Putna is a commune in Suceava County, located in the historical region of Bukovina, northeastern Romania. It is composed of two villages: Gura Putnei (the administrative seat of the commune's railway station) and Putna (the residential center of the commune). As of the 2021 census, the commune had a population of 3,658 inhabitants. The name "Putna" also refers to the Putna River, a 20 km (12 mi) right tributary of the Suceava River, and to the renowned Putna Monastery, one of the most important cultural, religious, and artistic centers of medieval Moldavia.
Geography
Putna is situated in the northern part of Suceava County, within the Obcinele Bucovinei mountain range (Obcina Mare), at an elevation of approximately 548 m (1,798 ft). The commune covers an area of 133.70 km² (51.62 sq mi). The Putna River, which flows through the commune, has its source in the Obcina Mare mountains, a basin size of 133 km² (51 sq mi), and discharges into the Suceava River near Gura Putnei, close to Vicovu de Sus.
History
The area historically belonged to Moldavia (1388–1775), followed by periods under the Habsburg Monarchy (1775–1804), the Austrian Empire (1804–1867), and Austria-Hungary (Cisleithania, 1867–1918). After World War I, it became part of the Kingdom of Romania, and subsequently the Romanian People's Republic, the Socialist Republic of Romania, and modern Romania (1989–present).
During the Habsburg and Austro-Hungarian periods, the commune was inhabited by a significant German community, particularly Zipser Germans (a subgroup of the Bukovina Germans), mainly in the village of Gura Putnei (historically known as Karlsberg in German). According to the 1930 census, the commune's population was 58% Romanian, 26.6% German, 7.15% Jewish, 5.35% Polish, and smaller percentages of other ethnic groups.
Putna Monastery
The Putna Monastery (Romanian: Mănăstirea Putna) is a Romanian Orthodox monastery founded by Stephen the Great of Moldavia (Ștefan cel Mare) between 1466 and 1469. It was built in commemoration of his victory against the Ottomans at Chilia in 1465. The monastery was consecrated on September 3, 1470, by Metropolitan Teoctist I, in the presence of Stephen and his family. It houses the tombs of Stephen the Great (making it a significant pilgrimage site), his wife Maria Voichița, his son Bogdan III the One-Eyed, and other Moldavian royal figures. The church was substantially rebuilt between 1653 and 1662 under Vasile Lupu and his successors, blending 15th-century Moldavian ground plans with 17th-century architectural features. The monastery is also the starting point of the Via Transilvanica long-distance trail.
Demographics
According to the 2021 census, the commune of Putna had 3,658 residents. Ethnically, 95.24% were Romanians, with 4.48% unknown. Religiously, 89.64% were Orthodox, 4.65% Pentecostal, and the remainder belonged to other faiths or were undeclared.
Administration and Local Politics
The commune is administered by a mayor and a 13-member local council. As of the 2024 local elections, the council is composed of 7 members from the National Liberal Party (PNL), 3 from the Social Democratic Party (PSD), 2 from the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), and 1 independent.
Economy and Transport
The local economy has seen growth in wood processing. The Suceava–Putna railway line passes through Gura Putnei, with a station at Putna Centru. Rail service was interrupted in 2012 and reopened on August 14, 2018, with an additional halt, Putna Troița. Road connections link the commune to nearby towns and localities.
Tourist Attractions
- Putna Monastery – founded by Stephen the Great, serving as the voivodal necropolis of Moldavia.
- Chilia lui Daniil Sihastrul – the cave hermitage of the Saint Daniil the Hermit.
- Wooden Church of Putna – a historic monument, traditionally said to have been originally built in Volovăț by Voivode Dragoș and relocated by Stephen the Great.
- Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary – the Orthodox parish church, built between 1900 and 1908.
- Roman Catholic Church of Putna – built in 1936.
- Obcinele Bucovinei – a Natura 2000 protected site of European importance.
Twin Town
Putna is twinned with Montmorillon, France.
