When you’re planning a trip to Moldova, there are a few things that you’ll want to keep in mind. For example, you’ll probably want to dress in a conservative way, since women in Moldova are traditionally treated with chivalry. It’s not uncommon for male Moldovans to pay your restaurant bill or open doors for you, or to help you carry objects. It’s also important to respect the local culture and customs, which are often very different from the norm in other countries.
Soroca Fortress
Soroca is located in northern Moldova on the right bank of the Nistru River. Although it’s not the most popular attraction in the country, you shouldn’t miss this medieval fortress. It’s one of the few medieval buildings that still maintains its original look. It’s about 3 hours away from Chisinau.
Soroca Fortress is the only remaining medieval monument in Moldova, and is a must-see for anyone who loves medieval architecture. Originally built by the Moldovan prince Stephen the Great in 1499, the fortress still stands today as one of the most impressive examples of defensive construction architecture. The imposing, massive fortress features five smaller towers and a massive, soaring tower that was used as a defense. The fortress is home to a number of fascinating medieval exhibits and is sure to delight visitors.
In the fifteenth century, Soroca became a part of the defensive system along the Dniestr River, and it became part of a real defence belt in the east. The fortress is perfect in shape, and the towers are spread across the circular wall. The main tower has three levels, including a chapel and observation platform. Soroca is also known as the “Gypsy capital” of Moldova, and it is home to the largest community of Gypsies in the country.
The Fortress is located in a small village in the Moldovan countryside, which means that it’s a great place for a day trip or a weekend getaway. The area is beautiful and has lots to offer. The local culture and scenery is pure bliss. The country’s traditional architecture is stunning, and the blue houses are especially stunning. Moldovans are very proud of their facade, and many of the houses are decorated with fantastic animals from folklore or sacred images.
Old Orhei Archaeological Complex
If you’re looking for a place to visit in Moldova, you’ll want to visit the Old Orhei Archaeological Complex. It’s located in Trebujeni, a picturesque valley north of the capital, and is one of the country’s top tourist destinations. The area features ancient monuments from a variety of eras, from the Bronze Age to the early Middle Ages. The complex contains a plethora of interesting artifacts, and it’s well worth a visit.
The Old Orhei Archaeological Complex covers 220 hectares of untamed river valley. Its highlights include ancient Dacian fortifications, medieval earthworks, Turkish wash houses, caves dug into the soft limestone rock, and Orthodox monasteries. There’s also an ethnographic museum in nearby Butuceni.
The exhibition centre offers basic rooms, but you can also stay in the nearby town of Butuceni. You can take marshrutky from the Central Bus Station to Butuceni, which takes about an hour. Alternatively, you can take a taxi to the complex for about EUR40. Another option is to combine your trip with a tour of the historic city of Orhei.
You can also visit the Curchi Monastery, one of the most important monuments in moldavian architecture. Located 55 km southeast of Chisinau, the monastery is the most important place of worship in the Bessarabian region. It is surrounded by nature and white and red walls.
The bus network in Moldova is excellent and there are many routes to Orhei. Take route M2 or R20 or R23 to get there. However, there are no direct water routes to Orhei.
Gagauzia Turkic ethnic group
The Gagauzia Turkic ethnic group of Moldova is part of the country’s ethnic mix, and is an ethnic minority with close ties to Russia. Since the breakup of the Soviet Union, the Gagauzi have leaned heavily toward the Russian side, although Moldovans granted them broad autonomy within the country. Despite this, they have long expressed concerns about Moldova’s European orientation. The Moldovan Parliament passed legislation in 1994 that allowed the Gagauzis to claim their own autonomous region within the country.
The Soviet Union annexation of Bessarabia in 1940 divided the Gagauzia region between the Moldavian and Ukrainian SSRs. Today, the Gagauzia population is found primarily in the poorest regions of Moldova. During Soviet rule, the Gagauz were subjected to Russification. Beginning in the late 1950s, the Gagauzia adopted the Cyrillic script, and the Russian language was taught in schools. Today, 73 per cent of the Gagauzia people consider Russian their second language. As a result, most of the political elite speak Russian.
The Gagauz are members of the Orthodox Church. Although they are a Turkic ethnic group, their ancestors practiced Tengrism, the ancient religion of Turkic and Mongolian peoples. Today, they share their Orthodox faith with other people of the former USSR, including the Moldovans and Russians.
After the fall of the USSR, Turkey made a modest push to establish a foothold in the region. It has since made investments in Gagauzia and the newly freed Turkic-speaking world of Central Asia. Still, Moldovans have reservations about the prospect of Turkey prioritising its relations with the region.
Paying by card and ATM in Moldova
In Moldova, you can use a credit card or an ATM to pay for your purchases. However, MasterCard is not accepted at this time. Payments made by credit card are usually processed within two to three days. After you make the transaction, your money will be converted to Moldovan Lei using the commercial exchange rate, which is different from the official exchange rate. Therefore, the amount you withdraw from your card account may differ from the amount you ordered by up to 0.3%.
The Moldovan leu (MDL) is the legal tender in retail and service sectors. However, foreign currency transactions are allowed under the country’s foreign exchange regulations. In some cases, you will need to present proof of export approval. Failure to provide this documentation will result in heavy fines. The currency in Moldova is the Moldovan leu (MDL). Most transactions are done in cash and ATMs are available in Chisinau.
Moldindconbank offers cardless cash withdrawals at more than 170 ATMs. The technology is transparent and secure. It is also convenient. With over 170 ATMs, you can withdraw cash at any time. Make sure you know how much money you need and what currency you want to transfer.
When traveling to Moldova, it’s important to keep your travel health kit at hand. This is especially important if you plan to travel away from major cities. It’s also important to check the entry requirements, especially if you plan to spend a lot of time in the country.
Penalties for photography in Moldova
When you travel to Moldova, you should be aware of the laws about photography. For example, it is against the law to take photos of government buildings and military facilities. Also, you should avoid taking pictures of public buildings and airports. If caught, you could face detention and hefty fines. However, you can still take pictures of anything else in the country if you follow the rules. You should also be aware of the penalties for possessing illegal drugs, as you could face long prison sentences.
A film director in Moldova named Victor Galusca recently discovered 4,000 negatives documenting village life during the 1950s and 1970s. He discovered the photos as part of his final film project at the main film institute in the country. The film student found the negatives in a deserted house in the northern village of Rosietici.
It is also prohibited to take pictures of military installations, checkpoints, and government buildings in Moldova. If you get caught, you may be detained for up to six months or face a heavy fine. Likewise, while homosexuality is not illegal in Moldova, attitudes towards the LGBT community are not, making public displays of affection inappropriate.
Traveling to Moldova can be tricky if you are unfamiliar with the laws. Be prepared for some confusion and frustration along the way. Despite its poor reputation, the country is still worth a visit. The country has beautiful landscapes and is relatively undeveloped. Its inexpensive flights from Western Europe make it an increasingly popular destination for tourists.
While you are traveling to Moldova, be aware that the country has an armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine. While the two countries are not directly at war, the Transnistria region in eastern Moldova is not under Moldovan control. Moreover, the security situation in the region is unstable and unpredictable. In late April 2022, several explosions occurred in Transnistria. If you plan on traveling to Transnistria, be prepared for long delays and checkpoints.
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