Straja: Ecclesiastical Art, Craftsmanship and Paths to the Monastery

Culture

The traditional culture of Straja includes numerous shepherds’ houses with four-sided shingle roofs. Furrier’s craft is also one of the old traditions. Woodworking in all its forms, which is needed for construction purposes, is one of the activities of the local residents. An authentic element of traditional costume culture is the “Trăistuța de la Straja”.

An important building is the Biserica Parohiei Straja I “Adormirea Maicii Domnului”. The church was built between 1867 and 1870. Its iconostasis was painted by Epaminonda Bucevschi. Thus, in Straja, both the construction period of the church and the artistic design of its interior represent two distinct aspects of the local ecclesiastical tradition.

Outside Straja, the Muzeul Satului Bucovinean in Suceava preserves an ensemble called “Gospodărie Straja”. It comprises folk-architecture objects that were independently transferred from various homesteads and originally came from the Straja area. The individual objects therefore come from several homesteads, but remain connected to Straja through their origin.

“Floriile la Straja” is also associated with a festival held on the last Sunday of Lent. The exhibitions include decorated eggs, traditional costumes and handicraft objects originating from Straja itself as well as from the surrounding areas. Local costumes, crafts and the transmission of folk-architectural forms appear here side by side in different forms of expression.

Landscape

The municipality of Straja lies at the northern foot of the Obcina Mare. The upper course of the Suceava River runs through the municipality. The mountain foothills and the river course form two clearly identified landscape references: the Obcina Mare defines the mountainous setting to the south, while the Suceava flows through the municipality.

The Mănăstirea Sfântul Daniil Sihastrul Monastery is located in the vicinity of Straja. It stands at an altitude of 1,100 metres in a mountain meadow of the Bucovina Obcini. Its specific location connects the name of the monastery with a high-altitude mountain meadow and the wider landscape of the Bucovina Obcini.

History

The Straja halt on the Rădăuți–Brodina railway line was inaugurated on 7 July 1889. The railway line and the exact inauguration date mark a historical reference that remains associated with the name Straja in today’s landscape.

Hiking

The hiking trail from Straja to Schitul Daniil Sihastrul begins on the road leading to the former Straja railway station. The starting point is therefore connected to a former railway station, while the destination is Schitul Daniil Sihastrul.

The hike from the crossing over the Suceava River to Schitul Daniil Sihastrul takes one hour and 30 minutes. Another access route to Mănăstirea Sfântul Daniil Sihastrul is a forest road through the municipality of Straja, behind Straja railway station.

The final 2 km of the forest-road route to Mănăstirea Sfântul Daniil Sihastrul can only be covered by off-road vehicle or on foot. The described access route therefore includes a specifically identified forest road behind the railway station and a final 2 km section with the stated accessibility.

To the general travel overview: Comuna Straja.