PHOTO // “The Manor Houses Route” – new 24-kilometer tourist trail launched in central district of Moldova

Historic manor houses and the landscapes of the Raut River gorge can be discovered along a new tourist trail launched in Orhei district. Called “The Manor Houses Route,” the trail stretches for 24 kilometers and connects six localities, catering to hikers and cyclists.

The trail starts in Pohorniceni and passes through Piatra, Jeloboc, Furceni, Branesti  and Ivancea. Along the way, tourists can discover Mîgla Rock, the Furceni Viewpoint, the Jeloboc spring, as well as more heritage sites, including the Lazo Family Manor House in Piatra and the Balioz Manor House and Park in Ivancea.



The official launch took place at the Lazo Family Manor House in the village of Piatra and brought together representatives of the Culture Ministry, the National Tourism Office, local authorities, museum institutions and the Orheiul Vechi (Old Orhei) Cultural and Natural Reserve, as well as tourism agencies and guides and press representatives.

“In the center of Moldova, we have monuments that need to be visited and rediscovered. Through this tour, we are making use of what already exists. This micro-region is rich in tourist and gastronomic destinations; all that remains is to capitalize on them,” said Corneliu Cirimpei, State Secretary at Culture Ministry.

According to Ana Sandra, interim director of the National Tourism Office, the development of such trails aims both to promote heritage and tourist destinations.

“We plan to develop as many projects as possible to capitalize on our heritage and destinations, because the more we promote and present them to the world, the more we help local communities, as this involves the development of businesses along the route. The purpose of developing these trails is to unite the community through joint efforts to promote experiential tourism,” Ana Sandra said.





The launch agenda began with a hike from the village of Pohorniceni. Participants subsequently visited the Lazo Family Manor House, the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel Church, the former hydroelectric power plant in Piatra and the Balioz Manor House and Park in Ivancea.

“With the help of this tour, the Balioz Manor House will become more visible on the tourist map of Moldova. I hope the project will continue, that as many tourists as possible will visit this trail and learn more about our history,” said Petru Vicol, director general of the National Museum of Ethnography and Natural History.





Ion Ciobanu, director general of the Old Orhei Cultural and Natural Reserve, noted that the trail complements the area's tourism offerings.

“The Old Orhei Cultural and Natural Reserve attracts tourists from both the country and abroad. With the help of tourist routes, we can offer visitors attractions to suit every preference. These tours highlight the museums, archaeological sites and manor houses located in this area. The fact that this tour starts at the Lazo Family Manor House and ends at the Balioz Manor House does not seem accidental, because there is so much to discover along these routes,” Ion Ciobanu said.





“The Manor Houses Route” is the third trail developed by the National Tourism Office, in partnership with partners from Poland, following “The Dragon Route,” launched in 2024, and “The Charm of the Dniester,” launched in 2025.

The trail was developed by the National Tourism Office, under the aegis of the Economic Development and Digitalization Ministry, as part of the “Eko App” project for sustainable tourism in Moldova, with strategic support on behalf of the  HumanDoc Foundation and co-financing from the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Poland.