Three days tour of Iasi and UNESCO Painted Monasteries in Bucovina

Iasi City tour. In Iasi, you will take a stroll through Stephan the Great Boulevard, and discover the bohemian atmosphere of the city. You will admire the Rozovanu Palace and the oldest national theatre in Romania, the „Vasile Alecsandri” National Theatre, as well as two of Iasi’s most important religious sites: the Three Hierarchs Church and the Metropolitan Cathedral. Next up will visit the most important landmark of Iasi, the Palace of Culture, and its beautiful Clock Tower. Overnight in Iasi

Voronet Monastery was built in 1488 in record time: three months, three weeks and three days, today being part of the UNESCO World Heritage. The exterior murals have preserved their hues despite centuries of inclement weather, but the ingredients used in preparing the paints are still a mystery. The scenes in the murals depict, like a movie, the history of Christianity, presented in an original manner, very much influenced by folk beliefs, by the Eastern culture, but also by the Orthodox thought.

Moldovita Monastery, included in the UNESCO heritage in 1993, was built between 1532 and 1537. For hundreds of years, the murals were the only way uneducated country dwellers could learn about the teachings of the Bible. The frescoes are an immense color illustration of Biblical scenes, adapted to the history of the place and to the important moments in the life of the community.

Sucevita Monastery is the newest of the Painted Monasteries of Bucovina, and it was included in the UNESCO Heritage in 1993. It was built in a Moldavian style, with Gothic and Byzantine influences. The murals are dominated by a shade of green, obtained through an ancient technique from natural pigments.

Marginea Black Pottery - the Dacian pottery tradition is carried on by a handful of artisans who manufacture black ceramic, according to an atypical process. The pottery made here is famous worldwide, shaped by hand by the craftsmen, fired and then polished, also by hand. The black color of the vessels is due to the firing process. This one is carried out according to an ancient technique, transmitted from generation to generation, the secrets of which have never left Marginea.

Neamt Fortress. You will visit the Neamt Fortress, an important military and historical landmark that survived the siege of Sultan Mehmed II, the conqueror of Constantinople.

Popa Museum. Before heading back to Iasi, we will step inside a private countryside museum. The museum has the name of Nicolae Popa, a local sculptor and a true creator of folklore. Here, you can witness his creation and try on the ritual masks and traditional costumes. You will be transferred to Iasi to your centrally located hotel. Accommodation and breakfast included.