Located in beautiful and quiet natural settings, surrounded by captivating landscapes, the monasteries in Neamţ County, most of which have been declared historical monuments of national interest, impress the visitors both through the architectural style, the large number of religious art objects they host (icons, manuscripts, fabrics, etc.), and the monastic life itself, not to mention that some of them are extremely old.

 

Photo Gallery – Neamț Monastery:

 

Photo Gallery – Secu Monastery:

 

Pilgrimage to monasteries in Neamţ County during the Lent before Easter

The Lent before Easter represents a good occasion for pilgrimage to monasteries, as a great part of the mysteries and meaning of the monastic life revolves around this holy feast. Hundreds of pilgrims now head towards monasteries and nunneries in order to find peace of mind and enjoy the oasis of rest and quietness provide by these settlements.
Neamţ Monastery, successively established by the voivodes Petru I Muşat, Alexander the Blessed and Stephen the Great, is the oldest monastic settlement in Moldova, first certified in 1210 and called “The Jerusalem of Romanian Orthodoxy.”

Another holy place, Secu Monastery, highly representative for the Moldavian architectural style, is more than 500 years old, while Sihăstria Monastery, dating back three centuries, faithfully carries on the Moldavian classical style, and is well known for many hermits who lived here. In the same area, pilgrims can visit four more beautiful hermitages, also administrated by Sihăstria Monastery. Sihla Hermitage, located about 8 km away from the monastery, deep in the heart of a secular forest, displays spectacular views and scenery for those passing-by. On the northern slope of Sihla Mountain, following a hidden path in the woods, tourists can reach the Cave of Holy Pious Theodora, the place where she humbled in prayer, over the years. From here, the road leads to “Daniil Sihastrul” Hermitage, located only 2 km away from Sihla Hermitage, a secluded place in a wild-rocky landscape, with small caves, close to “Coroi’s Ravine”.

Tourists can visit other two holy places belonging to Sihăstria Monastery, namely the “Ascension of the Holy Cross” Hermitage, on the road to which the pilgrims will encounter many triptychs painted with scenes depicting the last days of Christ on earth and also “Saint Mina” Hermitage in Târgu Neamţ, where the construction of a larger church, dedicated to “Great Holy Martyr and Healer Pantelimon” began in 2003.

 

Photo Gallery – Sihăstria Monastery:

 

Photo Gallery – Sihla Hermitage:

 

Photo Gallery – Daniil Sihastrul Hermitage:

The only monastery in Romania bearing the name “Christian love” (from the Greek agape) is Agapia Monastery, famous for Nicolae Grigorescu’s paintings. Văratic Monastery is a monastic ensemble housing a special collection of valuable objects, silvery, old icons and books, around which the largest community of nuns in Moldavia is settled, and where the poetess Veronica Micle lies to rest, the muse of great poet Mihai Eminescu.
Horaiţa Monastery, through its unique architecture, mixing elements from the Byzantine and Neo-Byzantine style with Russian influences, reflected in the configuration of the 8 turrets, is situated at an altitude of about 600 m, not far from the foothill Horăiciorul Mountain, nearby the eastern slope the Stânşoarei Mountains in the Oriental Carpathians, and between Almaş and Văratic Monasteries. Not far from here, just 1 km away, in a very picturesque natural setting, lies the Horăicioara Hermitage, situated in the crevice of a cliff, at an altitude of 900 m, the church housing an icon of Virgin Mary believed to possess miraculous properties.
Many of these monasteries and hermitages offer accommodation, meals and the perfect place for rising prayers for all pilgrims who want to sleep in the cellars, and have dinner with the nuns or the monks.

 

Photo Gallery – Agapia Monastery:

 

Photo Gallery – Văratic Monastery:

 

Photo Gallery – Horaița Monastery:

 

Photo Gallery – Horăicioara Hermitage:

Nowhere in Romania is there an area sheltering such a fruitful spiritual life like in Neamţ County. Over the centuries, many a prayer rose to heaven from this blessed land. Scattered in the wilderness of the mountains or hidden in the thick forests, in quiet clearings and in the beautiful valleys, villages in Neamţ area are genuine hearths where faith has never faded away.