Author Description

The monasteries and painted churches of Moldavia stand today as a testament to the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of the Romanian people. These monuments, unique in the world, reflect a cultural legacy inherited from Byzantium and the Roman Empire. After the fall of Byzantium and the expansion of Ottoman rule throughout the Balkan Peninsula, the Romanian principalities became the most important depository of the Byzantine heritage. It was here that this tradition was preserved, creating the historical phenomenon that the great Romanian historian Nicolae Iorga would refer to as “Byzantium after Byzantium.” The monasteries and painted churches of Northern Moldavia stand today as true Revelations of Byzantium. This full-color album is written and photographed by Alan Ogden, the author of Romania Revisited and Fortresses of Faith. The author provides a comprehensive introduction discussing the art and architecture before presenting each church separately in words and pictures to reveal its unique history and artistic beauty. Also included is an introduction to the history of Moldavia and Romanian lands during the Middle Ages by Kurt W. Treptow, a noted specialist on Romanian history, and original illustrations by renowned artist, Octavian Ion Penda.