Piatra Neamț

The Pearl of Moldova

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, and fortresses. The gondola, the chairlift, and the ski slope are also elements that animate the visits of tourists eager for unique experiences.

History &

Geography

The first documentary attestation of the locality dates from 1387 where the city was carried name of “Kamena” (Stone, in Russian). In 1453, the locality acquires the status of “royal fair” and, with the erection of the Royal Court, Piatra becomes 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 centre for the entire Neamț County. The interwar period is characterised 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.

Did you know...?

  • The gondola in Piatra Neamț is unique in Romania?

 

  • The first mechanical paper mill was made in 1841 in Piatra Neamț?

 

  • The addition of the word “Neamț” to the title of the city was made to stop the confusion with the locality of Piatra in Olt County?

 

  • The museum dedicated to Cucuteni culture is the only one of its kind in the country?

 

  • At the foot of the Cozla, Cernegura and Pietricica peaks fossils of 30 million year old fish were discovered? This is known as the “stone aquarium”.
Let's travel and discover

Tourist attractions in PIATRA NEAMȚ

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.

Cable car schedule:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Wednesday: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Prices:

Children 5-14 years old: 20 lei round trip; 15 lei one way

Adults: 35 lei round trip; 20 lei one way

Piatra-Neamt_Telegondola

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.

Piatra-Neamt_Curtea Domnească

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.

It is included in the new list of historical monuments, recognized and protected for its cultural and historical value. Typically, visitors can climb the tower to admire the view.

Piatra-Neamt_Turnul Clopotniță

Cucuteni Museum

Cucuteni Museum – it is a museum of Eneolithic art and contains relics from the oldest culture in Europe. It was inaugurated in 2005, marking the discovery of the Cucuteni site and over 70 years of contribution 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 the National Bank of Romania. It was transformed into a museum in 2005 and now houses an exceptional exhibition dedicated to the Cucuteni culture.

Visiting hours:

  • Tuesday – Sunday:
    • April – September: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
    • October – March: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Ticket prices:

  • Adults: 16 lei
  • Students: 8 lei
  • Children, preschoolers: 4 lei
Piatra-Neamt_Muzeul Cucuteni

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.

Piatra-Neamt_Casa Lalu
Internal and external links

Transport to/from Piatra Neamt

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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Festivals and other attractions in Piatra Neamț

If you like music festivals, in Constanta you will find one to your taste, regardless of the style of music you prefer. Here you have a list with some of them, but you should know that every weekend there are events for all tastes.

  • Neamț Music Festival – takes place between 4-6 September and aims to promote classical music. The event takes place in three locations: Dacia Cinema, Neamț Fortress and Rubik Hub.

 

What are you waiting for? Come and have a good time, enjoy music, nice people and magical places.

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