Moldova is an independent republic located in the south of Europe. On the one hand, it borders with Romania, and on the other, with Ukraine. The population of the country is around 3 million people. According to this indicator, Moldova ranks 118th in the world.
Subtleties of the region
Description of Moldova is best to start with its capital. It is the city of Chisinau in any sense that is the heart of this sunny country. Moldavian is considered the official language, however, Romanian is constitutionally acting on the territory of the republic.
The main authorities are the President and Parliament. The territorial unitary state is conditionally divided into 32 districts, 5 municipalities and 2 autonomous entities. The largest cities of Moldova, in addition to the capital: Balti, Magpies, Tiraspol, Orhei and Bender. Most of the population professes Orthodoxy.
Moldova is not a very rich country. Its annual GDP is just over $ 7.5 billion. On the territory of the republic, the main monetary currency is Moldovan Leu.
It is interesting that the country became independent on political grounds only in August 1991, after the collapse of the USSR.
Geographic Benefits
Moldova on the map is located just west of the Black Sea. It does not have a common border with the water area. The territory has a second time zone. The largest and most famous rivers are the Dniester and the Prut. It is worth noting that Moldova has an extended exit to the Danube.
The total area of the republic is about 33.7 thousand square meters. km Extreme geographical points are considered such villages as Naslavcha, Giurgiulesti, Palanca and Kriva. There are practically no highlands in the region, with the exception of insignificant massifs and ridges. But in the ground there are many minerals: clay, sand, limestone, gravel, gypsum.
The climate here is continental, temperate. In winter, the average temperature is -10 degrees, in the summer - from +22 to +25. Precipitation is rare, so their annual level varies in the range from 380 to 500 mm.
Most of the territory is occupied by villages, villages, plowed fields and forests. The cities of Moldova are evenly dispersed throughout the region.
Historical heritage
Until the 14th century, tribes such as the Goths, Dacians, and Antes lived on the territory of modern Moldova. Then state entities began to appear, for example, the Galician and Old Russian principalities, the Golden Horde. From the end of the 16th century, the Ottoman Empire took control of the region.
In 1711, the great ruler of Moldova,
Dmitry Kantemir, swore allegiance to the Russian throne. Soon, he became close to Peter I. At that time, Moldova on the map of the Russian Empire only covered a small fraction, but it was extremely important from the point of view of military strategy. That is why the Turkish khans repeatedly captured her. Nevertheless, the Russian army was able to conquer the area back after each enemy attack.
The republic entered the Soviet Union as an autonomous MSSR.
Travel destinations
Oddly enough, but all the attractions of Moldova come down to historical heritage and winemaking. The tourism industry in the country is practically undeveloped. However, anyone who wishes to come to Moldova can check into a hotel without any problems for a little money and book any kind of excursion for himself. On the other hand, you can go around the whole region by your own transport in a couple of days by visiting all the most interesting places and places.
Of course, the main asset of the republic, which glorifies it throughout Europe, is winemaking. Even the most sophisticated taster must at least once in his life visit the famous cellars in Small Milesti and Cricova.
However, the sights of Moldova do not end with wines. In the country there are a huge number of large and significant monuments and memorials. Each city and village has its own historical monuments. The most notable are the monuments to Stefan cel Mare, victims of repression, Lenin, Kalinin, Kotovsky, Karl Marx, Pushkin, Komsomol heroes, Dzerzhinsky, etc. It will not be superfluous to visit the memorial complex called Eternitate. The monument of Nizami Ganjavi is also popular with tourists . This monument was erected by the Azerbaijani sculptor A. Askerov in honor of the cult Persian classic.
The main wineries of the country
In Moldova there are several factories and cellars where the sparkling drink of the gods is produced in compliance with all norms and old traditions. However, the main winery of the country is considered to be the city of Cricova. It is located near Chisinau and is part of the municipality of Riscani.
Here, Moldavian brand wines began to be produced since the end of the 16th century. The legendary Cricova cellars are located under the city. They stretch for many kilometers, keeping hundreds of collections of wines in their walls. Such drinks cannot be tasted anywhere else in the world. All wines are squeezed only from berries growing in the country. Combine "Cricova" also produces vintage champagne drinks.
The cellars of the city keep the optimum temperature for
collection wines +12 degrees with a humidity of 97%. The total length of the complex is about 120 km.
History of the fortress
This building represents the unique historical heritage of Moldova. Soroca fortress was built in the 14th century. Her task was to establish control over the Dniester River and the surrounding territory. Based in the city of Soroca, which is a two-hour drive from Chisinau.
The fortress is made in a typical medieval style of defense architecture. In 1543, thanks to the nobles of Transylvania, work was carried out to strengthen the main walls of the complex. Until that moment, the Soroka fortress consisted of several towers and wooden fences. On the territory of the historical monument, artifacts of the ancient colony of Olkhoniy and Tripoli culture were repeatedly found.
The complex has an oval shape. It consists of 5 towers, one of which is a panoramic over the main entrance. The walls rise 21 meters. Their thickness varies within 3 m. It is worth noting that the foundation of the fortress is 7 m in depth. The complex itself is small - 30.5 meters in diameter, but it does not cease to amaze with its majesty and massiveness.
Museum "Old Orhei"
Almost to the east of the capital are almost the main historical sights of Moldova. First of all, it is the antique architectural complex "Old Orhei". It is a kind of museum from the remains of the settlements of ancient civilizations in the open.
The complex is located in a gorge with a depth of 200 meters. The age of the caves dates back hundreds of millennia. This is evidenced by the remains of the first people.
Today in the “Old Orhei” a favorite place for tourists is a 12th-century male rock monastery. The territory of the museum occupies almost 1 square. km
Bendery fortress
This architectural monument has been located on the Dniester since the mid 16th century. The construction of a fortress in Bendery began in 1538 according to the instructions of the Ottoman emperor.
During the Russian-Turkish war from the 18th to the 19th century, the complex was repeatedly taken by the Russian army. The most significant and final victory was marked in 1789. Then, under the leadership of A. Suvorov, the Russian army dealt a crushing blow to the Turks on the Dniester.
Currently, the complex is the military unit and the Orthodox Church of Alexander Nevsky. In addition, the Museum of Medieval
Instruments of Torture at the Bendery Fortress is also included in the sights of Moldova. Here are collected exhibits such as the Iron Lady, the
cradle of Judah, the knee-crusher, the interrogation chair, the piercing goats, etc.
Monastery "Holy Trinity"
Built about 200 years ago in the village of Saharna. According to legend, here on a rock the old hermit monk saw the image of the Mother of God, who turned to him with the instruction to erect a chapel in this place. Later, the monastery of the Holy Trinity was founded in Saharna.
The local nature is picturesque, detached. Thousands of Orthodox people and pilgrims from all over the country come here every year. The monastery is also popular among foreign tourists.
The complex is striking in its grandeur. It covers an area of 650 hectares. In the monastery are the relics of the great martyr Makarios and the trace of the Mother of God. Nearby is a holy spring.
Kitskansky monastery
This Ascension-Nyametsky shrine is an hour's drive from Chisinau. Kitskansky monastery is purely masculine. It belongs to the Orthodox Church as part of the Moldavian Metropolis.
The complex consists of 4 temples: Ascension, Assumption, Nikolsky and Vozdvizhensky. Oak alleys with novice figures carved on tree trunks lead to each cathedral. The Orthodox complex has its own hotel for pilgrims, its own library with ancient scriptures, a large museum, an icon painting workshop and a full-fledged printing house.
Interestingly, the bell tower of the Kitskansky monastery is considered the highest point of the republic.
Holy complex in Tsypovo
The local Orthodox prayer was founded in 1746. Thanks to her, the small village of Tsypovo became famous far beyond the borders of Moldova. The monastery is located near the Dniester. It is a historical rock complex, in which medieval monks still lived one and a half millennia ago. It is noteworthy that this monastery is one of the ten largest rock shrines in Europe. To this day, about 20 spacious cells and 3 sheer levels with balconies have been preserved.
The reserve and Tsypovo waterfalls are also famous sights of Moldova. The nature here admires the unique beauty. It is worth noting that it is in Tsypovo the largest waterfalls in the country.
Opera and Ballet Theatre
This is the primary cultural heritage of the country. The National Opera and Ballet Theater of the Republic of Moldova is based in Chisinau. Its founder is the famous artist Maria Biesu. The foundation stone was laid in 1955.
The debut production of the theater was the performance of Gershfeld called "Grozovan." The first ballet was staged in 1957 by the master of his craft Astafyev - “The Bakhchisarai Fountain”. Since then, the National Theater annually gathers in its walls tens of thousands of classic lovers. Troupe and directors from all over the world come here. Local actors have repeatedly toured Romania, Bulgaria and many other European countries.
Every year, the Chisinau Opera and Ballet Theater hosts international festivals in honor of Maria Biesu.