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- Targoviste – A Capital’s CharmDrobeta Turnu Severin – A Bridge Across The AgesSearching For Tranquility Around BucharestCalimanesti, Olanesti, Govora – Oltenia’s Health SpringsAlba Iulia and Codex AureusIasi – A City Imbued With History and CultureThe Deva Fortress – Active Witness to Transylvania’s HistoryRupea Stronghold, The Core of Brasov CountyScarisoara Cave, Glacier Chill in Summer TimeMuierilor Cave, Symbol of Fertility and HolinessOrsova – Heavy Industry Meets the Roman EmpireThe Heaven of Cherry Orchards, in CetateleCurtisoara Museum – a Cradle of SpiritualityBaile Felix – a Balneary Resort for All AgesIzei Valley – Maramures Finest Traditions and LocationsHarman – A Small Part of Brasov’s CultureMuseums and places to visit in OradeaVidraru Dam and Lake, a Wonder of Nature, Confined by ManAncient Cities in the Constanta AreaSfantul Ioan Domnesc Monument-Church – The Shadow of Stefan cel MarePutna Monastery – The Spiritual Center of MoldaviaOcnele Mari: Salt Mines, Spa and Rich HistoryBaile Govora – One of The Oldest Romanian SpasCraiova – The Heart of OlteniaRules for Visiting the Protected Nature AreasArad – One Millenia on the Banks of MuresTargu Jiu and the Endless ColumnBucura Lake – The Largest Glacier Lake in RomaniaTraveling to Sfantu GheorgheLipscani – “The Old Leipzig” of BucharestCule – Strange Strongholds of a Riotous PastVatra DorneiCluj NapocaDobrudja and the Danube DeltaBucharest – an european capitalBrasov – Part of the “Heart” of RomaniaTimisoara, Little ViennaRosia MontanaPeriam “Rock la Mures” FestSinaiaVama VecheSighisoara, medieval heavenHunedoaraSighisoaraSibiu – modernity with a German touchA visit in Piatra-NeamtVama Veche versus MamaiaThe mountain tourism in RomaniaA trip to Muntii ApuseniAn incursion in legends – BranTrips and winter sports on Valea PrahoveiTransilvania – The medieval land of StrongholdsBucovina and Northern MoldaviaMaramures – A Land From TalesTan and Fun at the Black SeaA wild land – The Danube Delta
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Putna Monastery – The Spiritual Center of Moldavia
The Putna Monastery was the first one founded by Stefan cel Mare and it was meant to be his burial ground as well as his family's. Putna was built between 1466 and 1481 and was supposed to be the country's most important spiritual gathering place.
The legend says that the Moldavian ruler chose the spot where the church was to be built by shooting an arrow randomly. Aside from being a monastery, Putna was a stronghold, a fortified settlement and a rich one, a passage point to the valleys that allowed visitors to enter Moldavia through Pasul Prislopului.
This monastery was also the gathering place for many people who lived isolated in the mountains and had few connections with the outside world. In 1481, Stefan cel Mare built a strong wall with towers in its corners and in the middle of its sides, in order to protect his cherished holy place. From the original fortification all that's left is the tower meant for safekeeping of treasures, on the western side of the monastery.
Putna also owned, through the generosity of Stefan numerous lakes, mills and even 24 villages spread all around Moldavia. Sadly, the place was burnt down, as the Ottman Empire took Chilia and Cetatea Alba, but Stefan cel Mare started rebuilding it, exactly on the spot where the first monastery had risen. The rulers that followed him did their best to keep this place intact and even make it richer and more beautiful. For example Alexandru Lapusneanu built a new tower-bell.
Robbers never feared the divine punishment, as at the beginning of the 17th century, the monastery was robbed by a group of thieves, who had descended from the mountains. Then, in 1653, the soldiers who fought for Vasile Lupu-Voda (cazaci/kazaks) also robbed Putna and even took its lead layer, which they melt in Suceava and turned into bullets.
Putna's unfortunate fate had a nasty turn again in 1739, when it was once again torn down by a huge earthquake. This was followed by the desertion of the place and Putna became a ruin, at least till the second half of the 18th century, when Iacov Putneanu, Moldavian metropolitan did a drastic renovation and reconstruction.
He repaired all of the walls and even enlarged them, built a new gate tower, a new bell tower and many wooden shelters for priests. When Putna flourished, so did the arts and artists, who came to the monastery in search for inspiration. All that's left from the cultural and artistic activities that took place in the spiritual heart of Moldavia are documents; they state that calligraphy and miniature artists, plus skilled embroiders had bestowed their talent upon Putna.
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