Last weekend, Neamț was the destination of pilgrimage and international folklore, and this weekend tourists are invited to engage in sports competitions and outdoor concerts on the shores of Lake Izvorul Muntelui.

The 6^th of August marks the Transfiguration of the Lord, and also the dedication day of Ceahlău Massif (“Mount Tabor of Romania”), an ancestral tradition in Neamț. Thus, last weekend, thousands of pilgrims and tourists climbed on top of the mountain, at an altitude of 1750m, to take part in the Holy Mass conducted by His Holiness Teofan and His Holiness Macarie, alongside numerous council of priests and deacons.

Photo credit: Doxologia.ro

For centuries, holy men of the church, together with priests from the villages, climbed Mount Ceahlău, to perform religious services up on the plateau, in remembrance of the many hermits and monks that lived on the mountain, in prayer and solitude. Every time, a large crowd of believers flooded the mountain to join the ceremony.

Since 2009, at the initiative of Neamț County Council, the 6^th of August has been declared “Open Day in Ceahlău National Park” to offer thousands of pilgrims and tourists the opportunity to participate in the religious service, and enjoy all the natural wonders of the mountain and the tourist facilities it hosts.

Another ancestral tradition is observation of a strange phenomenon – the Holographic pyramid-, which delighted the enthusiastic photographers who succeeded to capture it on camera, this year as well. So many people climb the mountain around the 6^th of August just to witness the apparition of the Holographic pyramid.

And since the weather was fine and the sky was clear, the mountaineers who reached Toaca Peak, at an altitude of 1.904m, experienced another surprise, as they were able to observe another rare optical phenomenon that occurs, from time to time, on top of Ceahlău Massif: “The Sky Ghost”, “Gloria Effect” or “Brocken Spectre”. The phenomenon has a scientific explanation: glory is an optical phenomenon, resembling an iconic saint’s halo around the shadow of the observer’s head, caused by sunlight interacting with the tiny water droplets that compose mist or cloud.

Photo credit: Sam Sara

On Sunday, the 7^th of August, 2022, a pilgrimage gathered crowds of believers in Neamț County, who came to Sihăstria Monastery, to celebrate Saint Theodora of Sihla. The large church of Sihăstria Monastery has the Pious Theodora as a patron Saint.

Photo credit:  Doxologia.ro

Saint Pious Theodora of Sihla took refuge in a cave in the forest above Sihăstria monastery, leading her life as an example of patience and virtue for both monks and laypeople.

The end of the week will most probably gather a lot of people in a dream setting, right on the shore of Lake Izvorul Muntelui.

Ceahlău Water Fest will take place between 12-14 August, 2022. Tourists and locals alike are invited to participate in rowing competitions, and enjoy blues, rock and folk music concerts in the evenings.

The event is part of the national campaign “Discover Rowmania – wild Romania seen from a boat”, an initiative of “Green Ties-CRAVATE VERZI” Association and “Ivan Patzaichin Mile 23” Association, in partnership with the “United Waters of Romania” Alliance.

The campaign aims to reconnect people with nature, capitalize on Romania’s hydrographic network, promote ecotourism and outdoor events, mainly through rowing competitions, and at the same time encourage a better understanding and of nature and raising sustainable tourism awareness . The kanu boats (sort of canoes) with 10+1 seats will be in the spotlight of these water speed sports competitions.

The organizers invite all tourists and locals fond of outdoor festivals to participate in this year’s edition. Nature and water sports enthusiasts, and also companies involved with environmental projects are welcome to join. The aim is to create an active social, cultural and sports community. Taking part in the competition also represents a tribute to its initiator, canoe racing coach and sprint canoeist Ivan Patzaichin, and a testimony of the desire to improve the preservation of the environment, by means of personal, direct involvement.

This week also ends with Bicaz City Days. Already a tradition, on Monday the 15^th of August 2022, the Navy Day will be celebrated on Lake Izvorul Muntelui, the largest reservoir in Romania and the only lake in the country where the Navy Day is marked by a special festivity.