Bucium Hill – Bucium Monastery

The Bucium Hill (hill no. 4) is a rich suburb, well-known for its centuries-old wine making and vineyard tradition. In 1949 the Bucium Winery was established, with excellent wines that have won international awards. The tour offered at Bucium proposes a visit to the historical cellars, the wine collection, the ethnographic museum and finally the tasting of local wines. The Bucium Monastery, a favourite place of rest for Moldavia’s bishops, produces an excellent wine, too. It is also famous for its unique interior paintings and its Byzantine painting workshop. A group of 15 poplar trees allegedly inspired Mihai Eminescu to write to his lover, Veronica Micle, the love poem Down Where the Lonely Poplars Grow. Across the street stands the former protocol residence of dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu. (PHOTO : Mihai BULAI)