Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Republic of Moldova

Embassy of the Republic of Moldova to the Republic of Austria and the Slovak Republic

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Tourism

The Republic of Moldova is a picturesque country in Eastern Europe, between Romania and Ukraine. Its territory is easily recognizable on the map due to its similarity to a shape of a grape. If you love to return from a trip with unforgettable impressions and exciting stories to tell your friends, not just fridge magnets, then our country will surprise you and leave you deep emotions. This is what people tend to find in a new journey. All the roads to our welcoming country are open.

10 REASONS TO VISIT REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA

 

1. Wine country and underground wine cellars.

Moldova's secular traditions have always been accompanied by the culture of producing selected wines. The country's climate and landscape allow grapes to receive everything they need to enrich their taste: abundant sun and relative humidity. Wine businesses use the most advanced modern technology to prepare this product. Due to this fact, the wine production of the Republic of Moldova is in demand in over 50 countries of the world. No event is organized in Moldova if there is no such divine drink on the table. The wine culture is an indispensable part of the traditions and customs of our people. The Republic of Moldova is known in the world thanks to the famous underground cellars from Cricova and Mileștii Mici. The hundreds of kilometres of underground galleries, which can be driven through by car, will create the feeling of a huge "Kingdom of Wine". The underground world of wine cellars is equipped with tasting rooms made in a classic and modern architecture. In 2007, the Mileștii Mici wine cellar was included in the Guinness Book of Records, with the largest bottled wine collection in the world. The variety of wine production in our country generates a lively interest from foreign tourists, who are offered numerous wine routes. The most important event, which highlights and characterizes the specifics of the wine culture, is the National Wine Day, a festivity organized annually in the Republic of Moldova since 2002, on the first Saturday and Sunday of October.

2. Medieval jewellery

The medieval fortresses of Moldova played an important role in the history of the country. Fortresses were also used in the many wars that took place on the territory of Moldova. Along the right bank of the Nistru river, the country was defended by the fortresses of Hotin, Soroca, Tighina and Cetatea Albă. Currently, only two fortresses belong to the Republic of Moldova, which have been preserved in good condition and can be visited and appreciated by foreign tourists, these being the fortresses of Soroca and Tighina.

3. Interference of civilizations.

55 km north of Chișinău lies the great realm of the geological and historical past of the area – the cultural and landscape reservation "Orheiul Vechi". There are several sites that testify about the millennia of history in these lands like Dacian civilization vestiges, a Dacian fortress, the remains of the Sehr al-Cedid fortress, raised by the Golden Horde in the 14th century, the cave monasteries, the ruins of a Tatar public bath. Each of them comes from different era, with its own story and landscaping architecture. Moreover, viewed from diverse angles in different seasons, these nature monuments give us another, more original and more charming image.

4. Hospitality of the people.

For centuries Moldova has been characterized as a hospitable country. Moldovans in rural areas will consider it an honour if you enter their homes. Guests are usually invited to the "Casa Mare" - a traditional room where all family celebrations are held, while being served with the most delicious and select dishes prepared in the countryside by self-made and bio products.

5. Gastronomy and special cuisine

Traditional for the local cuisine are the dishes prepared from a variety of vegetables, grown in an eco-friendly environment, on the fertile chernozem soil of the village farms. The vegetables can be baked, stuffed, pickled or marinated, thus creating true culinary artworks. The large variety of corn and corn flour meals gives a specific flavour to traditional cuisine. It is well known by foreigners the mămăliga, which is porridge, made of corn flour, having a fine and delicious taste. Mămăliga is served with dumplings, roast meat, cheese, sour cream, etc. Sarmale is another traditional product made from vine leaves or cabbage, and is packed with cooked rice mixed with meat. In Moldovan cuisine a special role is played by meat products, especially hot dishes, but also aperitifs, many of which are cooked on a charcoal grill.

6. Historical and archaeological monuments.

Getting to know the history of a state is of interest not only to the local population but also to many foreign tourists who, through various analyses, try to counter the course of history with the development of civilizations. The territory of the Republic of Moldova, inhabited since ancient times, has been influenced by the various cultures of world civilization: from the Romanisation of Dacia to the culture of the Ottoman and Mongol empires, and last but not least, the Slavonic influence. As proof of all these influences stands the imposing number and diversity of historical and archaeological monuments and vestiges.

7. Splendid and intact nature.

Moldova is the country that hasn’t been affected by industrialization. Unpolluted air and ecological habitat will create a pleasant atmosphere of relaxation. The positive energy accumulated during your stay will help you recover, both on physically and emotionally, for a long time. Numerous nature reserves, hills and valleys with rivers and lakes, cliffs and hills covered with secular forests and vineyards will take you to a world of unique sensations.

8. Diverse folk art.

From ancient times, on the territory of Moldova have been developed various genres of folk art such as pottery, carpet weaving, wood and stone carving, artistic processing of metal, egg inlay. The passion for beauty and harmony has been reflected from ancient times not only by the embellishment of the interior of the houses, but also by the tradition of dressing the clothing, of the folk costume. Practiced in the Moldovan countryside, this custom of embroidering clothes, tablecloths and ritual fabrics still persists.

9. Traditional Holidays.

Moldova is a country rich in traditional holidays. The variety is largely based on religious culture such as Christmas, Easter, Pentecost, etc. However, besides the religious ones, there are also holidays that are specific to our folklore, which celebrate: the winter departure, spring arrival, ploughing, cherry picking, grape harvesting, etc. Holidays with cultural and touristic are becoming more and more popular and attract a large number of foreign visitors. The most important are: International Music Festival "Mărţişor", International Opera and Ballet Festival "Maria Bieșu", Wine Festival, Ethno and Music Festival "Gustar", International Festival of Folklore "Nufărul Alb", International Folklore Festival "Meşterul Manole", Traditional Folk Festival "Ia MANIA", National Festival of Traditions "Duminica Mare”, Medieval Festival, International Fair of Potter Craftsmen "La Vatra Olarului Vasile Gonciari", Bostaniada, etc.

10. Churches and monasteries with an architectural and historical value for the world.

Rich in monasteries and churches, Moldova was called in the 19th century "Southern Tebaida". The oldest monasteries are the ones from Vărzăreşti, Căpriana, Rudi, Hârbovăţ, Hârjauca, Curchi. The Moldovan cave monasteries also have a special history in the development of the civilization between the Carpathian Mountains and the Black Sea, and present some of the oldest architectural monuments from the 14th and 15th centuries. Set up in different periods, deserted and then reestablished, hermitages and monasteries are of great interest to visitors. Some of them still retain the vestiges previous to Christianity. The most famous cave monasteries are: Ţîpova, Japca, Butuceni, Saharna.

 

Visit Moldova www.turism.gov.md