Jarek Pokrzywnicki

Polska - 11-May-22 -

Site visited in July, 2021 during extended Balkan trip. One of the oldest monasteries in Romania. Located in northern part of the country in historical region of Moldovia (do not confuse it with current state of Moldova).

Neamt Monastery (in Romanian Mănăstirea Neamţ) was built in XIV century during the reign of Petru Musat (first stone church was built) but its current shape received in XV century by Stephen III of Moldavia (better known as Stephen the Great, rom. Ştefan cel Mare – you will find streets named after him in every Romanian town).

Currently it is a well known landmark and local touristic destination. There is a huge parking space just near the monastery. The whole complex, surrounded by walls is accessible by main gate. Inside there are two churches including the imposing Church of the Ascension of the Saviour, two chapels, the bell-tower with 11 bells, the Theological Seminary, local museum with religious art and some old printing presses. Inside the main church we can see the icon of Virgin Mary, painted in 665 in Palestina – this icon was a gift to Alexandru cel Bun from the Byzantine Emperor Ioan the VIIth Paleologul. The whole interior is covered with beautiful paintings, some of them are a bit dark due to smoke from candles.

Outside the monastery – on the other side of main road – there is characteristic round building – monastery library – considered to be one the most important in Romania. It contains many old books, some of them are the first printed examples in the country.

Chances for future inscription ? It is a nice place, one of the most important in Romania in terms of XIV / XV centuries church architecture, looks coherent enough to be included on the list. The main church is similar to other painted Moldovan churches but it has no paintings outside. It is also more a monastic settlement (like Horezu) than a single church.

Practicalities: I travelled by own car from Suceava via Falticeni and Targu Neamt. The monastery is located 16 km north-west from Targu Neamt (local road). At least Targu Neamt has good bus / train connections with Iasi, Brasov, Targu Mures or Piatra Neamt. There is big parking space outside the monastery (free of charge).

Opening hours: 9am-7pm May-Sep, to 4pm Oct-Apr, you can visit the complex free of charge, but some sections are not open for tourists – it is still a living monastery.

Website (in Romanian only, but there are some good photos) https://neamt.mmb.ro/

Places on the photo, bottom left, than clockwise: paintings inside Church of the Ascension of the Saviour, courtyard, Neamt Monastery from outside, St. George church.