The Putna Monastery in Suceava County Romania was the very first monastery to be built by Stephen the Great.
Many times when Stephen the Great's armies were successful in winning a battle against their enemies he would build a church or monastery as a symbol of the victory, and of his appreciation for the religious blessings bestowed upon him and his army.
In 1466 when he conquered the Kilia citadel he started his tradition of building a monastery or church after a conquest with the Putna monastery.
It has been rumored that in order to decide exactly where the monastery should be constructed he drew back his bow and let an arrow fly through the air.
He vowed that wherever the arrow landed would be the location for the church he was going to build.
The construction of the Putna Monastery began in 1466 and continued for three years until it was completed in 1469.
It was said by the chronicler of the time, Ion Neculce that the church was very beautiful and that it was covered with gold on the exterior and interior both.
The Putna Monastery did not have an easy life.
When Stephen the Great had passed the roof of the church was destroyed.
The lead that was in the roof was smelted down to make bullets and the church was burned more than once.
Each time that it was burned it was rebuilt.
This legacy was meant to stand here.
At last the only building left of the original church that Stephen the Great had constructed was the Treasure Tower that had been built in 1481.
During times of real distress for the church what monastery treasures that remained were kept safe in the treasure tower.
In 1757 there was a gathering held to commemorate the anniversary of Putna Monastery.
Men of culture and the national poet of the time attended this event at the church.
A tower was constructed to celebrate the occasion and on the tower were placed emblems of Wallachia and Moldova.
This tower stands at the entrance to the area surrounding the church.
During its hey-day the Putna Monastery was a very important cultural center for the people of Romania.
Manuscripts were carefully copied within the walls and precious miniatures were crafted.
Because of the activities that were performed here the Monastery has a treasure trove of manuscripts, religious artifacts, and icons.
It is also home to a medieval embroidery collections that is said to be one of the largest such collections in South Eastern Europe to date.
Today we are graced with the blessing of this monastery still standing for us to see what has come before us.
The rich history that is housed in the design and the paintings of this building will allow you a glimpse of a time over five hundred years ago and how people worshipped and honored their religious beliefs during that time.
We get a rare look into what the people of the time did to commemorate artifacts and what they recognized and believed in.
The religious feelings that were had by Stephen the Great were what started him building churches, monasteries, and religious buildings in Romania during his rule.
His love of his religion was what led his son to continue in the fashion his father had begun and build churches, monasteries and places of religious significance.
His son went a step farther and had the building frescoed with the depiction of the biblical stories, so that all people might see the paintings and knows the word of God in their heart.
Many times when Stephen the Great's armies were successful in winning a battle against their enemies he would build a church or monastery as a symbol of the victory, and of his appreciation for the religious blessings bestowed upon him and his army.
In 1466 when he conquered the Kilia citadel he started his tradition of building a monastery or church after a conquest with the Putna monastery.
It has been rumored that in order to decide exactly where the monastery should be constructed he drew back his bow and let an arrow fly through the air.
He vowed that wherever the arrow landed would be the location for the church he was going to build.
The construction of the Putna Monastery began in 1466 and continued for three years until it was completed in 1469.
It was said by the chronicler of the time, Ion Neculce that the church was very beautiful and that it was covered with gold on the exterior and interior both.
The Putna Monastery did not have an easy life.
When Stephen the Great had passed the roof of the church was destroyed.
The lead that was in the roof was smelted down to make bullets and the church was burned more than once.
Each time that it was burned it was rebuilt.
This legacy was meant to stand here.
At last the only building left of the original church that Stephen the Great had constructed was the Treasure Tower that had been built in 1481.
During times of real distress for the church what monastery treasures that remained were kept safe in the treasure tower.
In 1757 there was a gathering held to commemorate the anniversary of Putna Monastery.
Men of culture and the national poet of the time attended this event at the church.
A tower was constructed to celebrate the occasion and on the tower were placed emblems of Wallachia and Moldova.
This tower stands at the entrance to the area surrounding the church.
During its hey-day the Putna Monastery was a very important cultural center for the people of Romania.
Manuscripts were carefully copied within the walls and precious miniatures were crafted.
Because of the activities that were performed here the Monastery has a treasure trove of manuscripts, religious artifacts, and icons.
It is also home to a medieval embroidery collections that is said to be one of the largest such collections in South Eastern Europe to date.
Today we are graced with the blessing of this monastery still standing for us to see what has come before us.
The rich history that is housed in the design and the paintings of this building will allow you a glimpse of a time over five hundred years ago and how people worshipped and honored their religious beliefs during that time.
We get a rare look into what the people of the time did to commemorate artifacts and what they recognized and believed in.
The religious feelings that were had by Stephen the Great were what started him building churches, monasteries, and religious buildings in Romania during his rule.
His love of his religion was what led his son to continue in the fashion his father had begun and build churches, monasteries and places of religious significance.
His son went a step farther and had the building frescoed with the depiction of the biblical stories, so that all people might see the paintings and knows the word of God in their heart.
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