Travel expert
Read about the city
Chişinău is the capital of the Republic of Moldova and with approximately 600,000 the largest city in the country. The city was founded in 1438 as a monastic town, and in the 16th century it became part of the Ottoman Empire as the rest of the Moldovan territory. In 1812 it became part of Tsarist Russia.
A large-scale city plan was launched in 1834, and work on wide boulevards, churches and other public buildings was commissioned. After the Russian Revolution in 1917, the Moldovan territory seceded from Russia and from 1918 became part of the Kingdom of Romania.
Today there are many sights; both those from Chisinau's Soviet era, 19th century churches, museums and some of the parks that make the Moldovan capital a green city. Everything is also within easy walking distance, so you can walk around and enjoy the city and its sights.
There are also good excursion options from Chişinău. If you are interested in seeing cities in other countries and areas, Tiraspol in Transnistria, Odessa in Ukraine and Iași in Romania are obvious places to visit. There are fine sights everywhere. You can also take a closer look at the country's wine production and colossal wine cellars.
Other attractions
- Ștefan cel Mare Park/Parcul Ștefan cel Mare: This beautifully landscaped park with its fountains and avenues was established in 1818. Here you can meet the people of the Moldovan capital, who often use the green oasis for walks and relaxation.
- Chișinău Triumphal Arch/Arcul de Triumf din Chișinău: This arch was erected 1840-1841 to commemorate Russia's victory over the Ottoman Empire in the Russo-Turkish War of 1828-1829. The height of the arch is 13 meters/41 feet and it is centrally located in the city next to Chisinau Cathedral.
- The Capitoline Wolf/Lupa Capitolina: This is one of Chişinău's famous monuments. It is one of the five wolves that Italy gifted to Romania in the early 1900s. The wolves were lined up in five Romanian cities, and Chişinău was Romanian at the time.
- Moldova National Opera and Ballet/Teatrul Naţional de Operă şi Ballet: The Chişinău Opera is one of the leading in the region. The institution was established in the 1940s, while the professional opera was started here in 1957.
- National Museum of Art/Muzeul Național de Artă: This art museum was founded in 1939 when the sculptor Alexandru Plămădeală selected 160 Bessarabian and Romanian works for a collection. Since then, several works have been added to the museum, designed by the architect Alexander Bernardazzi.
- National Library of the Republic of Moldova/Biblioteca Naţională a Republicii Moldova: The National Library of Chişinău is housed in a fine neoclassical building. The library history of the city dates back to 1832 and has developed into today's library. You can see a statue of the Moldovan poet Vasile Alecsandri in front of the building.
- Government Building/Casa Guvernului: This building was erected in 1964 as one of the major buildings in the then Moldovan Soviet Republic. The house was also the seat of the Council of Ministers of Moldova's SSR. In the past, the city's statue of Lenin stood in front of the building.
- The Parliament Building/Clădirea Parlamentului: In the years 1976-1979, the present Moldovan Parliament was built as the meeting place of the Central Committee of the Soviet Republic of Moldova. After the independence of the country, the large building became the seat of the parliament of the Republic of Moldova.
- Monument to the Komsomol Leninist Heroes/Monumentul Eroilor Comsomolului Leninist: This monument stands in the middle of the great Grigore Vieru Boulevard. The monument was erected for the Komsomol of the Soviet Union in 1959. Today it is one of the preserved monuments from the communist era in Chişinău.
- Chişinău Railway Station/Gara Chișinău: This railway station in Chişinău is a beautiful construction that was opened in 1871. From here there are train connections to Romania, Ukraine, Russia and other countries. You can also take a train from here to Tiraspol in Transnistria.
