The Military Center from Piatra-Neamț

At Văleni is one of the oldest and durable wooden churches from Moldova, built in the middle of dense forest, during the reign of Petru Rares, in the year 1538. It was rebuilt by Lăpuşneanu and then by Ieremia Movilă. When you step into it, is like stepping into a museum that presents an exceptional pictorial treasure. Here was a school – iconographic painting workshop. Over 100 icons coming from here, values ​​of national heritage, are in Agapia, Văratec, Neamţ and Bistriţa monasteries museums, knowing more than 150 icons whose origin refers to Văleni, not counting those scattered in private collections. Here are a few reasons why the oldest wooden church in Neamţ County, now a parish church, is worth a visit.

In year 1930 it has began the construction of Precista Curch from Piatra-Neamț and in year 1947 this was holy by Moldova's and Suceava's Metropolitan, Irineu Mihălcescu and by P.S. Iustinian, later Patriarch of Romanian Orthodox Church. At holy service also was priest Constantin Mătasă, the one that animated the beginning and the end of this Holy Church.

In the historical city center is located Royal Church "Sfântul Ioan Domnesc" that was built between years 1497 and 1498 as is mention on the inscription at the entry. Among the heritage objects from "Sfântul Ioan Domnesc" Church from Piatra-Neamț there are: Bohemian crystal chandeliers donated by Nicu Albu in 1837, icons painted by Constantin Stahie and Petre Savinescu, The Holly Evangel from Neamt Monastery from 1821, the Evangel from Sibiu from 1854, silver crosses, old books and more. "Sfântul Ioan Domnesc" Church from “Curtea Domneasca” Architectural Complex from Piatra-Neamț can be visited as a historic monument or you can attend the religious service.

The name of the fortress is mentioned by Ptolomeu in the work "Geographia" in the description of Dacia, where are listed 43 cities (fortresses). The archaeologist had discovered dacian artifacts at Bâtca Doamnei on a surface of almost 20000 square meters and had determined two levels of living: one dating from 2nd century, the other one corresponding to the period between 1st century BC and 1st century AC. Archaeological materials and also the few coins descovered at Bâtca Doamnei, made the resercher suppose that the settlement was founded in 2nd century BC but the growing period started in the next century continuing after. The end of the fortress was caused by a fire. Also a fire has ended the first fase of this settlements. It is hard to establish when these events took place. There is no reason to belive that this fortress had a different faith than the three geto-dacian fortresses on Siret river, that had great distruction after some events placed betwen 89 AC (year of ending peace of Decebal with Domișian) and 106 (ending of his wars with romans).

IMPORTANT NOTICE: The museum is temporary closed for renovation. The only museum in the country dedicated to this great man of culture was built in year 1885. House-museum where the writer lived is located in the city center of Piatra-Neamț, on the street with the same name and it is submitted on the list of arhitectural monuments from National Cultural Heritage, for the special style of the construction. Opened since year 1969, the memorial museum Calistrat Hogaș impresses with the simplicity and rustic beauty characteristic to this mountain area. Visiting hours: Everyday from 09 to 17 (October to March); from 10 to 18 (April to September)  Monday: Closed

IMPORTANT NOTICE:  As of July 29, 2019, the main unit of the Neamț County Museum Complex, the Museum of History and Archeology Piatra-Neamț, stopped its activity in order to implement the project "Conservation, protection and promotion of the Museum of History and Archeology of Piatra-Neamț ". It is estimated that it will be reopened in 2023.  ----- Founded in year 1934 by the priest Constantin Mătasă, shows the evolution of human communities from Neamț area, starting with the higher Paleolithic and up to contemporary era.  As the basic unit of the Neamţ County Museum Complex, this museum belongs to the category of the most prestigious institutions of this profile from Romania. Its contribution to the research, conservation, restoration, management, evidence and valorization of the historical and archaeological heritage in the east of the country is absolutely remarkable, as well as its cultural-educational activity. The Museum of History and Archeology of Piatra-Neamţ is - by the number and importance of the collections, the research area, the activity carried out, the material base, etc. - without question, a museum of regional importance. 

The museum contains an important collection of fossils and also rare specimens from flora and fauna of Neamț county, especially of Ceahlău Mountain. Still here we can admire an interesting collection of mine flowers. Also are exposed bivalve specimens, gastropods, arachnids and reptiles from Oligocene formations in Piatra-Neamt, making up the paleochyofauna collection, which is an important source of information about the Paleotecology of Paratethys during Oligocene. Visiting hours: Everyday from 09 to 17 (October to March); from 10 to 18 (April to September) Monday: Closed

Was founded in year 1980 and contain collections of traditional outfit, handicraft tools, traditional countryside houses, all of them representing the aspect of the peasant homes and the life of people from Bistrița Valley. Visiting hours: Everyday from 09 to 17 (October to March); from 10 to 18 (April to September) Monday: Closed

Founded in year 1980, works in the building built in 1930 by the italians Carol Zane and Vicenzo Puschiasis. Museum exhibition contains works of romanian artists that was related with Neamț area and shows a complete image of the evolution of visualart from the end of 19th century and the begining of 20th century. Thereby we can admire the works of the paintors: Nicolae Tonitza, Gheorghe Petraşcu, Ion Ţuculescu, Corneliu Baba, Francisc Şirato, Ştefan Popescu and the sculptors Ion Irimescu and Ion Jalea. Representatives for contemporary Romanian art are exposed the works of the painters: Simona Vasiliu Chintilă, Spiru Chintilă, Iulia Hălăucescu, Ion Sălişteanu, Dan Hatmanu, Ion Gheorghiu, Corneliu Vasilescu, Eugen Crăciun, Ilie Boca, Lascăr Vorel and the sculptors: Ovidiu Maitec, Clement Pompiliu, Nicolae Fleissig and Iulia Oniţă. Next to the collection of paints, graphics and sculpture we can find the tapestry creation of Aurelia Vasiliu Gheață that are made with a traditional technique combining authentic popular art with medieval wall painting. Visiting hours: Everyday from 09 to 17 (October to March); from 10 to 18 (April to September) Monday: Closed