Nestled in the rolling hills of northern Moldova is the region of Bucovina, home to one of the world's greatest Byzantine art treasures: the 'Painted Monasteries' - UNESCO World heritage sites. Built in the 15th and 16th centuries and featuring colourful exterior frescoes depicting dramatic religious scenes, these richly decorated houses of worship are unique in the world. The best-known of these, often called “the Sistine Chapel of the East” is Voronet Monastery.
Erected in 1488, Voronet's most stunning feature is a Last Judgement fresco painted on its façade. The blue paint, that has miraculously never faded, is known throughout the world as 'Voronet blue'. The artists here worked in isolation, guarding their trade secrets and to this day, the composition of the paint remains a mystery.
Other painted churches not to be missed include Sucevita, with its distinctive greens, and Humour, where the frescoes are predominantly red. Also nearby are Arbore, Dragomirna, Moldovita and Putna monasteries.