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Piatra Neamt
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Piatra Neamt (pronunciation in Romanian: ), (population: over 110,000) is the capital city of Neamt County, in the historical region of Moldavia, eastern Romania. Because of its privileged location in the Eastern Carpathian mountains, it is considered one of the most picturesque cities in Romania. It is also the capital of the Nord-Est (North-East) development region, which consists of six Moldavian counties.
piatra toponym (meaning rock in Romanian) was always part of the settlement's name throughout its history.
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Encyclopedia
Piatra Neamt (pronunciation in Romanian: ), (population: over 110,000) is the capital city of Neamt County, in the historical region of Moldavia, eastern Romania. Because of its privileged location in the Eastern Carpathian mountains, it is considered one of the most picturesque cities in Romania. It is also the capital of the Nord-Est (North-East) development region, which consists of six Moldavian counties.
Etymology
The piatra toponym (meaning rock in Romanian) was always part of the settlement's name throughout its history. Other names that the city has been called are: Piatra lui Craciun (Christmas Rock) ; Târgu Piatra (Market Rock) (in the middle ages) or simply Piatra to which was added the county name Neamt (Neamt = German), to distinguish it from towns in other counties of the same name.
Geography & access
Piatra Neamt lies in the Bistrita River Valley, surrounded by mountains - Pietricica (590 m), Cozla (679 m), Cernegura (852 m), Bâtca Doamnei (462 m) and Cârloman (617 m), at an average height of 345 m. The city has all the advantages offered by a kind and unique nature.
The city is located 350 km north of the capital city of Bucharest, in the historical region of Moldavia. The nearest airport is Bacau, situated at 60 km south. Piatra Neamt is linked by Romanian railway trunk number 509 to Bucharest and Iasi, and by DN15 national road to Bacau (therefore DN2 to Bucharest), Iasi, Suceava, and Târgu Mures (Transylvania).
The city is informally divided in several districts (in Romanian: cartiere)
- Centru
- Darmanesti
- Precista
- Maratei
- 1 Mai
- Sarata
- Valea Viei
- Gara Veche
- Speranta
- Ciritei
- Vânatori
- Valeni
- Bacioaia
(there are plans to build two new districts, the most important one will be located in place of "Reconstructia" factory)
History
The area around Piatra Neamt is one of the oldest inhabited areas in Romania. The oldest traces of human civilisation in the present territory date back to the higher Paleolithic, about 100,000 years BCE. The Cucuteni culture, whose development lasted approximately one thousand years (ca. 3600-2600 BCE) was attested in the territory of Neamt county by a remarkable number of settlements (approx. 150), archaeological diggings unearthing important museum collections of Aeneolithic artifacts. Archaeologists have also discovered objects here dating back to the Neolithic Period and the Bronze Age (about 1900-1700 BCE).
Excavations just outside the city revealed the ruins of a large Dacian city, Petrodava, mentioned by Greek geographer Ptolemy in the 2nd century. The whole compound had its heyday between the first century BCE and the first century CE. Standing out is the citadel at Bîtca Doamnei which contains shrines resembling those identified in the Orastiei Mountains. As far as the existence of a local leader is concerned, historians tend to suggest the identification of the Kingdom of Dicomes in the very political centre at Petrodava. The complex of strongholds without peer in Moldavia and Wallachia is evidence as to a powerful political and military centre both in Burebista’s time and in the period that preceded the reign of Decebalus. The settlement was documented in the 15th century as Piatra lui Craciun, or Camena, a market town.
The first urban settlements, which emerged under Petru I Musat (1375-1391), were Piatra lui Craciun, Roman and Neamt. The Neamt citadel, whose documentary attestation dates back to February 2, 1395, was also erected during the same consolidation period of the Moldovian pricipate east of the Carpathians. The Princely Court of Piatra Neamt is mentioned for the first time in a document dated April 20, 1491, to have been founded between 1468 and 1475, under Stephen the Great, the Princely Cathedral being built in 1497-1498, and the 20 m. tall Bell Tower in 1499.
Economy
The city's industries include a fertilizer plant, a pulp and paper mill, and several food-processing plants. In the city are also located an agricultural machinery plant (Mecanica Ceahlau), a pharmaceutical plant (Plantavorel) and two paper manufacturers.
The city's main industrial park is situated 11 km south, in the Savinesti area. During the communist period, the Savinesti platform was one of the most important chemical plants in Romania and the site of a research institute. Today, the industrial facility is part of the Italian group Radici, and it operates at a very low capacity.
In the recent period, the most important Romanian commercial brands originating from Piatra Neamt are Rifil (synthetic fibers manufacturer), Altex (Media Galaxy) (TV, hi-fi, home appliances national dealer), Köber (paints manufacturer), and Dasimpex (mobile phones dealer).
There are 4 local TV stations (TV M, 1TV, TeleM, Actual TV ), 3 FM radio stations and several newspapers.
Culture & Education
Piatra Neamt is home to Teatrul Tineretului (Youth's Theatre), G. T. Kirileanu library and many cultural events, including the International Theatre Festival in the springtime, the classical music event Vacante muzicale (musical holydays) in the summertime and more folkloric festivals all year round.
The "Petru Rares" national college, "Calistrat Hogas" national college, as well as "Victor Brauner" Fine Arts College are also located here.
Starting with January 2009, Piatra Neamt will be the host of a short film festival called "Filmul de Piatra" (derived from the name of the city "Piatra" which means stone (rock) and translated as "Stone-film Festival"). The 1st edition will take place in the building of Teatrul Tineretului and other locations between 7th and 11th of January, 2009. The festival will have a national short film competition (all genres) and will award each category. The agenda will also include selections of international shorts, awarded in major festivals throughout the world. Other special programmes include live concerts, skiing and workshops.
Attractions
The city's main attractions are the natural beauty of the area (the mountains and the lakes), the historical buildings, the museums and the festivals. Today, there are several programs in progress with the goal of transforming Piatra Neamt into an important touristic destination in Romania (the construction of the cable car and the wintersports facilities).
Landmarks
- Stephen's tower, built in 1499, during Stefan cel Mare's reign
- St John The Baptist church (1497-1498)
- The Princely Court
- The History & Archaeology Museum (host of the Cucuteni exhibition, the largest Aeneolithic artifacts collection in southeastern Europe)
- The Fine Arts Museum
- The Natural Sciences Museum
- The "Calistrat Hogas" Memorial Museum
- The "Schimbarea la Fata" Wooden Church in Valeni
- The Bistrita Monastery, founded in the early 15th century, is 8 km (5 mi) west of the city
- The Wooden Synagogue
Parks
- Central Park
- Cozla Park (including the Zoo and Cozla ski run)
- Strandul Tineretului (including the Equestrian Stadium)
Sports
FC Ceahlaul Piatra Neamt is the local football (soccer) team; best performance : 4th round in UEFA Intertoto Cup in 1999 after two matches versus Juventus Turin. Currently it plays in the second national league - Liga II.
Former Fibrex Savinesti, actually HCM Piatra Neamt is the local men's handball team, three times champions of Romania and two times winners of Handball Romania's Cup.
CV Unic Piatra Neamt is the local women's volleyball team.
Piatra Neamt is the residence of Constantin "Ticu" Lacatusu, the first Romanian alpinist who reached the top of Mount Everest.
The Piatra Neamt Equestrian Stadium (Baza Hipica) is the host of several show jumping and dressage international competitions.
Notable natives and residents
- Victor Brauner, painter
- Lascar Vorel, painter
- Iulia Halaucescu, painter
- Simona Vasiliu Chintila, painter
- Anton Vorel, herbalist, pharmacist
- Laurentiu Dimisca, painter
- Calistrat Hogas, writer
- Vasile Baghiu, writer
- Constantin Lacatusu, mountain climber
- Bogdan Tarus, athlete
- Mihai Traistariu, singer
- Vasile Traistariu, painter
- Cristian Gretcu, humorist
- Emil Calmanovici, industrialist and communist activist
Information for tourists
Photo gallery
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