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.

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

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

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.