Some 28km northwest of Rădăuţi, along a forested road dotted by traditional villages, Putna Monastery (built 1466–81) was built by Ştefan cel Mare following his victory over the Turks at Chilia (a large white cross indicates where he stood). About 60 monks live here. Simple accommodation is offered, ranging from dorm-type large rooms with five to 28 beds to en-suite doubles. Prices and availability change during the year so check ahead.
Putna Museum , behind the monastery, houses Eastern Europe's largest Byzantine items collection. Treasures include medieval manuscripts and the Holy Book that Ştefan cel Mare carried into battle. The largest of three bells inscribed in Old Church Slavonic outside dates from 1484, and was rung for royal deaths.
While Putna lacks spectacular frescoes, its royal inhabitants (Ştefan cel Mare is buried in the tomb room) keep it close to the Romanian heart. The graves of Ştefan's third wife, Maria Voichiţa, their two children, Bogdan and Petru, and Ştefan cel Mare’s second wife, Maria, are here too.
Pensions abound and monastery lodging is available. Alternatively, seek enlightenment by camping opposite the Hermit’s Cave .
Putna is the furthest Bucovina monastery from Suceava, but reasonably close (28km northwest) to Rădăuţi. The latter gets 13 daily buses from Suceava (8 lei, 45 minutes). Alternately, from Suceava, three or four daily trains make the three-hour trip to Putna (49 lei).
