Salcea is a town off the beaten track, seen as a tranquil bolthole for travellers hoping to visit the nearby city of Suceava. The town was first documented in the 17th century and developed as a satellite town of Suceava, the former capital of the Principality of Moldavia and border town for the Habsburg Empire, which assimilated it as part of the Duchy of Bukovina and the Kingdom of Galicia.
To get a feel for the area, travel north-east some 8 km to the tourist attraction known as "Barza" (The Stork) outside Dumbrăveni. For generations, the locals have visited this inconspicuous well with its towering metal stork sculpture. This low-profile pitstop has developed into a well-known rest stop with wooden picnic table shelters, a playground, an artificial pond with wild ducks and a trail with wooden bridges. But perhaps the best-known local attraction is the two-tone artisan ice cream, sold here by the same local family for decades.
No tour of Bucovina could possibly take place without first visiting the Fortress of Suceava. Built by Peter Mușat of Moldavia in the 14th century, the fortress served as the seat of power for the region’s voivodes for over 2 centuries. Today, it displays interactive exhibits depicting battles, its restoration and crucial moments in its history. With motion-activated sensors, animated wax sculptures, projections, impressive coats of arms, weaponry and thrones strategically placed throughout, as well as a breathtaking panoramic view from its towers, your walkthrough is bound to be engaging. The fortress also hosts the Medieval Arts Festival every August, with jousting, duelling, archery, parades, concerts, storytelling and various other activities for people of all ages.
As for the Bukovina Village Museum next door, it faithfully depicts the lives, duties and crafts of local dwellers. You’ll find a church, school, mill and pub, as well as unique man-made dwellings that are specific to distinct communities in Vama, Humor, Șaru Dornei and many others. Among the exhibits, you’ll also see looms, pottery, furniture, national dress and utensils, as well as rooms staged to depict key events and ceremonies of rural life.
As you exit the museum, be sure to stop by the equestrian statue of Steven the Great, a much-loved and sanctified ruler. Then, peruse the other exhibitions and galleries that are part of the national Bucovina museum complex, namely the local history museum, natural history museum, princely estate and memorial houses.
With a car or van hire in Salcea, you’ll find many other tourist hotspots further afield, including the 5 most visited local monasteries: Voroneț, Putna, Sucevița, Moldovița and Gura Humorului. Be sure to visit the Cacica salt mine, with its Roman-Catholic church, the salt lake turned skating rink and impressive underground ballroom. Take in the stunning mountain views on a chairlift in Vatra Dornei or enjoy the local flying fox, lido and amusement park in Gura Humorului.
The egg museum in Vama is where you’ll find masterfully decorated eggs from Bukovina, elsewhere in Romania, as well as 82 other countries. You can even try your hand at the craft with input from acclaimed artisan Letiția Orsivschi. To stock up on traditional Romanian black ceramic products, be sure to head over north to Marginea, where you’ll find some of the most ornate and alluring hand-decorated pottery items. See the best of what’s on offer in Bukovina, as well as the adjoining Călimani Mountains, home to the legend of Dracula.
