Moldovit[symbol omitted]a (Vatra Moldovit[symbol omitted]ei), Abbey of
MOLDOVITA (VATRA MOLDOVITEI), ABBEY OF
Orthodox monastery built in Moldavia (now Moldova), district of Câmpolung, at the order of the Moldavian Prince Peter Rares[symbol omitted] in 1532. The abbey was erected near an older foundation established there by Alexander the Good in 1402. It was later expanded by important territorial grants. Its buildings, which comprise the monks' cells, the superior's quarters, and the dwellings of the princes, are surrounded by fortified walls. The outside walls of the principal church were painted in 1537 in typical Moldavian-Byzantine style; and these frescoes, representing religious and historical subjects as well as the portraits of the founders, are particularly beautiful and well preserved. The convent is no longer occupied.
Bibliography: s. bals and c. nicolescu, Mănăstirea Moldovi[symbol omitted]ta (Bucharest 1958). n. iorga, Istoria bisericii românes[symbol omitted]i, 2 v. (2d ed. Bucharest 1929–32). Enciclopedia României, 2 v. (Bucharest 1936–40) 2:121.
[t. fotitch]