Moldova

Author: Ceban Sanda

 Moldova lies between latitudes 45 and 49 N, and between meridians 26 and

30 E . The total land area is 33,851 km2

The largest part of the nation lies between two rivers, the Dniester and the Prut. The

western border of Moldova is formed by the Prut river, which joins the Danube
before flowing into the Black Sea.
The country's main cities are the capital Chi inu, in the centre of the country,

Tiraspol (in the eastern region of Transnistria), Bl i (in the north) and Bender (in
the south-east).

 According to a legend recounted by Moldavian chroniclers

Dimitrie CantemirandGrigore Ureche, the river was named by

princeDragoafter hunting anaurochs: after the chase, his
exhausted houndMoldadrowned in the river. The dog's name was
given to the river and extended to the Principality

 Viticulture in Moldova follows international trends and includes West European,

Caucasian and also indigenous grape varieties. Vineyards cover 112 thousand ha
planted with Vitis Vinifera, of which 70 % are white varieties (Rkatsiteli, Sauvignon
Blanc, Chardonnay, Aligote, etc.), and 30% are red varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon,
Merlot, Pinot Noir, Saperavi, etc.)
The authenticity and uniqueness of Moldovan wines is represented by the
indigenous varieties, which account for 10% of the vineyards: Feteasca Alba,
Feteasca Regala, Feteasca Neagra, Rara Neagra, Plavai, Viorica, etc.

Feteasca Alba

Rara Neagra

Feteasca neagra

 Dimitrie Cantemir

(1673-1723) a ruler of
Moldova, philosopher,
encyclopedist, and writer.
The monumental work
Descriptio Moldaviae (1714)
writes: in the 19th century,
Moldovan wines were in high
demand by Russian, Polish,
Kazakh, Hungarian and
Transylvanian traders.
Tsar Alexander II of Russia
(1855 1881). Emperor of
Russia, descendant of the
Romanov dynasty, Tsar
Alexander II was known as a
big fan of Moldovan wines,
especially of the Negru de
Purcari and also of the white
wines.

Constantin Mimi
(1868 1935) governor of
Bessarabia, winemaker.
Constantin Mimi studied
viticulture and
winemaking in France.
In 1901, he established
a modern winery in
Bulboaca
Petru Ungurean
(1894-1975) scientist,
oenologist, founder of
the Scientific
Oenological School
After having received good
education in Krasnodar
(Russia), Petru
Ungurean devoted

 Dont miss the maize served with fried meat, sour cream

andMoldovan cheese called brinza, which is made of sheep

milk.
You may also try sarmale which is made of rice, meat and

vegetables rolled in cabbage leaves.

Another traditional and very popular dish,isPlacinte, which are

pies usually stuffed with cheese (brinza), potatoes, cabbage or

apples.
Moldovans cook a lot of meat: chicken, pork, beef, lamb, duck,

goose. The meat is fried, baked, or grilled. You may also try the
meatballs.

 Moldovan folk is known for swift, complex rhythms ,musical

improvisation and syncopation. Modern pop stars includeO-Zone,

a Romanian and Moldovan band whose "Dragostea din tei" was a
major 2004 European hit, guitarist and songwriter
Vladimir Pogrebniuc,Natalia Barbu, who is well known in Germany,
Romania and Ukraine, andNelly Ciobanu. The bandFlacaibecame
well known in the 1970s across Moldova, turning their hometown
ofCahulinto an important center of music.[2]

 Cricova andMilestii Miciwine cellarsare recognised to be the biggest

underground wine cellars in Europe. The wine factory and wine collection are
located in limestone tunnels and form an underground wine city with motor
streets named after the popular wine brands - Cabernet, Shardonait,
Feteasca.
Cojusna wine cellaris a smaller cellar in the close proximity of Chisinau

town. It is located in the village Cojusna in Straseni district. Its factory is

situated above the ground and its wine collection with 2 nice tasting rooms
underground.
Orheiul Vechiis an ancient settlement situated in the left bank of the Raut

river near the villages of Trebujeni and Butuceni in Orhei district . An

orthodox cave monastery dated from XII century is still working nowadays.
Down in Butuceni village is a small peasant house preserved from the XXth
century and transformed into a museum.

 Soroca town is situated 160 km north of Chisinau

on the western bank of the Dniestr river. In the

medieval times it had a particular importance for
the defense system of Moldova against the
invasions of tartars, polyaks, Cossacks, ottomans
and Slavs from the East.
Saharna monastery complexis situated in one

of the most picturesque gorges on the western

bank of the Dniestr river near Saharna village. The
first settlements on the steep banks of the river of
the same name were founded by the Gets and are
dated to II century B.C.. The largest cascade falls
down from a height of 10 meters and it is as wide
as 5 meters. It is Moldovan Niagara Falls most
impressive in Winter, Spring and Autumn after the
rains.

Thank you!