Chisinau City Travel Guide Business & Tourist Travel Information
Chisinau sightseeing Chisinau attractions Chisinau history Chisinau restaurants Chisinau nightlife Chisinau accommodation hotels apartments and Chisinau weather
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Chisinau History Overview
Chisinau was originally built in 1436 as a Monastery town in the Moldovian Principality. In the 16th century it became part of the Ottoman Empire. After being occupied by Russia in 1812 it's population rose from 7,.000 to well over 100,000 in seven decades. From the mid 1830s the city grew rapidly. Whilst the old part of the city remained unaltered Russian architects added a newer city centre with a railway station. The new part of the city was more spacious with its new cathedral and bell tower it had a distinct a Regal air.
Towards the end of the century because of an increasing anti semitic culture in Poland and Russia many Jews migrated to Chisinau - in 1900 they made up 43% of the city's population. The influx sparked an antisemic riot in April 1903 with 47 Jews killed and 92 seriously injured. During the riot another 500 were slightly injured and as many Jewish homes were destroyed. At the end of WW1 and following the Russian Revolution Moldova briefly declared itself as a Independent country before becoming an autonomous state within the Kingdom of Romania. Chisinau was no longer a capital city. Over the next 20 years the city was extensively renovated.
Shortly after WW2 began, Chisinau was occupied by the Soviet Red Army. Five months later on 10th November 1940 it was severely devastated by an earthquake. Eight months later the German bombarded Chisinau before, finally capturing it on 17 July 1941. The city was destroyed and 10,000 of its Jews were taken to the outskirts of the city and shot dead. In August 1944 the Red Army attacked the Germans occupying the city. The battle lasted over five months before the Germans retreated. As a result of six years of war and the earthquake over 70% of Chisinau buildings were destroyed.
After the war Chisinau became the capital of the Russian ruled Moldavian Socialist Republic. After the war the city was extensively rebuilt incorporating architecture favoured by Stalin which his successor Khrushchev further endorsed and described as "good, cheaper and built faster". This style dominates the city today. In 1991 Chisinau became the capital of the new Moldova Republic.
Unusual web site offering more essential information than you would need on a visit to Chisinau.
The offer of an 'orientation tour' on you arrival is not only entrepreneurial but obviously a good idea as it provided by well informed guides.
Marisha .net offers visitors to Chisinau a wealth of information rural travel and travel hits and tips . as well as tourist and business support work, eg. visa applications information searches logistics, running errands buying tickets etc.
You can contact them about accommodation in Kishinev. Backpackers can can rent a spare room in their flats in Kishinev / Chisinau or Tiraspol or even rent out the whole place when they are away. For others they will recommend a suitable hotel. Well worth a visit!.
Chisinau City Guide - Business & Tourist Travel Information
Attractions And Sightseeing in Chisinau
Nearly three quarters of Chisinau was destroyed during WW2. Consequently it is a modern city with some hideous post war buildings, some attractive architecture from the past and several park areas. Many of its attractions are on the outskirts. As sightseeing in Chisinau is limited an apt place to visit is The National History Museum which gives visitors a good insight into Moldovian history. Particularly striking is the life size exhibition of the Soviet Invasion in 1945.
The Exhibition Hall has a permanent display of contemporary Art and the enclosed Galeria Brancusi offers local paintings and drawings for sale. The ultimate sightseeing opportunity is The Parachute Club next to The Festival Stage Area which hosts a variety of cultural and music events. On the western outskirts Lake Valea Morilor is a good place to chill out or hire paddle boats or canoes.
The heart of Chisinau’s city centre is dominated by The Triumph Arch. It combines a a range of Greek and Roman architectural styles with its Corinthian style columns being the most distinct. The arch houses a giant copper bell and several smaller bells suspended from the domes arch. The bells were cast by the city's Russian rulers in 1839 to commemorate their recent defeat of the Turks. The metal used in their casting was par of the victory.
Since Moldava has become an independent country, when the bells chime, the indigenous population have mixed feelings about the tones. Some feel that they are no longer appropriate whilst others feel that the reminder of the Russian occupation of Moldova should not be forgotten especially by future Moldovans.
The Moldovan National Ballet & National Opera The National Ballet * National Opera companies of Moldova share a very impressive Theatre on the main road in Central Chisinau. The theatre was built during Soviet rule and was not surprisingly furnished with the equipment and facilities needed to present such productions. Since the fall of communism these companies have put themselves in the foreground of Eastern Europe Ballet& Opera. Website
Crime and Personal Safety & Security In Chisinau
Pick pocket and bag snatches may occur in crowded areas. As some streets are very badly lit carrying a torch is helpful
See Also Moldova's Web Of Vineyards
Close to Chisinau
Just outside Chisinau at the village of Ivancea is The Museum Of Moldovan Handicrafts which an be found in the very beautiful 19th century Balioz Manor. Also worth visiting at the village of Branesti is The Pivnitele din Branesti a vineyard offering wine tasting.
Particularly interesting is is The Museum of Orheivl Vechi situated 60KM from Chisinau, deep in the Raut River Valley. This open air museum in an area of the same name contains fascinating historic ruins including a cave monastery some of which date back to 300BC.
This unique exhibition includes the physical remains of several settlements that lived around the Nistru and Prut rivers. The caves on the hillside contain evidence of the earliest settlements whilst on the top of the cliff the ruins of a fortress dated about 300BC can be found.
On the other side of the river below are the ruins of the of the "New town" Sheihr-of Gedid built between the 8th and 9th centuries AD and thought by some to be a 'Tartar' capital when they migrated into Europe. There are other ruins including the Orhei Fortress and the St Maria Monastery.
The Old Orhei museum complex is open daily from 0900 to 1800, Tuesday to Sunday. Entrance fees include local local guides. For more info telephone: (373-2) 226037.
Restaurants In Chisinau
Considering that Chisinau is a small city it is surprising how many restaurants there actually are. Many of them are aimed at the corporate market. The most impressive of these is The Caberet Plusshow at 6 Stefan cel Mare Ave serving a wide range of Moldovan, European and Turkish dishes with live music and dancing from 5pm - 10pm every night.
The Curtea Vinatorolui at 16 Decebal Blvd also offers a wide range of European and local dishes and innovatively a small zoo for children who get bored listening to adults. The Gambrinus at 4 Negruzzi Avenue serves authentic Bavarian dishes from historic recipes as a few Italian and French meals. There is live music nightly at 9pm and a choice of 50 wines and over 20 beers.
| Chisinau Night Life - Nightclubs Music Dance |
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The one striking thing about clubs in Chisinau is their capacity to play completely different music from one night to the next. This is coupled with the fact that the clubs often put on shows which may be cabaret based one night followed by various would be erotic shows the next. Visitors to any club should are advised to find out that nights 'feature' before entering. The most popular club in Chisinau is the Soho Club ( Negruzzi Bd. 2 Telephone: +3732 275999) which is a very well publicised an ultra modern western style club. It appeals to a young clubbers who don't mind the long queues to get in. The Black Elephant ( Strada G. Banulescu Bodoni Telephone: tel. 23 47 15 ) is a venue at which local and international bands perform. The repertoire includes rock, underground underpinned with jazz and folk sessions. Small but really friendly atmosphere. The Millennium Club ( 99, Decebal st. Botanica ) is a very contemporary dance club which you can find in any European city - but more friendly than many! The La Victor ( 55, Eminescu st. in the town centre ) is a club with a cabaret / live bias with a very good reputation that rarely gets going before midnight. Star Trek (Str. Kiev 7 ) specialising in thematic nights - see the link above. |
| Accommodation In Chisinau Hotels & Apartments etc |
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please see accommodation advice > |
