The next day gives us winding and narrow mountain roads, with switch back hairpin curves, and spectacular granite gorges thru the Carpathian range to the north east Bucovina region of Romania. This is the main destination of the 3 week trip; to see the painted abbeys of this area, many within sight of the guard towers on the Russian border We find the Hotel Arinis which is adequate, and have a good supper topped by crepes.
It is now Sunday, and we are off early for a wonderful day of seeing painted abbeys and colorful Romanian villagers. First is the Voronet Abbey, called by some the Sistine Chapel of the east. The outside walls, protected by a wide roof overhang, are covered with frescoes of biblical stories and scenes, as are all the abbeys in the area. Voronet Abbey was built in 1488, and the frescoes added in the 1500’s. The abbeys are still used by the local people for services.
We go on thru the village of Braeste, to Humor Abbey, and to Arbore Abbey, stopping for a picnic lunch by a stream in a wildflower filled field. We finally come to Sucevita, where there is a nice hotel and a wonderful Abbey still used by nuns. One of the nuns speaks with us in English. Two nuns walk around the grounds with a chime calling the others to vespers. What a day filled with unforgettable sights and experiences!
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