“Polița cu Crini” Botanical Scientific Reserve

The “Polița cu Crini” Botanical Scientific Reserve lies in Ceahlău National Park, 10 km west of Bicaz, in the western part of the county. It can be reached by following the trail marked with a blue stripe, which runs from Izvorul Muntelui Mountain Lodge via Lutu Roșu Saddle to Dochia Mountain Lodge.

A sign along the trail tells you that you have entered the area known as “Polița cu Crini”. The site was designated a botanical scientific reserve in 1941. Larch trees grow naturally here, reaching heights of over 30 m and a diameter of 90 cm.

Several legends are linked to the history of this place, but the best known tells of a hermit who withdrew from the world and climbed the rough path through a gully lined with sycamores, then reached a ledge where he dug out a shelter with his own hands. In time, the hermit planted lilies on the ledge. One day he met some shepherds and told them that if they wanted their sins and misdeeds forgiven, they should plant a lily in front of any new house or church they built. From then on, lilies began to appear outside all the houses in the surrounding villages.

Ceahlău National Park is one of the few areas in the Carpathians where untouched examples of the natural environment still survive, something of great importance and value.

Polita cu Crini area – Ceahlău, Neamț County