It is considered the oldest and largest monastic settlement in Moldavia, with a church built by Stephen the Great.
About the place
The monastery is recorded from 1407, though monks lived here earlier; the first stone church, built by Petru Mușat, no longer survives. Today’s Church of the Ascension was completed by Stephen the Great in 1497. It blends Byzantine elements, such as the glazed ceramic discs on the façades, with Gothic buttresses and door and window frames. Ștefan II, Stephen the Great’s uncle, is buried in the tomb chamber.
The church holds an icon of the Virgin regarded as miracle-working; according to the monastery website it was painted in 665 at Lydda and given to Prince Alexandru cel Bun by the Byzantine emperor John VIII Palaiologos. Within the walls are a bell tower with 11 bells, the “Veniamin Costachi” theological seminary, a museum with the old printing press used since 1807 and an old library. In the 18th century the abbot here was Saint Paisius of Neamț.
Good to know
- According to the schedule published by the monastery, the Liturgy starts at 7 am on weekdays and 8 am on Sunday; vespers are at 4 pm, and on Saturday the vigil is at 5 pm.
- Dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered, women with a head covering in church) and ask before taking photos in the church. Pilgrims can stay at the St Paisius social-cultural centre, with 50 double rooms with bathrooms (bookings on +40 756 900 539).
- The Dragoș Vodă bison reserve is about 2.5 km away and the Mihail Sadoveanu Memorial House about 1 km. The Secu and Sihăstria monasteries are further, about 18 and 22 km from Târgu Neamț.
Opening hours
Opening hours are not confirmed. Check the venue's website before you go.