tue. – Sun. 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Located nearby Suceava Princely Court, Bucovina Village Museum features a collection of 80 buildings representing the history and rural architecture of Bucovina (the northern part of the region of Moldova). One of the oldest structures of the museum are a small 18th century church from Vama and a water mill from Gura Humorului.

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Attractions near Suceava

Location: 5 miles north of Suceava
Access: car, bus from Suceava
Nearest train stations: Darmanesti, Suceava

Built in 1487 and dedicated to the Holy Cross, monastery Pătrăuți is the oldest surviving religious site founded by Voivode Stephen the Great. The original mural paitings, dating from around 1550, can still be admired on the west façade. In 1775, soon after Bucovina (northern Moldova) was annexed to the Habsburg Empire, the monastery became a parish church. The church and a wooden bell tower are the only structures, part of the original monastic complex, still standing.
Patrauti Church more info

Location: 6 miles north of Suceava
Address: DJ 208U 1, Dragomirna
Telephone: (+4) 0230 533.839
E-mail
Access: car, bus from Suceava to Mitocu Dragomirnei
Nearest train station: Suceava

Built between 1602 and 1609 in a rather austere style, the church's exterior favored a practical stone façade rather than frescoes. Due to the increase in attacks by the Ottoman Turks, the religious architecture at the time was focused more on protection than decoration. The structure is impressive through its sheer size, featuring the tallest fortified walls in Bucovina. Overnight accommodations are available for visitors interested to spend the night at Dragomirna monastery.
Monastery Dragomirna more info

Salina Cacica
Where: 26 miles east of Suceava, 18 miles north of Gura Humorului
The entrance to the mine is via an old 192-steps stair, made of pine, mineralized by brine that has penetrated the wood.
Main attractions of the section open to the public include: Museum of Salt, St. Varvara Roman Catholic Chapel (inaugurated in 1806, the altar and pulpit were carved in salt), the Orthodox Chapel (features bas-reliefs carved in salt), a Salt Lake (artificial lake dug by hand by miners), the Dance Hall (balls and festive meetings were organized here), Cave of the Dwarfs.
Access: car, bus

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Day Trips from Suceava

The Painted Monasteries of Bucovina
The UNESCO World Heritate Painted Monasteries of Bucovina are located a short drive west of Suceava.
The easiest way to reach the monasteries is by car; a 30-minute drive (or less) separates one from another.
Excursions and day trips are available from Suceava and Gura Humorului.

Arbore Church
Location: 20 miles northwest of Suceava
Access: car, bus (from Gura Humorului or Radauti)
Arbore Church info

Humor Monastery
Location: 25 miles west of Suceava
Access: car, bus, train
Humor Monastery info

Moldovita Monastery
Location: 45 miles northwest of Suceava
Access: car, train (from Suceava to Vama, 1 ¼ hours, and from Vama to Vatra Moldovitei, 35min)
Moldovita Monastery info

Probota Church
Location: 32 miles southeast of Suceava
Access: car
Probota Monastery info

Sucevita Monastery
Location: 31 miles northwest of Suceava
Access: car, bus (from Radauti)
Sucevita Monastery info

Voronet Monastery
Location: 20 miles west of Suceava
Access: car, bus (from Gura Humorului), 3 ½-mile walk from Gura Humorului
Voronet Monastery info

Marginea Black Pottery Center
Centrul de Ceramică Neagră Marginea Location: 32 miles northwest of Suceava
Nearest train station: Radauti
Telephone: (+4) 0744 892538
E-mail
Village of Marginea, 7 miles northeast of Sucevita Monastery, is renowned for the black clay pottery crafted here, said to preserve a centuries-old Gaeto-Dacian technique, passed on from generation to generation.

Town of Câmpulung Moldovenesc
Location: 44 miles southwest of Suceava
Nearest train station: Câmpulung Moldovenesc

The small but picturesque 14th century logging town of Câmpulung Moldovenesc is home to two unique museums:

A rare colection of over 5,000 wooden spoons, from allover the world,
is on display at Muzeul Lingurilor de Lemn housed in the residence of Ioan Mateescu, located at:
Str. Gheorghe Popovici 3
Open: Tue. – Sun. 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Wooden Spoon Museum more info

Another interesting, small, Câmpulung Moldovenesc museum worth visiting is the Wood Carving Museum

Muzeul Arta Lemnului
Address: Calea Transilvaniei 10
Open: Tue. – Sun. 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Telephone: (+4) 0230 311.378

Town of Campulung Moldovenesc also offers excellent access to Rarau Mountains hiking trails and cross-country ski trails.

Village Fundu' Moldovei
Location: 9 miles west of Campulung Moldovenesc, 52 miles west of Suceava
Nearest train station: Campulung Moldovenesc
Village Fundu Moldovei is a great base to explore the Painted Monasteries and to discover the crafts of Bucovina region. artisans and icons painted on glass workshops.
Since ancient times, the inhabitants of Fundu Moldovei have been engaged in shepherding and forest exploitation. In 1805, German workers arrived in the area to work in the copper mine. A few years later Hungarian worlers followed. The small mining settlement was named Luisenthal after Princess Maria Luise, the future wife of Napoleon Bonaparte. After 20 years the deposits were depleted and the mines in the area closed, but the guest-workers from Germany, who got on well with the locals, remained in the area.
B&Bs in Fundu Moldovei include: Conac Luisenthal, Pensiunea Casa Baciu Colacu, Pensiunea La Moara, Pensiunea Chalet Delut.

Vatra Dornei Medical Spa town
Statiunea Turistica Vatra Dornei
Location: 65 miles southwest of Suceava
Nearest train station: Vatra Dornei

A fashionable spa town during Habsburg times, today Vatra Dornei is a year-round destination featuring medical spa treatments as well as summer and winter activities.

Cotnari Winery
Podgorile Cotnari
Location: 65 miles southeast of Suceava
Nearest train station: Cotnari
Telephone: (+4) 0232 730.296
E-mail
Located in the small village of Cotnari, the Cotnari winery is famous for its delicious sweet white wines made of grapes rich in sugar and harvested in late autumn following the first frost. The quality of these wines relies on a combination of rich soil, the late harvest and the presence of a special mold (Botritis cinerea). The winery's most popular wines include Francusa (dry), Catalina (semisweet) and the sweet, golden Grasa and Tamaioasa dessert wines. "Grasa de Cotnari," is an excellent white wine often referred to as the "golden nectar."

Over 6 million liters of wine are being aged in oak-barrels in the 14-th Century Cotnari cellars.
Cotnary winery produces up to 6 million bottles a year and boasts a collection of more than 800,000 bottles.
Every year on September 14, wine connoisseurs celebrate the grape harvest ar Cotnari.

City of Iasi
Location: 85 miles southeast of Suceava
Iași is Romania's second-largest city, the capital cultural of the region of Moldova and one of the country's leadig university centres. Outstanding architecture, numerous interesting museums and countless events of all kinds make Iași a must-visit destination.
City of Iasi more info

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Suceava Trip Planning Info

Suceava Transportation

Air transportation to / from Suceava

Suceava "Stefan cel Mare" International Airport (SCV)
Aeroportul International Suceava
Address: km 12 E58,   village Salcea
Suceava airport is located 9 miles east of the city centre.
Telephone: (+4) 0230 529.999
E-mail

Airlines with service to Suceava include:
Tarom
Air Connect
RyaAir

International airports located not very far from Suceava include:
Iasi (IAS) - 95 miles southeast of Suceava
and
Bacău (BCM) - 90 miles south of Suceava.

Train travel to / from Suceava

Suceava - Burdujeni Train Station
Gara Suceava
Address: Str. Nicoale Iorga 7
Telephone: (+4) 0230 517.117

Daily service from/ to Bacau, Brasov, Campulung Moldovenesc, Cluj, Constanta, Gura Humorului, Putna, Timisoara, Vatra Dornei, Vatra Moldovitei, and several other cities in Romania.

There is daily Intercity (Express) service from/to Bucharest (approximate travel time: 6 hours).

To check schedules for domestic and international trains from/ to Suceava please visit RomaniaTourism Transportation section.

SNCFR's Advance Booking Office
Agentia de Voiaj SNCFR Suceava
Address: Str. Balcescu 4
Telephone: (+4) 0330 100.359
Open: Mon. - Fri. 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Train travel information and advance reservations 30 days to 24 hours before travel.
Tickets for same-day travel can only be purchased at the station.

Suceava Inter-city Bus

Suceava Bus Terminals

Autogara TASA - Suceava
Address: Str. Traian Vuia 7
Telephone: (+4) 0230 524.340

Autogara InterTrans - Suceava
Address: Str. Ion Creangă 2
Telephone: (+4) 0752 311.144
Daily domestic bus service from/to:
Arad, Bacau, Botosani, Brasov, Bucharest, Campulung Moldovenesc, Constanta, Falticeni, Gura Humorului, Iasi, Piatra Neamt, Putna, Radauti, Siret, Solca, Timisoara, Vatra Dornei

Travel to / from Suceava by car

The fastest route from Bucharest to Suceava is via E85:
Bucuresti – Urziceni – Buzau – Focsani – Bacau – Roman – Falticeni - Suceava

An alternative, scenic route, from Bucharest to Suceava is via E60 - E 578 – 12C – 15C:
Bucuresti –Sinaia – Brasov – Miercurea Ciuc – Gheorghieni – Piatra Neamt – Targu Neamt – Suceava

To reach Suceava from Cluj Napoca to Suceava take route E 576 then E 58:
Cluj Napoca –- Bistrita –- Vatra Dornei -- Campulung Moldovenesc -- Gura Humorului -- Suceava

Suceava Public Transportation

Suceava local transport authority (SC Transport Public Local SA) operates 8 bus and 11 minibus (microbuz) routes that connect Suceava's main areas and tourist attractions. Tickets can be purchased on-boad. Cost of one ticket/ trip is the equivalent of 0.45 $ US.

Suceava Taxi

Suceava Car rental

Autonom
Telephone: (+4) 0748 295.660

Cepema Rent a Car
Telephone: (+4) 0740 406.431
Cepema also offers car and driver service / Bucovina Monasteries tours with private car and driver.

Rent a Car Suceava
Telephone: (+4) 0741 644.169

Rent City Car
Telephone: (+4) 0742 958.031

Sixt
Tel: (+4) 021 94.00 (this is valid short phone #)

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Suceava Accommodations

Accommodations in Suceava include:

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Tourist Info

Suceava Tourist Information Centre
Centrul Judetean de Informare Turistica - InfoTurism Suceava
Address: Str. Oituz 15
Telephone: (+4) 0330 803.124
E-mail
Hours:
Mon. – Thu.: 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Fri.: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Suceava Tourist Information Center provides maps, brochures and information on accommodations, restaurants and transportation.

APT Bucovina Information Center
Asociatia pentru Turism Bucovina
Address: Str. Universitatii 15-17; Room 10
Telephone: (+4) 0230 531.977
E-mail

Other Tourist Information Centres in Suceava County:

Gura Humorului Tourist Information Centre
Centrul pentru Informare Gura Humorului
Address: Piata Republicii 14, Gura Humorului
Telephone: (+4) 0230 235.051
E-mail

Cârlibaba Tourist Information Centre
Primaria Carlibaba
Address: Sat Cârlibaba Noua 83
Telephone: (+4) 0230 575.802
E-mail

Ciocănești Tourist Information Centre
Centru de Informare Turistica Ciocanesti
Address: Strada Principală 39, Ciocănești
Telephone: (+4) 0230 578.135
E-mail

Vatra Dornei Tourist Information Centre
Centru de Informare Turistica Vatra Dornei
Address: Str. Mihai Eminescu 17, Vatra Dornei
Telephone: (+4) 0230 375.229
E-mail

Suceava General Emergency (Ambulance, Police, Firefighters): 112

Suceava Pharmacies open non-stop:

Farmacia Dona 85
Address: Bd. 1 Decembrie 1918, nr. 21 bis
Telephone: 0372 407.085

Farmacia Dorna Farm 68
Address: Bd. Mai nr. 15
Telephone: 0230 533.532

Farmacia Dorna Farm 68
Address: Bd. Mai nr. 15
Telephone: 0230 533.532

Farmacia Farmalin
Address: Calea Unirii 94, Bl. 62 - parter
Telephone: 0230 518.110

Suceava Hospitals:

Suceava Emergency Hospital
Spitalul Clinic Judetean de Urgență - Suceava
Address: Bd. 1 Mai, nr. 18
Telephone: (+4) 0787 290.580 or 0230 222.098

Bethesda Hospital - Suceava
Spitalul Bethesda - Suceava
Address: Calea Unirii 86A, Cartier Burdujeni
Telephone: (+4) 0230 532.700

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Suceava Local Auhorities

Suceava County Archives
Direcţia Judeţeană Suceava a Arhivelor Naţionale
Address: Str. Alexandru cel Bun 45 D, Suceava
Telephone: (+4) 0230 203.726
E-mail
Hours

Suceava Town Hall
Primaria Suceava
Address: Bd. 1 Mai, nr. 5A
Telephone: (+4) 0230 212.696

Suceava Consumer Protection Agency
Comisariatul Judeţean pentru Protecţia Consumatorilor Suceava
Address: Bd. George Enescu 2, bloc 7
Telephone: (+4) 0230 530.876

Postal Service & Telephone

Post offices display a postal horn symbol and the word Posta.

Suceava Main Post Office
Oficiul Postal Suceava
Address: Str. Dimitrie Onciu 1
Telephone: (+4) 0230 512.222

Telephoning Suceava from Abroad

International Access Code +4 (country code) + 0230 or 0330 (area code) + six-digit telephone number

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Suceava Princely Court - Medieval Fortress,   photo courtesy VisitingBucovina.ro

Maps

Suceava City Map - central area (Harta orasului Suceava)
City of Suceava interactive Street Map   (Harta Interactiva Suceava)
Romania Physical Map   (Romania - Harta Fizica)
Romania Main Roads and Tourist Attractions Map   ( Romania - Harta Atractii Turistice)
Romania Road Map   (Romania - Harta Drumurilor si Soselelor)
Romania Railways Map   (Romania - Harta Cailor Ferate)

Main Cities

• Bucharest
• Alba Iulia
• Arad
• Baia Mare
• Brasov
• Braila
• Cluj-Napoca
• Constanta
• Craiova
• Deva
• Galati
• Iasi
• Oradea
• Satu Mare
• Sibiu
• Sighisoara
• Suceava
• Timisoara
• Targu Jiu
• Targu Mures
• Tulcea

Best Value Day-Trip to
Peles Castle - Sinaia,
Dracula Castle - Bran
and
Brasov - Transylvania
daily departure from Bucharest.