Discover Moldova with #MOLDPRES: Stoianovca from Cantemir district - corner of Bulgarian authenticity, new emerging gastro-tourist route

The village of Stoianovca, Cantemir district, is becoming a point of interest on the gastronomic tourism map of southern Moldova, with its inclusion in a cross-border gastro-tourist route documented by the National Tourism Office (NTO) and the partners from the Village Travel Bot project.

The visit of the NTO team and the InnoVillage organization took place in cooperation with Agency for Regional Development North-East Romania (ADR Nord-Est (Romania)) and highlighted not only the delicious dishes, but also the cultural and tourist values of the settlement.

Placed near the border with Romania, Stoianovca is a village with a strong Bulgarian identity. The community proudly preserves ancestral traditions, and this is reflected in the local architecture, spoken language, traditional clothing and especially in the authentic cuisine.

During the visit, guests had the opportunity to taste traditional dishes specific to the Bulgarian community:

• Pilinamangia - a savory chicken sauce cooked according to an old recipe

• Miurdea - a blend of aromatic spices, essential in the local cuisine

• Freshly baked bread in a traditional oven, served hot with local cheese

Besides appealing gastronomy, Stoianovca offers visitors a picturesque, peaceful rural setting where hospitality is a tradition in itself. Well-kept households, plain landscapes and multicultural values make the village an authentic stop for people willing to discover deep Moldova, away from urban hustle.

The Village Travel Bot project, of which this route is part, aims to promote rural tourism through authentic experiences, and Stoianovca is already announcing itself as a promising destination for tourists passionate about traditions and local gastronomy.

Stoianovca - where Bulgarian traditions are savored and lived

The village of Stoianovca, founded in 1912 by Bessarabian Bulgarians from Ceadar-Lunga, Valea Perjei, and other localities, is the only locality in the commune with the same name and is located just 5 km from the city of Cantemir and about 124 km far from Chisinau.

The village has an estimated population of about 1,200 inhabitants, over 76 per cent of whom are ethnic Bulgarians, while the rest of the population includes Moldovans, Russians, Ukrainians and other ethnic groups. The community proudly preserves traditions, music, dances and specific Bulgarian traditional clothing.

Through the folk ensemble "Пламъче", locals pass on traditional songs and customs to younger generations, as part of efforts to keep the cultural identity alive.

The Stoianovca area was the scene of significant battles in the summer of 1941. On the village's territory, there is a military cemetery where over 10,000 Romanian and Soviet soldiers are buried, and their memory is honored by the community.

Even though it is a small village, Stoianovca provides modern basic services: school, kindergarten, church, library and commercial venues. Nearby, there is also a summer camp for children, extending educational and recreational offerings for the rural area.

Touristic and Gastronomic Values

In addition, the village is located on the route of the Tigheci River, a tributary of the Prut River, which passes nearby and offers a pleasant natural landscape with lush plain biodiversity.

Stoianovca is ideal for tourists interested in authentic rural experiences. Here, they can discover: Bulgarian culinary and cultural traditions; important historical sites; peaceful landscapes and a preserved rural way of life; a welcoming community actively involved in promoting the village.

At the same time, Stoianovca represents a model of cultural preservation and a point of interest in the rural tourism circuit. Community education, historical heritage and local gastronomy make this village an authentic and memorable destination for people seeking a deep and diverse Moldova.

By rediscovering the village of Stoianovca, we build bridges between past and present, between community and traveler, between tradition and the present.

Correspondent: Lilia Grubii