MONASTERY OF NEAMȚ

This is perhaps the most beautiful monastery in Moldavia. Many see it as a perfect synthesis of Moldavian religious architecture, with its harmonious proportions, octagonal tower and Gothic windows. It is located around 16 km west of Târgu Neamț, in a superb natural, wooded setting. At the entrance, a large, round building, reminiscent of a giant bell, stands out. In fact, it's a baptistery, built in 1847 and richly decorated inside in the 1970s. The monastery was built in 1497 by the great voivode Ștefan cel Mare. The church, 40 meters long and 25 meters high, was erected on the site of an older one, weakened by earthquakes. Its stone and brick façade is remarkable. The stonework of the surrounding arcades is identical, and the overall effect is superb. The interior paintings have often been restored, but some are still period. The circular wooden balcony, the flowers and the trees all add to the majesty of the site. In the Middle Ages, this vast complex was an important cultural center. Many religious works were built here. Some are still preserved in its gigantic 18,000-volume library, while others can be seen in the museum. The monastery also became an important landowner, with many peasants working for it, giving it a certain political power. The great annual pilgrimage takes place on Ascension Day.