Situated of 55 km north of Chisinau, on the territory of the cultural, natural and landscape reserve ”Old Orhei”, lies[..]
Old Orhei
Situated of 55 km north of Chisinau, on the territory of the cultural, natural and landscape reserve ”Old Orhei”, lies the immense realm of the geologic and historic past. Having a millenary history, this territory comprises many hearths of Dacian civilization, the remnants of the Sehr al-Gedid citadel built by the Golden Horde in the 14 th century, the cave monasteries, the caves built in rocks, a Dacian citadel and the remnants of a public Tatar bath. Each of them comes from a different time, having a different story and a different landscape architecture. Moreover, if looked from different angles, in different seasons, these nature monuments offer a different image, one that is more captivating and fascinating.
The museum of national importance in the village of Donici, Orhei district, is the parental home where the poet Alexander[..]
House-museum “Alexandru Donici”
The museum of national importance in the village of Donici, Orhei district, is the parental home where the poet Alexander Donici was born. During the Soviet period, before the house-museum was created, this building served as the village school.
It consists of four rooms, two of which, the main house and the writer's study, are furnished with 19th-century objects, Moldovan carpets and Egyptian-style furniture (very fashionable then). The other two rooms are exhibition halls, presenting the life and works of the great Moldovan fable writer.
The museum also has a rich collection of household items, including the only one of the poet's personal belongings that has survived - a rifle from the first half of the 19th century. The museum's archive holds an impressive collection of publications of the time, as well as documents and images that are somehow or other connected with the writer's life.
The house-museum is located in the middle of a small park, and next to it is the church of the Donici family, built by the poet's father. There are also family tombs, as well as the spring "Stânca" ("The Rock"), which was created by the parents - Dimitrie and Helena Donici.
In 1977, the parental home of the writer was declared a museum.
Manuc Bey Mansion: a monument passed through time and history! Recently renovated and open to visitors, the Manuc Bey historical-cultural[..]
Mansion of Manuc Bey
Manuc Bey Mansion: a monument passed through time and history! Recently renovated and open to visitors, the Manuc Bey historical-cultural complex is a historical site that hides important relics for our nation. The complex includes buildings such as Manuc's Palace, the House of the Bailiff, the Countess's Building, the Hunting Castle, the Watchtower. It is one of the most beautiful historical sights not only in Hincesti but also in the whole country. The palace was built according to the design of the architect Alexander Bernardazzi and is supposed to have been decorated on the inside in four styles: Armenian, Turkish, Moldavian and European and that the bridges of some rooms were painted by the painter Ivan Aivazovski.
The history of the Manuc Bey Mansion begins with the merchant and diplomat Manuc-Emmanuel Mîrzoian, an Armenian by nationality, who moved from the Romanian city of Sibiu to Chisinau and bought the Hâncești estate. Even though the mansion was built by his son and grandson, it bears his name. The two built a stunningly beautiful French-style castle with a winter garden, guard towers and a huge park.
In 1993 the mansion was granted the status of an architectural monument.
Located just half an hour from Chisinau, Castel MIMI is a high quality wine producer with centuries of experience in[..]
Mimi Castle
Located just half an hour from Chisinau, Castel MIMI is a high quality wine producer with centuries of experience in the field. With a deep respect for tradition, the cellar's specialists create incomparable wines, following the example of the illustrious winemaker Constantin Mimi (1868 -1935).
The modern architecture, borrowed from French practice, is due to the fact that Constantin Mimi studied viticulture and winemaking in Montpellier (France). It is believed that the mansion was the first real chateau in Bessarabia. Built with two floors of reinforced concrete (a novelty at the time), the chateau was considered a modern edifice not only in Bender County, but in the whole governorate. The castle cellar had a capacity of 300,000 litres of wine.
Today, Mimi Castle is a cultural centre of excellence in the Republic of Moldova, a place where wine, gastronomy and Bessarabian traditions can be discovered in a new form. The tourist complex combines the historical with the modern, each detail being the carrier of a hidden energy or symbolism that characterizes the millenary culture of the land between Prut and Nistru.
The captivating history, rich in details, the selected wines of local production combined with the most delicious dishes and special events bring tens of thousands of people from all over the world to the courtyard, gardens and cellars of Mimi Castle.
Asconi Winery - traditions handed down from generation to generation, a family business that combines the wine and gastronomic traditions[..]
Asconi Winery
Asconi Winery - traditions handed down from generation to generation, a family business that combines the wine and gastronomic traditions of the given area with modern winemaking technology. Wine and traditions, by the way, are the secret of Asconi, which is not just a winery, but an attractive tourist complex, located just 35 km from the capital, in the village of Puhoi, Ialoveni district.
Red and white, Asconi wines are aromatic, fruity, wines made from highly productive varieties. It seems to be strange the contrast between the two main concerns in the route: wine and traditional cuisine, but the level of culture and distinction seen internationally as functional, symbolic and romantic justify and complement each other and create a perfect atmosphere for relaxation and rest. Here, guests can witness the entire winemaking process, visiting the wine storage, bottling or maturing sections.
There are also plenty of tourist attractions in the area, such as the Valea Botnei - a folklore area with 11 ethno-folklore groups of traditional music and dance; the Suruceni monastery, built in the 17th century, with a large number of traditional dances. 19th century in the Moldavian architectural style or the handicraft workshops of Ulmu and Văsieni.
Asconi is one of the few local wineries with three types of Ice Wine in its portfolio, which have won medals in international competitions.
The "Epoca de piatră" tourist complex of Branesti Winery, which holds the third underground cellar in Moldova after Milestii Mici[..]
Cellars Branesti and restaurant ”Epoca de piatră”
The "Epoca de piatră" tourist complex of Branesti Winery, which holds the third underground cellar in Moldova after Milestii Mici and Cricova, opened its doors to visitors in September 2016. Unique in its own way, starting from the geographical location, with the design of the galleries and the indescribable atmosphere it offers tourists the opportunity to experience life in the cave as it was in the Stone Age, with little interventions of the modern.
The Branesti winery is located in an old limestone mine, the galleries of which stretch over a distance of 75 km and are spread over an area of 75 ha.
The entire architecture is built at a depth of 60 metres, which favours a constant temperature of 12-14 degrees all year round and humidity of 90-92%.
Currently, the winery is working on the launch of Moldova's first underground hotel, full of mystery, which will surely fascinate every tourist, curious to discover and explore the medieval town with an impressive network of beautifully designed limestone tunnels and caves hidden underground. The underground galleries of the future hotel will offer the visitor hidden and dimly lit corridors, shadowy tunnels, stories and legends, all kinds of more or less spacious rooms, sights and symbols.
In the central region of the Republic of Moldova stretches an area of impressive and charming vineyards, in the heart[..]
Cricova Winery
In the central region of the Republic of Moldova stretches an area of impressive and charming vineyards, in the heart of which lies the "Cricova Winery" - well known for its huge labyrinths and especially for its excellent wines.
The history of this amazing place began in 1952, when the renowned academician and winemaker Petru Ungureanu carried out the first experiments with the maturing of classic sparkling wine in the limestone hrublands of Cricova.
Already in 1954, the wine collection was founded at the "Cricova winery", the significance of which over the years has passed beyond the borders of the enterprise, so that it became known as the National Winery. At present the collection numbers over 1.3 mln. bottles.
In 1955, the first branded wines were bottled in the underground cellars here, and in 1980 the thirty-year-old idea was realized - the champagne factory began to operate in the Cricova galleries.
Cricova is a valuable brand, known far beyond the borders of the country. It is the first and only enterprise, decorated with the highest state distinction, the Order of the Republic and recognized by law as an object of national cultural heritage representing one of the main tourist attractions of the country.
Founded in 1997, the State Enterprise Quality Wines Industrial Complex “Milestii Mici” is a true underground wine town, made up[..]
Milestii Mici Winery
Founded in 1997, the State Enterprise Quality Wines Industrial Complex “Milestii Mici” is a true underground wine town, made up of lantern-shaded alleys, in whose galleries is kept a valuable collection of about 1.5 million bottles of wine, the collection being included in the Guinness Book of Records in 2005.
The winery is the largest network of underground galleries, with over 200 km of streets, of which over 50 km are converted into wine stores, which are located up to 85 m deep.
The streets of the underground wine city, spread over an area of 55 km, maintain a constant temperature of 12°C - 14°C and a relative humidity of 80% - 85%, which ideally contributes both to the preservation of the strategic Moldovan reserves and to the discovery of the natural qualities of the elite wines.
The original architecture in the style of the old feudal castles, the grand entrance to the galleries, the crystal-clear waterfall and the "wine" havuz at the entrance to the complex, await their visitors eager to taste the legendary wine.
Located at the entrance of Chisinau, near the City Gates, the Village Museum can be considered an island of revelation[..]
The Village Museum
Located at the entrance of Chisinau, near the City Gates, the Village Museum can be considered an island of revelation and tranquility. It is the perfect place for meditation, a place where you are surprised by the fantastic landscape with a fairy-tale atmosphere.
It was created in 1991 as a branch of the National Museum of Ethnography and Natural History, and in May 1995, it was inaugurated as the "Village Museum" mirroring the Basarabian village of the 17th century. XVIII-XIX. The museum houses monuments of folk architecture.
The first monument placed at the museum in 1995 was the windmill in the village of Opaci, district of Causeni, which was destroyed in a fire in 2001 and has not yet been restored. At present, the museum complex boasts the oldest ecclesiastical monument in the Republic of Moldova, the wooden church brought from the village of Hirișeni to be restored and cared for. It was built in 1642 and is one of the tallest wooden churches in the country, standing 27 metres high.
Located in the heart of the forests, Căpriana Monastery is one of the oldest monastic settlements in the country. The[..]
Căpriana Monastery
Located in the heart of the forests, Căpriana Monastery is one of the oldest monastic settlements in the country. The unique architecture, the lifestyle of the monks, the exceptional cuisine and the unmistakable landscape place it among the most visited tourist attractions.
In 1429, the monastery became a royal foundation, under the care of the viceroys Alexander the Good, Stephen the Great, Peter Rares and Alexander Lapusneanu.
At first the monastery was built entirely of wood, and later, in 1545, the summer church "The Assumption of the Virgin Mary" was built of stone. In 1840 the second church "St. George" was built and in 1903 the third winter church "St. Nicholas".
During the Soviet period, the Căpriana monastery, like all places of worship in Moldova, suffered a lot. In 1962 it was closed and devastated. A sanatorium for children suffering from tuberculosis was opened in the chapels, the village club was organised in the church of St Nicholas and the church of St George was turned into a warehouse.
It was only in 1989, with the national revival, that the monastery reopened its doors to parishioners.
Curchi Monastery is a very important medieval historical and cult monument, located in the codri, on the territory of the[..]
Curchi Monastery
Curchi Monastery is a very important medieval historical and cult monument, located in the codri, on the territory of the present village Curchi, Orhei district. With a cultural and religious past of about two and a half centuries, this monastery was considered in the past, as it is today, to be "the most beautiful and famous monastery in the country". The architectural ensemble, made up of five churches, was built in the 16th century. XVIII - XIX.
Curchi Monastery was founded in 1773 by brothers Iordache and Mihail Curchi, who built a modest wooden hermitage at first, and later built the first stone churches. The first church was a wooden one, dedicated to St. Great Martyr Dimitrie, built around 1775 by Iordache Curchi, founder and first abbot of the hermitage.
On 21 September 1810 the first stone church was consecrated in honour of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, with a high bell tower in classical style with Baroque elements. In 1868 it was transformed into a monastery. This year is considered the official date of the foundation of the monastery.
In 1958 the monastery was closed and in 1961 the Psychiatric and Narcology Hospital was opened here. During this period, when the psychiatric hospital was located on the territory of the "Nativity of the Mother of God" Monastery in Curchi, the 5 churches of the monastery complex, as well as the buildings that once served the good development of a monastery life, were left to chance.
In the early 2000s, the UN established patronage over the monastery. Restoration work then began and continues to this day.
Vărzărești Monastery, dedicated to Saint Great Martyr Dumitru, is located in the village of Vărzărești. It is considered to be[..]
Vărzărești Monastery
Vărzărești Monastery, dedicated to Saint Great Martyr Dumitru, is located in the village of Vărzărești. It is considered to be the first monastery in Moldova, being mentioned in a document in a hrisov of April 25, 1420, from the time of Alexander the Good.
In 1815 it became a monastery of nuns with the arrival of nuns from the Cosăuți, closed at that time. During the Soviet period, the monastery was closed and turned into a warehouse.
It was reopened in 1990, when the Church of St. Dumitru and part of the cellars were completely rebuilt. Here is the icon of the Mother of God from Vărzărești, highly honoured in Moldova, brought in 1840 from the Rudi. Also, to this day, an icon of Our Lady "Prodromița", an exceptional work of art from Mount Athos, delights our souls.
Just 15 km from the capital, in the heart of Moldavia, in a superb white grape vineyard, the Bardar Winery[..]
Bardar Winery
Just 15 km from the capital, in the heart of Moldavia, in a superb white grape vineyard, the Bardar Winery was born and began its history in 1929. The entrepreneur named Muller, laid the foundations of what is today Bardar Winery, building a small distillery in the village of Bardar.
Already in 1940 tthis distillery was transformed into a veritable factory for the production of distillates and wines.
The company produces cognac – wine distillates, aged 3 years, 5 years, 7 years, 10 years, 15 years and 20 years. At the moment Bardar Winery is in the TOP 3 producers of divines in the Republic of Moldova, winning around 50 medals at national and international competitions during the last years.
All those who want to explore the wild world are welcome at the "zooclub"! Exotica is located only 13 km[..]
Bardar ZooСlub
All those who want to explore the wild world are welcome at the "zooclub"! Exotica is located only 13 km from Chisinau, in the village of Bardar, where you can meet unusual exotic animals and birds from all over the world. And it all started in the 1990s, when Igor Balzhikov, a specialist in animal husbandry, started breeding birds, but not simple ones, but exotic ones. In 1992, the businessman brought ostriches to Moldova.
The farm undertook to breed ostriches and import them to the CIS. Gradually, the collection began to grow with other species of birds and animals. Over time, the farm has become a place where children and adults can interact with nature: pony rides, feeding animals, admiring swans, peacocks, pheasants and other exotic birds.
The village of Bardar in Ialoveni district can be called the Little Holland of the Republic of Moldova. Namely because[..]
“Little Holland” of Bardar
The village of Bardar in Ialoveni district can be called the Little Holland of the Republic of Moldova. Namely because here can be found the largest plantation of tulips, hyacinths and even nymphaeaceae/ water lilies. Every year, hundreds of visitors come here, eager to get drunk with the scent of flowers and take pictures in the colourful field.
Almost all year round you can admire and buy the flowers grown here. There are currently more than 50 tulip and other garden plant growers in Bardar.
Dolna, a village like many other picturesque villages in Moldova, has a good reason to be visited by guests -[..]
The mansion Zamfir Arbore-Ralli
Dolna, a village like many other picturesque villages in Moldova, has a good reason to be visited by guests - a former early 19th-century noble residence built by the wealthy Greek-born nobleman Zamfirache Ralli.
Ralli-Arbore was a noble family that settled in the Basarabian area during the 18th century. The nobleman's family used to spend their summer holidays in the Dolna mansion, where they organised various gatherings, bringing together people of culture, including the Russian poet Alexander Pushkin, who was in exile in Bessarabia for three years (1820-1823). It was during this time that Pushkin first met a gypsy family and met the beautiful Zemfira, the baron's daughter, with whom he fell in love and later created the poem "Țîganii". There is a clearing in the forest near the village, named after Zemfira, and in the park next to the manor house, in memory of A. Pushkin, there is a monument to the poet.
The building still preserves the interior and the atmosphere of the time, which during the USSR was used as a library, a music school and a village museum.
Nowadays, the mansion is a branch of the "A. S. Pushkin" museum in Chisinau.
