Codrii de Aramă and Pădurea de Argint

The two reserves lie in Agapia commune, in the Neamț Depression, within the Vânători-Neamț Natural Park. Codrii de Aramă covers 7 ha on the southern ridge of Filiorul hill, between the villages of Filioara and Văratec, at 550-650 m, with the Filioara stream flowing at the foot of the hill. Pădurea de Argint, also called Codrii de Argint or Pădurea de Argint Văratec, covers about 2 ha on the lower terrace of the Topolița stream, north-east of Văratec village, at about 540 m, close to the road to Văratec. The names of the two woods are associated with Mihai Eminescu's poem "Călin (file din poveste)", which mentions "codrii de aramă" (the copper woods) and "pădurea de argint" (the silver forest). The name Codrii de Aramă is attributed to the copper colour of the oak leaves in autumn, and that of Pădurea de Argint to the white bark of the birches. Both were declared protected areas by Law no. 5/2000. Codrii de Aramă protects old sessile oaks (Quercus petraea), the oldest over 130 years old, and about 300 plant species have been recorded in the reserve. Pădurea de Argint protects a stand of silver birch (Betula pendula), most of the trees over 100 years old. The reserves can be visited on foot, together with the nearby Văratec and Agapia monasteries. Codrii de Aramă (code RONPA0673) and Codrii de Argint (code RONPA0674) are forest nature reserves, IUCN category IV, included in the Vânători-Neamț Natural Park.