The Passenger ⋆ Page 4 of 308 ⋆ Memories and hints of a travelling IT professional.

May 3, 2025May 6, 2025

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.

May 3, 2025May 5, 2025

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.

May 3, 2025May 6, 2025

Transnistrian ruble

The Transnistrian ruble is the official currency of Transnistria, a breakaway region in eastern Moldova that is not internationally recognized. The ruble, divided into 100 kopecks, was first introduced in 1994, replacing provisional issues and old Soviet banknotes that had been stamped with local symbols. Early issues suffered from high inflation, leading to frequent overprints and the eventual creation of a local mint in Tiraspol in 2005. Today, the currency features both banknotes and distinctive polygonal coins made from composite materials, with designs often depicting historical figures like General Suvorov.

May 3, 2025May 5, 2025

Pridnestrovie

Pridnestrovie, also known as Transnistria or officially as the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (PMR), is a narrow strip of land located between the river Dniester and the Ukrainian border. This unrecognized breakaway state declared independence from the Moldavian SSR on September 2, 1990, following tensions that arose during the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The region has historically been a multiethnic borderland where Moldovans, Russians, and Ukrainians make up the majority of the population, and it has been ruled by various powers throughout history, including the Ottoman Empire, Russia, Ukraine, and the Soviet Union.

May 2, 2025May 6, 2025

Grădina botanică

The Grădina Botanică in Chișinău, officially known as the National Botanical Garden ‘Alexandru Ciubotaru‘, is one of Moldova’s most significant green spaces and scientific institutions. Founded in 1950 and relocated to its current site in the Botanica sector in the 1960s, the garden spans over 100 hectares and was developed under the guidance of renowned botanist Alexandru Ciubotaru. It serves both as a center for botanical research and conservation and as a public park, featuring specialized zones such as a dendrarium, rose garden, rock garden, and several lakes.

May 2, 2025May 6, 2025

Etnografie și Istorie Naturală

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.

May 2, 2025May 6, 2025

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.

May 2, 2025May 6, 2025

Moldovan history

Muzeul Naţional de Istorie a Moldovei, Chișinău

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.

May 2, 2025May 6, 2025

Artă

Muzeul Național de Artà al Moldovei, Chișinău

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.

May 1, 2025May 5, 2025

Moldovan leu

The Moldovan leu is the official currency of the Republic of Moldova, introduced on November 29, 1993, following the country’s declaration of independence from the Soviet Union. Before the leu, Moldova used a temporary currency called the cupon, which replaced the Soviet ruble for a short period. The introduction of the leu marked a significant step in Moldova’s transition to a market economy and the establishment of its independent monetary policy.