Bucovina and the Painted Monasteries

What should you know before visiting Bucovina and the Painted Monasteries?

Tolls and vignettes for a car: about €3 (Romania, Vignette).

• The UNESCO site covers eight churches built between the late 15th and late 16th centuries; the listing was extended in 2010. Some sources give a different count.
• The church at Sucevița is painted inside and out and is the only one at the site showing the Ladder of St John Climacus. It deserves its own stop.
• Wild camping outside protected areas is usually tolerated, but not in national parks, nature reserves, historic centres or on private land. Ask locally beforehand.
• Romania charges an electronic vignette (Rovinieta) on national roads and motorways. Vehicles are classed by weight; for motorhomes above 3.5 t check the category with the road administration CNAIR.

The drive

The monasteries lie scattered across northern Moldavia. A common loop stops at Voroneț, Humor, Moldovița and Sucevița; the other listed churches are Arbore, Pătrăuți, Probota and the St George church in Suceava. The roads between them are country roads, so allow extra time. The exterior frescoes date from the 15th and 16th centuries. These are places of worship, so follow dress and photo notices on site.

Camping

According to a travel guide for campers in Romania, wild camping outside protected areas is usually tolerated if you do not disturb residents or leave litter. It is not allowed in national parks, nature reserves, historic city centres or on private land without consent, and fines are possible. Local rules can vary, so ask at the monastery or the landowner, or use a campsite.

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