Roznov, Neamț


Roznov is a town located in Neamț County, Western Moldavia, Romania. Roznov became a town in 2003. It is located 15 km southeast of Piatra Neamț on road DN15, and lies on the Piatra Neamț – Bacău railway, in the northern part of the Cracău–Bistrița Depression, and on the river Bistrița. Two villages are administered by the town, Chintinici and Slobozia.

History

The town was first mentioned in 15th century documents, and was probably founded by German settlers, along with Târgu Neamț: historians speculate that the original name was Rosenhoff. The main church is the Church of Saint Nicholas, situated in a dendrological park; built between 1884 and 1892 in a Russian style unique to the region, it was founded by the boyar Gheorghe Ruset Roznovanu, whose family had an estate at Roznov for many years. The interior frescoes were completed in 1915 by the artist Costin Petrescu, under the aegis of banker, oil magnate, vineyard owner, and art collector Hector Economos, who bought the Roznov estate after the Ruset Roznovanu family died out. Today the church is an important historical monument. Also situated on the 3 hectares of the park is Roznovanu Castle, now in poor condition.
The main economy of Roznov consists of the production of adhesives, chemicals used on agriculture, and sulphuric acid.