Two wineries of Moldova included in UNESCO's indicative list

The underground wineries of Moldova (Cricova and Milestii Mici) have been included in the Indicative List of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

According to the Culture Ministry, the decision represents an important step for the recognition of the outstanding universal value of the underground wineries from Moldova. Thus, the two objects of the national heritage stakes on claiming its place in the UNESCO World Heritage List, representing unique evidence of a cultural tradition (category III), as it provides an exceptional example of an architectural , technological ensemble or landscape, which shows a significant stage in the history of the mankind (IV) and is a remarkable example of traditional human settlement, of use of representative ground for culture and man’s interaction with the environment (V).

„ Moldova is proud of a rich and diverse cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible, of the production and conservation of wine as one of its most notable aspects. The topographic and climate conditions of Moldova have been ideal for the cultivation of vine from the times immemorial. Taking into account the spreading of the underground wineries, the innovating organization and depositing of wine, as well as the unique promotion of the vine growing, Cricova and Milestii Mici became the most significant and attractive heritage sites of Moldova. These wineries represent an exceptional example of industrial heritage adapted to wine-making and tourism, making them worth being nominated in the World Heritage List. Cricova and Milestii-Mici represent a unique transformation and adaptation of the industrial heritage, creating the most extended underground wine galleries in the world and the most complete collection of wine bottles globally,’’ reads the presentation of the two wineries in the list.

Moldova is represented on the UNESCO World Heritage List by a single site - Struve Geodesic Arc. This is a cross-border site, placed in the territory of ten states: Norway, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia Lithuania, Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and Moldova.