II.

THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA GENERAL OVERVIEW Though Moldova is considered one of the smallest countries of this region of Europe, it remains still a state with complex history and considerable tourist potential that may offer a various range of cultural activities to its visitors. Official name: The Republic of Moldova Capi al hisinau, with a population of more than !"#.$%% inhabitants is the biggest cultural, administrative, commercial, tourist and business centre of the country. The city is situated on a territory of &'(, ! s). *m and if add the territory of all its municipalities, it constitutes about &!% s). *m. +t is so,called -.ittle Rome/ than*s to those ! hills on which it is situated. 0s a locality hisinau is mentioned for the first time on 1uly &!, &$(2. The city has a huge number of monuments, vivid examples of local architecture of the 3+3 and 33 centuries, capable to captivate the tourists4 attention. +t is also one of the greenest capitals of the 5outh,Eastern Europe with entertainment and recreation spots, par*s and forests. Official lan!"a!e: Moldovan P#p"la i#n$ ( #2( 26# inhabitants, 7&(2! pers8s). *m9. 0ccording to the national structure Moldovans constitute !#,":. ;ther ethnical groups are as following: <*rainians ",$:, Russians #,6:, =agau>ians $,$:, Romanians ',': and others about ',#:. 5ituated on the arpathians basis and in the ?orth,Eastern @al*ans on a territory of ((."$(,# s). *m, the Republic of Moldova borders <*raine in the ?orth, East and 5outh and Romania in the Aest. Brom administrative point of view the territory is divided into (' districts, including ( municipia 7 hisinau, @alti and omrat9 and two regions with specific status =agau>ia and Transnistria 7with disputable status9. P%e&#minan %eli!i#n: Eastern ;rthodox Clima e: Temperate,continental with relatively short and warm winters and long hot summers. +n 1uly the 5un shines almost (%%,('% hours. ;fficial time: =MT C( hours in summertime and =MTC' hours for the rest period of time. Na i#nal c"%%enc': .E<. & leu is e)ual to &%% bani. @an*notes in circulation: &, #, &%, '%, #%, &%%, '%%, #%% and &%%% lei. In e%ne (#ne: .md P)#ne c#&e: C(!( Official )#li&a'*: 1anuary &, ?ew Dear4s Eay 1anuary !, hristmas March " +nternational Aomen4s Eay Easter Monday Easter Monday of Eeparted Feople one wee* after the Easter Monday May & +nternational Eay of 5pring and .abour May 6 Gictory Eay

0ugust '! +ndependence Eay 0ugust (& , -.imba ?oastra/ 7?ational .anguage Eay9 The most important rivers are the ?istru, Frut, Raut, @ic, @otna. The biggest la*es are the @eleu 72,( s). *m9 and Manta 7$,# s). *m9 situated in the Frut floodplain, 5ala 7(,! s). *m9, Eracele 7',! s). *m9. Most of the la*es are anthropogenic, out of which the la*e of accumulation from ostesti,5tinca is the biggest. Brom the economic point of view the Republic of Moldova is an agro, industrial country, speciali>ed in viticulture, fruit growing, olericulture and other agricultural cultures, as well as in manufacturing industry, light industry, chemical industry and others. hisinau, Tiraspol, @alti, @ender and Ribnita are the most important industrial centres of the country. ;n the territory of Moldova there are &# %%% cultural obHects of patrimonial value and #.'%2 of them are monuments included into the 5tate Register of the Republic, '.262 are archaeological monuments, &.'"$ historical monuments, &.'2& architectural ones, ''# art monuments and tens nature monuments. ultural, viticulture, rural and health tourism are in the Republic of Moldova prior forms of tourism. +n this context it is worth to mention the new Moldovan wine route or itineraries that bring you to uni)ue wineries with special accommodation, testing and entertainment places. Iere the tourists are offered the possibility to enHoy the peculiar wine collections, to familiari>e with the wine production technology, to view the process of wine bottling and of course to taste ready products. The tourists are granted an entertainment diversity if visit the medieval fortresses with their vestiges, various archaeological complexes, cave monasteries, noblemen4 residences and farmers4 houses. The variety of cultures from different regions of the country represents an attractive point of the national touristic product. The Republic of Moldova comprises a mix of nationalities and cultures, of traditions, spo*en languages, fol*lore and cuisine. Thus, the country villages are real treasures of national spiritual and material wealth with pictures)ue places. The national handicraft is also of great significance both as cultural value and hand, made product to be sold. 0s well in the Republic of Moldova there are various sanatoria and rehabilitation centers such as @ucuria Gadul lui GodaJ odru IirHauca, alarasiJ ?ufarul 0lb ahul, where mineral water from the territory springs is used for people4 treatment. The Republic of Moldova favorable climacteric conditions offer various cure methods in the a)uatic spa centers: heliotherapy, aerotherapy, talasotherapy, balneotherapy, etc. Ae can say about the nowadays Moldova that it has European aspirations, with personal identity and values, a tempting country that capture the visitors4 interest both by means of pictures)ue views and beautiful people, especially pretty women. +t is a country much to tal* and learn about...

III. CUI+INE The Republic of Moldova is a sunny and fertile country with laborious and -warm/ people. Moldova is reach in grape, fruit, legumes, meat, mil*, cereals, which too* important place in national cuisine. The blac* humus earth and traditional agricultural technologies favor the cultivation of diverse pure raw products. ?ational Moldovan cuisine is one of the most refined cuisines and real treasure for gourmands. Moldovan housewives always welcome their guests with their delicious chic*en soup, omelet with crac*nels and brin>a and their famous placinte -poale,n briu/. Traditionally, our cuisine embodies dishes prepared of various legumes: tomatoes, bell pepper, egg plant, cabbage, beans, onion, garlic, etc. .egumes are used to ma*e salads and sauces, to be roasted, smothered, pic*led, salted, and marinated in order to get real culinary masterpieces. 0 specific feature of our traditional cuisine is the preparation of a lot of dishes of corn and cornmeal: cereal products, coo*ie, pastry, soups, fla*es, non,alcoholic drin*s etc. The most popular corn meal is -mamaliga/ a *ind of porridge with fine and delicious taste. Mamaliga is served with crac*nels, brin>a and sour cream. @ut they prefer as well legumes prepared in various ways: boiled, stuffed, roasted, pic*led and fried. The ragout of rice and meat and bell pepper stuffed with legumes are rather popular with us. The same thing happens with tomatoes stuffed with brin>a 7cow, sheep, goat9 used most of the times for garniture purposes. 0nother meal highly appreciated by Moldovans is -ghiveci/ , legumes smothered with oil and various dressings. Meat ta*es a peculiar place in the Moldovan national cuisine, especially when ma*ing hot dish and aperitifs. =oulash, roast por* meat, cow -mici/ are rather solicited. .ots of meat and fish dishes are prepared on woody candent coal. <sually such products are preliminary marinated. ?o one traditional holiday is celebrated with no -sarmale/, -racituri/, home, made pasta with chic*en etc. The famous Moldovan -sarmale/ are made from cut meat, mixed with rice and other ingredients and wrapped into cabbage or grapewine leaves. They are roll,shaped. <sually they are served with warm -mamaliga/ and sour cream. +t is worth to add in the list of Moldovan culinary masterpieces the following dishes: -Moldovan cighir/, -Moldovan chisca/, -Roasted chic*en with sauce of garlic and mamaliga, -Taci si inghite/, - hic*en racituri/, -For* piftie/, -5oup of giblets/, -Moldovan bors/, -Bish souce/, -Moldovan cutlets/, -Moldovan melt/. Moldovan -festive table/ is ornamented with ba*ing from wheat flour: pastries, ca*es, -placinte/, -saralii/ of fruit, legumes, nuts, -Moldovan co>onac/, -Moldovan pasca/ etc. ?ational cuisine is not so abundant in dressings. Eill, thyme, pepper, garlic, lovage is used most of the times. uisine history begins once the world history does. uisine dates from the times when the fire was discovered, as this finding changed radically the meal

taste. ?ow food undergoes serious changes: being coo*ed it becomes delicious, full,flavored and fragrant. Bermentation changes alimentary habits, the fermentation action is reduced not only to the food conservation , it transforms its texture and taste. @y means of fermentation, fruit and legumes are transformed into alcoholic drin*s, beer, wine, and mil* generates new products. Moldovan cuisine managed to preserve its traditions over the time. oo*s *new how to convey our traditional food taste to their descendants. The inheritors have improved and refined the dishes taste, but made no -damage/ to the national culinary art. +f refer to the national dishes recipes development and improvement, we can easily notice that today we ma*e rare use of fat even in wintertime which is often replaced by oil, butter or margarine. Bri>>led and fried onion is used rarely, being substituted by stewed onion and flour dissolved in water. @ones are used not so fre)uently in order to improve the meals taste, being replaced by concentrated soups. +t is necessary to point out that these modifications in traditional cuisine have been introduced in order to get healthy and dietetic food. ?ational cuisine had great influence on cuisines of other nationalities living on the Republic of Moldova territory and at the same time had been completed with new elements from the <*rainian, @ulgarian, =agau>ian, Russian ones, and during the last centuries from =ree* and Tur*ish cuisines. +n different >ones of the country the local cuisine preponderates: in Eastern >ones the <*rainians prefer their famous -bors/, in 5outh @ulgarians are eager to serve you with their traditional sauce -chic*en mangea/ and =agau>ians with sorpa, which is spiced soup with lamb meat, while Russians adore their traditional -pelmeni/ *ind of meat poc*ets, ravioli etc. The Moldovan cuisine offers a various range of traditional drin*s: compotes, fruit Huice, as well as alcoholic beverage: wine, cognac, brandy, tuica etc. +t is of maHor importance to mention that wine should match the meal and harmoni>e with it. These components are to interact and emphasi>e reciprocally their )ualities. The Republic of Moldova is well,*nown for the hospitability of its inhabitants: each guest is welcomed with a peculiar warmness. +n villages guests are usually invited into the - asa MareK, which is a special room in every house to celebrate all the holidays. That is why they said that every guest in the Republic of Moldova is a good friend of ours. IV. FAME OF THE VITICULTURE AND WINEMA,ING IN THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA

History/tradition
The viticulture history of our Moldovan territory dates since long time ago. This fact is proved by the grape,vine leaves prints discovered on ancient stones in the perimeter of the village ?aslavcea that is in the ?orth of the country. The archaeological researches carried out in Moldova gave introconvertible evidence of the fact that on this territory the grape,vine had being cultivated since the G++,G+: @. . centuries than*s to the =ree* colonies from the ports of Eanube, Frut, ?istru

and 5outhern @ug that developped strong relationship with native population 7the sciti, geto,daci9. The grape,vine reached a vigorous development at the beginning of the ++ century during the period when Moldova was part of the Roman Empire. Thus the reach collection of native Moldovan grape,vine was supplemented with multiples varieties brought from the +talian viticultural and winema*ing area. 0 significant role in the most productive and )ualitative sorts of grape,vine selection, multiplication and dissemination, as well as in getting high )uality wines was played primarily by the monasteries and churchesJ here there was born the most refined culture of this branch of maHor importance for the Moldovans, here commenced the viticultural and winema*ing progress. The second place was covered by the possessions of big latifundists who implemented on the Moldovan area grape sorts, agrotechnics and new winema*ing procedures, as well as wine export. Aithin various international exhibitions, expositions and contests from ;dessa, @ucharest, +asi, Liev, 5an*t,Fetersburg, Garsow, .vov, @udapest, @erlin, Faris, Gerona, .iubliana, =eneve, etc. the Moldovan wine was very often granted high distinction for its originality and unicity, fine flower flavor and bou)uet and fresh and cool taste. The Republic of Moldova is the only country from the former 5oviet space that in accordance with its political vector of integration in the European <nion has created huge massifs of mother,plantations for new planting material on the basis of high biological category clones, obtained in the Brench, +talian and =erman selections. There have been instituted Moldo,Brench, =erman, Moldo,0merican etc. viticultural and winema*ing nursery enterprises.

Viticultural and winemaking zones

Moldova is divided into four viticultural and winema*ing >ones: ?orth, enter or odru, 5outh,East and 5outh.

Codru zone (Central)

+t is situated among forested hills that once served as shelter for IaHdu*s. Bavorable relief configuration protects the plantations of free>ing during wintertime and ardor during summertime that is inevitable due to the continental climate. The range of conditions favors the cultivation of white sorts of grape from which delicate and fresh wines are being produced. Recently along with fine wines, blended wines become more and more popular, the taste of which combines the sensation of freshness and sweetness, carrying at the same time a distinguished floral aroma. +n Moldova the central >one is the most developed from the economic point of view. Iere we find the most important massif of grape,vine plantations 7almost 2%:9 and the maHority of the enterprises speciali>ed in the primary winema*ing and production and bottling of all wine varieties.

+n the odru >one the famous cellars from ricova, Milesti and @ranesti are located. These ones offer necessary ideal conditions for the production preservation and maturation 7C &'&$ elsius degrees and "%: humidity9 and capacity to store billions of decalitres of wine and cognac that wait for their consumers deep underground in the galleries of stone )uarry that generated the stone from which hisinau is built. The most impressive collection of wines is stored in the ricova cellars. Iere you can find examples of wine from the collection of Iermann =hoering, transmitted in Moldova after the 5econd Aorld Aar. The unicum of the collection mentioned above is the bottle of KFascal wineK, the only in the entire world, issued in &6%' by KMogit EavidK. The territorial 7micro,regional9 variety of the region ma*e possible to produce in the odru >one specific wine that is to be controlled from the provenience point of view. 1ust at that spot they fructify plantations of the famous Romanesti farm the former property of the imperial dynasty of Romanovs. Bor more than a century in the micro,>one of Iincesti they ma*e red wine from the abernet,5auvignon and Merlot grape sorts, the top varieties of which do not give ground to the famous hateau of @ordeaux. The production of local winema*ers was rather often granted supreme distinctions within prestigious international contests. The greatest viticultural and winemaking enterprises of the zone are: Cricova, Milestii Mici, Chateau Vartely, Romanesti, Bardar, Co usna, Vitis !incesti, "ational College of Viticulture and #inemaking and others$

South-Eastern or Purcari (Nistru) zone

+#" )-Ea* e%n .P"%ca%i/ (#ne covers a narrow strea* along the ?istru ban*. +t encloses the #inemaking Centre of %urcari famous for its wine Red and @lac* of Furcari. limatic conditions encourages the cultivation of red sorts of grape , Merlot, abernet,5auvignon and Rare @lac* from which they produce mature wines with harmonious and complete taste and bou)uet abundant in tonalities of maro)uin, blac*berry, violet and noble oa*. 0t the end of the 3+3 century the Furcari wines were rather solicited in great )uantity by the @ritain Royal ourt. +#" )e%n (#ne .Ca)"l/ +ts perimeter covers the @ugeac steppe and the 5outhern extremity. @oth >ones are arid, but their soils and climatic conditions convey different characteristics. The Eastern part favors the production of red and desert varieties of wines. The most popular wine centers of this very >one are those from omrat, Taraclia, iumaiul and Trifesti. N#% )e%n (#ne .Bal i/ The ?orthern >one has no grape,vine industrial plantations. Iere the grape is being cultivated in the perspective of processing into raw material for the cognac production, for special strong wines and, partially, to be consumed fresh. +n the

?orth of the Republic of Moldova vineyards are planted basically with white sorts of grapes: 0ligote, Finot, Beteasca, Traminer.

E ents
Eue to the incorporation of this >one into the MAine wayK, the state program on promotion of the tourism in the Republic of Moldova foresees for the organi>ation of national speciali>ed contests and festivals and participation in the international ones. Thus, pointing the most significant viticultural and winema*ing events, it deserves to mention that a peculiar image of the Moldovan wine is created within traditional 0E1p# Vin M#l&#2a3 international exhibition of wine products 7annually , in Bebruary9, which aims to contribute to the formation and development of wine consumption culture on the local mar*et, as well as promotion of image of the Republic of Moldova as a winema*ing country. Main concept of this very event resides in general public tasting of alcoholic products by native consumers and foreign guests. 0t the same time the +nternational ontest of Aine and 0lcoholic Erin*s -CHI+INAU WINE+ 4 +PIRIT+ CONTE+T3 ta*es place. This is one of the most popular '& international contests of wines and alcoholic drin*s. 0n important role in the performance of multiple proHects and technological transfer into the viticultural and winema*ing complex is played by the +nternational 5cientific and Fractical onference 5InWine678985 that ta*es place as well within the -Expo Gin Moldova/ and gathers representatives from Brance, +taly, Fortugal, =ermany, @elgium, 0ustria, >ech Republic, 5lova*ia, Iungary, @ulgaria, Romania, <*raine, Russia, Foland, =eorgia an others. 5tarting '%%', annually in hisinau in the second wee*,end of ;ctober the Na i#nal Wine Da' an& Wine Fe* i2al is being celebrated. This holiday brings together the Moldovan winema*ers and thousand of visitors, including guests and tourists from all around the world who come to Moldova to celebrate the end of the grape harvest gathering and new wine birth. The Republic of Moldova with its municipal capital hisinau became an important viticultural and winema*ing business centre from Europe capturing in this way the interest of representatives from Tur*ey, <50, anada, +srael, hina. The Republic of Moldova is member of the +nternational ;rgani>ation of Gineyard and Aine with its settlement in Faris, where it extended its collaboration in this rather important area of national economy with its world counterparts. ;ur guests are offered the possibility to cover various viticultural and winema*ing itineraries that suppose visiting the old cellars, underground warehouses , places where the most valuable wine collections are stored. Moreover, there are numerous past vestiges and natural medium that call for a cognitive and invigorative resting excursions, fishing and hunting.

V. RELIGIOU+ TOURI+M IN THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA ;ne of the most developed tourism forms in the Republic of Moldova is the religious tourism. This is because of the fact that the monasteries of the ;rthodox Moldova convey religious, historic and cultural value, being near a mon* community an education and cultural centre. 5everal Moldovans monasteries are *ind of monuments of military glory to native voivodes, the maHority of which fortresses are. These ones protected not only the mon*s, but also native inhabitants of Tur*ish and Tatar aggressions. ?owadays the Republic of Moldova has about #( functioning monasteries and s*etes. Moldovan monasteries are divided into three groups. The first group includes the oldest and biggest monasteries, located in the odri heart: Ca!riana" Varzaresti" Hir#o at" Hir$auca" Hincu. The second one comprises cave monasteries situated on the ?istru ban*, magnificent old settlements: %i!o a &onastery" &onastic Com!le'es (rom the )ld )rhei" Saharna and *a!ca+ The third compartment covers -new/ monasteries, built at the end of the 3G+++ century beginning of the 3+3 century: Curchi" Noul Neamt" Calaraseuca and others. Most of the Moldovan monasteries are edified in pictures)ue places and pilgrimages and often visited both by native and foreign hristians. The monasteries are open mostly all the year long and special cells are built for pilgrims in order to meditate and pray. 0s well in the maHority of the monasteries there are mon*s who provide excursions on the monastery territory. These monasteries can be visited by means of tourist agencies 7the maHority of the tourist agencies offer varous tours to monasteries, which are accompanied by professional guides9, pilgrim centers of the Moldova and @asarabia Metropolis that organi>e regularly religious group and individual tours. Cap%iana M#na* e%' is one of the oldest Moldovan monasteries and is #%% years old. The first official document which contains data about apriana Monastery is the 0lexander the Lind royal charters 7&$%%,&$('9. 0s the monastery had a voivode status, various Moldovan voivodes paid much attention to it. +t gets ( churches: 5ummer hurch - Ioly Girgin Eormition/ 7&#$'9, Ainter hurch -5aint ?icholas/ 7&"$%9, ?ew Ainter hurch /5aint =eorge/ 7&6%#9. +n &62' the Monastery was closed and in &6"6 reopened, as the wor*s of reconstruction and restoration began. Iere special training courses for priests were organi>ed. The mon* life was reestablished, the monastery got revived. @etween '%%( and '%%# restorative wor*s have been carried out in the apriana Monastery, serving nowadays as one of the most valuable monasteries visited by pilgrims and tourists. Hinc" M#na* e%' was raised up on a nuns4 hermitage in &2!" by the =reat Iigh 5teward Mihail Iancu. Iancu was the first monastic settlement of @asarabia, where the community life was introduced approximately in &"'%,&"''. +t

possesses two churches: summer church built by the abbot Eosoftei in &"(# with the festival 5aint Fious Farascheva and winter church dedicated to the Ioly Girgin Eormition festival, built in &"$&, next to which the fratry, hotel, abbot apartment and 6 cells are located. ;n the monastery territory an ancient cellar is placed. +t was fitted up and named The !oly Virgin Cave of all the !elpless, on which a new church was erected. +a)a%na M#na* e%' is one of the oldest monastic settlements of the ;rthodox hurch of the Republic of Moldova. +t embodies two monasteries: one spaded in roc* stone celebrating the 0nnunciation festival and a terrestrial one 7the Ioly Trinity9. They little *now about the cave monastery history and there is no information on its precise foundation day. +n &!!2, the mon* Gartolomeu iungu 7&!(6,&!6"9 together with other mon*s settled the terrestrial complex. Euring the period of &!!2 &6&6 the monastic complex was guided by '$ abbots. The monastic complex is a natural reservationJ it encompasses 2!% ha and is under the government protection. 5aharna Monastery was closed in &62$ and all mon*s were given chase. The Ioly Trinity temple has been used as a hospital for disabled children. Thus it functioned until &66% when at the re)uest of local citi>ens, monastery was reopened. Tip#2a M#na* e%' 5ituated near the locality with the same name, Tipova Monastery is one of the oldest monasteries in the Republic of Moldova. The monastery is spaded in stone on the bunch of ?istru River. The monastic complex portrays an image of an impressive museum. @etween @lanaritei and Galea 5atului streams demolishment of an old town are cherished. The demolishment represent an old town of =ets tribes inhabitants existing @ . The monastery comprises three monastic complexes. Birst complex comprises temple with Ioly ross festival and some cellsJ it is situated at a great distance and it is hardly accessible. The foundation of the complex dates from 3+ 3G centuries. The second monastic complex includes 5t ?icholas temple, it was spaded in roc* stone in 3+G 3G centuries. The third complex dates from 3G+ 3G+++ centuries and encompasses &" separate rooms Hoined via interior passage. T)e :apca M#na* e%' is situated on the ?istru shore at the distance of &% *m from amenca town and &2% *m ?orth from hisinau. ?owadays three churches of significant historical, architectural and artistic value can be visited by pilgrims and tourists: 5ummer hurch with the festival K0scension EayK, Ainter hurch dedicated to the K5aint Michael the 0rchangelK. The most attractive part of the monastic complex is the cave church with the festival K5aint ross 0scensionK, that is at the hristianity basis. This monastery has a rare location due to the beauty of the hori>on that gladdens the tourists4 eyes. The 1apca locality dates bac* to the &!th century to the hieromon* +e>echiil times. +t is the only monastery from @asarabia which was never closed by the 5oviet authorities as it was under the umbrella of the Russian Fatriarchy. Eue to this fact the saint place preserved a

great part of the property that as time passed by was completed by new gifts. Iere a school for orphan girls, a school for teachers and a farming were established. T)e D#%mi i#n C)"%c) f%#m Ca"*eni The church is considered rather valuable monument, uni)ue not only in the Republic of Moldova, but also in the 5outh,Eastern Europe. 0 distinguished particularity of the church is its settlement below ground level. That is why it loo*s undergrounded and there is high possibility that this undergrounding was imposed by the Tatars4 interdictions established in the 3G+++ century in auseni. The walls of the church are integrally fresco painted. 0s a result of numerous archeological excavations there were discovered hristian graves, coins, plumbum bracelets and earrings, house ruins, within which there were discovered tiles with bla>on with a cross in the middle. 5pecialists say that only noblemen could afford having such bla>ons and they suppose that these noblemen could be antacu>ino family. @esides the fact that auseni was the Tatars4 apital, it was the residence of the Metropolitan Eaniil, whose image is painted within the Eormition hurch from auseni.

Natural and anthro!ologic touristic o#$ecti es

5ince pre,historical times the Moldovan nature has captivated its visitors by means of its splendor, variety and beauty. Traveling the territory between Tyras 7?istru9 and Farata 7Frut9, the famous scribe Ierodot from the 0ncient =reece, got impressed by the thic*ness of the fertile soil layer, abundance of herbal vegetation and charm of forests and fields. Thus, if you are eager to *now Moldova we recommend you to visit the following natural touristic obHects: %ictures&ue reservation -'t the castle( )ocation: *dinet 5ituated in the basin of the Racovat River, the complex includes the -=ordinesti/ forest parcel and the -5tinca/ forest massive, sheltering in its area rare species of wild flora and fauna. 0s the time went by, the complex name was obHect of numerous legends and songs dedicated to Racovat and to the reservation. +ts name could be related to a love story. 0 castle disappeared long time ago and replaced by giant roc*s. That is why the stone loo*s li*e medieval castles or Eacic fortresses walls. +uruitoarea clove )ocation: village +uruitoarea, Riscani ;n the East of the Euruitoarea village of the Riscani region, the small river Euruitoarea, which is the iuhur affluent dug a deep clove. Nuic* limestone hillsides abound in grots and caves furnished with strangely shaped roc*s. The =rote -;ld Euruitoarea/ is *nown as a renowned human settlement of the 5)uared

5tone Epoch. 0s a result of numerous archeological excavations there were discovered fossil specimens of the +ce 0ge and vestiges of pre,historical cultural that made it popular in the entire world. ?ext to the clove the la*e ostesti,5tinca is located. This is the greatest accumulation la*e of the Republic of Moldova, built in the ?orth,Eastern part of the country in the ?orth of the Moldova Flain. Euring summertime the visitors can enHoy improvised beaches, boat navigation along the la*e and fishing. "atural Monument (,ne hundred hillocks( )ocation: -lodeni This is a minor, but rather captivating natural subunit situated between the @ranesti and obani villages at the distance of '%% *m from hisinau that is a uni)ue phenomenon in the area between the Frut and ?istru. +n fact there are more that one hundred hilloc*s here about ( #%%, covering a territory of &%!' ha with a length of " *m and '.( *m. Their height varies between &.# and (%.# m 7the last one is named -The =ipsy hilloc*/9 and they lie parallel to the Frut floodplain. -The Moldova description/ of Emitrie antemir of &!&2 is the first document which contains data about it. The author called it - entum monticulli/. ;n the left ban* of the Middle Frut -;ne hundred hilloc*s/ are loo*ing forward to being visited by you in each season. "atural Monument (Butesti keys( )ocation: Butesti village, -lodeni They are placed in the 5outh of the village @utesti in =lodeni and occupy a surface of &&% ha. The stac* that carries out the same name as the locality does is surrounded by the amenca River, registering rather huge dimensions: over ' *m in length and over &'# meters in height. The geological formation was born as the other range of formations from the Middle Frut basin '%,&# million years ago in the warm tropic waters of the 5armatic and Tortonian 5eas that at that time covered the territory mentioned above. The stac* body is limestoned, composed of s*eletons of coral, shelfish an other sea animals and algae. The limestones of this uni)ue formation are penetrated by thousand of minor and maHor grots and caves, which served as shelter for animals in the +ce 0ge and human in the pre,historical period. "atural Monument -Big Rock( )ocation: village Co.ani, -lodeni -@ig Roc*/ is the most southern geological monument, dating &# million years ago and is part of the coral bureau of the Middle Frut. The stac* from the @utesti village loo*s li*e an exotic island in the middle of agricultural lots, being interesting from several points of view: geologic, paleontological, floristic, >oological and archeological one.

 Rudi / 'rionesti Reservation )ocation: 0oroca The Reservation -Rudi,0rionesti/ is located at a distance of &%,&# *m from the ;taci town on the right ban* of the Frut River. +t enclaves three forested cloves: Rudi, 0rionesti and Tatarauca and covers a territory of 6&2 ha. The most impressive is Rudi with # *m in length and '#% m in depth. +ts slopes are cuspate, even abrupt. 0s time passed by, winds and rains grinded local roc*s, generating strange forms, dug by 0eolian niches and cavities. Euring those days when the wind has a peculiar direction they generate melodious sounds. The - ave of gone people/ is situated on the reservation territory. +t was run into in &662 in the ?orth,East of the Rudi village on the right ban* of a -dry/ abruption under the locality cemetery. +n the cave there are numerous spaces with different si>e and forms with length varying between (,$ and 2,! m and width between %,! and ',#m. "atural and cultural comple1 ,rheiul Vechi( )ocation: ,rhei ;rheiul Gechi is considered an open boo* of the history as it is one of the most famous >ones that convey vestiges of different civili>ations4 establishment on the territory between the Frut and ?istru. +t is located in a roc* clove at a distance of '%% m underground next to the Raut River at a distance of 2% *m from hisinau. Iere the first age,old human settlements were discovered. Aithin G,+++ centuries @. . on the roc*ed hill an impressive fortress of =et,Eace tribes existed. The complex encloses two big na>es 7Festere and @utuceni9 and three small ones 7Fotarca, 5elitra and 5coc9, on which territory there are ruins of some fortifications, houses, baths, sanctuaries 7including cave monasteries9 dating both from the Tatar,Mongolian 73+++,3+G centuries9 and Moldovan 73G,3G+ centuries9 periods. Each cave monastery had church, anexed cells necessary to a monastic institution , all dug in the limestoned roc*s of the cuspate clift. The first monastic complex is located next to the @utuceni village and dates approximately the end of the 3+++ beginning of the 3+G century. The second one is called -The Monastery of @osie/. The third complex, called -The aves of iuc/ on the Aestern ban* of the river.+t is built of ranges of specila cells displayed in numerous levels. The forth complex , hiliori, was edified as well in levels. These caves were populated by mon*s during several centuries. The last community of mon*s left the territory in &"&2. +t is one of the most attractive and important touristic obHectives of the Republic of Moldova, candidating for the <?E5 ; Aorld Fatrimonial .

The )ake Manta )ocation: Manta village, Cahul The .a*e Manta is one of the greatest natural la*es of the Republic of Moldova 7'&%% ha9. The lacustrine watersin* of the .a*e Manta originated near the

inferior watercourse of the Frut. 5uch la*es are called floodplain la*es. Manta is rather important la*e for the Republic of Moldova because of its peculiar organic world. 0cientific reservation (Codri( )ocation: "orth2#estern part of the Moldova Central %lateau .etween the %rut and "istru +t was brought into being on 5eptember '!, &6!& as the first great state reservation that was organi>ed on a forest sector 7about # %%% ha9 next to the villages .o>ova and apriana. 5oon after there were founded a center on scientific researches of the 0cademy of 5ciences of the Republic of Moldova and an impressive museum, which comprises various specimen of plants and animals. 5ince the seventies of the 33 century phenologic and behavior researches of rare species are being carried in this scientific centre. The hydrographic networ* of the - odri/ reservation is represented buy three affluents of the ?istru, which start their course on the territory of the reservation: @otna, ogilnic and @ic. 0cientific reservation 3The Regal 4orest( )ocation: Balatina village, -lodeni The reservation -The Regal Borest/, founded in 0ugust &66( on an area of 2.%(' ha represents one of the oldest forests of the Frut floodplain and of all the territory. +t gowns the Frut in green dress on a distance of 2% *m. +t deserves to be granted the )ualification -uni)ue/ because of several reasons. Iere there survived more than !%% species out of those &'%% species of the native flora, registered in the Republic of Moldova. 0 special value is conferred to the reservation by the surface of $% ha covered by centurial oa*s aging more than '%%,'#% years, some of which records a height of about (%,(# m. Iere the most vigorous centurial oa* from Moldova is located 7$#% years old, height more than (# m and the length of the trun* circumference at the level of human height over 6 m9. +n the reservation there is established a yard of (' ha with three bisons 7one male and two females9, that is a superb touristic attraction. They plan to expand the territory of the reservation forest sector to host about &#,&! bisons. 0cientific reservation 5%laiul 4agului( )ocation: Calarasi26ngeni The reservation -Flaiul Bagului/ constitutes a natural pictures)ue landscape obHect, a valuable thesaurus of the Moldova nature. The reservation territory is partially accessible for the ecologic tourism. Frimarily, this complex of natural diverse ecosystems is a research obHect and a laboratory in open air. The 0oroca 4ortress )ocation: 0oroca The 5oroca Bortress is located in the historical downtown of 5oroca which is &2% *m away from hisinau. 5oroca fortress is the only medieval monument of

Moldova that has been preserved entirely. +n Middle 0ge it used to be part of rather complex and important defensive system, which comprised $ fortresses along the ?istru River in the East, ' on the ban* of Eanube in the 5outh, and three more to protect the ?orth. The famous fortress of 5oroca town with -stout stone walls/, intended to daunt unwelcome guests. +t is placed right down by the ?istru middle riverside, where four waters flew: ;taci, 5oroca, Gadu Rascov and Ribnita. The fortress is a Moldovan fortress, built during the rule of 5tephen the =reat 7the last )uarter of the 3G century9, instead of 0lciona , another old fortress. .ater under the rule of Fetru Rares, the fortress was rebuilt in stone. Brom architectural point of view 5oroca Bortress conveys similar fortification and defense elements as thO following one: -The astle del Monte/ from +taly, those from Nueenborough, Aalmer and Eeal from Lent, England. The Tighina 7Bender8 4ortress )ocation: Tighina7Bender8 city, Transnistria The Tighina 7Bender8 4ortress +n the 3G century the system of fortifications played an important role in the medieval Moldova, because they served as defense line against foreign invasion. The fortress of Tighina is one of the oldest fortifications built up by Moldovans included in this system. 5ituated on the right abrupt ban* of the ?istru River, the fortress of Tighina ma*es an architectural ensemble with a lay,out in the shape of an irregular rectangle with three round and one pentagonal tower at the corners. +n the middle of each extern wall guarded gates were installed. 0s in &#(" the ;ttoman sultan 5uleiman the Magnificent con)uered the fortress, it was re,constructed upon the draft of the 0rchitect 5inan. +n &!%# , &!%! the fortress area was expanded and moderni>ed by the prince of Moldova Emitrie antemir. Ahen the Russian , Tur*ish wars ended 7&!2",&!!', &"%2,&"&'9 the Tighina Bortress came in the possession of the Russian military authorities that rule in this location till now. -eodesic 'rc -0truve( )ocation: 0oroca The geodesic arc -5truve/ is a networ* of '#2 observation points, represented by stone cubes of ' m, displayed on a relative line between Iammerfest 7?orway9 and ;ld ?ecrasovca 7<*raine9 on a distance of ' "'% *m and embodies '2# localities from &% states: the Republic of Moldova, <*raine, @elarus, Estonia, Binland, .atvia, .ithuania, Russia, 5wit>erland, ?orway. ;n the territory of the Republic of Moldova '! spots of the =eodesic 0rc -5truve/ are located. The first observation spot of the above,mentioned reservation in the Republic of Moldova has been run into several years ago next to the Rudi locality from 5oroca. +n 1uly '%%# the Rudi spot 7created in &"$!9 was included into the <?E5 ; Aorld Fatrimonial. The +ormition Church )ocation: Causeni

The church is considered rather valuable monument, uni)ue not only in the Republic of Moldova, but also in the 5outh,Eastern Europe. 0 distinguished particularity of the church is its settlement below ground level. That is why it loo*s undergrounded and there is high possibility that this undergrounding was imposed by the Tatars4 interdictions established in the 3G+++ century in auseni. The walls of the church are integrally fresco painted. 0s a result of the numerous archeological excavations there were discovered hristian graves, coins, plumbum bracelets and earrings, house ruins within which there were discovered tiles with bla>on with a cross in the middle. 5pecialists say that only noblemen could afford having such bla>ons and they suppose that these noblemen could be antacu>ino. @esides the fact that auseni was the apital of the Tatars, it was the residence of the Metropolitan Eaniil, whose image is painted within the Eormition hurch from auseni. ,cti e rest in the -e!u#lic o( &oldo a 4ishing and hunting Those who visit the Republic of Moldova are welcome to add to their vacation program such activities as fishing and hunting. +n the Republic of Moldova there activates the 5ociety of Bishermen and Iunters 75BIM9, which are eager to offer you the following hunting and tourist obHectives: hunting farmstead Caracusenii2Vechi, Briceni speciali>ed in wild boar huntingJ hunting farmstead Talmaza, 0tefan Voda speciali>ed in pheasantryJ hunting farmstead Crocmaz2 ,lanesti, 0tefan2Voda speciali>ed in pheasantry. +n the framewor* of 5BIM various hunting holidays are organi>ed. <sually, they are concentrated around the 5aint Eustasiu Eay 75eptember '%9 who is a 5aint form the ;rthodox, hristian calendar and is the protector of all hunters. Aithin this period the !unters9 +ay is to be celebrated. ;n this day various sport contests, competitions, shooting, artistic program, anecdotes on hunting and hunters and culinary duel are to be carried out. Territorially, they practice to celebrate such holidays as The +ay of -randparents !unters 7 ahul during the Easter days9, #olf +ay 71evreni, riuleni ?ovember (%9, -olden %heasant 7 riuleni, ;ctober8?ovember9, 4ire 7 ucuru>eni, ;rhei9 and %arty of !unters 75oroca9. +t is worth to mention that in the Republic of Moldova there is opened hunting for )uails, doves 70ugust,;ctober9, pheasants, wild boars 7;ctober, Eecember9, water birds 70ugust,Eecember9, hares 7?ovember,1anuary9, foxes 75eptember,March9. 5BIM possesses &' a)uatic basins for sport and amateur fishing. The most important are: =hidighici, ;rhei, 5ingerei, <ngeni, @alti, Edinet, rasnaseni, Telenesti. 0ll year long here are organi>ed multiple contests and championates on the carp and pi*e fishing and ice,hole fishing in wintertime. Moreover people who are *een on fishing can fish in the Republic of Moldova main rivers: Frut and ?istru.

Bishing is prohibited between 0pril and 1une. Cycling Though Moldova has no national cycling networ*s, the visitors of our country who ta*e interest in deploying healthy life,style are free to cover the tourist routes by bi*es, being granted thus the possibility to enHoy magnificent view during their excursion. 'lpinism Though Moldova has no mountains, still the alpinism is to be practiced here. The most appropriate places for alpinism are the roc*s of ?istru and Raut Rivers. The outstanding view will offer you unforgettable moments. %arachute activity and hovering This sport may be an option for those tourists who ta*e interest in active rest and are willing to get strong sensations. Farachute Humping can be carried out from the 0erodrome of Gadul lui Goda , a balnear town situated at a distance of (% from hisinau and a uni)ue >one from the point of view of air flow that inrracts at different height. This one offers rare possibility to practise hovering, fly with small planes, aviamodelism, parachute activity. Bor this purpose it is the best place of Europe and one of the greatest in the world. Dour first parachute Hump will be accompanied by a trainer of the ?ational Farachute Bederation of the Republic of Moldova. 0ll the trainers are great parachute masters with impressive experience and thusands of parachute Humps. *&uitation: *&uestrian sport Feople who are in love with e)uestrian sport are free to choose promenades8excursions with horse. Though the e)uestrian sport in Moldova dates the late fifties of the 33 century, horses played a peculiar role in the history of the Moldova and every farmer had these animals in his farm. ?owadays besides the Republican 5chool of E)uitation and Modern Fentathlon 7main speciali>ed institution9, there are various sport clubs in the country to offer training and organi>e e)uitation. +n the 5outh of the Republic of Moldova 7 eadir .unga9 there is a stud where about !% ;rlov horses are bred. 0s well at your re)uest the proprietors of rural tourist pensions may organi>e ridings on horses and carriages.