Discover Moldova with #MOLDPRES: rehabilitation works at Orheiul Vechi Reserve transforms destination into national, international Tourism Hub

The "Orheiul Vechi" Reserve, where rehabilitation and construction works on cultural and historical sites were completed at the end of 2024, is welcoming visitors in a renewed form, offering more benefits for tourists.

As part of a project implemented by the Central Regional Development Agency, the largest of the three discovered urban baths, the Tatar medieval bath, was restored, and the Defense Wall was reconstructed based on historical documents.

Additionally, the access road to Butuceni Promontory has been modernized and equipped with a modern lighting system, and a multifunctional conference center has been constructed, serving as the administrative block of the Reserve.

Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Bolea, Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development, states that these works enhance the national heritage and the tourism potential of the region.

Vladimir Bolea: Restoring historical sites such as the Tatar medieval bath and the Defense Wall demonstrates respect for our culture and traditions. It not only strengthens our identity but also transforms Orheiul Vechi into a national and international tourism hub.

The project, with a total investment of 30 million lei, reflects the close collaboration between state institutions to highlight the unique cultural and tourist heritage of the Republic of Moldova. The main rehabilitated and constructed objectives include:

The Tatar medieval bath, the largest of the three discovered urban baths, which has been restored, bringing the old historical cobblestone to light; the works are ongoing.

Access road to Butuceni Promontory, modernized and equipped with a modern lighting system, transforming the area into a spectacular place, even at night.

Multifunctional Conference Center, serving as the administrative block of the Reserve, encouraging cultural and educational events.

The Defense Wall, reconstructed based on historical documents, offering visitors a fascinating journey into the past; thematic exhibitions will be periodically organized at the entrance to the Reserve.

Vladimir Bolea: Such projects significantly contribute to preserving our cultural heritage and developing tourism. The synergy of efforts among ministries, agencies, and local authorities demonstrates that we can transform areas with historical value into real national and international points of interest.

The works were executed by the Association formed by S.C. RESTACO SRL and Pro Ex 2005 S.R.L., under the coordination of ADR Centru. The project underscores the importance of investments in cultural and tourist infrastructure, contributing to promoting a sustainable lifestyle and the historical values of Moldova.

Orheiul Vechi

Orheiul Vechi is an area that gathers an impressive number of archaeological, historical, and natural monuments, reflecting the entire history of Moldova between the Prut and Dniester. Here we find traces of habitation from the Paleolithic, forts built by the Geto-Dacian ancestors starting from the 10th-11th centuries BC, peasant fortresses, remains of defense systems, the mysterious oriental city of Chahr al Djedid, with caravanserais, mosques, and baths built by the Golden Horde, the Moldovan fortress Orhei, and numerous rock monasteries, witnesses to the development of Christian law here – all forming the well-known "Orheiul Vechi".

Rock Monasteries of Orheiul Vechi

The rock monasteries of Orheiul Vechi represent a series of rock vestiges located in the Sarmatian limestone cliffs on the valley of the Răut River, on the territory of the Republic of Moldova in the area of Trebujeni and Butuceni villages in Orhei District and Mașcăuți village in Criuleni District.

The complexes are mainly located on both the northern slope of the Butuceni Promontory on the left of the Răut and the northern slope of the Mașcăuți terrace on the right of the Răut (south of the Butuceni Promontory in the Ruptura Bacotei area).

In "Descriptio Moldaviae" by Dimitrie Cantemir, there is a small notation regarding the "ruins of an old town that locals call Orhei Vechi. From its situation, it appears to correspond to Petrodava in ancient Dacia." The author notes this location "on the western shore of the lake, in the surrounding forests," the lake being not far from the Orhei market "to the east," where there is also a "beautiful island."

Near Trebujeni, the river's course twists in such a way as to form a round peninsula, connected only by a narrow strip of land to the rest of the terrain. The slope of this peninsula is gentle, with a slight ascent towards the strip of land that connects it to the surroundings; generally, the level of this land portion is lower than the terrain around the river.

The left bank of the Răut, i.e., the opposite bank, is so rocky and steep that it forms a natural defensive wall in a semicircle. On this well-defended peninsula, traces of the city Cantemir spoke about can be seen.

Butuceni Rock Monastery

The Butuceni Rock Monastery, in Orhei District – Republic of Moldova, is located on the Răut River, near the village of the same name, 15 kilometers from Orhei municipality. It is situated on a promontory on the right, rocky and steep bank of the Răut, composed of limestone rocks.

"Bosie" Rock Monastery

The Bosie Monastery was built in 1675. It is the only rock monastery in Bessarabia where inscriptions have remained unaltered. The monastery consists of 8 caves that partially correspond to each other. The rock church measures approximately 6 meters in length and 4.5 meters in width. Among the monks who labored here, the inscriptions on the rocks mention hieromonks Teofil, Varlaam, and Poenachie from Cotelnici.

Pestera Monastery

The Pestera Monastery consists of a splendid rock church with an altar, nave, narthex, and porch, a corridor with access stairs to the Răut (mostly collapsed), and a superb, newer tunnel that bore through the rock from Butuceni village. It is located at a height of approximately 60 meters above the river. Here we also see a bell tower, which represents an inalienable symbol of the sacred underground place. Next to the bell tower, above the rock church, exactly at the extreme end of the promontory, a massive stone cross dated to the 18th century is fixed, assembling seamlessly into the sacred landscape of this rock monastery.

Trebujeni Landscape Reservation

Part of the Orheiul Vechi natural-cultural complex is the Trebujeni Landscape Reservation – a particularly beautiful, but also scientifically important place.

A significant portion of the landscape is occupied by the Furceni (189 ha) and Trebujeni (497 ha) forest masses. These dense forests predominantly feature fluffy oak and wild pear, accompanied by hawthorn, sloe, dogwood, and rosehips. The steep terrains, grooved rocks, and forestry masses located in almost inaccessible areas have created a favorable environment for numerous rare plant and animal species.

The right bank of the river is mostly covered by forest. Amid the beauty of the forest and on the open hillsides, huge rocks of bizarre colors and forms rise. The Corbului Rock, so named by locals, dominates the landscape, providing shelter to some raptor species, protected from human intervention. The rocks change spectacularly depending on the season, becoming truly impressive in spring when the cowslip blooms and intoxicates the senses with its enveloping fragrance.

In the Trebujeni village area, the river meanders vigorously, and its banks are high and steep, sometimes reaching heights of over 100 meters.

View Towards Trebujeni

From the rocks near Trebujeni, a broad perspective is offered over the village and the Răut River, with the neighboring rocks.

Correspondent: Lilia Grubii