Piatra Neamț is a municipality located on the Bistrița valley, in the northeast of Romania. The city, which had 125,842 inhabitants in 1992 and 107,126 inhabitants in 2008, is the residence of Neamț County. From an industrial point of view, it is the second industrial center of the county after Roman.
The city experienced a remarkable economic development after 2005, being declared the residence of the Northeast Development Region.
Archaeological discoveries along with historical documents show that the geographical region surrounding the city of Piatra-Neamt has been inhabited since the Mesolithic period (approx. 12,000 BC). The oldest settlement was discovered at Poiana Ciresului but evidence of the past such as pieces of pottery, flint of the Cucuteni civilization were also discovered on Cozla, in Darmanesti, Batca Doamnei, Ciritei (P.Neamt), etc.
The city of Piatra-Neamt has a long history, as evidenced by the fortified settlements of the Geto-Dacians at Batca Doamnei, Cozla and Calu (dating from the 1st century BC), also in the writings of historians appears the name of Petrodava.
As we approach the present, we can find other evidence of the existence of the region to which the city of Piatra-Neamt belongs and in the Russian Chronicle (1387-1392) as well as in documents attesting the existence of the Bistrita monastery.
Documentary, Piatra Neamț is first mentioned in 1387 as “Kamena” (Stone) in a list of cities kept up to date by Russians.
Among the internal documents, the act of July 31, 1431 is mentioned, by which Alexandru cel
Bun donated to the Bistriţa Monastery two porches and a “Christmas house from Piatra”, and in 1453
receives the status of royal fair.
The evolution of rural settlements led to the formation, starting with the second half of the century. XIV, of the first centers with urban nuance: Piatra lui Crăciun, Roman and Neamț. Over time, the Piatra fair acquires a greater importance, this also due to the establishment here of a Royal Court.