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HOME :: TOURS and EXCURSIONS :: Famous monasteries of Moldova
Holy sanctuaries were the places where, in ancient times, the first chronicles of our life were written. Since medieval times Moldova's Orthodox churches have been carved out of cliffs rising above rivers or constructed of wood or stone in the Codri forests, serving local people as a refuge in which to pray or as fortresses against invading enemies.
In the rocky hills above the Nistru and Prut rivers are many cave monasteries. According to some records these cave monasteries already existed before the ÕII-th century as functioning monastic communities. Orheuil Vechi boasts an ancient cave monastery, which is still in use, with about a hundred monastic cells excavated from the stone. The only monastery not closed during the Soviet regime is located in Japca.
Over many centuries a range of holy Orthodox buildings were constructed in wood. The architecture of these churches resembles either typical Moldovan houses of the period or follows the new Byzantine style. There are examples in about 30 localities.
Stone Orthodox Churches could be found in most Moldovan villages and towns. Architectural styles vary from peasant house and old Moldovan styles to new Byzantine and National Romantic.
 | | ÒOUR TO «ORHEIUL VECHI»
(outdoor museum complex): the panoram of the first vestiges of human Establishments (40 thousand years BC); Old Orhei exhibition center, cave-monastery; citadel Geto-Dacian (sec. III-IV BC) ; Medieval church; traditional peasant household (sec.XIX-XVIII), etc.
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 | | CURCHI Monastery
The monastic complex Curchi, is located in one of the most scenic areas in the center of Moldova, in the neighborhood of the village Buzesti.
According to a legend, the monastery was founded in 1765(or from other sources, in 1765) by Jordan Curchi, local inhabitant, who escaped from Tatar invasion with his brother Michael and the family of Buzesti priest.
When Jordan Curchi decided to come back to his places, the widow of the priest persuaded him to take her children along. Curchi failed to guard them against Tatars and several years later, being racked by remorse, he founded a monastery at the place where he left the orphans.
The ensemble of the monastery consists of two churches: summer St. Dmitry Church, built on Jordan Curchi's money, and winter Blessed Virgin Birth Church, built later, at the beginning of the 19 th century.
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 | | CAPRIANA Monastery
(the monks monastery)(founded in 1429) - one of the most ancient and beautiful monuments in Moldova, is in a picturesque area of forest, 40 km north-west of Chisinau.
It was long time the residence of the bishop of Moldova, was founded by rulers, among them, Stefan cel Mare, have lived here Eftimie chronicler and one of the first poets of Moldova - Chiprian. |
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HINCU Monastery
Established in 1678 to Cogilnic river springs in the Codri area, the great Michael Stolnic Hincu founded on the desire of his daughter the Monastery "Hincu", the nuns where she was a nun under the name Parascheva. Here is a small piece of relics Cuvioasei Parascheva.
It is considered one of the most visited monasteries in Bessarabia, which was approx. 55 km west of Chisinau. Around the monastery are many springs, one of which is heavily mineralized. |
 | | Japca Monastery
The Japca area (160 km north the Chisinau) is very well known for its convent of nuns, the only one to remain open during the Soviet period. In XVIIth c. the convent community was similar to a fortress.
The first recorded date of the hermitage goes back to 1693, when the monks lived in the inside cells and held religious services in the church, which was also inside caves.
In 1770 the monks moved out to the current monastery. It was a period of a new construction style and increasing wealth. A rich library was founded too. At the beginning of the XIXth c. stone churches were built as well. The most important church of the convent was frequently rebuilt, thus now having three altars: Resurrection, Transfiguration, Crucifixion. Visitors are very impressed by the traditions that still prevail within the community. The convent can be daily visited.
Other interesting sightseeing opportunities include the Geo-paleonthological monument "Japca Rock", a mineral water spring, Rascov landscape nature reserve and palaeolithic sites at Socola and Rascov. In Camenca town is the "Nistru" sanatorium.
Next to the interesting sightseeing of this place there is the Geo-paleonthological monument "Japca Rock", a mineral water spring, landscape reservoir Rascov and paleolitical stations at Socola and Rascov. In Camenca town sanatorium "Nistru" is functioning. |
There are more than 30 monasteries between the Prut and Nistru, mostly lying along these rivers or in the Codrii forests. Each monastery is located in a remote and beautiful location – its own paradise on earth. The first documentary records refer to Capriana and Varzaresti and go back to 1420, although it is known the cave monasteries operated much earlier. In medieval times monasteries served as fortresses against successive invaders. Many splendid legends speak about these holy places and they also preserve many relics from the Middle Ages.
Thise for long time have been attractive for both pilgrims and tourists.
Visitors to these monasteries will be fascinated by the monastic lifestyle and by the traditional cuisine, with its wide variety of recipes and drinks enjoyed by the monks and nuns.
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 Purcari, 4*
Moldova, Stefan-Voda
8 deluxe rooms, from wich: DBL, SNGL and if necesary ExB. |
|  Capriana monastery
Moldova
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|  WINE TOUR «COJUSNA»
Moldova
Cojusna winery was founded in 1908. Wine cellar possesses with 2 wine tasting rooms: "Stone Hall", decorated Gothic style and "European White Hall". |
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