Royal Court of Piatra-Neamț

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

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

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

In the historic city center, next Royal Church "Saint Ioan Domnesc", is located the Bell Tower or Ștefan's the Great Tower. Built in year 1499, one year away from the building of the church. On the front of the tower it can be seen brickworks and the famous small discs of enamel and colored terracotta. Nowadays in the room of bells it can be find four bells: the big one from 17th century, has an unique sound, one from the 19th century and another two bells that was cast recently. An urban legend says that in Ștefan's the Great Tower lived almost 26 years old Gheorghe Lazăr, a real pilgrim, unique for his spiritual life. On the half of 19th century it's made the heightening of the tower, above the last medieval level creating a room for "fire watchers". The device of the first big clock of the Bell Tower was brought from Viena in year 1861. Over the time the device of the clock has been changed several times and the actual one was installed in year 1920 with the contribution of merchants from the area.