The villages around the monasteries still go about their business by horse and cart.
We noticed that the carts had number plates and asked the guide why. He told us that before communism the farmers owned the farms and they were taken by the communists so they had to work for the state. In the evening the farmers would pick the crops and sell them on the black market. The communists couldn't identify who had taken the crops so number plates were introduced and people have continued to use them from that time.The red tassle hanging by the horses ear is to ward off evil spirits.
The Humor Monastery has frescoes painted on the outsie from 1530 AD. On the sheltered side of the building they have managed to survive the sun and snow. maybe paint companies could find the recipe and have our house paint last like this has!
Many of the houses are built from small wooden shingles.
The wells in front of the houses are well decorated with metal rooves.
Voronet Monastery is a working monastery with about 20 nuns. They have a farm surrounding the monastery and work it themselves.
All the monasteries are painted with the same stories. This monastery was built after winning battles against the Turks and out of gratitude to God.
