Neamt Monastery - History and Culture, Neamt, Romania

Neamt Monastery - History and Culture, Neamt, Romania
Neamt Monastery is an Orthodox monastery of monks in Romania, located in the Vânători-Neamț town, village monastery Neamt, Neamt County.
It is the largest and oldest monastic settlement in Moldova
The monastery was documented in 1407, but the monastic activity roots are from the XII century. Ctitorirea monastery is attributed to Prince Petru I Musat (1375-1391), who built the first stone church, now extinct, but, on the site of the monastery, there was an old wooden church called White Church, built by the monks a century before.
The present church of the monastery was founded by Prince Stephen the Great in the late fifteenth century and is dedicated to the Ascension of God.
Inside the monastery there are two churches, two chapels, the bell tower with 11 bells, Theological Seminary "Veniamin Costache" as well as a museum with a collection of religious art and printing room.
Specific is the circular building named Aghiazmatarul from where the holy water is made. Also inside the church is a miraculous icon of the Virgin Maria painted in 665 in Israel .
In the burial chamber is buried Stephen Prince (uncle of Stephen the Great) and in the narthex is unknown saint's relics discovered in 1986 by removing the asphalt of the church way.
According to documents, Neamt monastery founded in the fourteenth century as an organization of Orthodox monk ; its beginnings are much older, but the investigator cannot determine, based on sources iszorice known until now, who founded the monastery, in what circumstances and when.
The former Moldavian ruler who, as attested documents, gave Neamt Monastery villages and estates is Peter Musat . He built Neamt Fortress, integrated it permanently in the defense system of the country and, according to strong traditions, as well he had built Neamt Monastery, on the old wooden hermitage, a stone church, which was surrounded by Moldova's followers, monastic cells, different buildings, towers and defensive walls.
Circumstances and unknown facts - an earthquake, perhaps the one from 1471, a fire or enemy attack - the first serious distroying the hole stone of Neamt Monastery, built by Petru Musat.
Glorious Prince Stefan, whose name is linked to so many churches and monasteries, so great achievements could not overlook the most important monastery in Moldova.
Therefore in the last decade of the fifteenth century, he built the tabernacle which the plan and its lines masterfully proportioned, like the rich and varied decoration of facades, amazes him that was found in its face.
Among the other founders of the great Stefan, the church of Neamt Monastery "is the most interesting and most representative monument of architecture of the time, so that plan and interior structure, and as a way of decorating the facades".
Trilobat plan of some churches in the reign is increased but also enriched by the addition of new facilities: Located in front of the entrance porch and western crypt and tomb room between narthex and nave.
The monks inhabited in Neamt Monastery, are living today as always, according to their rule of prayer.
With God's help, they kept with care and appreciation church of Stefan the Great, impressive by its beauty and grandeur and religious objects of great historical and artistic value.
Anyone who goes here on the Holy Monastery Neamt, the hermitages of the lap hill on the holy relics on the ministry to watch the evening - be it curious tourist or pilgrim humbled or traveler rushed, come from afar or native grew up in the shadow of these walls - anyone here, it will carry with it contentment, peace and joy, because where God and people gave their hand crafted this beautiful building - eye admire mind listen and soul settles .