Voronet
Revered for its Last Judgment fresco, Voronet is regarded by Romanians as the "Sistine Chapel of the East"; it remains marvelously preserved, despite being in disuse from the start of Habsburg rule in 1785 until 1991. Built by Stefan cel Mare in 1488 after a victorious battle against the Turks, the construction took just 3 months and 3 weeks; frescoes were added in 1534 and 1535, during the reign of Stephen's illegitimate son Petru Rares. The paintings here epitomize a Moldavian innovation in Byzantine painting, exemplified by the degree of chromatic harmony and a new humanism with religious scenes featuring recognizable aspects of the Moldavian people of the time, like the faces of the angels, purportedly based on Moldavian women. Look out also for archangels blowing the bucium, an instrument used by Romanian shepherds, and the portrayals of doomed souls -- all have fierce faces and wear turbans, characterizing them as Turks. The exterior fresco work is characterized by the use of a spectacular blue, said to be of such originality that it has earned the sobriquet "Voronet blue."
But it is the marvelously preserved Last Judgment on the western facade that leaves you breathless; it's an excellent example of Christian art as a dire warning against paganism and wickedness. It's also a fascinating marriage of biblical and secular symbolism. Notice, for example, the inclusion of the wild animals being judged for tearing apart their human victims (pieces of which they now return), while amongst them a lone deer stands empty-handed since this animal represents innocence in Romanian folklore. Notice also how, at Christ's feet, important figures -- kings and popes -- struggle to get out of hell, while elsewhere people clamber to enter the Gates of Heaven. Near the seat of Judgment, Adam and Eve are depicted alongside various prophets and martyrs; they're separated from the "wicked" by a dove representing the Holy Spirit, while Moses (holding a scroll) points out their misdeeds. Below the dove, ugly demons try to steal souls, fighting among themselves as they torture sinners. On the southern wall is the Tree of Jesse, recounting Christ's genealogy. As you enter the church, you'll see the martyrdom of St. Sebastian, above you on your left; you'll also see numerous other martyrs suffering terrible tortures. Inside the church, the frescoes have been revitalized thanks to a thorough restoration job; works worth looking out for include The Last Supper, and, in the nave, a painting of Stefan cel Mare with his wife and legitimate son, Bogdan.
Revered for its Last Judgment fresco, Voronet is regarded by Romanians as the "Sistine Chapel of the East"; it remains marvelously preserved, despite being in disuse from the start of Habsburg rule in 1785 until 1991. Built by Stefan cel Mare in 1488 after a victorious battle against the Turks, the construction took just 3 months and 3 weeks; frescoes were added in 1534 and 1535, during the reign of Stephen's illegitimate son Petru Rares. The paintings here epitomize a Moldavian innovation in Byzantine painting, exemplified by the degree of chromatic harmony and a new humanism with religious scenes featuring recognizable aspects of the Moldavian people of the time, like the faces of the angels, purportedly based on Moldavian women. Look out also for archangels blowing the bucium, an instrument used by Romanian shepherds, and the portrayals of doomed souls -- all have fierce faces and wear turbans, characterizing them as Turks. The exterior fresco work is characterized by the use of a spectacular blue, said to be of such originality that it has earned the sobriquet "Voronet blue."
But it is the marvelously preserved Last Judgment on the western facade that leaves you breathless; it's an excellent example of Christian art as a dire warning against paganism and wickedness. It's also a fascinating marriage of biblical and secular symbolism. Notice, for example, the inclusion of the wild animals being judged for tearing apart their human victims (pieces of which they now return), while amongst them a lone deer stands empty-handed since this animal represents innocence in Romanian folklore. Notice also how, at Christ's feet, important figures -- kings and popes -- struggle to get out of hell, while elsewhere people clamber to enter the Gates of Heaven. Near the seat of Judgment, Adam and Eve are depicted alongside various prophets and martyrs; they're separated from the "wicked" by a dove representing the Holy Spirit, while Moses (holding a scroll) points out their misdeeds. Below the dove, ugly demons try to steal souls, fighting among themselves as they torture sinners. On the southern wall is the Tree of Jesse, recounting Christ's genealogy. As you enter the church, you'll see the martyrdom of St. Sebastian, above you on your left; you'll also see numerous other martyrs suffering terrible tortures. Inside the church, the frescoes have been revitalized thanks to a thorough restoration job; works worth looking out for include The Last Supper, and, in the nave, a painting of Stefan cel Mare with his wife and legitimate son, Bogdan.
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