Suceava

Suceava: citadel

Suceava, city, capital of Suceava judeƫ (county), northeastern Romania. Founded on a terrace above the right bank of the Suceava River before the 14th century, it was the capital of Moldavia from 1388 until 1564, when the capital was moved to Iaşi. During the reign of Stephen (Ştefan) the Great in the 15th century, Suceava developed as a trading centre and customs point, with many warehouses and a strong citadel. The town began to decline in importance after the Turks ravaged it in the 16th century. In 1775 the Turks ceded Suceava to Austria along with the rest of the Bukovina region, and in 1918 the city was reoccupied by Romania.

The city’s historic monuments include the citadel, which has been excavated; the 14th-century Mirăuƫi Church; the 16th-century Church of St. George (with fine frescoes); and the Church of St. Demetrius (with a massive bell tower). The city has a regional museum and library. Suceava’s industries include meat processing, timber, and pulp and paper manufacture. Pop. (2007 est.) 106,397.