Hello everyone! Our trip to Moldova continues! Large and impressive monasteries, a unique color in the world and the panorama of Piatra Neamt! We go into the writing machine and start the journey again: Agapia
Hello everyone! Our trip to Moldova continues! Large and impressive monasteries, a unique color in the world and the panorama of Piatra Neamt! We go into the writing machine and start the journey again:
Agapia Monastery
The monastery was built between 1641 and 1643. The architecture of the church does not have a specific style. The frescoes painted by Nicholas Grigorescu during 1858-1861 bring a special value to this monument.
The ensemble of the Agapia Monastery was included on the List of Historical Monuments of Neamt County in 2015. It is one of the largest monasteries of nuns in Romania (300-400 nuns) and is ranked second as a population after the Varatec Monastery.
Varatec Monastery
It is the largest nunnery monastery in Romania, where more than 400 nuns live here. The monastery is near Agapia Monastery and was founded in 1785 by the schism of the Olympics, together with the confessor Joseph. Solid massive stone walls house the “Adormirea Maicii Domnului” church (main church), the abbey and administrative buildings, as well as the Monastery Museum, where the “Queen Mary” Workshop had been previously.
Over the years, many personalities have lived here at Varatec Monastery. Valeria Sadoveanu (the widow of Mihail Sadoveanu), the protosinghel Nicodim Mandita, Mrs. Cornelia Pillat (widow of Dinu Pillat), Bishop Partenie Ciopron, the academician Zoe Dumitrescu-Busulenga (1920-2006), who retired here around 2000, In 2005, she monked the monastic name of sister Benedicta. By far the most famous name in this monastery is the poet Veronica Micle. She retired to Varatec two weeks after the funeral of the poet Mihai Eminescu. He lived in Fevronia Sarbu’s house and used to walk around. She often had migraines and was depressed. On the night of August 2 to August 3, 1889, the poet committed suicide with arsenic. Doctor Taussig put the diagnosis of cerebral congestion and so Veronica Micle was buried on August 5 in the cemetery of the monastery under the shade of a fir tree. On the modest cross of wood, an epitaph written by the teacher Maria Banulescu was inlaid:
“In the loneliness of the monastery
Under the blue sky dome,
Stingher soul of immortality
You shine as the proudest astra. ”
Subsequently, this epitaph was replaced by another, written by Veronica Micle.
Putna monastery
Mihai Eminescu called this monastery “Jerusalem of the Romanian people”. The monastery was an important cultural center; here manuscripts were copied and precious miniatures were made. The monastery has a rich monastery museum with embroidery, manuscripts, religious objects, icons, etc.
The legend says that on July 4, 1466, Stephen the Great chose the place where the Putna Monastery Church would be built, by firing the bow on the Cross Hill. Six days later, on July 10, 1466, according to the Putn Letopisete, the construction of Putna Monastery Church begins, which will be completed in 1469.
In 1484, a fire destroyed the cells and partially affected the church. After the fire, Prince Stephen commanded the restoration of the church and its painting, both inside and outside.
Stefan the Great was buried in the Putna Monastery church.
The only remaining building from the time of St. Stephen’s Voivode is the Tower of the Treasure, whose construction was finished in 1481. In it were housed, in times of trouble, the spores of this holy place.
The cell of St. Daniil the Hermit
About a kilometer away from Putna Monastery, on the Vitau River valley, you will find a cave dug in a cliff where it has lived as the forbidden Priest Daniil the Hermit.
Tradition says Daniil has lived in these places for 20 years. The news of this godly hermit spread quickly, and Daniil began to be searched by a lot of believers who read prayers for relief from illness and suffering. He was also sought by monks or hermits from all over Moldova, who demanded spiritual solicitations and advice.
About Daniil Sihastrul heard young Stefan, the son of voivode Bogdan II. He came here around 1451, after his father’s murder in Reuseni. Hermit Daniil predicted that he would soon become a ruler of Moldavia, which happened in 1457. Arriving Prince, Stefan the Great built the Putna Monastery in 1466, near Daniil Sihastrul’s cell.
Voronet Monastery
The monastery is only 4 km from the center of Gura Humorului, and is one of the most valuable foundations of Stefan cel Mare. It was built in just three months and three weeks, which is a record for that time. The church is one of the few monuments of religious architecture in northern Moldavia that preserves, to a large extent, the initial form.
The monastery is famous due to a shade of blue that bears its name. Blue Voronet is a shade of blue color specific to the exterior fresco of the Monastery Church. It was produced, according to a secret recipe, based on the azurite mineral. The importance of this color is also given by the special resistance to meteorological influences that destroy the fresco in time. This is evident on the north and north-east, where the fresco still retains only blue and a turquoise, possibly derived from the blue. In addition, the hue of this blue is identical to the Bukovina sky from a certain period of the year, when grapes are harvested.
Piatra Neamt
If you get to Piatra Neamt you must take the telegondola that will take you to the top of Cozla Mountain. Here is a beautiful panorama of the city and surroundings: Batca Doamnei reservoir lake, Pietricia Mountain and Ceahlau which can be observed in all its splendor on clear days.
Tariff:
Children up to 5 years – free of charge
Children between 5 and 14 years – 18 lei ascending and descending or 10 lei ascending or descending
Adults – 25 lei ascending and descending or 15 lei ascending or descending
Children groups (min 20 pers) – 12 lei ascending and descending
Children groups (min 100 persons) – 8 lei ascending and descending
Adult groups (min 20 pers) – 18 lei ascending and descending
Adult groups (min 100 persons) – 15 lei ascending and descending
People with disabilities – free of charge
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