The Neamţ region is situated in the central-northern part of Moldavia, in the basins of Bistriţa, Siret and Moldavia rivers. The landscape varies from west to east, from mountains and plateaus that are gently sloping into the large valleys of Siret and Moldavia rivers.

CLIMATE
  The climate is temperate-continental, with local variations. The natural vegetation is displayed in a vertical stratification, as consequence of the varied relief.

FAUNA
  One of the richest and most varied animal habitat of Romania: the black bear, the stag, lynx, deer, squirrel, fox, mountain cock, hazel hen, eagle owl, woodpecker etc. The mountain peaks are the habitat of the beautiful chamois.

  Tourism has been active in Neamţ since the Middle Ages, when the kings of Moldavia built the edifices that later became tourist attractions. The Neamţ Fortress used to be the center of the local universe, as it relied on many natural resources; this contributed to the growth of the economic and spiritual life around it.
  This is why Sigismund I of Luxembourg, Mohamed the Second or Sobieski practiced "war tourism", that was meant to "verify the technical status of the fortress". But it was a solid construction, bravely guarded, all contributing to a never ending resistance in attacks throughout history. As a sign of gratitude expressed to the Divinity, Stephen the Great built a monastery after every war.
  The glorious history, the magnificent sights and the people's kindness were all depicted in the art works of great Romanian talents. From Grigore Ureche, Dimitrie Cantemir, Gheorghe Asachi, continuing with Mihai Eminescu, Ion Creangă, then Sergiu Celibidache or Ion Irimescu, they all had Neamţ present in their hearts and work.

  The beauty of the Neamţ region grew as time went by. The tumult of Bistriţa river, the legendary Ceahlău Mountain, the old walls of the Musatin's, the exquisite talent of painters exhibited at Agapia or Durău Monasteries, along with the evocative atmosphere in Humulesti village, help us design a picturesque world, wrapped in legend and great pages of history.

  Many places and monuments such as: The Neamţ Fortress, The New Fortress in Roman, The King's Court in Piatra Neamţ, Războieni, The Palace of Princes in Durău are landmarks of history and the great trials of the people living in these lands. Not far from these, stand the Monasteries of Viişora, Durău, Neamţ, Agapia, Văratec and Secu, proving once again the diligence and talent of the Moldavian people.

  Gathering so many natural, historical and cultural gem stones, the region of Neamţ is witnessing an increasing demand from tourism: either ecological, rural, mountain agro tourism, or religious and business related tourism activities.

PIATRA-NEAMŢ

  Residence of the Neamţ County, it lies at an altitude of 345 m, in the central part of Moldavia, at the Bistriţa and Cuejdi river conjunction. The first documented mentioning of the town dates from 1387. Its importance as a strategic point derives from the roads connections that cross through Piatra-Neamţ, linking eastern Transylvania to southern Moldavia and to the region of Bucovina.

  It has a population of 104914 inhabitants (2002) and its surface is of 1700 ha, surrounded by Cozia (650 m), Pietricica (532 m), Cernegura (850 m) and Caraorman (617 m) Mountains, thus the popular name of "Moldavia's Sinaia".

  The city, also a resort, enjoys temperate-continental conditions, with short and cool summers, long, romantic autumns, while winters offer plenty of snow and moderate temperatures. The archeological researches made in the towns of Izvoare, Văleni and Bâtca Doamnei, prove the intense life underwent in the Neolithical Era (the VI-II mil. B.C.). The Getic and Dacian vestiges prove the presence of a powerful town, Petrodava.

TÂRGU NEAMŢ:

  The history of this old establishment, lying 43 km from Piatra-Neamt, resembles that of the Fortress of Neamt, as they both share the status of gateway to the astonishing Moldavian places of worship - the monasteries of Agapia, with amazing paintings of Nicolae Grigorescu, Varatec, where Veronica Micle is buried, Neamt, Secu and Sihastria, all places of pilgrimage. There are also memorial houses: "Mihail Sadoveanu" from Vânători, "Alexandru Vlahuţă" from Agapia and Veronica Micle" from Târgu Neamţ.

OGLINZI:
  Oglinzi is a village from Răuceşti and the resort lies in a microdepression less than 2 km from Neamţ Fortress and 3 km from Târgu-Neamţ. Due to its salted and sweet water springs, as well as the forest that is nearby, people have been living here since the VIth mil. B.C.
  Ceramic fragments belonging to the civilizations Starcevo-Criş, Cucuteni, Dacian-Carpathic and Middle Ages, are all proof of that. During violent times, the Fortress of Neamţ stood as a refuge for kings and precious belongings. As rooms in the fortress were scarce, the king ordered that annexes be built for the soldiers who guarded the castle. Obeying the king's command, Lord Oglinda built such shelters on his domain.
  One local legend says that, after ending his lifelong commitment to the battlefield and also his dandy life, His Majesty retreated here to alleviate his physical pains with the help of salt baths. Centuries later, hearing of this story, Prof. Petru Poni chemically analyzed the chlorusodic waters and found they were truly efficient in the treatment of certain illnesses.
  In reaction to the scientists' suggestions and relying on solid financial capacities, the community, joined by the government created a modern and self sufficient treatment resort, following Austrian plans. All of Romania's personalities of the time, starting with King Carol the Second turned the resort into their favorite holiday destination.

Therapeutic effects of the waters in Oglinzi:

• Rheumatic degenerative diseases
• Inflammatory, chronic rheumatic diseases
• Respiratory diseases
• Abarticular rheumatic diseases
• Respiratory difficulties
• Gynecological diseases
• Dermatologic diseases etc.

PIATRA-NEAMŢ

• King's Court - cellar, inside walls and old foundations
• King's Cathedral
• Clopotniţa Tower (19 m) - served as a watch and guard point; the clock was later installed
• Neamţ Museum - hosts a collection of archeology and numismatics
• Romanian Art Museum - plastic art and tapestry
• Ethnographic Museum - exhibits traditional costumes and rural installations
• Museum of Natural Sciences - exhibiting flora and fauna themed; dioramas specific to the county; mineralogical, botanical and geological collections
• "Calistrat Hogaş" Memorial Museum - exhibits family documents, personal pieces of furniture, manuscripts, works and personal belongings of the author
• "Lascăr Viorel"Art Galleries
• Wooden Synagogue built in 1766
• St. John's Church - made of stone and brick facades with niches
• The statue of King Stephen the Great
• "Petru Rareş" High school - on its façade there is a basorelief portraying professors C. Hogaş, I. Negre, M. Stamatin
• The Youngsters' Theatre which annually hosts an international festival
• The "Transfiguration" wooden Church in Văleni - a historic and architectural monument built by Petru Rareş and rebuilt by Al. Lăpuşneanu
• Cozia Hermitage wooden Church, built by hermit Vasile in a popular style, with ornaments and art sculptures both on the interior and exterior
• "Elena Cuza's" House, where the wife of king Al. I. Cuza spent her last years.
  
  Nearby sights worthy of your visit
  
  
• Cozia Park
• Dumbrava Roşie
• Bistriţa Monastery (XVth cent)

TÂrRGU NEAMŢ:

• The Fortress (XIVth cent)
• "Ion Creangă" House-Museum
  Nearby sights worthy of your visit:
  
• Monasteries of: Agapia, Văratec, Secu, Sihastria, Schitul Sihia
• Vânători-Neamţ Forest
• Tărpeşti-Valea Ozanei ethnographic area

ITINERARIES:

• Piatra Neamţ - Bicaz - Lacul Roşu
• Valea Bistriţei - Piatra Neamţ
• Păcani - Roman - Piatra Neamţ   These are all itineraries that take you into a mythical background: the Ceahlău Mountain, the famous Cheile Bicazului and Izvorul Muntelui Lake.
• Târgu Neamţ - Bistriţa - Secu - Sihastria - Agapia - Văratec - Humuleşti
• Besides the magnificent valley of Bistrita, you will encounter monasteries such as: Agapia and Secu.
• The city tour of Târgu-Neamţ, for a sightseeing of the only remaining synagogue of a total of nine Jewish places of worship: the Synagogue of the craftsmen; the Big Temple, where XVIIth century tomb stones are exhibited to certify the long lasting history of Jewish people on these lands.

EVENTS:

• International Theatre Festival - October, in Piatra-Neamţ;
• International Children's Movies Festival - September;
• Folkloric Theater Festival from Moldavia - August; the only one in Romania of this kind.