Culture of Chisinau. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces

The most interesting place for visitors is historic district, as all major attractions and sightseeing objects are here. Chisinau’s important symbol is the Organ Hall located next to the largest and most beautiful square of the city. Great National Assembly Square has been completely renovated recently, and today it is the site of all major public events and holidays. At the heart of the historic district Victory square is located, the main decoration of which is an exquisite arch. This beautiful monument was opened in 1840; it is dedicated to the great commander Mikhail Kutuzov.

Close to the Victory Square is a cozy park, which is a great place for hiking. It also hosts an important religious landmark, the cathedral. Its construction was completed in the mid-19th century. Today, a part of the old cathedral is converted into a museum and houses a collection of local artists’ works. In Chisinau a huge number of religious monuments of different ages exist. Among them, the most notable are Mazarachi Church, the Assumption of the Virgin Church, Riscani Church and Church of the Annunciation. Generally, city has more than twenty ancient religious sites.

Despite of the fact that churches and cathedrals were built in different times, all structures have some distinctive features in common. Churches have arches typical for Moldovan buildings and threefold plan, which was common in the late Middle Ages. The Victory Square is a monument to Stefan the Great - the national hero, who has been the embodiment of strength and courage of local residents for many years. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Travelers who don’t even imagine the rest without visiting interesting museums are recommended to see the house-museum of Alexander Pushkin. In the tiny house an interesting collection of artifacts that depict the life and work of the great writer is represented. Another monument to the literary genius is in Central Park of Chisinau. In 1885 it hosted the opening of the monument to Pushkin. The beautiful bronze bust remains one of the most famous monuments of the city. During a walk through the park visitors can see another interesting attraction - Alley of Classics. It is a series of pedestals on which busts of the great Moldavian writers are mounted.

Among museums that would be of interesting to travelers, first and foremost, it's worth highlighting the Muzeul Naţional de Etnografie şi Istorie Naturală. Among its exhibits are national costumes of local people, their household items, and fossils found on the territory of the country. Here you can get acquainted with the history of Moldova through an extensive exposition. However, to learn some facts from the history of the state, one can visit another museum with a no less impressive collection. This is the Muzeul Na deional de Istorie a Moldovei, many of whose exhibits date back to centuries BC. The Muzeul Militar tells a different history of Moldova - related to the country's participation in wars (in the war of independence, the military conflict in Transnistria, the history of repression during the Soviet era).

An interesting monument is the Jewish cemetery (Cimitirul Evreiesc). Spending time here can be an alternative to walking in the park since this place breathes pacification and tranquility, and picturesque expanses give the cemetery a special charm. Here there is a large number of ancient graves, which can be safely attributed to cultural monuments. As recently as a hundred years ago, a synagogue was located near the cemetery. Unfortunately, it was destroyed during the Kishinev pogrom that occurred in 1903. Locals residents, even though they don’t remember what happened at that time, will not allow this to happen again - a synagogue and a memorial erected in memory of the victims serve as an important lesson to prevent the national tragedy from being repeated.

It is worth noting that many beautiful sculptures are located throughout the Moldovan capital. Tourists arriving in Chisinau are happy to examine every detail of the monuments. "Sculpture of lovers", "Sculpture of skateboarders" are among the most interesting examples. Besides the memorial erected at the Jewish cemetery, the city has memorials in honor of those who lost their lives during the Afghan War, the Monument to the Heroes-Komsomol, as well as the Memorial to Victims of Stalinist Repression. Here one can also find memorials erected in honor of solemn events - for example, Eternity Memorial Complex erected in honor of Soviet soldiers who died defeating German-Romanian troops in the Second World War. It is located not far from Cimitirul Central din Chișinău - another quiet and peaceful place for walking.

Walking around the capital of Moldova in search of sculptures, one would probably need some rest in one of the parks. And there is no better place for that than Parcul Valea Trandafirilor. That's because here is the brightest place in Chisinau called “Colorful Alley” decorated with dozens of lights shining like stars in the night sky. Many travelers begin their acquaintance with the city with Stația Gara Feroviara once they get off the train. It is worth noting that the station building deserves more than a cursory glance, attracting tourists with nothing but its architecture. Apart from that, the functionality of the train station should be noted.

The Parlamentul Republicii Moldova built in Soviet times and reminiscent of the typical architecture of that time is also worth a visit. Despite some dislike of residents for that time that triggers not so bright associations, the building itself is certainly worth exploring by connoisseurs of architectural art - it really deserves it. Just like Primaria Chisinau designed and built in neoclassical style by the architect Aleksander Bernadazzi in 1901. The building is attractive with its magnificent facade - nobody will be able to miss this one among hundreds of other buildings in the Moldovan capital.