The famous monasteries from Moldova, Romania represent a touristic destination you must reach at least once in a lifetime. A journey in Neamt County will present you with the opportunity to visit some of these monasteries, admire the religious architecture and experience the spiritual wealth of the people living in this area.

You can visit the monasteries from Moldova either on your own or by using the services of a touristic agency. If you’ll decide to plan the journey by yourself there are some benefits that include the freedom of where and when to go and the possibility to accommodate at the monasteries.

Location of the Monasteries.

Neamt Monastery dates from the XIV century and is the oldest monastery from Moldova and it’s also called “The Jerusalem of the Romanian Orthodoxy”. In the church of the monastery you’ll see the Icon of Mother Marry, painted in 665 in Israel, which was a gift to the ruler Alexandru cel Bun from the Byzantine Emperor Ion the VIII Paleolog. The monastery also has an impressive collection of old books that number over 18,000 volumes and a valuable museum.

Tel: +(40) 233 251 580, +(40) 745 823 179, Fax: +(40) 233 251 587

Secu Monastery is a religious settlement that was built more than 500 years ago and that reunites in its architecture, elements from the Moldova architecture and the Muntenia architecture. Built in the shape of an ancient medieval stronghold, with thick walls and high towers for defend the monastery also hosts the tomb of its builder Nestor Ureche and an impressive collection of religious objects displayed in the monastery’s museum.

Tel: +(40) 233 251 862

Sihastria Monastery through its 3 centuries of existence continues the classical architectural style for Moldova region and hosts important religious objects and a large and valuable library. The Sihastria Monastery is most known because of Father Ilie Cleopa and Father Paisie Olaru. The two monks were friends of a lifetime and now their tombs lie side by side covered with flowers from pilgrims, in the cemetery of the monastery.

Tel: +(40) 233 251 896, +(40) 233 251 897, Fax: +(40) 233 251 978

Sihla Hermitage is located 6 km from Sihastria Monastery. On the north side of the Sihla Mountain there is a secret trail that goes up to the cave where St Teodora lived and prayed. To honor her life, in the year 1725 the Sihla Hermitage was built. St Teodora was made holly at August 7^th, 1992 and she is considered to be the most special Spiritual Flower of the Romanian Orthodoxy. Every year, on August the 7^th, pilgrims from all over Romania gather here at Sihla Hermitage to pray and to celebrate the life of St Teodora.

Agapia Monastery is the only religious settlement in Romania that is called “Christian love”, which comes from the greek “agapis”. The church of the monastery is painted by the famous Nicolae Grigorescu in 1858 and the entire monastery represents an architectural achievement that combines the Byzantine style with the neoclassic style and the Romanian tradition. Here we find an impressive colletion of religious objects, displayed in the monastery’s museum. Behind the walls of the monastery lies the village Agapia, made out of approx 300 house that are inhabited by the nuns.

Tel: +(40) 233 244 736,  +(40) 233 244 618

Varatec Monastery was built in 1785 by Nun Olimpiada. The religious complex from Varatec includes the “Adormirea Maicii Domnului” Monastery (translated “The Departure of Mother Marry”), the Church of St Joan the Baptizer (which dates from the XIX century) and where is the tomb of Veronica Micle and the Church “Schimbarea la Fata” (translated “The Changing of the Face”) which also dates from the XIX century.

Tel: +(40) 233 416 333

Bistrita Monastery was built in 1406 and it holds a great historical and architectural value. In the church of the monastery you’ll see the Icon of St Ana and the tomb of the ruler Alexandru cel Bun.

Tel: +(40) 233 241 091

Pangarati Monastery was built in 1560 by ruler Alexandru Lapusneanu. The old church of the monastery impresses by a unique architectural feature: it hosts two churches on top of each other. This unique element is foreseen by the contrast of the exterior proportions and the small interior that almost makes you wonder “what is above this church?”.

Tel: +(40) 233 240 337, Fax: +(40) 233 240 502

Durau Monastery was built in the XVII century by one the daughters of ruler Vasile Lupu. The paintings are made by Nicolae Tonitza and his apprentices, among which was also the painter Corneliu Baba.

Tel: +(40) 233 428 391