Vatra Moldoviței is a commune located in the western-central part of Suceava County, in the historical region of Bukovina, northeastern Romania. It is composed of three villages, namely: Ciumârna, Paltinu, and Vatra Moldoviței. The latter village is the site of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Moldovița Monastery. It lies on the banks of Moldovița River and some of its tributaries Ciumârna and Paltinu. It is flanked by two of the Bukovina Ridges : the Great Ridge and the Feredeu Ridge. The first official record referring to the Vatra Moldoviței area dates to the time of Alexander the Good, who founded the Moldovița Monastery in 1402. In the past, in its relatively recent history, more specifically in the modern period and up until the mid 20th century, the commune was also home to a sizeable German population, more specifically Bukovina Germans. Vatra Moldoviței is also part of the Via Transilvanica long-distance trail.

History

The commune was first attested during the early 15th century. Subsequently, several centuries later, part of the historical region of Bukovina, Vatra Moldoviței was under Habsburg and Austrian rule (being part of the Duchy of Bukovina, Cisleithania) until 1918 when it became part of the Kingdom of Romania.

Administration and local politics

Communal council

The commune's current local council has the following political composition, according to the results of the 2020 Romanian local elections:

Gallery