High up in the Carpathians

Posted on April 8, 2015 by Christian Herrmann under Jewish Cemeteries, Southern Bukovina, Synagogues

Today we traveled further west, deeper into the Carpathians. The Monastery of Voroneţ and the Jewish heritage of Vama and Câmpulung Moldovenesc were on our way. Again and we looked for the remaining traces of Jewish Bukovina, for cemeteries and synagogues.

Voroneţ Monastery

Vama Jewish cemetery

Câmpulung Moldovenesc synagogue

Câmpulung Moldovenesc Jewish cemetery

Câmpulung Moldovenesc synagogue

High up in the Carpathians

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A Former Shtetl in the Carpathians

Posted on April 7, 2015 by Christian Herrmann under Jewish Cemeteries, Southern Bukovina

Once again, we tried to visit the New Jewish cemetery of Suceava – this time with success. Then we went on to Gura Humorului, a former shtetl in the Carpathians. A trip back into the winter and into the past.

Suceava – New Jewish Cemetery

Gura Humorului Synagogue

Gura Humorului

Gura Humorului – Jewish Cemetery

Gura Humorului – Jewish Cemetery – tomb of Sars Schmidt

Gura Humorului – Jewish Cemetery – Angela Maria

Gura Humorului – Jewish Cemetery

Mănăstirea Humorului

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The Jewish Cemeteries of Suceava

Posted on April 6, 2015 by Christian Herrmann under Jewish Cemeteries, Southern Bukovina

A rainy day in Suceava. Despite cold and wetness, we decided to explore the traces of the Jewish past of the city today. Five Jewish cemeteries are preserved. We tried to find them – mostly successful.

Hand-painted eggs from Suceava Easter market

Suceava Temple Synagogue

Suceava – closed gate of the Old Jewish Cemetery

Suceava – Old Jewish Cemetery

Suceava – New Jewish Cemetery

Burdujani New Jewish Cemetery

Itcani New Jewish Cemetery

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A Long Day on the Train

Posted on April 5, 2015 by Christian Herrmann under Southern Bukovina

Today we have reached Bukovina. It took 7 hours until our train solved the 330 km between Cluj-Napoca and Suceava. We crossed the Carpathians from west to east.

On the train to Suceava

On the train to Suceava – view from the window

On the train to Suceava – view from the window – Campulung Est train station

On the train to Suceava – Achim, Petra and me

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Arrival in Romania

Posted on April 4, 2015 by Christian Herrmann under Synagogues, Transylvania (Siebenbürgen)

I like Europe. A two hour flight brings you into a completely different world. Today I arrived in Cluj-Napoca (Kolozsvár, Klausenburg), a city in Transylvania (Siebenbürgen), Romania. My friends Petra and Achim picked me up at the airport, with them I will be traveling in the next 2 weeks.

Cluj-Napoca (Kolozsvár, Klausenburg)

Cluj-Napoca (Kolozsvár, Klausenburg), synagogue

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Plans for April

Posted on March 2, 2015 by Christian Herrmann under Southern Bukovina

In the first half of April 2015 I will be back on the road with my friends Petra and Achim. We are an experienced travel team. Among other trips, we were traveling two years ago in Galicia and Northern Bukovina in Ukraine. This time Southern Bukovina, by now the Romanian part of the former Austro-Hungarian crown land, is waiting for us. I compiled a list of places to go, but I’m sure there are knowledgeable readers who have good suggestions for more destinations!

Travel Destinations in Southern Bukovina

1. Campulung Moldovenesc, 2. Gura Humorolui, 3. Solca, 4. Arbore, 5. Radauti / Radautz, 6. Moldovita, 7. Siret, 8. Mihaileni, 9. Dorohoi, 10. Suceava, 11. Botosani, 12. Vatra Dornei, 13. Săveni, 14. Colacu (Fundul Moldovei), 15. Carlibaba, 16. Iacobeni, 17. Burdujeni, 18. Itcani, 19. Vama, 20. Bucecea

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A Winter Journey In Black And White

Posted on February 25, 2015 by Christian Herrmann under Eastern Galicia, Volhynia (Volyn)

At the turn of the year I traveled in Ukraine again. This time I was in Volhynia (Volhyn), a historical region between Galicia and Belarus. My trip took me to Trochenbrod, Lutsk, Rivne, Dubno and Ostroh. Back in Lviv, I made an excursion to Olesko and Busk in Galicia. Now I have completed a selection of black and white photos of the trip.

Busk synagogue

Dubno synagogue

Lutsk synagogue

Olesko synagogue

Ostroh synagogue

Trochenbrod (Trachimbrod)

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A last excursion to Galicia

Posted on January 2, 2015 by Christian Herrmann under Eastern Galicia, Jewish Cemeteries, Synagogues

Again, I was travelling with Vasyl and Renata. I highly appreciate both of them – because of their kindness and because of their excellent knowledge of local history. My journey is slowly coming to an end and it was a final opportunity to explore Galicia during this trip. Olesko and Busk were the places we went to.

Olesko Jewish cemetery

Olesko synagogue

Olesko castle

Busk synagogue

Busk Jewish cemetery

Busk Jewish cemetery – mass grave site

Busk Jewish cemetery

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A few words about Rivne

Posted on January 1, 2015 by Christian Herrmann under Synagogues, Volhynia (Volyn)

What can I say about Rivne, the city where I stayed for my trips to Ostroh and Dubno? Very little is left from old Rivne. The city was rebuilt after the war in Stalin style. The suburbs consist mainly of Soviet apartment blocks from the Brezhnev era. In the center is a huge theater – sculptures dance on its roof into a bright future that never took place.

Rivne Theatre

Rivne Theatre – sculptures dance on its roof into a bright future that never took place

Rivne – main street

Last synagogue of Rivne

Rivne – former synagogue

Rivne – Orthodox church, one of the last buildings of old Rivne

Rivne – empty square on New Year’s Eve

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In Dubno

Posted on December 31, 2014 by Christian Herrmann under Synagogues, Volhynia (Volyn)

In Dubno probably more historical substance is preserved then in much larger Rivne, where I stay in a hotel. At the market square a number of typical Jewish functional houses are still standing, with a shop in the ground floor and an apartment with balcony on the first floor. One of Dubno’s most important monuments is the former synagogue. It is easy to find and is located in close vicinity to the central market square.