Highlights:
- Neamț County is located in the central-eastern part of Romania.
- Neighboring counties are: Suceava, Harghita, Bacău, Iași and Vaslui.
- Size: 2,276 square miles
- Highest elevation: Ocolașul Mare Peak (Ceahlău Mountain) of 6,256 ft.
- Neamț County is an area blessed with many touristic sites: Century-old monasteries, fascinating museums, fortresses and strongholds as well as many natural parks ideal for hiking and wild-life watching.
Places to visit:
- Neamț Fortress
- Lakes
- Monasteries
- Natural Reserves
- Museums
Neamț Fortress (Cetatea Neamțului) – a medieval stronghold located in Târgu Neamț. Built in the 1400s by prince Petru Mușat, Neamț reached its peak during the time of Ștefan cel Mare (Stephen the Great) Moldova’s greatest leader. Today, the fortress is home to a museum where visitors can learn about life in the 15th Century.
Natural Lakes
Cuejdel – The bigest natural dum lake in Romania
Cuejdel Lake was “born” on the river Cuejdel and is the biggest natural dam lake in Romania, located in the Stănișoara Mountains at 25 km from Piatra Neamț, in the village Gârcina. The lake has its origins in a landfall that started in 1978 and ended in 1991. In the last stage took form the natural dam that blocked the entire valley and lead to the formation of the lake.
Artificial Lakes
Izvorul Muntelui
The Lake Izvorul Muntelui, also known as Lake Bicaz, is the largest artificial lake on the interior waters of Romania; it was created after the completion of a dam built on the Bistriţa River. The dam is located a few kilometers north of the town of Bicaz.
The dam was built between 1950 and 1960 and is used to generate hydroelectricity at the Bicaz-Stejaru hydro-plant. It has a height of 127 meters, a length of 435 meters, and a maximum width of 119 meters. The lake has a length of 40 kilometers, an area of 33 km² and a maximum volume of 1,250 million m³.
The lake is a popular tourist destination in the region, especially in summertime, when visitors can take the ferryboat from the Bicaz port for a short trip on the lake, enjoying the magnificent view of Mount Ceahlău on the west shore.
In the 1960s and 1970s there was regular ferry service between the Bicaz port and the villages on the lake shore.
At Potoci, a few kilometers north of the town of Bicaz, there is a biological research facility, equipped with a small submersible used for underwater explorations. The facility was visited by the marine biologist Jacques-Yves Cousteau in 1984.
Pângărați and Vaduri
For several years, to our surprise, migratory birds that usually meet them in the Danube delta and lacustrine areas of southern Europe, settled Bistriţa lakes downstream of Spring Mountain, especially on lakes Pângăraţi and Vaduri.
Bâtca Doamnei
Formed in 1962, when it was constructed the hydropower plant with the same name, the lake is situated at an altitude of 325 meters, has an area of 240 hectares, the maximum width of 1 km, length of 3.2 km and a depth of about 15 meters. It is fed by the river Bistrița and brook Doamna, right affluent of the lake. Bâtca Doamnei Lake is located right at the edge of Piatra Neamț County, near the city’s ring road, at the exit towards Bicaz. Being an oasis of tranquility and recreation for residents and visitors of Piatra Neamț, the area offers a spectacular view of the Bistriţa Valley.
Neamț Monastery
The oldest monastery in Neamț County that dates from the 14th Century. Here you can visit the museum of the monastery and the old church.
Agapia and Văratec Monasteries
Feature carpets and tapestries that are handmade by the nuns. Homemade sweets such as ‘Poale in Brâu’ (sweet cheese pie) and Cornuri cu Mere (apple turnover) and other sweets some of the local specialties made and offered by the nuns at these monasteries.
Sihăstria, Secu and Sihla Monasteries
These three religious settlements are of special importance to the locals. Sihla Hermitage is located near to the Cave where Saint Teodora lived and prayed for almost 40 years and built a small church made from the wood of a single tree.
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Sihăstria Monastery |
Secu Monastery |
Sihla Monastery |
Bistrița Monastery
The monastery is located near Piatra Neamț and is the second oldest monastery in Neamț County (it dates from the end of the 14th century).
Dragoș Vodă Bison Reserve
This nature reservation is located in Vânători, a small town near Târgu Neamț, on the road to Neamț Monastery. The place is famous for being one of the few in Europe where bison (or aurochs) still live. Other wildlife in the reserve include deer – children especially enjoy feeding them – and bears.
Ceahlău Massif
“Mount Ceahlău is the Emperor, is the country’s poetry, ornament, is the fountain of mysterious legends and doinas of our nation, is the eternal eye open over the boundaries of the estate draw.“
Nicolae Gane
- Ceahlău Massif is the highest mountain in the Carpathians group Bistrița Moldo Transylvanian, and one of the highest mountains of importance of the Eastern Carpathians. Ceahlău Massif is located in the territory of Neamț County, within easy reach of the town of Bicaz and Lake Izvorul Muntelui. Its highest peak is considered to be Ocolaşul Mare with 1907 m, Toaca peak measuring only 1900 m.
Ceahlău Natural Park
- Offers 7 well marked hiking routes for travelers to explore. Highlights of the park include Duruitoarea Waterfall which can be reached from the town of Durău.
Cheile Bicazului and Hașmașu Park
- An incredible place famous for its massive rock formations that guard the twisted road. The gorge is spectacular and it is accesible by car or by foot (there are 18 hiking trails).
Piatra Neamț
- Cucuteni Culture Museum – a museum that displays an impressive collection of painted ceramics.
- The History and Archeology Museum
- The Art Museum
- The Ethnography Museum
- The Natural Science Museum – famous for a unique collection of fossil fishes
- Calistrat Hogas Memorial House
Târgu Neamț
- Ion Creangă Memorial House – the house where the greatest storyteller of Romania was born is located at the entrance in Targu Neamt and represents a symbol of the Romanian traditional architecture
- Nicolae Popa Museum from Târpești village
- Neamț Monastery Museum
- The Museum of Agapia Monastery – founded in 1927 displays religious objects, paintings, fabrics and wooden sculptures. Here you’ll also see some of the paintings of painter Nicolae Grigorescu.
- The Religious Collection from Văratec Monastery
- The History and Ethnography Museum
- Veronica Micle Memorial House – the house of Veronica Micle is located in Târgu Neamț, across the street from The History Museum and on the road that goes to Neamț Stronghold
Roman
- The History Museum
- The Art Museum
- The Natural Science Museum
Bicaz
- The History and Ethnography Museum
All museums in Neamt County are closed on Mondays. Visiting times are Tuesday through Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm (April – September)