Category: Museums

The National Museum of Ethnography and Natural History in Chișinău is the oldest museum in the Republic of Moldova, with a rich history dating back to 1889. The museum was founded based on the collections from the first Agricultural and Industrial Exhibition organized by the Bessarabian Zemstvo. Throughout its existence, the museum has operated under various names, starting as the Museum of Agriculture and gradually expanding its focus to encompass natural history, contemporary nature, human society evolution, and traditional culture.

The Muzeul Naţional de Istorie a Moldovei, or National History Museum of Moldova, is centrally located in Chişinău and stands as one of the country’s most significant cultural institutions. The museum is housed in a monumental two-storey building constructed between 1980 and 1987, after the original 19th-century boys’ gymnasium was severely damaged by an earthquake and subsequently demolished. The new structure preserves elements of the old eclectic style, including decorative features reminiscent of the original assembly hall, and faces the historic 31 August 1989 street, making it a prominent landmark in the city’s architectural landscape.

The Muzeul Național de Artă al Moldovei (National Museum of Fine Arts of Moldova) is the leading art institution in Chișinău, founded in 1939 by sculptor Alexandru Plămădeală and French painter Auguste Baillayre. Located in the city center, the museum is housed in several historic buildings, including the former girls’ gymnasium established by princess Natalia Dadiani and the ornate Vladimir Herța house, both remarkable examples of late 19th and early 20th-century architecture. With a collection exceeding 39,000 works, the museum offers a comprehensive overview of the development of fine arts from the 15th to the 21st century.