Piatra Neamț, also known as the “The Pearl of Moldova”, is an attractive tourist destination. This is mostly due to its geographical location: at the foot of the mountains, in a fairytale setting.
Besides the impressive landscape, the city is also rich in tourist attractions such as: museums, places of worship, historic buildings, fortresses. The gondola, the chairlift and the ski slope are also elements that animate the visits of tourists eager for unique experiences.
The first documentary attestation of the locality dates from 1387 when the city carried the name of “Kamena” (Stone, in Russian). In 1453, the locality acquired the status of “royal fair” and, with the erection of the Royal Court, Piatra became a place of high importance.
Until 1859, the locality was called simply “Piatra”, after which the term “Neamț” was included, resulting in the current title.
At the end of the 18th century, the city was an urban reference center for the entire Neamț County. The interwar period is characterized by decline, but immediately after the war the economic rise of the city starts again.
After the fall of the communist regime, the industry suffered, but the early 2000s saw a period of investment in the development of the city.
The municipality of Piatra Neamț is located in the northeastern part of Romania and is the residence of Neamț County. The city is located on the Bistrița Valley, in a depression at the edge of the Eastern Carpathians. Therefore, this is an area rich in picturesque landscapes, the town being surrounded by the mountains Pietricica, Cozla, Cernegura and Cârloman.
The region borders Suceava to the north, Iași and Vaslui to the east, Bacău to the south and Harghita to the west.
The Gondola – It’s an experience you definitely shouldn’t miss. You’ll traverse the city at a height of 64 meters, reaching the Cozla massif. Built by the Austrian company Doppelmayr, it has a length of 1915 meters and 10 pillars. A journey between the Railway Station and Cozla Hill takes a minimum of 8 minutes, and each of the 22 gondolas can carry up to 8 people or 640 kilograms. Inaugurated in 2008, the cable car has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in Piatra Neamț, offering a panoramic view of the city and its surroundings, including Mount Ceahlău.
The Royal Court – It is a complex of historical buildings built between 1497-1498: the Princely Church “The Birth of St. John the Baptist”, the Museum of the Princely Court, and the ruins of the enclosure walls. It represents a remarkable monument of medieval Moldavia, with original decorations in polychrome ceramics and Gothic influences. The ensemble also includes the ruins of the cellar, the bell tower, the ruins of the enclosure wall, and the Museum of the Princely Court.
The Bell Tower – It is a historically significant monument, standing at a remarkable height of 19 meters, dating back to the year 1499. The structure is one of the few buildings that have survived the passage of time, serving as a valuable testimony to local history.
Cucuteni Museum – It is a museum of Eneolithic art containing the remains of the oldest culture in Europe. It was inaugurated in 2005, marking the discovery of the Cucuteni settlement and the contribution of over 70 years from the Museum of History and Archaeology in Piatra Neamț. The building, constructed between 1928 and 1930, was initially the headquarters of a private bank and later of the National Bank of Romania. Its transformation into a museum took place in 2005, and it now houses an exceptional exhibition dedicated to the Cucuteni culture.
Lalu House – Located at 44 Ștefan cel Mare Street, it is now known as the headquarters of the Children’s Palace. The building was constructed by the entrepreneur Carol Zane, according to plans elaborated by the architect Roger H. Bolomey. Initially, this edifice served other purposes, later being transformed into the current location of the Children’s Palace and is a historical monument. The building was erected in 1914, following the Neo-Romanian architectural style.
The closest airports to Piatra-Neamț are Bacau (63 km), Suceava (85 km) and Iasi (101 km).
From Piatra Neamț station, trains leave daily for Bacău, Bicaz and Bucharest. To check the train schedule, access this site.
If you prefer a faster option, you can choose to travel by bus / minibus. Here you will find all the necessary information for this: bus stations and stops, departure and arrival times, destinations.
If you choose to travel by car, from Bucharest to Piatra-Neamț, for example, you will have to travel 355 km, which means about 5 hours and 15 minutes of driving. The route you will have to take is: Bucharest – Urziceni – Buzău – Bacău – Piatra Neamț.
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