Thousands of Christian Othodox come every year to visit the monasteries and hermitages from Secu Creek area. The road that goes to this place goes near Ozana creek and follows Secu creek. After 4 km you’ll first see Secu Monastery and after 3 more you’ll visit Sihastria Monastery. Near this last monastery you can go to 3 hermitages located into the surrounding woods. Here are the five religious settlements from this area

Secu Monastery – is located 22 km from Targu Neamt. The religious complex is near Secu brook on the foot of Vasan mountain . This monastery looks like a medieval city with thick walls of stone and defense towers. Secu Monastery is a 500 years old Romanian Orthodox settlement.

The first hermitage was raised here in 1530. The buildings that we can see today at Secu Monastery were built in the year 1602 by Nestor Ureche. The church is a massive construction in the shape of a clover with a big open tower. In the year 1850 the interior of the church was painted and the wall that separates the altar from the rest of the church was remade out of lime tree, covered in gold and sculpted in a Baroque style.

Sihastria Monastery – is located in the north part of Neamt County, at 22 km of Targu Neamt, on the road that goes toPipirig and Vatra Dornei. The secondary road that goes to the monastery it’s about 15 km, runs nearby Ozana river and crosses the valley of the brook called Secu. After 4 km you reach Secu Monastery and after another 3 km you’ll see Sihastria Monastery. Sihastria Monastery is a place filled with light and holy spirit where time seems to stay still. The moment you enter the monastery you can almost feel the traditions and the prayers. It’s so quiet – every step you make seems to disturb the serenity around you. Sihastria Monastery is truly a holy place among Romanian Orthodox churches where you can see the work of God.

“Poiana lui Ioan” Hermitage – is located 3 km from Sihastria Monastery in a plane where a monk by his name Ioan lived and prayed in the XVII century. The hermitage was built at the request of Father Paisie Olaru. The dirt road that goes to the hermitage is called “The Road of the Cross” and depicts images from the last days on Earth of Jesus.

Sihla Hermitage – is located at about 8 km from Sihastria Monastery and the access is made on a dirt road. The church of the hermitage was made from wood in a classic architectural style with one tower. The small interior is divided between the altar and the nave. In 1763, above the hermitage, under a big block of stone was build a small church made with the wood from one single pine tree. Near the hermitage pilgrims and tourists can also visit St Teodora’s Cave, which is also the reason for which Sihla Hermitage exists.

Daniil Sihastrul Hermitage – is located at about 2 km from Sihla Hermitage, near a big gap called “Rapa lui Coroi”. The hermitage can be accessed only by foot. That is why the construction of the church and the few buildings was made with the help of people that carried construction materials on their back.