Originally a market town, hence its name (in Romanian "târg" = market), it had an important role in Moldavian culture. It was first mentioned in a late-14th century document.
The name neamț is a generic name of Slavic origin for the German people in the Romanian language. This has led to speculation of a German foundation of Târgu Neamț, according to which Saxon colonists crossed the Carpathians from the Bistrița area and built a commercial township. Some Romanian historians, including Bogdan Petriceicu Hasdeu consider that Târgu Neamț was probably a German settlement from the 13th century, when the Teutonic Order made incursions from Transylvania against the Cumanic peoples that were living in Moldavia.[citation needed]
Nowadays, historians disagree with this possibility mostly because of the long-lasting influences of the communist-nationalistic historiography which refused to accept the town was anything else than a Romanian-founded settlement.
The Neamț Fortress (Cetatea Neamțului) was built in the 14th century by Voivode Petru I (possibly on the ruins of a smaller Teutonic castle), and is located on the north bank of the Neamț River.
Ion Creangă memorial house in Humulești, across the Ozana river: This is the house where the famous Romanian writer was born and where he spent his childhood. The stories from Ion Creangă's masterpiece, Amintiri din copilărie ("Memories of my childhood"), revolve around Humulești, Târgu Neamț, and the surrounding villages.
Monumentul Eroilor (Heroes' Monument): an obelisk that commemorates the Romanian soldiers who fought in World War I is found on Pleșu Hill, near the Pometea suburb. It commands views of the town and the surrounding mountains.
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