Discover Moldova: Orheiul Vechi, Chișinău and Wine Regions

The Cave Monastery of Orheiul Vechi in the Butuceni cave complex is part of the cultural landscape. It comprises a church, 11 monks’ cells, a bell tower and a large stone cross. Moldovan carpet weaving also has a firm cultural connection: the traditional techniques of carpet-making in Romania and the Republic of Moldova are included on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The “Arta Rustica” cultural complex presents Moldovan carpet weaving and its history. It also demonstrates how carpets are woven. Together with the Cave Monastery, this creates a cultural focal point that places historic buildings, craftsmanship and regional forms of expression side by side.

The Orheiul Vechi Reserve offers six tourist routes for birdwatching, hiking and cycling. The paths vary in difficulty and range from 4 to 23 kilometres in length.

Birdwatching in the Orheiul Vechi cultural and natural-historical reserve focuses on five natural habitats and six birdwatching trails. Around 100 bird species breed there. Orhei National Park also offers opportunities for scientific, educational and tourist activities and promotes organic farming and ecotourism.

Another green landmark is Taul Park. It covers 49 hectares and is home to 150 species of trees, shrubs, climbing plants and flowers. Kayaking on the Răut River near Orheiul Vechi is considered an experience.

Rural guesthouses near Orheiul Vechi organise cooking workshops on traditional bread made with homemade yeast, sarmale in vine or cabbage leaves, and cherry dumplings prepared according to the Orheiul Vechi recipe. These dishes complement the landscape and cultural themes with a practical culinary perspective. They show regional cuisine not only as a meal, but also as a traditional method of preparation passed down through generations.

Chișinău provides an urban focal point. The National Museum of Fine Arts in Chișinău displays works of art from prehistory to the present day. The Chișinău Water Tower was built between 1860 and 1888.

The central market is also part of the urban landscape. It is the city’s largest open-air market; local fruit and vegetables are available there in summer.

Chișinău’s tourist trolleybus departs at weekends near the Triumphal Arch. The journey lasts one hour and conveys the city’s history, culture and urban life. The dendrological park of the Technical University of Moldova was conceived in 2004 as an open-air museum of technology and expands the urban focus with a place where technology and parkland meet.

Around Orheiul Vechi, the archaeological landscape, Cave Monastery, birdwatching, routes, kayaking and rural cooking workshops take centre stage. Chișinău brings together art, urban history, the market, a trolleybus tour and the dendrological park. The wine regions provide an additional focus if provenance and regional cuisine are particularly important to you.

For further regional orientation, you can then compare Făleşti, Soroca District, Ștefan Vodă District, Causeni, Cahul District, Hîncești District, Varniţa, Edineț District, Ungheni, Rezina, Straseni, Soldanesti, Butuceni, Anenii Noi, Budesti, Chisinau, Dubasari, Orhei District, Transnistria, Glodeni District, Ialoveni District, Leova District, Ocnița, Bender, Balti, Călărași District, Ștefan Vodă District, Sîngerei District and Drochia District compare.

When is National Wine Day held in Moldova?

National Wine Day takes place on the first weekend of October and is a celebration of Moldova’s millennia-old winemaking traditions.

What does the National Museum of Fine Arts in Chișinău display?

How many exhibition halls does the Chișinău City Museum have?

The Chișinău City Museum in the Water Tower has four permanent exhibition halls.

How old is the oldest exhibit in the Chișinău City Museum?

The oldest exhibit is a clay vessel from the 4th century AD.