Location:

If you are going to follow the road from Bicaz to Poiana Teiului you’ll first see a big rock of 20 m high, then you’ll get to the village Ceahlau and finally you’ll reach Durau, a place famous for its fresh air and the natural beauty of the scenery.

Because of the peaceful atmosphere and the clean fresh air the Durau resort represents a perfect place to relax and lose some stress. This place is recommended for the healthy benefits of its air on stress, physical and intellectual breakdowns or anemia and for its sky slope.

Located at the foot of the pine forest and surrounded by gorgeous scenery the Durau resort has many accommodation possibilities both for the winter season and for the summer. In the last years more and more tourists come here for the fresh air. This is also the starting point in hiking routes on Ceahlau Mountain, to Dochia chalet and Fantanele Chalet.

The routes that take you on the mountain Ceahlau are properly bookmarked and represent the main attraction point in this area. You can climb the mountain all the way to the top and reach the peaks Ocolasul Mare and Toaca or you can see the Duruitoarea Fall. Also on top of the mountain you can visit the monastery that was built there in 1993.

In Durau we can also find the monastery Durau, built in 1835 and painted by Nicolae Tonitza with colors diluted in wax.

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Location:

Short description:

The Princely Palace was once a beautiful architectural complex and place where many historical events took place. Its beginning are found in the XIII century when on this place was built a hermitage by the monk Silvestru that was under the guidance of the Neamt Monastery. During the ruler of Ieremia Movila the hermitage will be called The Pion Monastery and after that will become the Hermitage Hangu. In the year 1639, the brother of Vasile Lupu, by his name Gheorghe builds a stone church here.

In 1792, Matei Cantacuzino leaves for Russia where he obtains the title of “cneaz” and some other imperial distinctions. He will use his power to attack the hermitage in many law suits. In the year 1840, despite of the efforts of Veniamin Costache, the Cantacuzino family obtain the property of the monastery and the monks are forced to move. After that moment, the entire complex will be turned into a mansion.

The period of glory of the Princely Palace from the Schit village was between 1840 and 1852 when it was visited by Wilhelm von Kotzebue and Alexandre Dumas.  By spending too much to maintain a visual appearance the Cantacuzino family loose all their properties. In the year 1852, the Princely Palace  is sold in an action and bought by Smaranda Sturza.

In time the buildings become ruins and these days the only thing that was left are the story and some walls.
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