Piatra Neamț

Piatra Neamț (Romanian: [ˈpjatra ˈne̯amts]; German: Kreuzburg an der Bistritz; Hungarian: Karácsonkő) is the capital city of Neamț County, in the historical region of Western Moldavia, in northeastern Romania. Because of its very privileged location in the Eastern Carpathian mountains, it is considered one of the most picturesque cities in Romania. The Nord-Est Regional Development Agency is located in Piatra Neamț.

Piatra Neamț
Municipality
15th-century Stephen's Tower (the city symbol) in the medieval town square
15th-century Stephen's Tower (the city symbol) in the medieval town square
Coat of arms of Piatra Neamț
Coat of arms
Location in Neamț County
Location in Neamț County
Piatra Neamț is located in Romania
Piatra Neamț
Piatra Neamț
Location in Romania
Coordinates: 46°55′39″N 26°22′15″E
CountryRomania
CountyNeamț
Government
 • Mayor (2020–2024) Andrei Carabelea[1] (PNL)
Area
77.4 km2 (29.9 sq mi)
Elevation
345 m (1,132 ft)
Population
 (2021-12-01)[2]
79,679
 • Density1,000/km2 (2,700/sq mi)
Time zoneEET/EEST (UTC+2/+3)
Postal code
610004–610292
Vehicle reg.NT
Websitewww.primariapn.ro

Etymology

The toponym piatra (meaning ‘rock’) was always part of the settlement's name throughout its history. It is also called Piatra lui Crăciun (‘Christmas Rock’, thus also corresponding to the Hungarian name of the city, "Karácson-Kő"). It is also simply called Piatra, to which the county name Neamț (meaning ‘German’) was added.

Geography and access

Piatra Neamț lies in the Bistrița River Valley, surrounded by mountains — Pietricica (530 m), Cozla (679 m), Cernegura (852 m), Bâtca Doamnei (462 m) and Cârloman (617 m) — at an average height of 345 m (1,131.89 ft). The river Doamna is a right tributary of the Bistrița; it flows into the Bâtca Doamnei Reservoir near Piatra Neamț.

The city is located 350 kilometres (217 miles) north of Bucharest, in the historical region of Moldavia. The nearest airport is Bacău, situated 60 km (37 miles) south. Piatra Neamț is linked by Romanian railways trunk number 509 to Bacău (and from there by Line 500 to Bucharest), and by DN15 national road to Bacău (and from there by DN2 to Bucharest), Iași, Suceava, and Târgu Mureș in the Transylvania region.

Map of Piatra Neamț
Bâtca Doamnei Reservoir

The city is informally divided in several districts (in Romanian: cartiere):

  • 1 Mai
  • Băcioaia
  • Centru
  • Ciritei
  • Dărmănești
  • Doamna
  • Gara Veche
  • Mărăței
  • Precista
  • Sarata
  • Speranța
  • Valea Viei
  • Văleni
  • Vânători

Of these, Ciritei, Doamna, and Văleni are formally separate villages administered by the municipality. There are plans to build two new districts, the larger of which will be on the site of the former Reconstrucția factory.

History
Stephen's Tower built in 1499

The area around Piatra Neamț 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 (c. 3600-2600 BCE) was attested in the territory of Neamţ 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 Bâtca Doamnei which contains shrines resembling those identified in the Orăștie 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 Crăciun, or Camena, a market town.

The first urban settlements, which emerged under Petru I Mușat (1375–1391), were Piatra lui Crăciun, Roman, and Neamț. The Neamț citadel, whose documentary attestation dates back to February 2, 1395, was also erected during the same consolidation period of the Moldavian principality east of the Carpathians. The Princely Court of Piatra Neamț 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 (65.62 ft) tall Bell Tower in 1499.

In 2020, ten people were killed in a hospital fire.

Demographics
Historical population
YearPop.±%
1859 11,805—    
1899 17,384+47.3%
1912 18,965+9.1%
1930 29,827+57.3%
1948 26,303−11.8%
1956 32,648+24.1%
1966 45,852+40.4%
1977 77,812+69.7%
1992 123,360+58.5%
2002 104,914−15.0%
2011 85,055−18.9%
202177,393−9.0%
Source: Census data

According to the 2011 census data, Piatra Neamț has a population of 85,055,[3] a decrease from the figure recorded at the 2002 census, making it the 24th largest city in Romania. The 2002 census recorded 104,914 people living within the city of Piatra Neamț.[4] The ethnic makeup was as follows:

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 Ceahlău), a pharmaceutical plant (Plantavorel) and two paper manufacturers.

The city's main industrial park is situated 11 km (7 mi) south, in the Săvinești area. During the communist period, the Săvinești 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 company Radici Group, and it operates at low capacity.

Centru district, with Pietricica Hill

In recent times, the most important Romanian commercial brands originating from Piatra Neamț are Rifil (synthetic fibers manufacturer), Altex (Media Galaxy) (TV, hi-fi, home appliances national dealer), Köber (paints manufacturer), Amicii-Kubo Ice Cream[5] (ice cream producer) and Dasimpex (mobile phones dealer).

There are 4 local TV stations (TV M, 1TV, TeleM, Actual TV), 3 FM radio stations, and several newspapers, including online newspapers such as CityNeamț and Ziar Piatra Neamț.

Transport

Public transport
One of the trolleybuses that served the city until 2019, this being a secondhand Renault from France

Public transport in Piatra Neamț is managed mainly by S.C. Troleibuzul SA. Until 2019, the company operated both trolleybuses and motorbuses. Although the company's name still includes a reference to trolleybuses, the last trolleybus service was discontinued in September 2019,[6] the trolleybuses were put up for sale in March 2020,[7] and removal of the overhead trolley wires began in June 2020.[8] The trolleybus system had opened in 1995.[8] The company now operates only motorbuses.

Taxi transport

Several local companies operate taxi services inside the city.

Rail

The Piatra Neamț railway station is the main train station which serves Piatra Neamț. From there arrive and depart daily, 8 Regio trains on the route Piatra Neamț — Bacău and return, 4 Regio trains on the route Bicaz - Bacau and return, an Inter Regio train Piatra Neamț - Bucharest North (attachment to a train Suceava - Bucharest North in Bacău) and a train Regio Express Bicaz — Bucharest North (attached to a train Suceava - Bucharest North in Bacău).

Road

Piatra Neamț is a road junction where DN15 intersects with DN15C and DN15D. Also, the city is served by three bus stations, where intercity bus services between the city and other major Romanian cities start and terminate.

Culture and education

Piatra Neamț is home to Teatrul Tineretului (Youth's Theatre), the G. T. Kirileanu Library, and many cultural events, including the International Theatre Festival in the springtime, the classical music event Vacanțe muzicale (musical holidays) in the summertime and more folkloric festivals all year round.

The Petru Rareș National College, "Calistrat Hogaș" national college, National College of Computer Science as well as "Victor Brauner" Fine Arts College are some of the most prestigious education centres in the Neamt county.

Starting with January 2009, Piatra Neamț is 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 took place in the building of Teatrul Tineretului and other locations between 7th and 11 January 2009. The festival has a national short film competition (all genres) and awards each category. The agenda also includes selections of international shorts, awarded in major festivals throughout the world. Other special programmes include live concerts, skiing and workshops.

Attractions
Batca Doamnei Reservoir

The city's main attractions are the natural environment of the area (the mountains and the lakes), the historical buildings, the museums, and the festivals. There are several projects in progress with the goal of transforming Piatra Neamț into a tourist destination in Romania; those projects include construction of a cable car and winter sports facilities. As of March 2022 there is a cable car service running from the railway station to the top of Cozla mountain. [9]

Landmarks
Cucuteni Museum
  • St John the Baptist church (1497–1498) and Stephen's tower (1499), during Stephen the Great's reign
  • 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 Hogaș" Memorial Museum
  • The "Schimbarea la Față" Wooden Church in Văleni
  • The Bistrița 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)
  • Ștrandul Tineretului (including the Equestrian Stadium)

Sports
Ceahlăul Stadium

FC Ceahlăul Piatra Neamț is the local football (soccer) team; its best performance was third round in UEFA Intertoto Cup in 1999, after two matches versus Juventus Torino.

Former Fibrex Săvinești, actually HCM Piatra Neamț is the local men's handball team, three times champions of Romania and two times winners of Handball Romania's Cup. VC Unic Piatra Neamț is the local women's volleyball team.

Piatra Neamț is the residence of Constantin "Ticu" Lăcătușu, the first Romanian alpinist who reached the top of Mount Everest.

The Piatra Neamț Equestrian Stadium (Baza Hipică) is the host of several show jumping and dressage international competitions.

Club League Sport Venue Established Capacity
FC Ceahlăul Piatra Neamț Liga III Football Stadionul Ceahlăul 1919 18,000
VC Unic Piatra Neamț Divizia A Volleyball Polyvalent Hall 1964 4,000

Natives

Twin towns – sister cities
See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Romania

Piatra Neamț is twinned with:[10]

Astronomical dedication

In 1998 an asteroid was named after Piatra Neamț by Alfredo Caronia, an Italian amateur astronomer and co-discoverer of the asteroid, who lives in the city.[11][12]

  • Stephen's Tower and the Princely Court Assembly
    Stephen's Tower and the Princely Court Assembly
  • Stephen's Tower
    Stephen's Tower
  • St. Ioan Church from royal court complex
    St. Ioan Church from royal court complex
  • Ceahlău Hotel
    Ceahlău Hotel
  • Cable car
    Cable car
  • General view from cable car
    General view from cable car
  • Bâtca Doamnei Lake
    Bâtca Doamnei Lake
  • Aerial view
    Aerial view
  • The city and the Bistrița River
    The city and the Bistrița River
  • Mount Pietricica & TV tower
    Mount Pietricica & TV tower
  • The CFR railway station
    The CFR railway station
  • Dochia monastery
    Dochia monastery

References
  1. "Results of the 2020 local elections". Central Electoral Bureau. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  2. "Populaţia rezidentă după grupa de vârstă, pe județe și municipii, orașe, comune, la 1 decembrie 2021" (XLS). National Institute of Statistics.
  3. "2011 Census" (PDF) (in Romanian). INSSE. February 2, 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2016. Retrieved March 12, 2012.
  4. "Ethno-demographic Structure of Romania". The Ethnocultural Diversity Resource Center. Retrieved January 2, 2011.
  5. PRONET. "Inghetata AMICII :: inghetata, ice, ice-cream, tort, torturi, ciocolata, concurs". Kubo.ro. Retrieved 2012-10-08.
  6. "Trolleynews [regular news section]". Trolleybus Magazine. No. 348. UK: National Trolleybus Association. November–December 2019. p. 230. ISSN 0266-7452.
  7. "Troleele scoase la vânzare- interes major în lumea samsarilor de fier vechi" [Trolleys put up for sale – major interest in the world of scrap metal dealers]. Mesagerul Neamț (in Romanian). 9 March 2020. Archived from the original on 18 May 2020. Retrieved 2020-09-02.
  8. "Trolleynews [regular news section]". Trolleybus Magazine. No. 353. UK: National Trolleybus Association. September–October 2020. p. 197. ISSN 0266-7452.
  9. "Projects underway in 2007" (PDF) (in Romanian). Primariapn.ro. Retrieved 2012-10-08.
  10. "Orașe Înfrățite" (in Romanian). Piatra Neamț. Retrieved 2022-03-25.
  11. Alan Chamberlin. "JPL Small-Body Database Browser". Ssd.jpl.nasa.gov. Retrieved 2012-10-08.
  12. "Discovery Circumstances: Numbered Minor Planets (100001)-(105000)". Minorplanetcenter.net. Retrieved 2012-10-08.
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