The Princely Court and Stephen the Great's Tower
Historic monument1497-1499City centre
In the centre of Piatra Neamț stands one of the most valuable medieval ensembles in Romania. Built between 1497 and 1499 during the reign of Stephen the Great, the Princely Court served as a royal residence, an administrative centre and a place of defence.
The Princely Court – the ruler's residence
The complex was built between 1497 and 1499 on a terrace of the Bistrița river. It originally included the princely palace, the court church and household buildings, all surrounded by fortified walls.
What has survived to this day:
- The Church of the Nativity of St John the Baptist (1497–1498)
- Stephen the Great's Tower (1499)
- The outline of the original fortifications in the square
Stephen the Great's Tower
Built in 1499, right after the victory at Codrii Cosminului. Made of rough stone and brick, it rises 19 metres, supported by four buttresses.
Its roles over time:
- Bell tower for the church
- Shelter in times of danger
- Strategic lookout point
- Post of the town's “fire watchman”
- Since 1861, a public clock tower
Moldavian architecture
- •Rough stone alternating with brick
- •Glazed ceramic discs on the façades
- •Carved stone window and door frames
- •Moldavian style with Gothic influences
Key facts
FounderStephen the Great
Period1497–1499
Tower height19 metres
MonumentOf national importance
After your visit to the Princely Court
Take the cable car to see the whole city from above, and the place where Moldavia's history has its roots