Hello and welcome back to my travel blog! In this article, I’ll tell you all about the tourist attractions we visited on the second day of our short vacation through Moldova. After spending the first day exploring the city of Piatra Neamț, we set out on the second day to discover the sights in and around Târgu Neamț.

1. Neamț Fortress

You can’t pass through Târgu Neamț without visiting Neamț Fortress, so we started our day with this historical attraction. The walk to the fortress takes about 15-20 minutes along a tourist trail, climbing to the top of Pleșului Hill at an altitude of 480 meters. There’s no vehicle access, but the hike is worth it. Although from a distance the fortress didn’t seem to be in great condition, once we reached the top, we were impressed by its size and how well it’s maintained.

Neamț Fortress is one of Moldova’s most important fortifications and is considered a medieval monument of exceptional value. Its glory days were during the reign of Stephen the Great, who fortified the old walls, added four bastions, and built an arched bridge supported by 11 stone pillars, which still provides access to the fortress today. The fortress was meant to guard the road leading over the mountains to Transylvania, from Târgu Neamț towards Pipirig, as well as the valleys of the Moldova and Siret rivers. Nowadays, we can enjoy the peaceful times and admire the stunning view over the Ozana Valley.

2. "Dragoș Vodă" Bison Reserve

After visiting the fortress, we headed to the "Dragoș Vodă" Bison Reserve. I’ve visited other bison reserves in the past, but this experience was unique because we were able to see seven bison up close, just 30 centimeters away. The bison, Europe’s largest terrestrial mammal, can weigh up to 1000 kg. Unfortunately, due to excessive hunting, they were nearly extinct. By 1790, Romania had no bison left, and by 1927, there were only 50 left worldwide, all in zoos.

Bison were reintroduced to Romania in 1958, with the first two brought from Poland to the Hațeg Reserve, and in 1968, several arrived in Moldova, when the "Dragoș Vodă" Reserve was established. Currently, the reserve houses seven bison that tourists can admire from just a few centimeters away. It was an unforgettable experience for me to observe these massive animals up close in their natural environment, watching them play, feed, roll in the dirt, and rest.

The protected area spans nearly 12 hectares and also hosts fallow deer, roe deer, wild boar, and various other animals and colorful birds. Romania has successfully reintegrated bison into the wild, making this region the only place in Europe where bison can be seen in freedom, semi-freedom, and captivity.

3. Neamț Monastery

From the bison reserve, we traveled to Neamț Monastery, the oldest monastic settlement in Moldova, even older than the reign of Stephen the Great. The monastery is also known as the "Jerusalem of Romanian Orthodoxy" due to its religious significance and the large number of pilgrims who visit.

The church within the monastery, built by Stephen the Great at the end of the 15th century, is an architectural and artistic monument that impresses with its size and design. It’s a place where believers come to find peace and feel closer to God, and architecture enthusiasts can admire a true masterpiece of medieval art.

4. Ion Creangă Thematic Park and Memorial House

After visiting the monastery, we returned to the city to explore more attractions. We headed to the Ion Creangă Memorial House, which was unfortunately closed for restoration but is set to reopen on June 1st. However, we had the chance to visit the Ion Creangă Thematic Park, located right next to the memorial house.

The Thematic Park transported us back to the magical world of childhood, with scenes inspired by Ion Creangă’s stories like "The Bear Tricked by the Fox" and "The Purse with Two Coins." It’s the perfect place for families with children, offering them an opportunity to immerse themselves in the classic tales of Romanian literature.

5. Museums and Memorial Houses in Târgu Neamț

If you’re passionate about museums and memorial houses, Târgu Neamț and its surroundings offer plenty of such attractions. Besides the Ion Creangă Memorial House, you can also visit the Veronica Micle Memorial House, the Mihail Sadoveanu Memorial House, and the Alexandru Vlahuță Memorial House. The area is also rich in museums, including the Museum of History and Ethnography in Târgu Neamț, the Living Museum in Agapia, and the Popa House in Târpești.

We didn’t manage to visit all of these in one day, but we’ll definitely return to explore these cultural treasures.

Conclusion

These are the tourist attractions we visited in Târgu Neamț and its surroundings in one day. I hope the information was helpful and inspired you to explore this beautiful region of Moldova. If you want to learn more about the tourist attractions in Piatra Neamț or other parts of Moldova, I invite you to read the articles on my blog.

Targu Neamt Travel Guide