Orheiul Vechi: landscape and a long history

Orheiul Vechi can be experienced through its distinctive combination of river scenery and archaeological traces. The archaeological landscape lies in the central-eastern part of Moldova, along the gorge of the lower reaches of the Răut River. High, rocky banks frame remains dating from around 30,000 BC to 1800 AD. This span of time thus ranges from very early evidence to the modern era; the rocky banks and archaeological remains together define the character of this landscape.

The Orheiul Vechi reserve offers six tourist routes for birdwatching, hiking and cycling. They vary in length and difficulty, ranging from 4 to 23 kilometres. Check the condition of the trails and the signage before your trip. There are also six birdwatching trails in five natural habitats. About 100 bird species breed in the area; sightings vary by season. The tourist routes and birdwatching trails thus offer two distinct ways to experience the reserve.

In the Butuceni cave complex, the cave monastery comprises a church, eleven monks’ cells, a bell tower and a large stone cross. Orhei National Park offers opportunities for scientific, educational and tourist activities, and promotes organic farming and ecotourism. Archaeological heritage, landscape and nature-related themes are therefore among the different ways to experience Moldova.

Carpet-making traditions and cuisine

Traditional carpet-making techniques in Romania and the Republic of Moldova are inscribed 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. Programmes and visiting arrangements may change.

A practical complement to the carpet-making tradition is the cooking workshops held at rural guesthouses near Orheiul Vechi. They take place on request, and the participating guesthouses may vary. The workshops cover traditional bread made with homemade yeast, sarmale in grape or cabbage leaves, and cherry dumplings prepared according to the Orheiul Vechi recipe. If you are interested, check the arrangements and whether a guesthouse is currently participating in advance.

Wine traditions in Moldova

Moldova has four wine regions with protected geographical indications: Codru, Ștefan Vodă, Valul lui Traian and Divin. All four geographical indications are protected both in the Republic of Moldova and in the EU. National Wine Day takes place on the first weekend of October and celebrates Moldova’s millennia-old winemaking traditions. If the festival fits your travel plans, check the specific dates and programme details in advance.

Chișinău: city museum and market

In Chișinău, the Water Tower also tells the story of the city: it was built between 1860 and 1888 and houses the Chișinău City Museum. The museum has four permanent exhibition halls; its oldest exhibit is a clay vessel from the 4th century AD. The National Museum of Fine Arts offers a different sweep through time, with artworks ranging from prehistory to the present day.

For a glimpse of everyday city life, visit the Central Market, the city’s largest open-air market. Local fruit and vegetables are available there in summer; offerings and operating conditions may change. The museum collections, historic Water Tower and seasonal market thus differ considerably in the facets of Chișinău they bring into focus.

Another natural highlight

Taul Park covers 49 hectares and is home to 150 species of trees, shrubs, climbing plants and flowers. Its size and the variety of plant species listed give a concrete sense of the park without reducing it to a single nature motif.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Leova District, Chișinău, Dubăsari, Orhei District, Transnistria, Glodeni District, Fălești, Soroca District, Ștefan Vodă District, Căușeni, Cahul District, Hîncești District, Varnița, Edineț District, Ungheni, Strășeni, Rezina, Șoldănești, Ialoveni District, Butuceni, Ocnița, Bender, Bălți, Călărași District, Ștefan Vodă District, Sîngerei District, Drochia District, Anenii Noi, Budești.