On this site, where the Obelisk and Chapel now stand, in 1887, Emperor Alexander II read out the manifesto of Russia’s declaration of war against the Ottoman Porte in front of Russian troops and Moldovan and Bulgarian volunteers. On this day the last Russo-Turkish war began, ending with the victory of Russia and the formation of the Bulgarian state. A parade of troops took place before being sent to the Balkans. In honour of this event, a small chapel was built on the eastern side of the field in 1882.

A year before the outbreak of war, Gustave Eiffel was specially invited to Basarabia to build a bridge across the Prut. The inauguration of the bridge took place on 21 April 1877, and three days later the Russo-Turkish war began.

In 1876, the Bulgarian Charity Committee was set up in Chisinau to help the national liberation movement in Bulgaria. The committee gave extensive support to the Serbs during the war in Serbia and Montenegro against the Turks. It facilitated the sending of volunteers, combat equipment and food from Kishinev to Serbia. At the Committee’s initiative, charity concerts, plays and lotteries were organised in Kishinev, the proceeds of which went to the Bulgarians. A collection of shoes, clothes and food for the Bulgarian volunteers took place in the capital and southern Bessarabia.

The formation of the Bulgarian volunteer detachment began in March 1877, and at the end of the same month 1. volunteers were gathered into the Armenian subaltern and from them three divisions were formed under the command of Major-General N. G. Stoletov.

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The chapel caretakers said that the icon in the centre (roses are always placed under it) is the only one in Moldova that helps cancer patients. That’s why many people bring expensive jewellery as a sign of gratitude.

During the Soviet period, the chapel housed the Bulgarian Militia Memorial Museum.

Not far from the chapel, in memory of the events of 1877 and in honour of Bulgarian-Soviet friendship, a 16-metre granite obelisk in the shape of a needle was erected in 1966, on the eve of the mistaken celebration of the 500th anniversary of Chisinau. The unveiling of the obelisk was attended by the guest of honour – Iury Gagarin, the first cosmonaut of the Earth. He also planted a tree next to the chapel.