Curchi monastery, located near the village of Curchi in Orhei district, is one of Moldova’s most beautiful and significant Orthodox monastic complexes. Set in the picturesque Vatici valley and surrounded by forests and orchards, the monastery is renowned for its peaceful atmosphere and striking architecture, making it a popular destination for both pilgrims and tourists. The ensemble includes five churches, monastic cells, administrative buildings, and a bell tower, all harmoniously integrated into the lush landscape.
Continue reading “Mănăstirea Curchi”Cetatea Tighina
The fortress of Bender, also known as Tighina fortress (or Cetatea Tighina), stands as a remarkable example of military architecture on the right bank of the river Dniester in Bender, Moldova. Its origins trace back to the 15th century, with early fortifications likely made from earth and wood, later rebuilt in stone by the Ottomans after they conquered the area in 1538 under Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent. The renowned architect Sinan redesigned and expanded the fortress, transforming it into a formidable stronghold with bastions, towers, and deep defensive ditches, making it a key military outpost for the Ottoman empire and a frequent target for Moldavian, Russian, and Swedish forces throughout history.
Continue reading “Cetatea Tighina”Tiraspol
Tiraspol, the second-largest city in Moldova and the capital of the breakaway region of Transnistria, has a rich history dating back to the late 18th century. The city was founded in 1792 by Russian generalissimo Alexander Suvorov, who is considered the founder of modern Tiraspol. It was established as a fortress to guard the western border of the Russian Empire near a Moldavian village named Sucleia, and was granted city rights in 1795. Throughout its history, Tiraspol served various administrative roles, including being the capital of the Moldavian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic from 1929 to 1940. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Tiraspol became the capital of the self-proclaimed Republic of Transnistria, which has had its own state administration since 1991 but is not internationally recognized.
Continue reading “Tiraspol”Turnul de apă
The Turnul de apă (water tower) in Chișinău is a significant architectural monument built at the end of the 19th century by architect Alexander Bernardazzi. Originally constructed to serve as a water supply tower for the city, it is located on one of the highest points in Chișinău and stands 22 to 27 meters tall, built with local stone and brick in an eclectic style. The tower played a crucial role in the development of the city’s first sewerage network during mayor Karl Schmidt’s term and functioned as a water tower until 1940, after which it was used by firefighters.
Continue reading “Turnul de apă”Valea Morilor
Parcul Valea Morilor, or the Valley of the Mills Park, is one of Chișinău’s largest and most beloved green spaces, located in the Buiucani district. The park was established in 1950 at the initiative of Leonid Brezhnev and was originally named the ‘Central Park of Culture and Rest of the Leninist Commune‘. Its current name comes from the artificial lake at its heart – Valea Morilor lake – which translates to ‘Valley of the mills‘, referencing the watermills that once dotted the area. Designed by architect Robert Kurz, the park covers 114 hectares, with the lake itself spanning 34 hectares.
Continue reading “Valea Morilor”Ștefan (but not me)
Parcul Ștefan cel Mare, also known as Stephen the Great Park, is the oldest and most cherished green space in central Chișinău. Established in the early 19th century, it spans about 7 hectares and is a favorite gathering spot for both locals and visitors, especially during the warm months. The atmosphere is peaceful yet lively, with shaded walkways, mature trees, and benches where people relax, read, or enjoy conversations. In the heart of the park, a beautiful fountain provides a refreshing centerpiece, while children’s playgrounds and merry-go-rounds make it a welcoming place for families.
Continue reading “Ștefan (but not me)”Arcul de Triumf din Chișinău
The Arcul de Triumf din Chișinău, also known as the Triumphal Arch, was built in 1840 by architect Luka Zauschevici to commemorate the Russian Empire’s victory over the Ottoman Empire in the Russo-Turkish War of 1828-29. Located in the heart of the city, next to the Nativity Cathedral and aligned with the city’s main square, the arch has become an integral part of Chișinău’s central architectural ensemble. Originally, it also served as a bell tower, housing a massive 6.4-ton bell cast from captured Turkish cannons, symbolizing both military triumph and local craftsmanship.
Continue reading “Arcul de Triumf din Chișinău”Catedrala Nașterea Domnului
The Catedrala Nașterea Domnului (Cathedral of Christ’s Nativity) is the main Orthodox cathedral in Chișinău, Moldova, and a landmark of national significance. Its construction began in 1830 and was completed in 1836, following the initiative of Metropolitan Gavriil Bănulescu-Bodoni and under the guidance of architect Abram Melnikov, a master of the Russian Empire style. The cathedral was strategically placed at the city center, as indicated in Chișinău’s first urban plan from 1817, and features three altars: the central altar dedicated to the Nativity of Christ, and two lateral altars originally dedicated to St. Alexander Nevsky and St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.
Continue reading “Catedrala Nașterea Domnului”Kartoffelstein
The Kartoffelstein near Herberhausen is a commemorative stone that was erected in 1852 by the Herberhausen parish. The occasion was the end of a severe famine caused by several successive potato crop failures, especially in 1846. After a finally successful potato harvest, the community set up this stone as a sign of gratitude. The original stone, an old gravestone from the Roringen cemetery, was damaged several times by lightning and was reworked in 1937 and replaced in 1966 by a weatherproof version made of shell limestone.
Continue reading “Kartoffelstein”Fürstengruft
The Fürstengruft in Weimar is a neoclassical mausoleum located on the historic cemetery of the city, built between 1823 and 1828 as the burial place for the ducal family of Sachsen-Weimar-Eisenach. The structure features a doric columned entrance, a chapel with a star-adorned dome, and an underground crypt. Its sober architecture was intended to reflect dignity and simplicity, with an oval opening in the floor through which coffins could be lowered into the vault below.
Continue reading “Fürstengruft”