The Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Pătrăuți, founded in 1487 by Stephen the Great, is the oldest of his churches preserved in its original form. Located near Suceava, it was conceived as a convent for nuns and a shelter for war wounded. Its Moldavian architecture features a tower above the nave, a mixed masonry of stone and brick, and elegant Gothic portals. Inside, it preserves an exceptional fresco ensemble from the late 15th century.
The most iconic scene is the “Procession of the Holy Cross,” where warrior saints accompany Emperor Constantine in a celestial vision, symbolizing a spiritual crusade against Islam. Unique in the Orthodox world, this representation is interpreted as a call to defend Christianity. Other highlights include the Last Judgment on the western wall and a votive painting of Stephen the Great offering the church to Christ. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993, the church still preserves its wooden bell tower from 1725, a stone table attributed to Stephen, and the old parish house, now a museum.
- Address
DJ208V 214, Pătrăuți 727420, Romania - Web
None - Visiting Hours
Everyday from 7:00 to 21:00 - What to see
Wall paintings of the Procession of the Holy Cross
