From an architectural point of view, a triumphal arch is a monument in the form of an arched portico, with[..]
Arcul de Triumf
From an architectural point of view, a triumphal arch is a monument in the form of an arched portico, with one or more arches, erected to commemorate a significant event or in honour of a famous personality. For urban planning reasons, it is placed in one of the city squares, marking the axis of the main thoroughfare or the epicentre of the urban infrastructure.
The construction of the arches was continued in modern times. Nowadays they can be found in many European capitals, including Chisinau.
And some curious facts from the biography of this historical monument:
There were several triumphal arches in historic Chisinau, of which only the one we know today has survived, designed by the Odessa architect Luka Zaușchevici in 1841, who took as a prototype the eponymous construction in Rome.
Throughout history, the monument has had several names: Arch of Triumph, Arch of Victory (in Soviet times), Holy Gates.
The Triumphal Arch in present-day Chisinau, an integral part of the architectural complex of the urban centre, is made of polished white stone, square in shape, with four openings, located on the main axis of the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Nativity of God (1830) and the Cathedral Bell Tower (1835). The 13 m high monument has ceramic ornaments and capitals imitating the Corinthian style. The base of the construction is set in four massive Corinthian pillars, placed on special perches that serve as pedestrian walkways. The upper level is decorated in classical style.
The Kyiv gubernia craftsman Vasily Losenko cast three bells, including a huge 6.4-ton bell, the largest in the city, for the Nativity Cathedral Bell Tower. On the surface of the bells the following text was inscribed: “By the kind permission of Tsar Nikolai I in 1838”, and the inscription “For the Nativity Cathedral in Chisinau” was cast on the edge. As the huge bell did not fit in the bell tower passage, it was decided to build an architectural addition, which would house the bells. Therefore, a triumphal arch was built, which would also act as a bell tower, to signal the victory of the Russian army in the Russo-Turkish war, and also as a solemn entrance to the Cathedral park. The giant bell was installed on the second level of the Arc de Triomphe in August 1839.
Both the bells in Chisinau and for some churches in Ismail were cast from Turkish cannons captured by A. Suvorov (1729-1800) in the military actions of Ismail (1790).
Constantin Ivanov from Chișnaui obliged himself for the sum of 1000 rubles to fix the bells, leaving all his property as a pawn in case of failure.
In one of the pillars of the Triumphal Arch in Chisinau there is a metal ladder, which goes up to the second level to the clock. The first clock for the edifice was bought from the donations of the governor of Bessarabia Pavel Fyodorov (28 August 1834 – 29 May 1854) from the craftsman Helzel from Odessa and installed on 3 August 1839. In the years 1842-1849 the clock was maintained by the clockmaker Spiller, and in 1880 the clock was replaced by another clock from the Hertz factory in the German city of Ulm. The clock struck every quarter of an hour. At the beginning of the Second World War the clock was destroyed in an explosion and in 1942 it was repaired for 18,000 lei.
In 1945, marble memorial plaques dedicated to the Soviet patriotic scenes of the Second World War and the names of Soviet Union heroes who fought on the territory of Soviet Moldova were fixed on the Arch of Triumph in Chisinau. The inscriptions were removed in 1991.
The Arch of Triumph in Chisinau is one of the five most beautiful in the world.
Architectural monument of national significance, included in the Register of monuments of history and culture of the municipality of Chisinau,[..]
Jewish Hospital
Architectural monument of national significance, included in the Register of monuments of history and culture of the municipality of Chisinau, compiled by the Academy of Sciences.
The Jewish Hospital was founded before 1812 and received official status in 1843. Since the 70s of the 19th century, projects for the buildings of the curative establishment were elaborated. The hospital is made up of several buildings, freely arranged, pavilion-like, on a vast territory. The buildings were built in stages from the 1880s to the early 20th century.
The administration, pharmacy and laboratory buildings were built between 1889 and 1890, and the surgery pavilion between 1887 and 1901. It also had a maternity ward. At the beginning of the 20th century it became the largest hospital in Bessarabia.
It played a decisive role in the rehabilitation of the victims of the Pogrom of April 1903. It could receive 500 patients at a time, who were always treated free of charge.
This sad monument, like a painful splinter of memory, preserved in time, is the work of the renowned artist, sculptor[..]
Memorial to the Victims of Fascism
This sad monument, like a painful splinter of memory, preserved in time, is the work of the renowned artist, sculptor Aurel David. Placed in 1991, it remains a proof that “nobody forgets, nothing is forgotten”…
It is located in the Râșcani sector (“Poșta Veche”) of the capital, on the site of mass executions of Moldovans, Jews, Roma, Russians during the years of World War II…
A Kilometer Zero plate was installed în Novembre, 2012, in the center of the capital outside the Central Post Office.[..]
Kilometer Zero
A Kilometer Zero plate was installed în Novembre, 2012, in the center of the capital outside the Central Post Office. It is stylized version of the wind rose, depicting distances to other capitals of the world from Chisinau. The Km 0 has a historical, social significance and a touristic one for the visitors of our capital. The Km 0 marker was made of bronze and marble. On it are written several capitals and the distance to them. Architect – Victor Vieru.
The Academy of Music, Theatre and Fine Arts is a public institution of higher education in Chisinau. It is the[..]
Academy of Music, Theatre and Fine Arts
The Academy of Music, Theatre and Fine Arts is a public institution of higher education in Chisinau. It is the successor of the Chisinau State Conservatory, founded in 1940, and of the music education institutions that have been operating in Chisinau since 1919, when the “Unirea” Conservatory was founded on the initiative of George Enescu.
In its present form, the Academy of Music, Theatre and Fine Arts was established on the basis of the reorganisation of the State University of Arts (previously established by merging the “Gavriil Musicescu” Academy of Music and the State Institute of Arts in 1999) on 1 September 2002.
The Academy of Music, Theatre and Fine Arts of the Republic of Moldova trains specialists in the following fields:
Fine Arts, Culturology, Design, Multimedia, Music, Theatre
The University was founded on 1 October 1946. Initially, it had 320 students enrolled in 5 faculties: Physics and Mathematics,[..]
Moldova State University
The University was founded on 1 October 1946. Initially, it had 320 students enrolled in 5 faculties: Physics and Mathematics, Geology and Pedology, History and Philology, Biology, Chemistry. There were 35 teachers working in the 12 departments. Macarie Radu and Mihail Pavlov were among the founders of the university.
In 1969, the State University of the Republic of Moldova joined the International Association of Universities as a plenipotentiary member. USM’s prestige on the international arena was also strengthened by the 14 illustrious men of science and culture from 9 countries of the world, who were awarded the title of Doctor Honoris Causa of USM. The State University of the Republic of Moldova has concluded more than 60 cooperation agreements in the field of education and science with university centres in 25 countries. Young people from around 80 countries have studied at USM.
Over the years, faculties and structures other than the original ones have been established:
Faculty of Economics (1953, 2002);
Faculty of Law and Faculty of Engineering and Technology (1959);
Faculty of Foreign Languages and Literatures (1964);
Faculty for the instruction of foreign students (1967);
Computing Centre (1973);
Faculty of Journalism (1980);
Central University Library and Faculty of Philosophy and Psychology (1994);
Faculty of Political Science (1995).
The National Museum of Literature “Mihail Kogălniceanu”
The National Museum of Literature “Mihail Kogălniceanu” was created in the autumn of 1965 under the aegis of the Writers’[..]
The National Museum of Literature “Mihail Kogălniceanu”
The National Museum of Literature “Mihail Kogălniceanu” was created in the autumn of 1965 under the aegis of the Writers’ Union of Moldova. The museum’s collection consists of over 100 thousand exhibits, including books, art objects, documents.
It was originally called the Republican Museum of Literature of the MSSR. After the opening of the present House of Writers in Chisinau, the museum was given several exhibition rooms, a basement for storing the collections, staff offices and a library. At the time, the museum employed 35 people, including researchers in three scientific sections.
In 1983 it was named after Dimitrie Cantemir. In 1990 it was disbanded as a museum and in 1991 it became the “Mihail Kogălniceanu” National Centre for Literary Studies and Museography. In 1997 it was renamed the Museum of Romanian Literature “Mihail Kogălniceanu”. By government decision it was transformed into a national museum as of 1 January 2013, thus passing from the Writers’ Union to the Ministry of Culture, while receiving the right to manage its branches. In 2015, the Grigore Vieru House-Museum was inaugurated in the village of Pererîta, and in 2019 the Alexandru Donici House-Museum in the village of Donici was also transferred to the museum.
The museum was not established on the basis of existing collections or funds. Most of the pieces in the museum’s collection were accumulated between 1965 and 1991 as a result of research and collection of manuscripts, documents, rare books, periodicals, etc. by the institution’s team of museographers. In 2019 the museum counted 147 386 items, which include, in addition to books and manuscripts, a rich collection of fine art, photographs, audio cassettes, video recordings, etc. The manuscript collection is the largest, with 28 000 items, followed by the book collection with about 22 000 volumes from the 19th century. XVI-XXI. The oldest book is an edition of Beati Dionysii Areopagitae martyris inglyti by St Dionysius the Areopagite (1572). On the basis of the museum’s exhibits, the “Alexander Donich”, “Constantine Stamati” and “Alexei Mateevich” house-museums have been set up. A large part of the museum’s collections, however, was destroyed because it was not to the liking of the communist organs, including part of the patrimony gathered under the founding director Gheorghe Cincilei.
It is a concert and festival venue in the centre of Chisinau. The construction of the Palace was completed in[..]
The National Palace “Nicolae Sulac”
It is a concert and festival venue in the centre of Chisinau. The construction of the Palace was completed in 1972 and at that time it was called Sala de Sesiuni (Hall of Sessions), where theatre and entertainment performances were organized. It was renamed in honour of the folk singer Nicolae Sulac (1936 -2003).
The National Library of the Republic of Moldova, based in Chisinau, is the main state library responsible for the preservation,[..]
National Library
The National Library of the Republic of Moldova, based in Chisinau, is the main state library responsible for the preservation, valorisation and safeguarding of the written cultural heritage. The library operates in accordance with UNESCO’s guiding principles for this type of library and is part of the European Digital Library. Its biography begins on 22 August 1832, the date of the inauguration of the Governmental Public Library of Basarabia. Nowadays, the National Library is one of the most valuable objects of the national heritage and presents the treasury of the written and printed cultural heritage of the Republic of Moldova. The Library provides access to its collections for research, study and/or information purposes. It is accessible to all citizens who have reached the age of 14.
The first documentary information on the property dates back to 1863, when it belonged to the college secretary Aristotle Londis.[..]
Casa Casso
The first documentary information on the property dates back to 1863, when it belonged to the college secretary Aristotle Londis. In 1867, this property was bought by the wife of the retired porcupine Yulia Vichentievna Yanuchyevsky, who in 1869 built a house with a basement, the author of the project being the urban architect Alexander Bernardazzi. In early 1870, the house was sold to Elena St. Casso, who became the wife of Gheorghii Nic. Donici, a state councillor, who remained the owner of the house until 1897. In 1901 the owner was Mihail Katakazi, a deputy of the Assembly of Deputies of the Basarabian Nobility, in 1916 – the Anghel family. In the interwar period the building served as the headquarters of the National Bank. In the 1980s the building was enlarged.
The most interesting history of this house took place in 1878, when Elena St. Casso was the owner. After the end of the Russo-Turkish war 1877-1878, Osman Pasha – the former commander of the Ottoman Army, who had originally surrendered in Plevna…
It is a place of worship and an architectural monument of national significance, entered in the Register of monuments of[..]
Cathedral “The Transfiguration of the Saviour”
It is a place of worship and an architectural monument of national significance, entered in the Register of monuments of history and culture of the municipality of Chisinau. It is the former chapel “St. Emperors Constantine and Helen” of the gymnasium no. 2 for boys (in the interwar period – military high school “Mihai Viteazul”), built between 1898-1902, under the direction of the diocesan architect Mihail Seroținski.
It has an inscribed Greek cross plan with four pillars on which the circular dome drum rests. The exterior is decorated in the spirit of the Byzantine-Russian style. In front of the entrance is a porch with sturdy columns. During the Soviet period it was long used as a planetarium.
Architectural monument of national significance, entered in the Register of Monuments of History and Culture of the municipality of Chisinau[..]
Kligman House
Architectural monument of national significance, entered in the Register of Monuments of History and Culture of the municipality of Chisinau at the initiative of the Academy of Sciences.
In the middle of the 19th century, the wife of Major-General Maria Markiva built a one-storey house on the corner of the district, bordered by Sfatul Țării Street, according to a model design of the time. In 1896 this property was bought by the merchant Moisei Kligman, who demolished the old buildings on the corner of the street and built an architectural jewel on this site in 1898. In the post-war period it was joined to the neighbouring Herta house by a gallery.
It is one of the few houses, built in the neoclassical style, that have survived in the town to this day. It is currently in a rather abandoned state.
It was founded on October 10, 1920 on the initiative of several personalities led by Sergiu T. Niţă, (Minister of[..]
National Theater ”Mihai Eminescu”
It was founded on October 10, 1920 on the initiative of several personalities led by Sergiu T. Niţă, (Minister of Bessarabia in the Romanian government), Stefan Ciobanu (member of the Romanian Academy), writers Nicolae N. Beldiceanu, Nicolae Beldiman, Leon Donici and director Gheorghe Mitu Dumitriu.
The first season was opened with the show “Fântâna Blanduziei” by Vasile Alecsandri. This band has activated only one season, managing to play over 25 awards. In 1922, at the request of the Ministry of Culture in Bucharest, a project was drawn up in order to establish a Permanent Propaganda Troop of the Ministry of Arts for Bessarabia, Bukovina and Transylvania. Bucharest actors Vasile Leonescu and Constantin Mărculescu were entrusted with the reorganization of the Chisinau Theater.
For 10 years, the directorate of the National Theater in Chisinau was provided by prominent personalities such as George Topârceanu, Corneliu Sachel Arescu, Ion Livescu. Famous actors such as Emil Botta, Stefan Braborescu, Sergiu Cujbă, Mişu Fotino brought faces and forms to life on the ramp of the first professional theater in Chisinau.
By the ministerial order of 1935, due to lack of money, the National Theater in Chisinau, along with those in Craiova and Chernivtsi, was closed.
Many years later, in 1994, the National Theater was reopened under the name Mihai Eminescu. In a fairly short time, the staff of the National Theater has put on about 30 important awards, which have won not only the audience in Chisinau, but also won many awards at national competitions and international festivals.
On July 5, 1957, the Minister of Culture of the MSSR A. Lazarev signed the order for the establishment of[..]
National Opera and Ballet Theatre “Maria Bieșu”
On July 5, 1957, the Minister of Culture of the MSSR A. Lazarev signed the order for the establishment of the Moldovan State Theater of Opera and Ballet “A.S. Pushkin”, an epochal document for the further development of this leading institution of national culture. The historical evolution of the Moldavian Opera House begins the chronological calculation one year before the signing of the ministerial document – from the day of the staging of the first Moldovan national opera, namely on June 9, 1956 – the opera “Grozovanul” by David Ghersfeld.
The theater has known several stages of development. The initial period formed the repertoire and crystallized the works, the development period of the academic singing school brought to the world unique names, such as Prima Donna Maria Biesu, who became the holder of the title of First Cio-Cio-San of the world in 1967, of lyrical performers on behalf of Miura Tamaki (in Tokyo, Japan).
In 1983, the premiere of the national ballet “Luceafarul” took place, based on Mihai Eminescu’s poem. “Luceafarul”-it’s the first ballet work of the composer Eugen Doga.
In September 1990, thanks to the insistence of the Prima Donna, the First International Festival of Opera and Ballet Stars was inaugurated in Chisinau, entitled “The Invitation of Maria Biesu”.
After Maria Biesu’s death in 2012, the name of the Festival changed to “Maria Biesu International Festival”. Today the Festival has become one of the main symbols of culture in the Republic of Moldova, and Chisinau becoming one of the capitals of opera and ballet music in Europe.
The Republican Theater “Luceafărul” was founded in 1960 as a theater for children and youth. On September 30, by order[..]
Republican Theater “Luceafarul”
The Republican Theater “Luceafărul” was founded in 1960 as a theater for children and youth. On September 30, by order of the Minister of Culture of the Moldovan Soviet Socialist Republic, Arteom Lazarev and in accordance with the decision of the Bureau of the Central Committee and the College of the Ministry of Culture, invoking the meeting of August 18, 1960, it was ordered to rename the Youth and Children’s Theater in the “Luceafărul” Theater for Youth and Children.
From 1960 to 1991, “Luceafărul” was known as the Theater for Youth and Children, this being mentioned in the founding order of the institution. In 1991, by the order of March 18 signed by the Minister of Culture and Cults of the Republic of Moldova, Mr. Ion Ungureanu, the “Luceafărul” Theater was granted the status of dramatic theater and was renamed the “Luceafărul” Republican Theater.
From 1991 until now, the institution operates under the title of Republican Theater “Luceafărul”, being subordinated to the Ministry of Education, Culture and Research of the Republic of Moldova.
It was founded on November 5, 1934 in Tiraspol. The first show staged was “Hate” by S. Ialțev. In 1940[..]
Russian State Drama Theater “A. P. Cehov”
It was founded on November 5, 1934 in Tiraspol.
The first show staged was “Hate” by S. Ialțev. In 1940 the theater was moved to Chisinau, where in the same year he presented the show “Unchaining”, by B. Lavreniov. During the Second World War, the theater was evacuated to Turkmenistan, where it staged the shows “Russian People” by C. Simonov, “Partisans in the Steppes of Ukraine” by A. Korneiciuc, “Machenka” by A. Afinoghenov, “Guilty without guilt” by A. Ostrovskii, etc.
Returning to Chisinau in 1944, the theater staged plays from classical and contemporary Russian drama.
Original performances were staged after the works of Moldovan playwrights: “When the grape ripens” by P. Darienco (1960), “The source of brotherhood” by L. Corneanu (1964), “And under that sky…” by A. Busuioc ( 1980), „The year of death the year of immortality” by I.Druță (1982), „Badea Cozma” after G.Malciuc (1984), etc.
Starting with 1985, deceased Veniamin Apostol, emeritus master of art from the Moldavian SSR, also worked as the theater’s chief director. The theater has undertaken numerous tours in Moscow, Leningrad, Kiev, Odessa, Breansc, Krasnodar, Stavropol, its performances being highly appreciated by the audience.
It first opened its doors on November 27, 1992. From the moment of its foundation, it was conceived as a[..]
Municipal Puppet Theatre “Guguță”
It first opened its doors on November 27, 1992.
From the moment of its foundation, it was conceived as a theatre to educate children in the national spirit and to promote the cultural values of the nation.
The idea of such a theatre belonged to a group of intellectuals of the time – the first mayor of Chisinau after independence – Mr. Nicolae Costin, director Veniamin Apostol and actor Victor Stefaniuc. The latter became the mentor and artistic director of the theatre, where he worked for 18 years, until his passing into immortality.
The first plays performed were “Ivan Turbincă” and “Evoluție”, which were perfectly in line with the modern puppetry art, which is why the theatre was invited several times to tour abroad and to various international festivals.
It is one of the most famous theatres in Chisinau. It was founded on 11 September 1991. The theatre was[..]
National Theatre “Eugene Ionesco”
It is one of the most famous theatres in Chisinau. It was founded on 11 September 1991. The theatre was created at the initiative of a team of actors, graduates of the B. Shchukin Theatre School in Moscow, headed by Petru Vutcărău. The playwright Eugène Ionesco personally agreed that the new theatre should bear his name, a deeply symbolic gesture. Director and actor Petru Vutcărău was the first director and artistic director of the theatre, and is currently the theatre’s director.
The new troupe, already called the “Eugene Ionesco” Theatre, is temporarily based in Romania, in Râmnicu-Vâlcea, where they are offered accommodation and a stage where they can perform. After 5 months of work in Valcea, the theatre undertakes its first big tour, in the biggest cities of Romania. During this period, the troup, taking its first steps, wins several awards at various theatre festivals and records two shows from its repertoire on Romanian Television.
In the summer of 1991 the theatre returns to Chisinau. Its seat was temporarily located in different places, but finally, in February 2007, by governmental decision, the “Eugène Ionesco” Theatre was finally granted its own place – the building of the former recreation centre, called “Moscow”.
Founded in October 1945, immediately after the Second World War, the Republican Puppet Theater “Licurici” remains an exceptional cultural center,[..]
Republican Puppet Theatre “Licurici”/”Fireflies”
Founded in October 1945, immediately after the Second World War, the Republican Puppet Theater “Licurici” remains an exceptional cultural center, which presents shows for all ages. The theater began its activity with the show “The gazebo” by S. Marsak, within the Moldovan-Russian-Ukrainian cultural relations, established immediately after the war.
Professionalism and beautiful spiritual traditions attract about 100,000 spectators to its hall each year, presenting over 500 shows – both in the country and abroad. For 75 years, the theater has staged over 300 shows after the most famous fairy tales by H. Ch. Andersen, Brothers Grimm, Carllo Collodi, A. de Saint-Exupery, J. Rodari, A.S Puschkin, N.V Gogol, Mihai Eminescu, Ion Creanga. The works of contemporary Moldovan playwrights such as P. Carare, Gh. Urschi, E. Plugaru, V. Grosu, L. Sobietschy, A. Strîmbeanu, I. Filip, V. Boldisor, Gr. Vieru, are also successful.
Two troupes are successfully active in the Theater – the Romanian language troupe and the Russian language troupe. Some shows are also translated into Italian, German, Spanish, French.
“Licurici” educated generations of young spectators, with important human values - goodness, beauty, sincerity. The dolls from “Licurici” tell true stories, carrying the spectator through the enchanted world of fairy tales and fiction. Children and the elderly admired and applauded dolls of all kinds, vivid shadows and charming masks.
The artistic director, actor and general director Titus Jucov, for 38 years was at the helm of the theater, editing national and universal drama, building a unique image for his creative team.
Geneza Art Theatre is one of the independent theatres in Moldova. The “debut” of the Theatre took place in January[..]
Geneza Art Theater
Geneza Art Theatre is one of the independent theatres in Moldova. The “debut” of the Theatre took place in January 2010 with the performance “Blue Flower”, a tribute to the great poet Mihai Eminescu’s “blond angel” poet Veronica Micle.
The year 2017 is the year in which the 8th season opens, having in its artistic palmares about twenty shows staged, ten of which are included in the repertoire for the current season.
Its main objective is to promote young actors and to choose a repertoire that is accessible to all ages, but also authentic, drawing from the multicoloured amalgam of states and situations that life offers us. A classic theatre with a contemporary vision in the full sense of the word.
Each show has its own individuality and is conceived with team ambition, and the scenography of the shows is a representative axis of the Theatre, marking a non-conformist and personalized stylistics and aesthetics.
The Theatre advocates the exclusion of stereotypes in the theatrical art, it is open to courageous theatrical experiments of the highest relevance.
The Theatre’s performances are awarded at festivals, nominated at the “UNITEM Gala”, some of them are transmitted to the Public Company Teleradio-Moldova (TRM) for broadcasting on small screens.
The National Theater “Satiricus Ion Luca Caragiale” is a municipal drama theater in Chisinau, the capital of the Republic of[..]
National Theater “Satiricus”
The National Theater “Satiricus Ion Luca Caragiale” is a municipal drama theater in Chisinau, the capital of the Republic of Moldova. It was founded in 1990 on the initiative of the actor and director Sandu Grecu.
The theater’s repertoire mostly includes satirical and humorous plays. It is certainly the first satirical theater in the republic, which also arose out of cultural and historical necessity, showing an innovative and combative spirit.Although the company has changed its location four times over the more than 30 years of its existence, it has performed about 70 productions, some of which have remained in the repertoire throughout the years.
Municipal Drama Theatre of “On the Street of Roses”
The Russian Drama Theatre was founded in 1978 in Chisinau as a studio theatre. The theatre’s repertoire includes contemporary plays[..]
Municipal Drama Theatre of “On the Street of Roses”
The Russian Drama Theatre was founded in 1978 in Chisinau as a studio theatre. The theatre’s repertoire includes contemporary plays by Russian and European playwrights. The theatre has been noticed and loved by the audience thanks to its original repertoire and talented young actors. Many of the theatre’s leading actors left during the 1990s for various theatrical institutions in Russia.
For 30 years the theatre has staged more than 150 performances of Russian and world drama. In 1995 Yurii Harmelin founded the Municipal Theatre Lyceum, which became a cradle of young talent.
Unfortunately, the 33rd theatre season (2010-2011) has already started without the famous actress – people’s artist Eugenia Todorasco, who performed on the theatre stage for seven years in a row…
The Municipal Drama Theatre “On the Street of Roses” is the organizer of the International Festival of Chamber Theatres and Small Form Performances “Moldfest.Rampa.Ru”. The first edition of the Festival took place in November 2009, bringing together 15 theatres from Moldova, Romania, Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, Israel and Germany.
In 2020, the Government of the Republic of Moldova approved the decision to name the Drama Theatre “S Ulitî Roz”/”On the Street of Roses” after its founder Iurie Harmelin.
Is the main park in Central Chisinau, Moldova. It is the oldest park in Moldova and spans about 7 hectares[..]
Stephen the Great Central Park
Is the main park in Central Chisinau, Moldova. It is the oldest park in Moldova and spans about 7 hectares (17 acres).The park was originally laid out in 1818 by Russian military engineers during the reign of Alexander I. and over the years, the park has had several names – Alexander Garden (in honor of Emperor Alexander II), Alexander Pushkin Park, City Public Garden.Under the direction of architect Bogdan Eitner, the present-day alleys were created, as well as hundreds of acacias, limes, and flower beds. For a long time the park was surrounded by a wicker fence. At the proposal of the architect A. Bernardazzi, it was decided to enclose the park with a cast-iron fence, which was erected in 1868-1869 and is still in place today.
The park has 7 entrances around its perimeter. About 50 species of shrubs and trees grow in the park, some of which are almost 200 years old, including a giant acacia.
In 1885 the monument to the Russian poet A.S.Pushkin was unveiled in the Public Garden, today considered the oldest preserved bust in town.
In 1958 the cornerstone of the Alley of the Classics of Romanian Literature was laid. At the beginning, the alley consisted of 12 busts of classics, cast in bronze and installed on polished red granite posts. Nowadays the Alley of Classics has 29 busts of outstanding personalities and various cultural events are held on the alley.
One of the most important masterpieces of the park is the monument to Stephen the Great and Holy, created by sculptor A. Plamadeala and architect A. Bernardazzi. It was inaugurated in 1928, when the tenth anniversary of the Great Union of 1918 was celebrated.
One of the entrances to the park is guarded by two marble lions. Their history is a true mystery of the central park. There are only rumours that they belonged to a manor house, but after its destruction during World War II, the monuments were brought and installed in the Public Garden.c Garden.
It was founded between 1830 and 1840. The construction of the square coincided with the construction of the Cathedral. After[..]
Cathedral Square
It was founded between 1830 and 1840. The construction of the square coincided with the construction of the Cathedral.
After World War II, the square was severely damaged and within a few years it was renovated and for many years was called Victory Park. Trees, shrubs and flower beds were planted throughout the park.
Today, the area of the square is only 9 hectares of the original 12 hectares.
The architectural pearl is the Metropolitan Cathedral which, together with the Bell Tower and the Triumphal Arch, forms the capital’s famous historical ensemble.
In 1962, in the times of the USSR, under the personal order of N. Khrushchev, the Bell Tower was blown up by the authorities under the pretext of not being used as a strategic point for snipers. A flowing fountain was built in place of the bell tower, and for many years the exhibition hall of the Ministry of Culture of the MSSR operated inside the Cathedral.
In 1998 the Bell Tower was rebuilt according to the period images, forming part of this wonderful architectural complex.
The central part of the park is a large open space, and the side alleys are provided for visitors seeking shade. There are many decorative trees and shrubs in the park, many of them of over a hundred years old. This space has become the site for major events on official national and religious holidays.
The Cathedral Square is a place that every tourist and guest of the capital will love.
It is a park in the Buiucani district of the capital. It was established on the initiative of L. Brezhnev[..]
The Valley of the Mills Park
It is a park in the Buiucani district of the capital. It was established on the initiative of L. Brezhnev in 1950 and was originally called “Central Park of Culture and Rest of the Leninist Commune”.
The park is located on the shore of the Mill Valley Lake and covers an area of 114 hectares, the lake having an area of 34 hectares. The park was designed under the direction of the famous architect Robert Kurz.
On the territory of the park there is a summer theatre – the Green Theatre, with a capacity of 5000 seats under the open sky, a day cinema, a children’s playground “Andries”, a beach, a boat station, etc.
The lake park has served as a base for various water sports. Three rowing schools used to operate in the park. There were sports fields and fishing spots for amateurs. In winter, an urban ice rink was held on the lake ice. There was also a parachute jump tower.
Next to the park is Moldova’s largest exhibition centre – Moldexpo.
The park is also famous thanks to the rotunda and the Cascades Staircase, which were recently repaired. The Cascades Staircase consists of 218 steps and is longer than the famous General Potemkin Staircase in Odessa (which has 200 steps).
The Chisinau Botanical Garden of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova is the main botanical research facility in Moldova. It[..]
Botanical Garden
The Chisinau Botanical Garden of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova is the main botanical research facility in Moldova. It is located on the outskirts of Chisinau, in the Botanica district, near the so-called City Gates.
It was founded on 1 September 1951. The construction of the Botanical Garden was based on the ecological-systematic principle with the location of the plant groups in the style of a land-shelter, which facilitates the orientation on the ground in the study of vegetation.
Like any botanical garden, the Botanical Garden of Chisinau is organized by sectors. Some are located under the open sky and are populated with annual plants resistant to frosty conditions, others are located in covered spaces where living or variously preserved plants are carefully protected.
The most popular sectors for visitors are Alpinarium (about 50 species), Dendrarium (about 560 species), Flora Moldovei (30 species of trees, 18 species of shrubs and 110 species of grasses), Pinarium, Rozarium, Floriculture, Syringarium and, above all, Tropical and Subtropical Plants (about 2550 species) collected from all over the world.
Following the heavy snowfall in April 2017, 80% of the decorative trees and shrubs in the park’s collections and exhibitions were lost and damaged. Gradually the Botanical Garden was reborn to delight the capital’s residents and guests with its exquisite plant collections at any season of the year.
The Dendrarium Park in Chisinau is an 83 ha green oasis of the Buiucani district. It serves as an important[..]
The Dendrarium Park
The Dendrarium Park in Chisinau is an 83 ha green oasis of the Buiucani district. It serves as an important oxygen reservoir for all the city’s inhabitants and is a good natural air filter. It is one of the most favourite areas for city dwellers to take photos. The Dendrarium was taken under state protection on 16 July 1998.
Since the first trees and shrubs were planted in the early 1950s, the Dendrarium has an important seed fund of rare and highly decorative plants. This gene pool is represented by 1 820 taxa.
It is significant that 9 of the 13 species of woody plants listed in the Red Book of the Republic of Moldova grow in the park.
In addition to these rarities, extremely rare endemic relicts also grow in the park. A classic example is Ginkgo biloba (first discovered in Japan in 1690). This is the only representative of the ginkgo class to have survived from the Triassic period.
It’s always quiet in Dendrarium Park, urban noise is practically inaudible throughout the park, and you begin to simply forget that you’re in the city centre.
Valea Trandafirilor (The Valley of Roses) is a famous park, located in the Botanica district. It covers an area of[..]
The Valley of Roses
Valea Trandafirilor (The Valley of Roses) is a famous park, located in the Botanica district. It covers an area of 145 hectares (of which 9 hectares belong to the lake). It was arranged in 1968 on the site of a hill cultivated for many years in a row with roses by locals, who prepared from the rose petals the famous Chisinau jam. This tradition has been preserved to this day – many special and fragrant species of roses are planted in the park every year. Hence the name of the park – the Valley of Roses.
During the communist period, the park was called “Lenin City Park of Culture and Leisure”.
On the territory of the park there are several restaurants, landscaped beaches by the lake, children’s playgrounds and sports fields.
At the edge of the park, near Trandafirilor Street, is the Chernobyl Victims Memorial.
There is an amusement park for children and adults, where operates the only Ferris Wheel in Chisinau, 20 m high, called the “devil’s wheel” by the townspeople.
In the western part of the city, in the Buiucani district, there is a small park of only 11 hectares[..]
Park ”Alunelul”
In the western part of the city, in the Buiucani district, there is a small park of only 11 hectares – „Alunelul” Park. The park was founded in 1958 on the site of a Jewish cemetery, part of which was simply demolished and some of the remains were moved to the new cemetery nearby.
Deep in the park is the memorial complex to the victims of the 1903 Chisinau pogrom (installed in 1993). At the end of 2020, Alunelul Park was beautifully renovated, to the delight of locals and guests of the capital. The multicolored flowing fountain, composed of 284 water jets and lights is the highlight of the park. During the summer, the water jets of the fountains will move to the rhythm of the music up to metreshigh.
The first name, which the park carried for 20 years, was “Friendship Park between Peoples”. It was founded in 1972[..]
Park ”La Izvor”
The first name, which the park carried for 20 years, was “Friendship Park between Peoples”.
It was founded in 1972 on Calea Ieșilor Street in the Buiucani district and is considered one of the youngest parks in Chisinau. The park covers an area of 150 hectares. The park’s lakes are formed by a cascade of ponds connected by canals. The park’s main attraction is the Story Island, located on the largest pond, where fun activities for children and adults used to be organised. A picturesque bridge leads to the island, and on the other side there is a boat landing where you can take a boat to the island.
Deep in the park is the beautiful restaurant ‘La izvor’.
Another attraction of this park is the suspension bridge, which is a continuation of the central walkway.
This is the unofficial name of the park located in the center of Rascani district, the heart of which is[..]
“Afghanistan” Park
This is the unofficial name of the park located in the center of Rascani district, the heart of which is the Memorial Complex “Sons of the Fatherland – Holy Remembrance” built in memory of the fallen soldiers in the war in Afghanistan 1979-1989.
The complex features a majestic sculpture of a bereaved mother and a structure of white pillars looking skywards. Five metres above the ground, the pillars join a crown of bronze thorns. Granite plaques with the names of fallen soldiers are set around the monument. The monument is 15 metres high.
The monument was erected in 2007 and the authors of the project are the architect V.Eremciuc and the sculptor B.Dubrovin. A cascade of fountains surrounds the memorial.
The TUM’s park was conceived in 2004, at the initiative of Mr. Ion Bostan, TUM’s rector from 1992 to 2015,[..]
Park of the Technical University of Moldova
The TUM’s park was conceived in 2004, at the initiative of Mr. Ion Bostan, TUM’s rector from 1992 to 2015, as an open-air technical museum.
Here you can admire an impressive gallery of exhibits displayed in the open air: the TUM Stela – the symbol of technical education, the Thinker’s sculpture – the symbol of the creative thinking of human society, pieces symbolizing the first inventions of Man, such as the lighting of fire by spark, up to the most modern and ingenious innovations.
Most of these were created or reconstructed by the University’s students and teachers.
Helicopters and trams from the last century can also be found here. One of the trams is quite unusual – pulled by two iron horses, bringing back to our memory the famous horse-drawn tram that used to run in Chisinau on the central Alexandru cel Bun Street (today – Boulevard Stephen the Great and Holy) in the 1930s and 1940s.
In the middle of the park is the unique fountain with steel sculptures of the 12 zodiac signs.
Even some of the benches installed here are unique creations. They embody two intertwined universal symbols, of the heart and the infinite, and are nicknamed the ‘Lovers’ Benches’.
At the end of the 19th century, the current mayor of the city, Karol Schmidt, initiated the construction of a[..]
Chisinau City Hall building
At the end of the 19th century, the current mayor of the city, Karol Schmidt, initiated the construction of a new headquarters for the Duma of the city (town hall) on the place occupied by the fire station. The design was entrusted to the then city architect Mitrofan Elladi. The famous architect Alexandru Bernardazzi supervised the construction, which was finally completed in 1902.
In 1941 the building was blown up by retreating Soviet troops. The Romanian administration managed to rebuild the building until 1944, but in August of the same year, during the Iasi-Chisinau operation, the building was again destroyed during the bombings.
After the war, the city’s chief architect, Robert Kurtz (1944-1951), was elected head of reconstruction. Work on the site lasted from 1946 to 1948, but the local administration did not return to the building until 1951.
Robert Kurtz restored the building to its former perfect appearance. The only difference is that at the end of the building, above the main entrance, smaller towers were built than at the beginning.
The Chisinau City Hall building is a monument of architecture and history of national significance, registered in the Register of monuments of history and culture of Chisinau.
The building of the Organ Hall has a unique beauty. Initially, the Organ Hall building was designed as the City[..]
Organ Hall
The building of the Organ Hall has a unique beauty. Initially, the Organ Hall building was designed as the City Bank. In 1902 the Municipal Council of Chisinau launched a competition of architectural projects with a prize of 1,500 rubles, which was a relatively large amount in those days.
The winner was engineer Mihail Cecheru -Cush. The Organ Hall was executed to impress by its monumental forms excellently in classic style, containing some romantic art elements. Before 1974 the building hosted different financial institutions, including the National Bank. The decision to make it a concert hall was taken by the then leader of the Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic, Ivan Bodil.
The Organ, installed in this magnificent Hall, was made by the “Rieger-Kloss” company from the Czech city Krnov, a factory with strong traditions, well known for the instruments it produces, installed in many cities of the world. The Organ from Chisinau is an electromechanical one, of medium size, containing about 4000 pipes.
The first concert was held on September 15, 1978, played by prominent Soviet organist Harry Y. Grodberg. That concert also featured local opera diva Maria Bieshu. Among the most important cultural events held here is the International Music Festival “Martisor,” International Classical Music Festival “Crescendo,” a festival of contemporary classical music “New Music Days.”
Not far from the Parliament building, along Stefan the Great Boulevard, there is a house that looks like a cake[..]
Hertza House
Not far from the Parliament building, along Stefan the Great Boulevard, there is a house that looks like a cake – it is the city villa of Titular Counselor Vladimir Herz, built in 1903, supposedly designed by the Austrian architect Heinrich Lonsky in the style of the Viennese Baroque. The building resembles a birthday cake for its protruding from the roof risolits, and the roof featuring somewhat bizarre-looking domes. The exterior decoration – ornate moulding, vases on top of the facade, richly adorned with bas-reliefs in the form of floral ornament and allegorical figures – completes the front outlook.
Inside, the house was once rife with decorative elements too – walls and ceilings adorned with frescoes on mythological themes, lavishly decorated with gilded mouldings. Inspired by Viennese Baroque and Art Nouveau, with a touch of Moorish style, the building represents a beautiful piece of eclecticism, so typical of Chisinau architecture at the turn of the century.
It was built between 1984–1987, the authors of the project being the architects Iuri Tumanian, A. Zalțman and V. Iavorski.[..]
Presidental Palace of the Republic of Moldova
It was built between 1984–1987, the authors of the project being the architects Iuri Tumanian, A. Zalțman and V. Iavorski. Designed from the beginning as an administrative building, in order to house the Supreme Soviet of the Moldovan SSR, this building was prepared in the early 90s of the twentieth century, without essential changes, for the location of the Presidency of the Republic of Moldova.
During the protests of April 7, 2009, the building of the Presidency of the Republic of Moldova was devastated by protesters. The repair works started in 2009 and, with interruptions, lasted until autumn 2018.
It is a construction poured in reinforced concrete, lined with white stone slabs and with important parts covered with toned glass. The level of the base and the access stairs are made of red and black marble. Above the central portal is placed the coat of arms of the Republic of Moldova and the text with the name of the institution “Presidency of the Republic of Moldova”, both made of bronze.
The building of the Presidency of the Republic of Moldova is considered to be a monument of national importance.
Built between 1976 and 1979, the building has the curious shape of an “open book”. The authors were the architects[..]
Parliament of the Republic of Moldova
Built between 1976 and 1979, the building has the curious shape of an “open book”. The authors were the architects Alexandru Cerdanțev and Grigore Bosenco.
Designed from the beginning as an administrative building to house the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the MSSR, this building was prepared in the early 90s of the twentieth century, without essential changes, for the location of the Presidency of the Republic of Moldova.
It is an integral construction, poured in reinforced concrete, with a granite slab façade. Above the central entrance is the text with the name of the institution: “Parliament of the Republic of Moldova”, with letters cast in metal. Inside, the offices are distributed only on the side of the building on Stefan cel Mare Boulevard, and the Parliament meeting room is located in the opposite direction. The building of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova is considered to be a monument of national importance.
It was rebuilt after the protests of April 7, 2009. Currently, the Parliament is an ensemble of buildings, with a total area of about 10 thousand square meters.
The former gymnasium for girls founded by Princess N. Dadiani
This building was built in 1901, after a project by the architect Alexandru Bernardazzi and commissioned by Princess Natalia Dadiani.[..]
The former gymnasium for girls founded by Princess N. Dadiani
This building was built in 1901, after a project by the architect Alexandru Bernardazzi and commissioned by Princess Natalia Dadiani.
Until then, there was an old real estate property in this place, which the state councilor Mitrofan Purișkevici sold to the Council of the girls’ gymnasium. Dadiani founded and ran this institution until her death in 1903. The building served as a place for the girls’ gymnasium no. 2 during the World War II. During the war, the building was severely damaged.
After the war, it was rebuilt and until 1964 served as the headquarters of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the MSSR, after which it became the Palace of the Pioneers, and its left wing housed the Republican Society “The Science”.
In 1976, the building housed the Museum of History of the Communist Party of Moldova. To expand the exhibition space, a two-level wing was added to the right of the building, identically with the one on the lef. Nowadaysthe building houses the National Art Museum of Moldova, which has an important heritage of 39,000 works of art.
The building that currently houses the Government of the Republic of Moldova was built between 1960-1965, according to the project[..]
Government House
The building that currently houses the Government of the Republic of Moldova was built between 1960-1965, according to the project of the architect S. Fridlin. It is located in the Grand National Assembly Square in Chisinau, on the site of the former headquarters of the Metropolitan Church and the Diocesan House of Bessarabia (destroyed during World War II). Semyon Fridlin also designed the “October” Palace (now the National Palace), for which he received the title of emeritus architect of the MSSR.
The Government House, originally conceived as an administrative building, is a 6-storey reinforced concrete construction, lined with white stones, in the shape of the letter “P” / “П” from the Cyrillic alphabet, alluding to the word “Party”.
The facades of the building are made in the form of white vertical pillars, joined at the level of the upper floor with a cornice element, in the center of which (above the main entrance) is the coat of arms of the Republic of Moldova. The thresholds at the entrances to the building are covered with polished black granite, contrasting with light-colored pillars, covered with white stone blocks and emphasizing the accuracy of the construction. At the entrance to the building is the inscription “Government of the Republic of Moldova”.
The building has never been restored, only current repairs are being made. At the moment, the headquarters of several ministries are here. The building is of national importance.
The former gymnasium for girls of the Bessarabian Zemstva
The private gymnasium for girls, which was to move its headquarters to this building, was founded in 1864 by Liubovi[..]
The former gymnasium for girls of the Bessarabian Zemstva
The private gymnasium for girls, which was to move its headquarters to this building, was founded in 1864 by Liubovi Beliugova. At one point, he passed into the management of the Bessarabian governmental Zemstva. In March 1880, Zemstva purchased a plot of land at the intersection of Gubernială and Podoliei streets (old names), so that on May 24, 1881, the foundation stone of the gymnasium would be laid. The construction of the building lasted two years, the author of the project and the estimate being G.F. Lonsky, and the supervision being provided by the architect Constantin Kurkovsky.
Currently, this building is under the administration of the Romanian-French Lyceum “Gheorghe Asachi” in the centre of capital.
The Circus of Chisinau was built in 1981, the architects – S. Shoihet and A. Kiricenko. For a long time,[..]
The Circus of Chisinau
The Circus of Chisinau was built in 1981, the architects – S. Shoihet and A. Kiricenko. For a long time, the Chisinau Circus held the fourth place in the world and the first place in the USSR in terms of convenience and capacity (1900 seats for spectators and 100 – for the members of the bands of artists). The building was built in a circular basis. The diameter of the arena is, traditionally, 13 m. The dome of the circus is removable. It is a construction of reinforced concrete, marble and granite.
The sculptural-decorative relief on the front of the Circus presents a figurative composition with the image of two clown-acrobats, who greet the visitors. The author of this emblem was the late sculptor Valeriu Rotari, who did not get to see his latestworkfinished.
In 1982, a veterinary clinic was opened behind the Circus, which became very popular among the townspeople, which operated for more than 25 years – first as a state clinic, which took care primarily of the “bestial” band of the Circus, then also as a private clinic.
The Circus is currently in the restoration phase. The building is in need of serious repairs.
The Red Mill was one of the first steam mills built in Chisinau. It was originally built of wood in[..]
Red Mill
The Red Mill was one of the first steam mills built in Chisinau. It was originally built of wood in the 1850s and 1860s and had a single floor. In 1884 it was rebuilt from stone, already with 3 levels. After being resold several times, in 1890 the mill became the property of the merchant Abram Levenzon, who installed an elevator and built a shop next door. In 1901, the third level was destroyed by fire. A year later it was rebuilt, along with another floor and a stone attic. The added floors were lined with red brick (fire resistant), hence the current name of “Red Mill”.
The mill was equipped with high-performance German equipment for those years, which allowed it to operate until the 1950s. In the Soviet era, the mill building was used as a warehouse.
“Bogdan Petriceicu Hasdeu” Municipal Library Building
The history of the building that houses today the Municipal Library “Bogdan Petriceicu-Hasdeu” in Chisinau begins in 1835, when the[..]
“Bogdan Petriceicu Hasdeu” Municipal Library Building
The history of the building that houses today the Municipal Library “Bogdan Petriceicu-Hasdeu” in Chisinau begins in 1835, when the municipality distributed a plot of land for individual construction to the family of college counselor Ivan Monastarsky, a clerk at the Spiritual Consistory of Bessarabia. The house was designed in two floors, and the construction was carried out between 1835–1844.
Starting with 1846, the building was rented to the Regional Gymnasium in Chisinau, which did not have its own premises. In 1863 the gymnasium was moved to another building, and the building was bought by the Theological Seminary in Chisinau, which used it for a year to accommodate students.
In 1864 the house was rented by the Swiss citizen Charles Thomas Accordingidenis, who turned the student dormitory into a hotel. This is how the famous “Suisse” hotel in Chisinau appears.
The Hotel Suisse functioned until the years of World War II.
The biography of the scientist-encyclopedist Bogdan Petriceicu-Haşdeu, of the Romanian classical writers Constantin Stamati-Ciurea and Constantin Stere, of the historian Nicolae Iorga, of the Russian singer Fyodor Şaleapin, of the French political activist Henry Barbusse is also related to this place. All of them stopped in Chisinau on various occasions, being hosted at the Hotel “Suisse”.
In its current appearance, the building dates from 1946-1947, when it was rebuilt from the ground up after the bombings to which the capital was subjected in the years of World War II.
The project for the restoration of the building was elaborated by the architect E. R. Spirer under the leadership of the academician A. V. Şciusev. On this occasion, the house underwent several modifications, including the addition of the third floor.
In March 1950, by a decision of the City Committee, part of the rooms on the ground floor was made available to the municipal library, which coexisted in good proximity with Pharmacy No. 77 and with the “Academic Book” bookstore.
Since June 21, 1988, the library has been named after the illustrious man of culture Bogdan Petriceicu Hasdeu.
Shapiro’s report house is a monument of architecture of national significance, entered in the Register of monuments of history and[..]
Shapiro’s House
Shapiro’s report house is a monument of architecture of national significance, entered in the Register of monuments of history and culture (no. 114) of Chisinau and in the Register of monuments of the Republic of Moldova protected by the state (no. 68). It is located in the Historic Center, on Bucharest Street, 60. The ensemble consists of two buildings (“A” and “B”) built at St. nineteenth century – early twentieth century, which during the years 1907 and 1940 belonged to the Shapiro-Rosenfeld family.
The architect of the building was named a Bessarabian Jew – Țalel Ginger. His initials – “Ц.Г.”, as well as his emblem can be seen today on the building.
During 1940-1944, according to some reports of former locals (official documents are still archived) here was first “Security” (Romanian Intelligence Service), and after 1944 and until 1955 – a section of the Soviet Ministry of Security . The basement walls so far keep the secrets and traces of the detainees, and the windows are framed with heavy metal bars.
National Museum of Ethnography and Natural History
Its history begins in 1889, when the Zemstva of Bessarabia organized the first Agricultural and Industrial Exhibition, which was also[..]
National Museum of Ethnography and Natural History
Its history begins in 1889, when the Zemstva of Bessarabia organized the first Agricultural and Industrial Exhibition, which was also the basis for the foundation of the museum institution. Being the oldest museum in the Republic of Moldova, its name has often been changed over the years. Today it holds an enormous heritage of about 135 thousand exhibits.
The permanent exhibition operates under the title “Nature. Human. Culture” with an area of over 2000 m2.
The museum also has a Temporary Exhibition Hall, in which numerous seminars, master classes and exhibitions take place, both from its own heritage and from the heritage of other local museums and from abroad. The exhibitions of handicrafts have become traditional and are organized every year.
Folklore events, national and international competitions and festivals are regularly held in the museum, showcasing folk creations from all over the country.
On the territory of the museum there is also a Botanical Garden with a Vivarium, which gathers the most widespread species of plants, trees and shrubs from the Republic of Moldova, as well as exotic birds, reptiles and fish.
The Museum building was designed by the architect V.N. Țiganco. The construction was completed in 1905 and the inauguration took place in June 1906.
Formed on 21 December 1983. Its name has been changed several times, finally to its present name. Currently the National[..]
The National Museum of History of Moldova
Formed on 21 December 1983. Its name has been changed several times, finally to its present name.
Currently the National Museum of the History of Moldova is subordinated to the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Moldova and its scientific activity is coordinated by the Academy of Sciences. Its headquarters are in the building of the former boys’ gymnasium in Chisinau.
The patrimony of the museum, initially made up of the funds of the Military Glory Museum and the history collections of the State Museum of History and Study of the Natal Country, has been enriched year by year with increasingly significant pieces of real scientific value through research, donations and acquisitions.
The growth and diversification of the patrimony was also helped in 1989-1995 and 2006-2007 by massive transfers of heritage from a number of dismantled museums – the Republican Museum of Friendship of Peoples, the Museum of History of the CPM, the Republican Museum of the History of Comsomol, the Republican Museum “G. I. Kotovski and S. Gh. Lazo”, the Republican Museum of the History of Religion, the Memorial Museum of Bulgarian Volunteers and the Museum of Archaeology of the ASM.
In 1991 the first permanent history exhibition “Pages of multi-millennial history” was opened to the public, covering the historical period from ancient times to 1940.
In August 1990, the diorama of the Iasi-Chisinau operation was inaugurated on the ground floor of the museum, and in 1994, in the basement, the exhibition of noble metals – “Treasure” was opened.
Today the National Museum of History of Moldova holds 348 619 pieces of the country’s cultural heritage.
Widely known as the Water Tower, it was reopened in the autumn of 2011, after a break of almost 10[..]
Museum of the City of Chisinau (Water Tower)
Widely known as the Water Tower, it was reopened in the autumn of 2011, after a break of almost 10 years… Although it has been partially damaged over the years, the building was rebuilt according to the images dated in the 1980-1983 years period, except for the fire-pit at the top, originally built of wood, later re-shaped from stone.
The construction of the Tower began in 1860, and was finished only after 28 years – in 1888 (its doors being opened even later – in 1892), when Carol Schmidt became mayor of Chisinau. He, together with architect Alexander Bernardazzi, built two water towers, only one of which has survived to the present day.
The Water Tower can boast about being one year younger than the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Its height is 27m.
The tower has 4 permanent exhibition halls. The oldest exhibit is a clay vessel from the 4th century AD.
This museum is located in the center of Chisinau, being the only institution of the kind in the Republic of[..]
National Art Museum of Moldova
This museum is located in the center of Chisinau, being the only institution of the kind in the Republic of Moldova. It was founded in 1939 by the sculptor Alexandru Plămădeală and Auguste Baillayre – a French painter, professor at the “School of Fine Arts” in Chisinau, who also became the first director of the National Art Museum of Moldova.
The museum’s collection includes more than 39,000 works, reflecting the development of fine arts between the XV-XXI centuries. The museum permanently houses exhibitions of European, Russian and Oriental art. Nowadays the museum is housed in the building of the former girls’ gymnasium, founded by Princess Natalia Dadiani in the early 20th century.
Natural History Museum of Moldova State University
It was formed in 1952 on the initiatives of students and teachers at the biology faculty. All its exhibits were[..]
Natural History Museum of Moldova State University
It was formed in 1952 on the initiatives of students and teachers at the biology faculty. All its exhibits were collected from expeditions organised by the faculty, including its graduates, who became renowned biologists.
Specialists in the field brought and stuffed animals, fish and birds from all over the world for the museum. The collection also includes an impressive number of reptiles, birds and mammals from the Republic of Moldova.
The rarest exhibit in the collection, unique in the world, is a baby sperm whale, just 2 days old. Also on display are the skeletal vertebrae of a 28-metre-long blue whale and the jawbone of an adult sperm whale.
Today, the museum’s collection comprises more than 10 000 exhibits, many of which are found in only one specimen in the world. For over 40 years, the museum has been run by an outstanding specialist, guide and director – Mr Poznakomkin Stanislav.
Museum of human anatomy of ”Nicolae Testemitanu” University represents more than a simple display of exhibits, it is a unique[..]
Human Anatomy Museum
Museum of human anatomy of ”Nicolae Testemitanu” University represents more than a simple display of exhibits, it is a unique collection, known at international level due to the number and quality of included specimens.
At present, the museum of the Anatomy Department has one of the most valuable and impressive collections of unique anatomic pieces, being among the few of its kind in Europe. It is highly appreciated by international experts. The museum enjoys great popularity, playing an important role in disseminating knowledge about human body, morphological and functional peculiarities at different stages of pre-and postnatal ontogenesis, the influence of different harmful factors and the way of life on the activity of organs and organ systems. It is frequently visited by pupils and teachers from our country’s towns and villages, students from local colleges and universities and many foreign delegations.
The collection of the Museum of human anatomy includes about 2000 items of high scientific-didactic value, representing bones, skeletons, wet preparations – joints, muscles, internal organs and organ systems, embryos in various periods of development, plastinated anatomical sections, malformations, monstrosities etc., preserved in formalin solution, pieces obtained by corrosion and mummification, anatomical dummies, which constitute a real treasure of our Alma Mater.
The history of urban environmental transport in Chisinau begins in 1888, when the City Duma, headed by the capital’s mayor,[..]
Museum of Electric Transport Chisinau
The history of urban environmental transport in Chisinau begins in 1888, when the City Duma, headed by the capital’s mayor, Carl Schmidt, signed an agreement with representatives of a Belgian company to create a new transportation network – the so-called “horse streetcar” – the horse-drawn streetcar. This great transport-revolutionary event took place a year later, in 1889, when Bessarabia received its first two streetcars. The first line was opened on Aleksandrovskaya Street (today’s Stefan Velikogo Boulevard), with a total length of only 6400 m, or 6 miles. Wealthy citizens still preferred to travel in carriages and phaetons, but for students or citizens with more modest incomes the “horse carriage” was an excellent opportunity to travel more comfortably. The first 7 open cars were purchased in Warsaw, and 7 closed ones in Odessa.
Seven years later, in 1896, an “Anonymous Kishinev Society” was created in the city of Brussels, which bought the streetcar fleet, thus becoming the monopoly owner. As soon as the contract was signed, the Duma began the process of building a new line that connected the train station to the city center. By 1910, the total length of the routes had increased to almost 13 km. This was due to the gradual abandonment of the “fragrant” horse carriage in favor of cheaper electric traction. Gradually, cars also became more comfortable. In 1939, there were already 50 cars in the Kishinev streetcar fleet. Also in that year, for the first time, the total number of passengers carried during the year was made public – 175,000.
After World War II, the situation in the fate of the Chisinau tramway changed significantly. First of all, more than 60% of the cars were badly damaged by explosions, and some of them were captured by the retreating German army. After the war, the city streetcar service was taken over by the state. But at that time, the USSR did not produce the narrow gauge 1,000 millimeter track that was used in Kishinev. That is why streetcar repairs were extremely slow. This is evidenced by the fact that by 1952, only 17 cars were repaired and put back into service. In 1956, the streetcar fleet of the city was supplemented by 7 motor and 5 tugboat cars, which came to MSSR from Germany. But anyway, until the end of the streetcar era in Kishinev, the narrow gauge railway was never replaced with the broad gauge one.
According to the City Council decision of 12 October 1949, the first trolleybus MTB started running “Hospitalna St. (now Toma Ciorba St.) – Svecna St. (now Yu. Gagarin Blvd.)” on the streets of Chisinau. The first trolleybus was operated by driver Ivan Greku. It is interesting to note that for 10 years streetcars and trolleybuses operated in Chisinau at the same time. Only in 1959, the streetcars were fully replaced with 50 trolleybuses. In the first years, trolleybuses provided connections between the train station and the Medical University, Valea Morilor Street and the end of A. Pushkin Street; Toma Chorba Street and Dokuchaev Street; Dokuchaev Street and the bridge near the Circus; Independence Street and Myron Kostin Street ( were used modern street names).
The first museum dedicated to electric transport in Chisinau was opened in 1974 in … trolleybus, taken off the line and repaired. This unique in its kind museum functioned for a full 10 years, and in 1984 all of its exhibits were moved into the building of the former Belgian Trolleybus Company from the beginning of the 19th century. The doors are still wide open to all visitors today… And admission is free…
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.
It is a museum, that is also a monument of architecture of national importance, included in the Register of monuments[..]
The Chisinau „Aleksandr Pushkin” House-Museum
It is a museum, that is also a monument of architecture of national importance, included in the Register of monuments of history and culture of the municipality of Chisinau.
This building is the one where the young Russian poet Aleksandr Pushkin (he was 21 years old) lived for several months after being exiled by the Russian Tsarist administration to the capital of Bessarabia. He arrived in Chisinau in September 1820.
The house, which then belonged to General Inzov, was granted museum status on 10 February 1948. The museum exhibits materials relating to the poet’s life in Chisinau – paintings, prints, objects of decorative art from the late 18th – early 19th century, sculptures, as well as editions of his works written in Bessarabia.
It is believed that only two houses in the world, where Pushkin lived, have been preserved to date, one of them being in Chisinau.
The museum is located right inside his parents’ house, where the great Soviet architect (1873-1949) was born and lived for[..]
Alexei Shchusev House-Museum
The museum is located right inside his parents’ house, where the great Soviet architect (1873-1949) was born and lived for 24 years. The building was erected in 1851-1853. Now this house is a monument of architecture and history of national significance, entered in the Register of Monuments of History and Culture of the municipality of Chisinau.
Initially, in 1947, the museum of Soviet architecture was organized by Alexei Shchusev himself. The basis of it were drawings, models, documents and letters from the architect’s personal archive. The museum did not survive time, and in the early 1950s it was dismantled.
In 1973 the museum was given a new lease of life – on the 100th anniversary of the great architect’s birth, a permanent exhibition dedicated to the life and work of Alexei Shchusev was opened here, which is still in operation today.
Also, in this museum, there is a mini-exhibition dedicated to another remarkable and illustrious personality – Alexandro Bernardazzi, the first official architect of Chisinau (1831-1907).
The museum’s holdings include over 20,000 items, photographs, documents and military objects. The exhibits were collected by the institution’s employees[..]
Military History Museum
The museum’s holdings include over 20,000 items, photographs, documents and military objects. The exhibits were collected by the institution’s employees from the citizens of Chisinau. Some of the exhibits belonged to the National Army.
In addition to the hall dedicated to the armed conflict in Transnistria, the museum also has other permanent exhibition halls – starting from the ancient period, the Daco-Roman wars, the medieval period and the modern period. Here we learn about the Russo-Turkish wars, the First World War, the Second World War, and the period between them.
Right at the entrance to the Military Museum, visitors can find out more useful information about the establishment of the ”Sfatul Ţării” i.e. – „The County Council” .
In 2015, the museum also opened a section reflecting the events of 28 June 1940 – 5 March 1953, dedicated to the three waves of mass deportations.
It is the youngest museum of Chisinau, opened in 2018, within the National Library. At the base of the museum’s[..]
The Museum of Books
It is the youngest museum of Chisinau, opened in 2018, within the National Library.
At the base of the museum’s heritage is the special collection from the library’s “Old and Rare Books” section, which today holds over 30 thousand documents.
The most curious forms of books that have existed throughout history have been exhibited in the museum.
The small hall abounds with information, exhibits and
curiosities. You will learn about the binding of books, the evolution of writing systems, the earliest manuscript, the history of printing, the first printing artists and also about the so-called „tiny books”.
At the Museum of Books you will find a fragment of The Quran, a 11-15 mm medallion book, the Two Penny Bag 60×40 mm souvenir edition, and many more.
The oldest exhibit on display here is the manuscript “Ostrog’s Gospel”, dated 1056, and the oldest printed book dates the year of 1551, which is the commentary on „Aristotle’s Categories”.
Located right in the city centre, at the intersection of bd. Mitropolit G. Bănulescu-Bodoni and bd. Ștefan cel Mare, it[..]
„Alexander” Art Gallery
Located right in the city centre, at the intersection of bd. Mitropolit G. Bănulescu-Bodoni and bd. Ștefan cel Mare, it was founded in 2000 by Alexandru Neceainecu (architect) and Natalia Obadă (artist).
Here, in a small room, the works of several artists from Moldova are exhibited for sale, working in different styles – symbolism, naive art or primitivism. Paintings, graphics, sculptures, papier mache, ceramics and interior decorations – this is just a small part of the diversity on display in a small space in the centre of the capital.
The largest and most important art exhibition centre of the country and of the capital. It permanently hosts exhibitions of[..]
Exhibition Centre “Constantin Brancusi”
The largest and most important art exhibition centre of the country and of the capital. It permanently hosts exhibitions of the titular members of the Union of Artists of the Republic.
Temporary exhibitions include paintings, graphics, decorative arts, ceramics and sculptures by artists – both those who are just taking their first steps in art and the famous ones– locals and foreigners.
The openings in the exhibition centre are renowned for their outstanding contribution to the world of contemporary art.
A traveler-monument, inaugurated on April 29, 1928, on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Union of Bessarabia with[..]
The monument of Stephen the Great and Holy
A traveler-monument, inaugurated on April 29, 1928, on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Union of Bessarabia with Romania. In June 1940 he was moved to Romania, and in 1942 – brought back to Chisinau, in 1944 – moved again. A year later it was brought back and reinstalled in Chisinau. Author – the sculptor Alexandru Plămădeală.
The idea of initiating such an alley in the country’s capital belongs to the sculptor A. Plămădeală. The alley was[..]
The Alley of Сlassics
The idea of initiating such an alley in the country’s capital belongs to the sculptor A. Plămădeală. The alley was inaugurated in 1958 in the Public Garden with the first 12 busts of classical writers and poets. Currently, there are already 29 busts of important writers, from Romania and the Republic of Moldova placed on the alleys of the park, the 30th being the bust of A.S. Pushkin – the well-known Russian poet. His bust was erected in 1885, on money raised by the city’s honorary citizens. After the tragic death of the poet, Chisinau will become the third city in the former Russian Empire, that will commemorate him with a memorial monument. Author – the sculptor A. Opekusin.
It is the first bust on the Alley of the Cinematographer, inaugurated in 2011, next to the “Patria” Cinema. Today,[..]
The bust of Emil Loteanu
It is the first bust on the Alley of the Cinematographer, inaugurated in 2011, next to the “Patria” Cinema. Today, the Cinema bears his name. Author – Andrei Rizescu.
The Monument bears the name – “Requiem for Love” or, as it is also called by the locals – “Two[..]
The monument of Ion and Doina Aldea-Teodorovici
The Monument bears the name – “Requiem for Love” or, as it is also called by the locals – “Two twin hearts”. It is located at the central entrance in the “Valea Morilor” park, opposite the State University. Inaugurated in 1999, on the 7th anniversary of the passing of the famous couple of musicians, singers, composers and patriots of the nation. Sculptor – Iurie Canașin
The monument, dedicated to the ballad “Myoritsa” was installed in Chisinau at the beginning of March 2022, author – Veaceslav[..]
„Myoritsa”’s Monument
The monument, dedicated to the ballad “Myoritsa” was installed in Chisinau at the beginning of March 2022, author – Veaceslav Jiglițchi.
For Moldovans, „Myoritsa” is a historical memory. Although the plot of the Moldovan folk ballad is far from heroic, on the contrary – the hero of the ballad believes in the irreversibility of fate, which should not be fought at all, but accepted as it is… Sheep Myoritsa warns the young shepherd that two other shepherds are plotting to kill him out of envy. Anticipating his doom, the shepherd turns to his favorite sheep and shares his last wishes with it… The symbols present in „Myoritsa” originate from ancient rituals and beliefs. Historians believe that the ballad dates back to the XII-XIII centuries and is one of the oldest sources where the nationality “Moldovan” first appears.
In 1846 the writer Aleku Russo heard from the Leutarians and wrote down his version of „Myoritsa”, which was later published by another writer – Vasile Alexandri. A few years later, Alexandri encountered another version of the ballad, altered the original text, and published the revised “Myoritsa” in two collections of folk poetry.
„Myorica” has been translated into foreign languages many times. Like any masterpiece of folk art, it is very difficult to translate in poetic form…
The monument is located in front of the National Library of the Republic of Moldova in Chisinau. It was inaugurated[..]
The monument of Vasile Alecsandri
The monument is located in front of the National Library of the Republic of Moldova in Chisinau. It was inaugurated in 1997, in memory of Vasile Alecsandri – poet, playwright, folklorist, politician, minister, diplomat, and founding member of the Romanian Academy. Sculptor – Ion Zderciuc.
It is a replica of the famous Roman statue (author Ettore Ferrari), which was donated by the municipality of Rome[..]
The Capitoline Wolf in Chisinau
It is a replica of the famous Roman statue (author Ettore Ferrari), which was donated by the municipality of Rome (Italy) in the first years after the union of Bessarabia and Bukovina with Romania (1921).
In 1940, for political reasons, the statue was melted down. In 1990, the “Cultural League for the Unity of Romanians Everywhere” made a copy of the statue, which was installed in front of the National Museum of History of the Republic of Moldova in Chisinau.
The monument was inaugurated on May 9, 1975, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Soviet victory in[..]
“Eternity” Memorial Complex
The monument was inaugurated on May 9, 1975, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Soviet victory in World War II.
During the Soviet period the complex was known as the “Victory Memorial”. Under the 25 m high pyramid, consisting of 5 bayonets, in honor of the 5 years of war, burns an eternal flame of memory. Authors – sculptors A. Maiko and I. Poniatowski, architect A. Minaev.
The Memorial Complex “To the Sons of the Motherland – the Eternal Memory”
The idea of erecting a monument in honor of the 12,500 soldiers who did their “international duty” and the 301[..]
The Memorial Complex “To the Sons of the Motherland – the Eternal Memory”
The idea of erecting a monument in honor of the 12,500 soldiers who did their “international duty” and the 301 soldiers who fell in the war in Afghanistan came up in 2002. The place for the monument was chosen and accepted in the Rascani sector the capital.
The authors of the project are were the architect Vasili Eremciuc and the sculptor Boris Dubrovin.
The monument in memory of the victims of the deportations of the communist regime „The Train of Pain”
A Monument erected in honor of those deported people from Moldova during the three waves of deportation: in June 1941,[..]
The monument in memory of the victims of the deportations of the communist regime „The Train of Pain”
A Monument erected in honor of those deported people from Moldova during the three waves of deportation: in June 1941, July 1949 and April 1951 (a total of about 58,000 people were deported). It was inaugurated on August 23, 2013 on The Train Station Alley. The author of the monument is the sculptor Iurie Platon. The bronze sculpture is 3 meters high and 12 meters long.
The smallest monument in the Republic of Moldova, only 11 cm high, was cast in bronze and placed on the[..]
Moldova’s Little Prince Statue
The smallest monument in the Republic of Moldova, only 11 cm high, was cast in bronze and placed on the “planet B-612” in 2018 – on the sphere number 23 on the fence in the park “Valea Morilor” in Chisinau. The idea belongs to the resident of the capital, Igor Udușlivîi, who also realized this project.
Although it is a relatively new monument, tourists are already saying that it brings good luck.
A double monument, perhaps the most romantic in Chisinau, was installed on the Pedestrian Street Eugen Doga on October 14,[..]
Statues of lovers on the Pedestrian Street
A double monument, perhaps the most romantic in Chisinau, was installed on the Pedestrian Street Eugen Doga on October 14, 2017. Author – sculptor Pavel Obreja.
Also on the Pedestrian Street is the exhibition with sale of handicrafts of folk craftsmen from the country.
In the waiting room of Chisinau International Airport we find a beautiful sculpture, called “The Crew”. It was made in[..]
Triple sculpture “The Crew”
In the waiting room of Chisinau International Airport we find a beautiful sculpture, called “The Crew”. It was made in 2018 by the sculptor Veaceslav Jiglițchi, an honorary citizen of the capital. The triptych represents the pilot and two
stewardesses – the most important people in ensuring the comfort and safety of passengers during the flight.
A vestige of the Soviet past. It was erected in 1953. The statue of the communist Grigore Kotovski, participant in[..]
The statue of Grigore Kotovski
A vestige of the Soviet past. It was erected in 1953. The statue of the communist Grigore Kotovski, participant in the Russian Civil War, was erected by a group of sculptors and painters – L. Dubinovschi, K. Kitaika, I. Perșudcev and A. Poseado, after the schematics of the architect F. Naumov. A controversial monument, after many disputes, it remains in its old place, in front of the hotel “Cosmos” on Negruzzi Boulevard.
It was inaugurated on April 22, 1993. The authors – the architect S. Şoihet and the sculptor N. Epelbaum. The[..]
Monument to the Victims of the Chisinau Ghetto
It was inaugurated on April 22, 1993. The authors – the architect S. Şoihet and the sculptor N. Epelbaum.
The Chisinau ghetto was created on July 25, 1941 by order of the military governor of Bessarabia, General Constantin Voiculescu. On August 11, there were 10,578 people in the ghetto, later the number increased to 11,525 with the arrival of Jews from nearby towns. According to the 1942 census of the authorities, only 100 Jews remained in Chisinau, of which 99 were in the ghetto. Only 6 Jews survived until the Soviet army entered Chisinau in the summer of 1944.
The memorial complex was erected in honor of the detachments of Bulgarian volunteers, formed in Chisinau on the eve of[..]
Shipka Obelisk
The memorial complex was erected in honor of the detachments of Bulgarian volunteers, formed in Chisinau on the eve of the Russo-Turkish war of 1877-1878.
The complex consists of an obelisk, a chapel and a square. The chapel was built in 1882 on the site where on April 12 (1877) the parade of Russian troops and Bulgarian volunteers took place (the famous “Skakovoie Pole” (horse racing ground).
The obelisk was inaugurated in 1966. The guest of honor at the opening of the monument was the world’s first cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin.
Cathedral of Christ’s Nativity, Bell Tower,Triumphal Arch
The cathedral was built between 1830-1836. The idea of building such an important object of worship belonged to Metropolitan Gavriil[..]
Cathedral of Christ’s Nativity, Bell Tower,Triumphal Arch
The cathedral was built between 1830-1836. The idea of building such an important object of worship belonged to Metropolitan Gavriil Bănulescu-Bodoni. But the foundation stone was laid only 9 years after his death.
The architect Avraam Melnikov, chosen by competition, used the late neoclassical style (empiric style) for the building, with the use of ancient Greek forms for the columns.
It has a symmetrical composition, representing a square with a side of 27 m, by joining to the cubic body four porticoes with six Doric columns each, resulting in a cruciform plan with identically designed facades. It was built of stone and brick, with three altars – one main altar – the Nativity of the Lord, and two side altars – the one on the left, dedicated to St. John the New, and the one on the right – St. Nicholas the Martyr (current names).
The first radio station in Chisinau, Radio Basarabia, was officially inaugurated by broadcasting the liturgy from the Metropolitan Cathedral on 8 October 1939.
The cathedral suffered during the 1940 earthquake, then during the World War II, with the spire, dome and interior being rebuilt in 1956, but with deviations from the original forms. During the USSR it was used as an exhibition hall.
The reopening in a new format took place on August 25th, 1996 with the consecration of the Cathedral Cross.
The original bell tower was built at the same time as the cathedral. It was located 40 m away from it, symmetrically with the cathedral and in relation to the geometric centre of the cathedral section. It had four levels, three prismatic, with successively receding sides, and the fourth in the form of a flat circular belfry for the bell chamber, covered by a dome. On the first level was a chapel, the entrance to which was through a portico with two columns on the south side. Identical porticoes adorned each facade of the bell tower, creating a small-scale repetition of the composition of the cathedral and harmonising with it in the shape of the domes.
It was demolished in the 1960s and rebuilt in 1998 according to the old images.
The history of the construction of the “Holy Doors” is curious – after the original project (which involved the erection of the Cathedral and the Bell Tower), they were not planned. At the time, when the bell tower was already erected, it was discovered that the largest of the bells could not fit through the windows to be mounted. The giant bell, cast from Turkish cannons, weighed about 400 poods (about 6.5 t).
In order to accommodate the big bell, a decision was taken to build the Triumphal Arch, located at the entrance to the square from the direction of the Mitropolis (it has not been preserved to this day – it was destroyed during the World War II).
The official version was that the Arch was erected to commemorate the victory of the Russian armies over the Turks, of course.
The first arched clocks appeared in 1842. They were brought from Odessa, but in 1849, a strong hurricane tore off the dial, but its mechanism continued to work until 1881. The new mechanism was purchased from Austria. The actual clock worked without repair until it was bombed in 1941.
In 1945, plaques with the names of Soviet army fighters and citizens, who fought on the territory of Bessarabia in World War II and received the distinction of “Hero of the Soviet Union”, were nailed on the walls. The plaques were removed in 1991, after Moldova gained its independence.
Since its erection, the Triumphal Arch bore several names – it was also called the Holy Gates, and under the Soviet regime it was called the Arch of Victory.
Church of the Mother of God (Măzărache Church,1752)
The oldest building (including ecclesiastical) that has survived to date on the territory of present-day Chisinau, and the only one[..]
Church of the Mother of God (Măzărache Church,1752)
The oldest building (including ecclesiastical) that has survived to date on the territory of present-day Chisinau, and the only one that preserves medieval Moldovan architecture. The Măzărache Church is documented in 1752 (year of consecration). It is popularly named after its founder – the nobleman, merchant of Chisinau Vasile Măzărache.
The oldest necropolis of the capital, dating back to the 15th-16th centuries, it’s located around the church, and on the same hill flowed the famous springs, from which the city of Chisinau takes its name.
In 1955, in an almost fantastic gesture, the Soviet authorities gave the church to the Russians of the Old Rite (Lipovins) in exchange for their cathedral, which had been demolished during the construction of the Boulevard of the Youths (today Grigore Vieru Boulevard).
Since then, access to the church has been limited; guests of the capital may visit only the churchyard and the surrounding buildings, including some tombstones with inscriptions in Slavonic and Old Romanian.
In the past, it was the church of the cemetery of the village of Visterniceni, later annexed to the city[..]
Church of Saints Constantine and Helen (1777)
In the past, it was the church of the cemetery of the village of Visterniceni, later annexed to the city and became the Riscani district of the capital.
The church bears its present name since 1834, after the request of the nobleman Iorgu Râșcanu to change the name of the church from Resurrection of the Lord to the present name of Saints Emperors Constantine and his mother Elena, a change made in memory of the founder and his father – Constantin Râșcanu, a merchant and nobleman from the city of Iași.
Constantin Râscanu’s mother (supposedly named Elena) was a half-sister of Vasile Măzărache, the founder of the church of the same name.
The church owns an important library of church books, written in Greek, Romanian and Slavonic, the most important being: Greek Anthologhin (1686), Greek Penticostaion (1687), Bible (1755), Greek Triod (1777) printed in Venice; Romanian Triodian (1731), Romanian Apostle (1794), Gospel (1794) printed in Râmnic, Romania. There are also books printed in Chisinau: Liturgy (1815), Molebnic (1817), Psalter ( 1857), Anthologhion (1861), Octioh, Triodion (1862), Trebnic (Molitvenic, 1908).
In the altar of the church there is also an The aër covering, measuring 88/7.8 cm. The canvas is sewn with silk thread in several colours and with gold and silver threads. There’s an inscription on this canvas in Greek, which translates “Praise God your servants Constantine, Catherine and Evpraxia the nun, 1765”, meaning that this the aër covering was given to the church by its founder, and the date proves, that the church was functioning even before the year of 1777.
In the cemetery next to the church we can still find tombstones, on which we can still decipher the names of great families of Moldovan nobles and dignitaries: Rascanu, Donici, Krupenscki, Russo…
The Armenian Apostolical Church, The Holy Mother of God, year
After the annexation of Bessarabia to the Russian Empire in 1812, the Armenian Archbishop (1809-1828) of Moldo-Vlachia, Grigor Zakarian, had[..]
The Armenian Apostolical Church, The Holy Mother of God, year
After the annexation of Bessarabia to the Russian Empire in 1812, the Armenian Archbishop (1809-1828) of Moldo-Vlachia, Grigor Zakarian, had to move to Chișinău, his title being limited to that of Archbishop of the Armenians of Bessarabia, although the Armenians across the Prut continued to subordinate themselves to him. The 400 parishes and five churches (Akkerman, Ismail, Tighina, Chisinau, Hotin) of the Armenian community in the region came under the jurisdiction of the Armenian community in Bessarabia.
The Armenian Apostolic Church “Holy Mother of God” in Chisinau dates back to 1803 and was built on the foundation of an old damaged Moldovan church. Built in 1645, during the reign of Vasile Lupu (1634-1653), it was dedicated to “St. Nicholas” and was also known as the “Domnească Church”. Frequent invasions by the Tatars, several earthquakes and destruction caused by the Russo-Turkish wars destroyed it to such an extent that by 1741 it was in total ruin.
At the beginning of the 19th century, the land, and what remained of the church once founded by Vasile Lupu, was bought by an Armenian from the local authorities. This one was Baron Oganes, who contributed to the creation of the church in memory of his parents in 1803.
During the Soviet period, according to the Armenian community, the church was used as a warehouse. From archival documents, we know that its conversion into a storage facility took place in the summer of 1944.
Despite the fact that the building had its religious activity suspended, it continued to gather all the Armenians of the Moldovan SSR, becoming a symbol of the preservation of their spiritual unity and identity – “the Armenian community always gathered around the church, even when it was closed”.
The Armenian community took possession of the Armenian Church again in 1992. The church resumed its activities on 19 June 1993, when it was inaugurated by the head of the Moscow and Nahicevan Eparchy in the presence of high dignitaries, and was served by a priest assigned by the Armenian Patriarchate of Etchimiadzin.
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Who was Manuc Bey?
Armenian, Emanuel Mârzaian was born in 1769 in Rusciuc to a wealthy merchant family. After the death of his parents and his marriage to a wealthy Armenian woman, he took over the family business and established trade links with Constantinople. Thanks to his talent for cultivating relationships, bribing and sensing opportunities, he soon became the richest man in the Balkans. One of the first people he corrupted was the governor of Rusciucco, who offered him a large sum of money in exchange for guaranteeing his import and export business.
He also turned his business to the Romanian Country and got in the good graces of the ruler Constantine Ipsilanti from whom he obtained the dignities of serdar and paharnic. With a remarkable political intuition he sensed the approach of the Russo-Turkish war and in 1806, through high intermediaries such as the ruler of Muntenia and the Russian consul in Iasi, he requested and obtained Russian citizenship.
During the Russo-Turkish war of 1806-1812, Manuc turned his main business to Wallachia where he began to build the inn that bears his name in Bucharest. He also bought large estates in Wallachia.
Enjoying the trust of the Ottomans, Manuc was commissioned by Pasha to supply the army, maintain the Danubian fortresses and negotiate with the Russians.
He also gained the trust of the Montagnards (Muntenians) by offering the Romanian Country a loan of 160,000 talers without interest and by paying (non-refundable) a debt to the Turks of 60,000. In the meantime the Turks also granted him the title of bei or prince of Moldavia.
Manuc bei, a trusted Turkish agent of the Russian Empire, took part in and hosted in his inn the negotiations at the end of the Russo-Turkish war in 1812, negotiations which for us resulted in the loss of Bessarabia. For this Tsar Alexander I decorated him with the medal of Knight of the Order of Saint Vladimir.
After a short journey to Sibiu, the prudent Manuc Bei moved to Chișinău, where in 1816 he bought a 10-hectare estate in Hâncești for 300,000 lei-gold. He did not get to see the finished palace because he died in suspicious circumstances on June 20, 1817 at only 48 years old in a hunting accident, in which Russian generals were taking part, or, according to other anonymous sources, he was killed by the Ottomans for high treason.
He was buried in the courtyard of the Armenian Church in Chisinau.
Monastery ,,Saint Great Martyr Teodor Tiron” (Ciuflea) (1854-1858)
It is the only convent of nuns on the territory of Chisinau. Its cathedral is a white stone temple, with[..]
Monastery ,,Saint Great Martyr Teodor Tiron” (Ciuflea) (1854-1858)
It is the only convent of nuns on the territory of Chisinau. Its cathedral is a white stone temple, with nine gilded domes, and was built at the request of brothers Teodor (1796-1854) and Anastasie (1801-1870) Ciufli, after the project of architect Luca Zaușchevici. It is popularly known as “Ciuflea Monastery”. The construction of the cathedral was started in 1854 and finished in 4 years. The founders of the holy place, brothers Theodore and Anastasios, are buried near the south wall, which is testified by the inscription on the marble slab inside the monastery cathedral.
A sad page, related to the First Jewish Pogrom in Chisinau, is also related to this holy place. The pogrom began on Easter Day, 6 April 1903, in front of Ciuflea Cathedral, where the Jewish shops and stores were located. The pogrom lasted three days: 6, 7 and 8 (19, 20 and 21) April 1903. These were the days of the Orthodox Christian Passover. According to the Jewish calendar, the first day corresponded to the last day of Pesach (Passover), called “Acharon shel Pesach”. The pogrom in Chișinău attracted the attention of the Jewish world, the Russian world and the entire civilised world because of a new element: people being killed. Previously, in the pogroms of 1881-1882 in southern Russia, the specific element had been robbery. This time, however, there was murder, murder of a kind that had not occurred in pogroms for about 250 years. In the Chisinau pogrom, 51 people were killed, including 49 Jews (24 women and children), more than 300 were wounded (75 of them seriously) and about 800 Jewish dwellings and shops were destroyed, damaged or looted…
The former cathedral, now the Monastery of Saint Great Martyr Teodor Tiron, remained throughout the difficult years of Soviet atheism (1962 – 2002) a candle of the ancestral Orthodox faith.
In 2008, on 2 May, the Icon of Our Lady “The Little Carrier” was brought to Ciuflea Monastery from Mount Athos. The icon is currently kept in the Winter Church of the monastery. A small part of the Holy Relics of the Great Martyr Theodor Tyron is also kept here.
Founded by two brothers of Greek origin – Ivan and Victor Sinadino, honorary citizens of Chisinau, sons of the former[..]
Church of St. Great Martyr Panteleimon (1891)
Founded by two brothers of Greek origin – Ivan and Victor Sinadino, honorary citizens of Chisinau, sons of the former mayor Pantelion Sinadino, who led the town hall twice – in 1837-1839 and 1840-1842.
The construction of the church lasted for for 5 years, according to the neo-Byzantine project of Alexander Bernardazzi, with a basement and a vault intended to hold for 26 dead bodies. Thus, by an ecclesiastical gesture, the Sinadino family reserved their burial place.
The last of this famous family to take care of the church was Pantelimon Victor Sinadino, the grandson of another mayor from the same family tree – Pantelimon Sinadino (1905-1910).
The tomb with the remains of the Sinadino family members was destroyed by the Soviet authorities and the remains were found missing. The church served for a long time as a storehouse for building materials, then as a film storehouse and later as an exhibition and liquor tasting room.
After a long period of inactivity, the church was reopened in 1992 thanks to the efforts of the priest Valeriu Bazatin, who on the 8th of November, after the necessary preparations, celebrated the first mass.
The chapel of the Bessarabian Zemstva’s high school for girls was built in 1895, with Teodor Krupensky and his daughter[..]
Saint Theodora of Sihla (1895)
The chapel of the Bessarabian Zemstva’s high school for girls was built in 1895, with Teodor Krupensky and his daughter Euphrosinia, who was married to Prince Viazemski of Russia, as its founders. The architect of the Byzantine-style project was Alexander Bernardazzi.
The consecration of the chapel did not take place for another 27 years due to a tragic event in its altar, that made it impossible to continue using it, the gymnasium having at the time another chapel built in its courtyard. It was consecrated only in 1922, and was given the name “St. Theodore Tiron” of the “Regina Maria” High School for Girls. During the USSR regime, the Chisinau Museum of Atheism was opened here.
Only after the independence of the Republic of Moldova, the church was returned to the parishioners and received a new name – Saint Theodora of Sihla. The stone under the bas-relief of A. Bernardazzi, which is located on an outer wall of the church, was brought from the cave in the area of Neamț (Romania), where St. Theodora lived in the sixtystery.
From historical sources we learn that the construction of the Church “Saint George” began in 1814, in the historic center[..]
Saint George the Great (1819)
From historical sources we learn that the construction of the Church “Saint George” began in 1814, in the historic center of Chisinau, with the blessing of Metropolitan Gavriil Bănulescu-Bodoni.
The works started under the guidance of the priest Gheorghe, helped by his Bulgarian compatriots. One of the architects of the shrine was Archimandrite Ioanikie, a guest from St Petersburg. The main burden fell on the shoulders of Costin Stavaraki.
He was appointed abbot of the church, where he served until 1830. The construction was completed around 1818 and on November 3rd, it was consecrated by the Bishop of Bender Akerman Dumitru, vicar of Chisinau. The official year of completion was 1819, when the Iconostasis was installed.
During the interwar period, divine services were conducted in Romanian and Russian languages.
In the summer of 1940, following the devastating earthquake, the church suffered a major setback. Efforts were needed to restore the holy place.
In 1959 the church was closed. In 1978 the building was declared a monument of architecture protected by the State, and then restoration was carried out.
After the national revival, the church was returned to the faithful.
The holy place was given the name “Saint Hierarch Nicholas” in memory of the first founder – the felcher Nicholas[..]
Saint Hierarch Nicholas
The holy place was given the name “Saint Hierarch Nicholas” in memory of the first founder – the felcher Nicholas Ivanov. The construction of the church began in 1901, according to the project of the city architect Vladimir Tiganko.
After the death of the main founder, Catherine’s wife sells the house for 5500 rubles and the whole amount is transferred to the account of the future church. The construction of the building was finished in December 1901.
The total amount for the erection of the church was 20 thousand 944 rubles 45 kopecks. The first parish priest was Sofronie Celan.
Next to the church a home for the elderly was built and operated for a long time, where 20 people were housed at the same time.
The church has a combination of different styles, so that each parishioner can find comfort in his soul.
It was closed in 1940 during the period of rampant atheism. During the USSR, the House of Culture of the medical faculty students operated here.
The holy place was reopened in 1992, when it was given back to the Metropolitanate of all Moldova by the administration of the Institute of Medicine.
It is believed that this very church in the town has been built the longest – just over 100 years![..]
Church All Saints Sunday (1819- 1930)
It is believed that this very church in the town has been built the longest – just over 100 years! It is also the church that is most often visited by parishioners – it is located at the entrance to the Central (also called Armenian) Cemetery.
The present appearance of the church consists of a circular volume crowned by a dome, to which a high bell tower is attached to the west by a lower room. The cylindrical part is the old one and represents the chapel of the Orthodox cemetery founded on this site in 1814.
The construction of the chapel began in 1818, dedicated to St. Nicholas, with Elena Matasariță as the founder. The construction plan was chosen by Metropolitan Gavriil Bănulescu-Bodoni himself.
It was a building that was part of the structural type of the rotunda, characteristic of the necropolis built at the turn of the 18th-19th centuries.
Transformed into a parish church, it became too small and in 1863 a bell tower and an intermediate space were added. The gaps between the columns of the outer gallery were built up, leaving only half the thickness of the columns open to view, interspersed with window openings and a doorway.
In 1880 the belfry in front of the entrance was added. The building has achieved a look typical of Russian churches, which were erected in the gubernias of south-eastern Russia.
Among the objects of worship here, undoubtedly the most important is the Icon of Our Lady of Poceyev.
The Roman-Catholic Cathedral of Divine Providence (1840)
The Roman Catholic community in Chisinau, composed almost exclusively of Polish people, was formed in the late 1830s. Ten years[..]
The Roman-Catholic Cathedral of Divine Providence (1840)
The Roman Catholic community in Chisinau, composed almost exclusively of Polish people, was formed in the late 1830s. Ten years later, with their own financial contributions, the community builts a holy place, in 1840.
The church project was approved in St Petersburg. The architect and sculptor Joseph I. Charlemand played an important role for the design.
The architecture of this cathedral was designed in the spirit of late neoclassicism, influenced by Italian Renaissance architecture.
On 30 September 1964, the church was handed over to the School No 56 and converted into an assembly hall. Later, the church also housed a recording studio and a warehouse of the film studio “Moldova Film”. In 1988, the church was converted into a poetic theatre.
Only at the end of 1989, after numerous appeals to the central authorities of the USSR, the Red Cross and the ONU, was the church returned to the parish and the faithful.
Nowadays, there is an estimated number of 20,000 Catholics in Moldova.
The “Holy Trinity” Church was founded and consecrated by Archbishop Antonie Shocotov, on the territory of the former cemetery of[..]
Holy Trinity Church (1852-1862, or 1869)
The “Holy Trinity” Church was founded and consecrated by Archbishop Antonie Shocotov, on the territory of the former cemetery of the village of Muncesti (nowadays Botanica sector). It is a church built according to one of the model projects, which were widespread in Bessarabia at that time and used in ordinary cases. The architecture of the church is eclectic, based on the classicist style with elements of Russian architecture. The plan consists of two compartments: the altar apse, polygonal in plan, and the nave, square in plan, dominated by a pyramidal roof, crowned with a false spire like an onion bulb. The church was joined with the two-storey belfry, with a prismatic bell chamber and wide arched openings.
Part of the land in the cemetery of the church during Soviet times was levelled with bulldozers. Several residential blocks were built on that site. On the small remaining area of the cemetery, tombstones dating from the 18th-20th centuries can still be found. During the Soviet period it was one of the few places of worship in Chisinau that were not closed permanently.
Next to the church is the former Romanian Military Cemetery, which was established in 1918.
During the interwar period, the cemetery was set up by the “Regina Maria” National Association for the Cult of Heroes, and a chapel in memory of the Czech Legion was built in the same period. The entrance to the cemetery had a massive architecture, with large staircases and columns of 10 metres high.
After the end of World War II, the chapel was demolished and the land leveled. Over the remaining tombs was built in 1961 the “Chiril Draganiuc” Institute of Pulmonology and Physiatry, a hospital that was also destroyed in 2007.
It is documented that from the total number of 1645 soldiers that were buried there 431 of them were Romanians who died during the World War I, 96 Romanians who died during the World War II, the rest being Russian, Austrian, Czech, French and Polish soldiers.
One of the old Jewish cemeteries preserved in what is now the city is the one in the Buiucani sector,[..]
Jewish cemeteries
One of the old Jewish cemeteries preserved in what is now the city is the one in the Buiucani sector, next to the fire station on Milano Street.
According to statistics, the dead were buried here at the beginning of the 19th century. Here, among the later monuments, is a memorial to the victims of the 1903 Chisinau pogrom, and not far from it is the grave of Rabbi Leib Jehuda Cirilson, chief rabbi of Bessarabia for many decades. It is believed that the rabbi died during a bombing raid under the roof of his house in August 1944.
There are also the ruins of a synagogue, the only one of its kind in Moldova. The aviator’s grave has also been preserved – the monument is decorated with a propeller, which still rotates in the wind to this day…
During World War II, the eastern part of the cemetery was badly damaged. In 1958, the area was divided into two parts, one of which the authorities later turned into a farmers’ market. By 1960 the eastern part of the cemetery was completely destroyed, the tombstones were crushed and used to build the fence for the rest of the Jewish cemetery and other cemeteries in Chisinau, as well as to pave paths in the park. Alunelul Park, tennis courts, and residential neighborhoods were developed on the territory once occupied by the cemetery.
The western part of the Jewish cemetery survives to this day, but most of the graves are in poor condition, with gravestones damaged, plaques broken and erased, and fences rusted. Vandals, natural influences and ruthless time are destroying even the most durable stones and memories…
The Central Cemetery in Chisinau was founded in 1811. In 1818 the Church of All Saints was built on its[..]
Central Cemetery (Armenian)
The Central Cemetery in Chisinau was founded in 1811. In 1818 the Church of All Saints was built on its territory.
Nowadays the cemetery is located in the triangle of Alexei Mateevici (former Sadovaia), Vasile Alecsandri (former Kotovski) and Panteleimon Halippa streets.
The only entrance/exit is from the street. A. Mateevici, and from its gate starts Armenian Street. That is why the cemetery is called Armenian Cemetery.
Today the Central Cemetery is the most honorable and official cemetery in the city. In the special places of the Central Cemetery within the limits of availability, at the proposal of some public institutions, the mayor general approves the distribution or concession of plots for the burial of outstanding personalities of the Republic of Moldova. The right to reserve plots in the Central Cemetery shall also be granted to the first-degree relatives of persons who have died and are buried there, on the basis of documents confirming the degree of kinship. Where appropriate, the burial of relatives in the same graves is allowed.
Here we find destined names, buried for eternity – Maria Biesu, Ion and Doina Aldea-Teodorovici, Grigore Vieru, Alexe Mateevici, Nicolae Sulac, Ion Vatamanu, Leonida Lari, Natalia Dadiani, Alexandru Plămădeală, Grigore Grigoriu, Timofei Moșneaga, Vladimir Herța, as well as other famous names of our glorious past …
The Armenian community has left a serious mark on the history and geography of Chisinau. In fact, the Armenian community[..]
Armenian streets
The Armenian community has left a serious mark on the history and geography of Chisinau. In fact, the Armenian community feels honored that there is a street here that marks their identity and claims that the Armenian Apostolic Church “Holy Mother of God” in Chisinau, together with the Armenian street, is the place where all Armenians belonging to this area and who left their homes are reunited. And some curious moments will be described below:
1. Historical sources speak about the existence of two Armenian streets. The first one (unofficial) was on the right side of the Bîc river (the old part of the town). The second, which was established in the new part of the city in 1835, when the new urban plan of Chisinau was being finalised, can still be easily found today on the street map of the capital of the Republic of Moldova.
2. On 4 January 1817, describing the city of Chisinau, the English traveller William Mac-Michael wrote: “Among the strange crowd you could distinguish here (…) many Armenians, so numerous that they occupied a whole street. In the midst of the crowd (…) the carriage of an elegant and beautiful child, the daughter of the Armenian vicar, drove slowly along the narrow and sinful street (…) Such was the state of things … in the lower quarter of the bazaar (…)”.
3. The lack of official street names in the old part of the city was due to the fact that most of them were inhabited by ethnic groups, being named after their inhabitants, and looked more like ethnic neighbourhoods. Ștefan Ciobanu’s claim that Armenians in the early 20th century were “ethnic groups” is not true. The Armenians lived on their street in the early 19th century – leads us to conclude that this could only be the street “covered in dust in summer, mud in spring and autumn, and darkness at night”, on which the Armenian Church “St. Mother of God” was built, which was also called the Old Church.
4. The name ‘Old’ was later extended both to the church and to the street, which made the difference between the Armenian street in the old and the new part of the town, one longitudinal and the other transversal.
5. The beginning of the second Armenian street is linked to the transfer to Chisinau, after 1812, of the Armenian Archdiocese, established in 1809, by an ucaz of Tsar Alexander I, on the territory of the Principalities of Moldavia and Muntenia.
6. In 1813, for the Armenian Episcopal House in Chișinău, but also for the construction of parish houses, the governor of Basarabia assigned to the Armenian Archdiocese a territory with an area of about 25 thousand desetine of land (about 27 ha – n.n.), later included between the current streets bd. Stephen the Great and Holy, 31 August 1989, Tighina and Armenian Streets. The area of land made available constituted the “neighbourhood” occupied by the Armenian Archbishop Grigor Zakarian (1809-1828) in Chisinau. It was also called the Armenian Metropolitanate, and the archbishop had the status of metropolitan. According to the location project, the area of land given to the Archbishopric was called “Armenian courtyard” and was enclosed by a fence as the Russian denominations – Aрмянское подворье and Aрмянская ограда – tell us. The territory of the Archdiocese belonged to the monastery of Echmiadzin, the location of the Supreme Patriarch and All Armenian Catholic. The Bishop’s house inside the courtyard was located somewhere in the middle, now Bulgarian Street.
7. In 1813, the first project of the city began to be drawn up, entrusted by the civil governor of Basarabia, Scarlat Sturza, to the governmental architect Mihail Ozmidov. The works for the formation of Chișinău as the capital of the province of Basarabia lasted until August 9, 1834, when the final plan of the city, with an orthogonal street layout, different from the local tradition, was approved by Nicholas I. The streets were named in 1818, when A. N. Bahmetiev, the military governor of Podolia, made a sketch of the city with the location of the streets up to the present M. Kogalniceanu Street. The name was given to the Armenian street in the “upper part” of the town, which was named after the immediate location of the Armenian Archdiocese. Near it, in 1825, the New Square (today Central) was opened, with movable and quite beautiful commercial spaces for that period. It was here that all merchants in Chisinau were obliged to sell their goods, and they were forbidden to trade near their houses in the old part of the city. Attached to the position of their own shops, 2000 Armenian, Bulgarian, Greek and Jewish owners expressed their dissatisfaction in a letter of 18 July 1826 to the civil governor of Bessarabia, V. F. Tishkovsky. However, things did not change, and the old market gradually lost its significance, as did the “lower part” of the town.
8. In 1902, portions of the new and old Armenian Street were paved with granite brought from Podolia between 1888 and 1889. After the construction of the aqueduct by the engineer Haris on 15 December 1892, the Armenian street in the “upper part” of the town was supplied with water from the springs of the Great Fountain and the Artesian. Residents of the street who used the water had to pay for it. For example, those who drank up to 300 buckets of water a day were charged 25 kopecks, and those who drank more than 1,000 buckets a day only 12 kopecks. If the water was used for watering animals, only 1 kopeck per day was charged.
9. A report of 29 December 1921 stated that the ‘foul-smelling’ dirt ‘reaches below all limits’. Stefan Ciobanu himself, by stating that “the most beautiful part of the city starts from Armenească Street”, seems to draw a line in this direction, showing us the existence of two worlds.
10. On 29 February 1924, all the streets of Chisinau were renamed. The “upper” Armenian street was named the White Fortress, later in honour of Marshal Pietro Badoglio, and the “lower” one – Gh. Asachi. However, by inertia, both the population and the Romanian administration referred to them as Armenească and Veche Armenească. After June 28, 1940, the Soviet authorities restored the names of the streets existing until 1924. On 12 April 1941, when the city of Chisinau was divided into three urban districts: Stalinski, Krasnoarmeiski and Leninski, Armenian Street was part of the last one. That was also when the plan to rebuild Chisinau in Soviet style began to be implemented. As far as Armenian Street is concerned, after the decision of 7 December 1949, taken by the Soviet authorities regarding the nationalisation of building No. 47, i.e. the Armenian Diocesan House, there was nothing in this perimeter that reminded of the Armenian element once perpetuated in this territory. Today, with a length of 1.8 km, the Armenian street in Chisinau is one of the symbols that ‘tell’ not only the relationship between time and history, but also the history of the development of a socio-identity space in which the Armenian community was inscribed.
(From the work of Lidia PRISAC, PhD in history and
Ion Valer XENOFONTOV, PhD in History)
In 1998, Pushkin Boulevard was renamed Jerusalem Street on the 3000th anniversary of the first recorded Jerusalem. Previously, before b-l[..]
Jerusalem Street
In 1998, Pushkin Boulevard was renamed Jerusalem Street on the 3000th anniversary of the first recorded Jerusalem. Previously, before b-l was named A.S. Pushkin, this street had no name.
Between Grigore Vieru Boulevard and Pushkin Street, a monument to the victims of the Jewish ghetto in Chisinau was erected on Jerusalem Street. Nearby is the main entrance to the former ghetto, which was established in the lower part of the city in July 1941 after German and Romanian units took control of Chisinau. Within weeks, more than 11,000 Jews – men, women and children – were imprisoned in the ghetto. An information board in front of the monument shows the ghetto’s boundaries.
The exact number of Jews remaining in the city at the time is unknown. Some were deported by the Soviets shortly before the war, while others were evacuated or conscripted into the Red Army. However, thousands of Jews were unable or unwilling to leave the city. Only six people emerged alive from the ghetto in 1944…
Chabad Lubavitch Central Synagogue (Synagogue of the glassmakers)
This Synagogue was built in 1896-1898 by the architect Tsalel Gershevich Ginger. For a long time there was an unspoken[..]
Chabad Lubavitch Central Synagogue (Synagogue of the glassmakers)
This Synagogue was built in 1896-1898 by the architect Tsalel Gershevich Ginger. For a long time there was an unspoken rule in Chisinau: for every 500 Jews in the city there must be one synagogue.
In 1964 the city authorities ordered the closure of all synagogues except the Glaziers’ Synagogue, which remained the only legally operating synagogue for more than 40 years. It is now run by the Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidic movement. The original mural paintings have been preserved inside. The synagogue complex includes the building and the mikveh.
CENTRAL SYNAGOGUE OF CHISINAU its founded in 1886. “Sennaya” synagogue, located in the historical part of Chisinau, is one of[..]
Central Synagogue of Chisinau
CENTRAL SYNAGOGUE OF CHISINAU its founded in 1886.
“Sennaya” synagogue, located in the historical part of Chisinau, is one of the oldest functioning synagogues in the capital and the Republic of Moldova as a whole. Its role in the formation of the Jewish community in the region is exceptional.
In recent years an abandoned synagogue building in Chisinau has been restored and transformed into an active Community Center open to all comers. Most of the activities are subsidized and carried out by volunteers who work out of a sense of ideology and a mission to feel a sense of belonging and pride in the Jewish community of Moldova.
The Jewish Community of the Republic of Moldova was officially registered in 1997, being the successor of the Republican Society of Jewish Culture (created in 1989) and the Jewish Community of Bessarabia.
CERM is a non-governmental, non-political, non-profit, public organization, which unites all Jewish communities and organizations of the Republic of Moldova, including the regional communities of Balti, Orhei, Soroca, Bender, Tiraspol, Grigoriopol, Dubasari, Ribnitsa.
