Rădăuţi: Bogdana Monastery, Folklore and Nature Reserve

Rădăuţi is home to the stone church of Bogdana Monastery, dedicated to Saint Hierarch Nicholas. It was built after 1359 on the site of an older wooden church.

This building alone shows how closely older religious traditions and preserved architecture are connected in Rădăuţi. The stone construction points to a later building phase than its wooden predecessor.

Culture and History

Bogdana Monastery is considered Moldavia's first necropolis and contains the graves of members of the Mușatin family. The named graves include those of Bogdan I, Petru II (Mușat), Roman I and Ștefan I.

Several historic religious buildings complement this picture. The “Pogorârea Duhului Sfânt” Cathedral was built in two phases, from 1927 to 1940 and from 1947 to 1961. It was declared a historic monument in 2004. The Roman Catholic Church of “Sfânta Fecioară Maria” was built from 1823 to 1826 in the Romanesque style and was also declared a historic monument in 2004.

Another clearly dated landmark is the Jewish Temple. It was built from 1880 to 1883, consecrated on 18 August 1883 and declared a historic monument in 2004.

The religious buildings therefore each have their own names, construction periods and religious associations. In addition to the monastery, the city's documented historic heritage includes a cathedral, a Roman Catholic church and the Jewish Temple.

Other places: Suceava, Dragomirna Monastery, Şaru Dornei, Frasin, Gura Humorului, Vatra Dornei, Şcheia and Prisaca Dornei.

Culture and Events

A market for ceramic vessels has been held annually in Rădăuţi in July and August since 1982.

The international folklore festival “ARCANUL” has been held in Rădăuţi since 1992. It presents traditional songs and dances from Romania's ethnofolkloric regions, as well as traditions from other countries.

The ceramics market is scheduled for two summer months, while the folklore festival has been established since 1992 as a separate international event in Rădăuţi's cultural life. Both details are part of the city's described public cultural events.

Nature

The area around Rădăuţi contains the eponymous 5-hectare marshland, which is designated as a nature reserve. Rădăuţi Zoological Park covers 10 hectares and is home to more than 250 animals from all continents.

The marshland is designated as a protected area and covers 5 hectares. The zoological park occupies a larger area of 10 hectares; its collection includes more than 250 animals from all continents.

Cityscape and Activities

The Rădăuţi stud farm hosts numerous equestrian competitions. These include galloping, show jumping and draft competitions.

The competitions mentioned therefore cover several forms of equestrian sport: galloping, show jumping and draft competitions take place as part of the stud farm's programme.

The station building at Rădăuţi railway station dates from 1889, was modernized in 2001 and declared a historic monument in 2004.

At the railway station, a 19th-century construction date, modernization in 2001 and its subsequent designation as a historic monument come together. Thus, the station building is also part of Rădăuţi's documented cityscape.

For the broader travel overview: Suceava.