CITY ATTRACTIONS

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).

The educational institution known today as the "Calistrat Hogaş" National College writes its history as a place of light from the year 1885, when it existed in Piatra Neamţ, as it would indirectly result from the last documents revealed, the "Culture", a private primary and secondary institute for girls. Social life in the second half of the 19th century is marked by a strong feminist movement, which did not remain indifferent to women's right to access education and culture. In German education, this tendency would occupy a privileged place. The initiative of Mrs. Ivanovici (sister of the lawyer Gh. Lazu, former sub-prefect and prefect of Neamţ) resulted in the establishment of the institute, which also had a boarding school and which operated in the former houses of Maria Albu - the current headquarters of the Territorial Agency of School Camps and Tourism. Since 1889, the activity has been led by teacher Elisa Udrischi, a graduate of the Conservatory in Dresden, assisted by Gabriela Bitrou, a highly cultured young woman with secondary education in Austria. The teaching staff who taught at this girls' institute were among the best trained professionally, especially pedagogically. In the lower secondary course, worked teachers Ion Negre (the director of the gymnasium and then of the "Petru Rareş" High School), Gr. Sinescu, V. Vîleanu, Gr. Istrati, Er. Zaharia, N. Juravschi, all with university studies in the country and abroad. The beginning of the 20th century is characterized by a visible animation of the scientific, cultural and social-political life, the deep changes being reflected in the life of education. In 1901, Ion Negre left for Bucharest (as a liberal deputy in the Romanian Parliament), being replaced by Er. Zaharia, and the school existed until 1910, when Elisa Udrischi was called to Iasi to run a music school. In these conditions, Eugenia Popovici, with a degree in letters, and Valentina Focsa, with a degree in mathematics, established, in 1910, a preparatory course for girls for the third grade of secondary school, authorized by the Ministry of Public Instruction and Cults, with results whose quality she was known and recognized. Thus, in 1911, with the support of the German parliamentarians and with the authorization of C.C. Arion – minister in the conservative government led by P.P. Carp, the private secondary school for girls with the state education program was established in Piatra Neamţ. Transformed, in 1924, into the Eugenia Popovici – Valentina Focsa Girls' High School, the school fulfilled its mission of ensuring equal opportunities in access to instruction and education, illustrating the progress of Romanian education, marked, a year earlier, by the nationalization of schools. If until this historical moment, the studious girls had taken their high school equivalency exams at the "Petru Rareş" High School, the right to education, existing and fulfilled in the old and prestigious school from the end of the 19th century, acquires its well-deserved status. Nurtured by the enlightened desire of the teachers and the young offspring to fulfill themselves through knowledge, the school that we call today the "Calistrat Hogaş" National College has been in existence since 1885 and was founded in 1910. From here, since then, its history springs ceaselessly and quenches the thirst for learning of the generations it has raised. Source and additional information: www.calistrathogas.ro

"Petru Rareș" National College is a high school education institution in Piatra-Neamț, located on 4 Stefan cel Mare street, right in the heart of the city. It was and still is one of the most prestigious educational institutions in the city. In 1869, on November 27, the school was opened, with Ion Negre (the scientific part) and Calistrat Hogaș (the literary part) as teachers, the management being entrusted to the latter. The profile of this school being both classical (1869-1878) and real (1878-1897). The college building is a historical monument, registered in the list of historical monuments in Neamț County.

The Piatra-Neamţ Forestry Technical College, an educational institution with old traditions in the field of forestry, is among the few in the country, ensuring with professionals both the internal human resources required (represented by the National Forestry Authority - ROMSILVA, the Neamţ Forest Directorate and economic agents from the field of wood processing) as well as the European one. Graduates of the Technical College easily found a job in the European Union thanks to the fields of training related to the basic training: salmon farming, landscaping, utilization of non-wood forest products, hunting, carpenters, furniture designers.

Colibele Haiducilor ("Outlaws' huts"), a new object of tourist and citizen interest, were put into use in 1968. The construction work started in April and lasted until August, the investment value being 500,000 lei. "Located in a beautiful natural setting, on one of the terraces of the "Cozla" park, they consist of six huts with 8 seats each, a grotto where whole rams will be roasted and can be served in skewers, a rustic restaurant with 80 seats, plus a 20-seat bar, the terrace (courtyard) with 150 seats, an outlaw hut for keeping and serving wines in burnt clay jugs and a terrace with a view of the city center and the Bistriței Valley». The architect of "Colibelor haiducilor", Vasile Popovici, stated that the materials used were: wood and stone, and the roof was made of slate. "In the big hut, for example, the atmosphere of an outlaw stop is recreated. The outlaws came, dismounted, took the saddles from the horses, placed them around a log, entered the house and went about their business». Nicolae Săndescu, foreman at Group 2 of the Piatra Neamț construction site, said that "we tried to do a job of the best quality, so that when we come to the restaurant's tables as consumers, we will not be ashamed". Dumitru Frosin, director of TAPL Piatra Neamț, said in his turn: "The taraf led by Preda Isidor also contributes to the completion of the atmosphere. The singers have many outlaw musical pieces in their repertoire, and through their interpretation, I hope they will show a good artistic attitude, thus enjoying the warm appreciation of the consumers. I think that our new establishment will be very much in demand by consumers due to its outlaw character, with various culinary preparations from game, sheep, beef, poultry, mushrooms, cheeses. Also, the drinks will be of the best quality». Article published by A. Nanu and Tiberiu Uță in Ceahlăul newspaper (Sunday, September 8, 1968) and taken from www.mesagerulneamt.ro

First documentary attestation of Royal Court of Piatra-Neamț shows in a document realeased in year 1491. The Royal Court from Piatra-Neamț had acomplished the duties of court of Moldova rulers until 17th century. Starting with year 2010, Royal Court Esembly had began a wide process of rehabilitation. The beautiful foundation of Ștefan the Great is still preserved today in Piatra-Neamț City beeing know as historic city center.  Located on a plateau around which it has developed the actual city, architectural complex is formed by "Saint Ioan Domnesc" Church, Bell Tower and the wall of the enclosure with the Royal Court Museum.

The Stânişoara Mountains constitute a well-individualized unit within the Piatra-Neamţ city, including only their southern extremity. The main peak has a general NW-SE orientation, consistent with the geological structure. Marls, clayey and disodilic shales predominate here, sometimes covered by loessoid deposits. The same geological structure can be found on the Cârloman hill, the western extension of Cozla. The maximum altitude reaches 806 m in Prihodiște Peak.

Cernegura (821 m altitude) is the highest of the peaks surrounding the city of Piatra-Neamț and offers nature lovers several hiking trails with different access points. The mountain paths and the route marked in our application can be reached from the area of the Căprioara bridge or from the forest road that branches off from Aleea Tineretului, approximately 200 m before the entrance to the beach. Other access roads are in the area of Bâtca Doamnei village. Regardless of the option chosen, the well-trodden paths of Cernegura are easily accessible to hikers, the routes being generally of low difficulty 

Located in the northern part of the city of Piatra-Neamț, Cozla Hill is an extension of the Stânișoara Mountains, part of the last step of the Carpathians. Cozla reaches a height of 657 meters at the point called "Three Hills" and 670 meters at "Three Buckets". The area at the base of Cozla Mountain is considered to be the hearth of the old "Târgu Pietrei", here being the highest population density for centuries, a fact that made Stephen the Great himself choose the place for the construction of the Royal Court at Piatra Neamț. On Cozla was the Cucutenian settlement located at the highest altitude known for this type of dwelling in the entire area of Moldova. At the end of the 19th century, mineral waters were discovered on this mountain, which represented, for a short time, an important attraction. This is also where paleontological discoveries were made for the first time in Romania. Today the mountain is known mainly for its hiking trails and tourist infrastructure: cable car, chairlift, ski slope.   THE GREAT AFFORESTATION OF COZLA HILL Cozla was reforested at the beginning of the 20th century, a few years after a natural disaster that marked the history of this mountain, but also of the city. "On the night of May 30-31, 1897, following heavy rains that lasted all that month, the mountain began to slide right from the top, slowly sliding downhill, covering all the people's homes under it, who, frightened, fled escaping only with his life, covering at the same time the largest part of the vacant place of the town hall, up to the street. When we saw this disaster the next morning, a pitiful spectacle presented itself to our eyes: the broken mountain formed huge cracks, ravines and deep chasms and an enormous mass of ground, mixed with rocks and uprooted trees" says Dimitrie Hogea, former mayor of the city (1914-1918) in the paper "From the past of the city of Piatra-Neamţ”. In 1901, when Nicu Albu became mayor, he decided to afforest the mountain and to build a park in order to stem the fury of the waters. For 3 years, hundreds of people worked to reforest the mountain, with firs and pines brought from Sinaia, from the Royal Greenhouses. The effort was considerable both for the actual plantings and for the care of the saplings, because during periods of drought the locals would carry buckets of water up the mountain to water them. The park with promenade areas, pavilion and buffet casino was then built, the official inauguration taking place with great pomp on August 15, 1904. Then Nicu Albu made the memorable statement "It was hard, but we defeated nature". The wooden buildings were located on the place where the "Colibele Haiducilor" restaurant is now, the first ones burning completely two decades after the inauguration. THE HEALING SPRINGS FROM COZLA In 1882, springs of chloride-sodium and sulphurous mineral waters were discovered on Cozla, studied at the time by Petru Poni and recommended for the treatment of digestive and circulatory ailments.   The initial discovery was made by chance. Visiting a patient in the Bordeie slum, Dr. Ștefan Predescu receives water for tasting from a natural pool formed near the host's house. The Doctor realizes that a saline mineral deposit had formed on the mountain and begins to survey the area to find a spring. 5 springs are thus discovered. A committee is set up to study the healing properties of the waters, after which the help of the scientist Petru Poni is requested. The results of the studies on the curative effectiveness of the waters being positive increases the interest in their exploitation.   Thanks to them, in 1889 the city was recognized as a spa resort. The mineral waters of Cozla were also appreciated on the occasion of the universal exhibition in Paris, from 1900, when a bronze medal was obtained. Although these waters attracted thousands of tourists to Piatra Neamţ, over time, irrational exploitation and landslides led to their clogging. COZLA PALEONTOLOGICAL RESERVE   The first Oligocene fossil fishes in Romania were discovered on Cozla and Pietricica in 1883-1885. Thus, the study of fossil fish on Cozla begins almost simultaneously with similar research in Western Europe.   In Piatra-Neamt and its surroundings, 4 fossiliferous areas have been identified: Cernegura, Pietricica, Cozla and Agârcia, for this reason the area is called the "Piatra Aquarium". On Cozla, in the rock layers made up of marl and sandstone conglomerates, fossil deposits of fish, with various species, were discovered. Their presence is due to the existence here 35 million years ago of the Paratethys sea, in which fish and shells characteristic of subtropical areas lived. The discovered fossils can be seen at the Museum of Natural Sciences in Piatra Neamț, which still holds the most valuable Oligocene fish collection in the country and one of the richest in Europe.   Due to the richness of the Oligocene deposits, the Cozla, Pietricica and Cernegura Mountains were declared paleontological reserves in 1971. The interest of researchers in the study of fossiliferous areas in Piatra-Neamț is still growing, including foreigners getting involved in research campaigns in the region. THE BUCKETS OF THE GIANTS, UNIQUE IN THE EASTERN CARPATIES Another element of uniqueness on Mount Cozla is the geological reserve located at the point with the maximum height (approximately 670 meters) called "Three Buckets", or "The Buckets of the Giants ". These are aeolian marmites, excavations with dimensions of several dozen centimeters (about 60 cm) created by the long action of the wind, in the conditions of a harsh and cold climate.

The forest road starts from the The Tineretului Beach from Piatra-Neamț and climbs for 2-3 km towards the Cernegura Peak (821 m).

The esplanade over the Cuejdi river is an important urban regeneration project carried out in the past by the leadership of the Piatra-Neamț City Hall. It is located in the city center, near the Neamț County Hospital.

This neo-Romanian style house was built in 1927 in the center of Piatra-Neamț. Until 2022, an international restaurant operated here, but it was closed in the meantime. The property has not yet been sold or rented to another beneficiary, but it can be admired from Paharnicul street (no. 3) where it is located.

The "Lascăr Vorel" Art Gallery is a small county museum located in the city center, near the Ceahlău Hotel. It was organized in 1993 and hosts exhibitions of contemporary artists. ACCESS IS FREE TIME SCHEDULE: Monday - Saturday 10:00-18:00 It is closed on Sunday.

At Piatra Neamț, the first railway line was built to connect the city to Bacău under the law of May 15, 1882 and was put into operation on October 15, 1885. The first station of the city being currently called Gara Veche (located in the neighborhood of the same name). The Old Station building was built after the normalization of the Bacău – Piatra Neamț line was completed in 1893. Initially, the railway was built with a gauge of 1,000 mm., and the passenger building - inaugurated on February 15, 1885, was of the terminus type. Bringing the line to a normal gauge of 1,456 mm was carried out by engineer I. Bacalu from Piatra Neamț, and the works were led by engineer Romulus Băiulescu. The current Piatra-Neamț railway station was inaugurated on October 2, 1913 and is an important and valuable historical monument, being the work of the Italian entrepreneur Carol Zane, the one who also built other buildings in the city: the Theatre of Youth, the Precista Church, the Art Museum and the current headquarters of the Cucuteni Museum. A really important moment that had the CRF Piatra-Neamţ Station in the foreground was when the famous filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola was going to film here, in 2005-2006, several scenes from the movie "Youth without youth".

Nicu N. Albu (1853-1908) was an important Romanian businessman and politician - mayor, prefect, deputy, senator, honorary citizen (posthumously) of Piatra Neamț municipality (1996). The new public garden at the base of the Cozla hill, which will bear his name, is in the process of being completed in the space of the old zoo. This will become a valuable place dedicated to both the local community and tourists from the city.

"LA CAIACE" is definitely an unmissable tourist activity! Opened on the shore of Bâtca Doamnei lake, La Caiace is a relatively new concept that put Piatra-Neamț on the list of cities that have unconventional spaces for relaxation and self-discovery. La Caiace is an outdoor space, arranged in the style of "nature friendly" spaces. It's that place where the locals, tourists, artists, athletes, photographers gather on beautiful days to spend some precious time away from the city. The concept itself proposes sports programs and unique events designed as an alternative for spending free time, educational, cultural, sports and relaxation activities. Once the heat sets in fully and the sun begins to show itself in all its glory, the watchword becomes outdoor. The "La Caiace" project is initiated by Maia Outdoor and the FII ACTIV Association, supporters of fun programs for children and parents, for those who want to conquer the park in front of the block, but also for those who aim for the highest peaks.

Lake Batca Doamnei is located at an altitude of 325 meters and is an important element of Piatra Neamt because, besides its protection purpose, it also offers wonderful views. From here, you can admire the panorama of the city and Ceahlau Mountain in all its splendor. Formed in 1962 by the Bistrita river barrier and lateral indigestion, on the left side, of a perimeter of the major riverbed, the Batca Doamnei Lake has an area of ​​235 ha, a maximum length of 3200 m, a maximum width of 1050 m and a maximum depth of 15.5 m. It is supplied with water from Izvoru Muntelui-Bicaz reservoir dam via the Stejaru Hydroelectric Water Supply Channel, to which is added the Doamna river, the right tributary of the lake and the old course of the Bistrita river which has a very low flow. Near the lake is Batca Doamnei hill, where are the ruins of Dacian Fortress from Batca Doamnei. Lake Batca Doamnei, alongside the Pangarati and Vaduri lakes, is a special area for birds moving on the Eastern Carpathian Migration Corridor and is an important link in preserving biodiversity and natural habitats for the entire eastern area of ​​the European continent. The lake, thanks to the large surface, offers winter conditions for a large number of birds. In November, on Batca Doamnei Lake, there are specimens of large cormorant that pop out here during migration.

Porcului lake on Cozla hill is actually a small pond fed by the rains, where the animals of the forest water. Deer tracks can often be seen on the shore, but wild boars are most likely to come here as well. Most likely from them comes the name of the lake. This lake is surrounded by a beautiful beech forest and is located on the approved route "Three Căldări" from Piatra-Neamț. Photo via www.bloguldecalatorii.ro 

The Reconstrucția Lake is located in the city of Piatra-Neamț, in the immediate vicinity of the Căprioara Bridge. It was man-made in the 60s along with the dam of the same name, with an area of 10 ha and a volume of about 250,000 m3. From here, the Bistrita hydrotechnical channel separates, which continues in the direction of Bacău..

The Bâtca Doamnei Lake in Piatra-Neamț, to which are also added those from Pângărați and Vaduri (towards Bicaz), have over time become main weekend attractions both for tourists visiting the area and for locals alike, thanks to its beauty species of birds that can be found here: the mute swan or the red-billed swan, to which are also added the mallard, the corcodella and other migratory birds. The mentioned lakes are located on the middle course of the Bistrița river and offer, along with the favorable climate and rich trophic resources, favorable wintering conditions for these migratory waterfowl species of the eastern Carpathian corridor. The migration of swans on the lakes in the area begins in October and ends in March at the latest, but some specimens choose not to leave, being able to be admired throughout the year.

The mission of an arts high school is not limited to the sharing of knowledge and skills. Such a vocational school aims to train personalities who, through a selection based on talent, assiduous study and obvious results, can live the art and make it loved by people. The need for a school with an artistic profile seemed natural, in Piatra-Neamț, after 1990. The city between the mountains and all the surroundings of Neamţ had rich folklore and literary traditions, publicly visible since the end of the 19th century. The famous conductor Sergiu Celibidache had started from Roman, from Piatra-Neamț the avant-garde painter Victor Brauner, the landscape artist Iulia Hălăucescu and, later, the well-known soprano Elena Botez (returned as a formidable singing teacher to her hometown, after the end of concert activities on the big scenes). Since the 1970s, however, a popular art school has operated in exactly the same building where the high school is located today, a school that adequately covered the vocational needs of students and young people in the area.  The High School of Arts in Piatra-Neamţ, therefore, was founded on September 1, 1991, with its headquarters in Strada Peneş Curcanul no. 6, but operating, in the absence of other available rooms, in buildings from various other high schools (The "Calistrat Hogaș" National College, The Technical College "Gheorghe Cartianu"). The name of the school unit was changed in 2004 (April 24), from "Art High School, Piatra-Neamţ" to "Victor Brauner Art High School", and from September 1, 2012 to "Victor Brauner Art High School", Piatra-Neamt". Today, the high school has 4 buildings located in three building bodies, within which the type of education offered to the children is harmonized with the vocational dimension. Thus, Building "A", from Peneş Curcanul str., no. 6 includes a number of 30 offices (for individual courses) and 3 classrooms (for collective courses) in which music students are trained, guided by 45 teaching staff, most of them tenured, with all teaching degrees given, some Methodists, some master's students, doctoral students or holders of the PhD title. The studio hall "Theodor Macarie" (with 120 seats, arranged downstairs and on the balcony) works both as a concert hall and as a hall for festivities. In these spaces, the sections carry out their activities: instrumental interpretation, vocal interpretation (classical canto), folklore (popular instruments and traditional Romanian canto). In the instrumental section, a number of 15 instruments of the symphony orchestra are studied (piano, violin, viola, cello, double bass, guitar, flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, bassoon, trumpet, horn, trombone, percussion) as well as 3 instruments of the Romanian traditional music (pan flute, cymbal, accordion). The general culture subjects are studied in the 2 wings of Building "B", located on Bd. Decebal, no. 48. They have a number of 8 classrooms, including ICT laboratory, methodical office, medical office, library (with over 9,000 volumes), gymnasium. High school students work in them under the guidance of 28 competent teachers (most with first and second degrees, two with PhDs). The students are divided into 20 classes: 1 preparatory class, 4 primary education classes (music), 8 secondary education classes (visual arts classes and music classes, one for each level), 8 high school education classes (4 visual arts classes and 4 music classes, same as in secondary school, one each of each level).The students carry out their activity during a day in 2 shifts. The activity of the specializations in visual arts takes place in Building "C" in Alexandru cel Bun street no. 2, a heritage building that includes a number of 7 workshops in which students are trained in groups, under the guidance of 8 teachers. The "visual arts" specialization includes the sections: monumental art, easel painting, clothing design, printing, sculpture.   Source and additional information: www.liceulbrauner.ro

The Pietricica Monastery bears the titular saint "Transfiguration in the Face of God" and is a monastery of monks founded in 1994. The community consists of 6 believers, the abbot being Father Neofit Amariea.

The Pietricica mountain, a solitary height that characterizes the entire area of ​​the city, is a huge geological relic, a remnant of a salted and overturned fold that dates back to the Paleogene of the flysch, accumulates all the formations specific to this region, including Oligocene layers with rich fossil deposits. Its maximum altitude is 590m. "... the peak of Pietricica, this imposing massif of rock which, according to some, gave the name of the settlement where we are. Pietricica does not really encourage the locals, nor the foreigners of this settlement, to visit it, because of the roughness of the slopes, the bareness of the rocks and the lack of greenery - as it appears to those who look at it from the city." described the writer Victor Nămolaru in the book "Small tourist guide to Piatra-Neamț", published in 1969, at a time when vegetation was quite absent. But things have changed in the meantime! The same author continued: "Tourists who still want to get to know it better and visit it, have nothing to regret. The panorama that opens before the eyes includes, from the top, the imposing creation of nature - the Ceahlău mountain, the Bistriței valley, the surrounding hills, all the way to the plain. We point out to the visitors, on the Bistrița side of the hill, the existence of a small cave – The cell of of the Monk, as well as the Pit of Stephen the Great, from where the soldiers of the great voivode announced, with lit fires, the approach of danger."  Indeed, the peak and plateau of Mount Pietricica, a symbol of the city, are not to be missed. Access is easy, by car, and the view is truly impressive, especially at sunset. We say it one more time in capital letters: IT IS NOT TO BE MISSED!

From Ștefan's the Great Royal Court is still preserved fragments from the south side of the wall of enclosure and the north east corner of the cellars that include an access room, a long hallway and four galleries. These rooms host nowadays Royal Court Museum. Cellar I In the exhibition space within the cellar are exposed artifacts discovered in Royal Court area: coins, jewelry and clothing accessories. Inside the exhibition was rebuilt military equipment (broadsword, iron shirt, crest, shield and more) and weapons (swors, axes, bow and arrows and more) specific to the medieval period. In the entrace hallway and in the southbound there are arranged several information and illustrated panels that represent the origin and appearance of the medieval fair, the history and the evolution of the institution Royal Court from Piatra but also facts regarding arheological research that targeted the cellar of Royal Court. Cellar II This cellar dates back in 18th century. Therewith, the cellar overlap two older ones, first from the age of Alexandru the Good and the second from the age of Ștefan the Great, both beeing part, at a certain time, of Royal Court Ensemble. Historians says that this cellar was used as basement where Moldavian rulers were keeping wine barrels. 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

Founded in year 2005, works in the building built by Carol Zane in years 1928-1930 and decorated by carver Vicenzo Puschiasis. The remains discovered in the field, in over 150 archaeological sites, over six decades form the exceptional heritage of this museum. Cucuteni culture represents the most important civilisation of "Old Europe" and is the last culture with painted ceramics from Europe. The museum exhibition contain almost 300 pieces arranged on two levels and three rooms. Here it can be admired objects of ceramics painted in three colors, figurative-plastic art objects anthropomorph and zoomorph, decorative art objects applied on vase, all representative for all the fases of development of this culture. 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

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

Balaurului Forest is situated on the hill with the same name, being located on the territory of Dobreni village. It is located at the exit from Piatra-Neamț towards Târgu Neamț. Even though the name of the forest may be frightening, it is highly unlikely that you will encounter any dragons here. Instead, many residents from Piatra-Neamț who are passionate about mountain biking  come here because, through these places, passes one of the most beautiful and easy routes.

On November 18, 2022, the Romanian Post returned to its customers a headquarters which is a historical monument in Piatra-Neamț. It is located on Alexandru cel Bun street, no. 21, and had been closed for 12 years. OJP Neamț, OPD Piatra Neamț and OP 1 Piatra Neamț resumed their activity in this building.   This heritage headquarters of the Romanian Post was built in the period 1932-1936. He was removed from the work with the public because investment works were needed that were started in January 2022. The value of these works amounted to approximately 2.7 million lei without VAT. Work was done on the interior and exterior architecture, roof, electrical, thermal and sanitary installations.   The General Director of the Romanian Post, Valentin Ștefan, was also present at the inauguration of the new postal subunit: "This year, the biggest investments were made for the Romanian Post in recent years. We wanted to return this symbolic building to our customers in Piatra Neamț, this being the largest completed investment from the company's heritage. We have beautiful headquarters all over the country, many of them in serious need of investments. Personally, I think we need to treat this kind of historical buildings with respect and preserve them with care in every detail."   Thus, starting from the end of last year, at the Post Office 1 Piatra-Neamț which serves, at the 6 counters, both individuals and legal entities, customers are welcomed in an office equipped with all the facilities, in order to make the work flow and waiting times more efficient, the quality of services being improved. Equally, this palace of the post office is also a tourist attraction.

The Central Park in Piatra-Neamț is also known as the "Youth Park" and that is because of the Theater located here, one of the monumental buildings in the city. It is also called "Stephan the Great Park" thanks to the statue located in the heart of the park, but also to the Royal Court built nearby during the reign of the famous medieval ruler. The park is the place where various events are organized. On certain weekends, the street next to the park connecting the Theater and Hotel Ceahlău is closed, the entire area becoming pedestrian.

The Central Market in Piatra-Neamț has been completely rebuilt after a fire severely affected it in 2014. It is modern, spacious and offers visitors a lot of fresh products from local producers (and not only).

The Bistriţa River springs from the Rodnei mountains, located in Maramureș, and crosses Neamţ county for a length of 118 km, with a hydrographic basin area of 3678 km2. The average altitude of the hydrographic basin is about 920 m, and the relief is characterized by massiveness and higher altitudes in the west and in the upper part of the hydrographic basin, then decreasing towards the east and southeast. After 1960, the middle and lower reaches of the Bistrita River were developed for hydropower by building a number of 9 reservoirs and 13 hydropower plants. The largest reservoir is Izvorul Muntelui, with a volume of 1.12 billion cubic meters. Bistrița is still a river known to the general public, especially due to the history and tradition of rafters. "Any tourist who comes to see the delightful positions of Neamț should not leave this region until he has taken a raft excursion. It's an excursion from Dorna to Piatra." described Victor Nămolaru in the book "Small tourist guide to Piatra-Neamț (year 1969)". The author described this means of transportation, but also of leisure, as follows: "The raft is a meeting of beams, masts, cabinets placed next to each other and tied by straps. For excursions, you will only go on locker rafts, the others being more dangerous. It is driven by two very rudimentary shovels, called pens. The raftman in front is called the helmsman, and almost all the management depends on him, the other is called the helmsman support and sits at the other end of the raft." Photo credit: Ciprian Ionuț