Briefly about the main thing: the past and present of the city.
Chisinau is a green and hospitable city where historical heritage, cozy streets and modern atmosphere are combined. Enjoy beautiful parks, long walks, warm welcome and local cuisine!
Geographical location of Chisinau
To find where Chisinau is on the map, look in the very center of Moldova. The city has an area of 123 km², is 85 meters above sea level, stretches along the river Bull and stands on 7 hills. The geographical location of Chisinau is the secret of its scenic beauty.
The Bull is the right tributary of the Dniester. The river is not too big, but it plays an important role in the formation of the urban ecosystem, creating a cozy atmosphere. There is also a large Gidigich reservoir and more than 20 lakes within and around the city. What can be better than a green hilly area near a water body?
The climate here is temperate continental: warm summers and mild winters make it pleasant for traveling at any time of the year. The average temperature in the hottest summer months is about +22 degrees Celsius, and in winter it is about -2 degrees Celsius.
A brief history of Kishinev
Nowadays no one has a question in which country Kishinev is in. But this was not always the case. The city was first mentioned in historical documents in 1436, but for a long time it could not develop normally, because it constantly suffered from the raids of the Turks and Crimean Tatars. In the XVII century once again ruined settlement ceased to exist.
The situation improved only in the early XIX century. The city grew under the influence of the Russian Empire, the first enterprises and factories appeared. Then Chisinau again experienced difficult historical periods as a part of the Moldavian Democratic Republic, Romania and the Soviet Union.
In August 1991, the Declaration of Independence of the Republic of Moldova was adopted, proclaiming Moldova a sovereign state and Kishinev its capital. Today it is a dynamic European city with a rich past and a promising future.
Demography of Chisinau
The population of Chisinau is about 674,500 as of 2022. The city is multinational: Moldovans, Russians, Ukrainians, Bulgarians and other peoples live here.
If you're worried about what language is spoken in Chisinau, the official language is Romanian, but Russian is also widely used in everyday life. Ukrainian, Gagauz and Bulgarian are less common, while English is traditionally spoken in the tourist industry and business.
Economy and infrastructure of Chisinau
What is Chisinau famous for? First of all, wine production. Other important sectors are agriculture, IT and trade. Chisinau is the economic center of Moldova. It is also an important logistic hub, through which international transportation corridors connecting Eastern Europe with the Balkans and the Mediterranean pass.
Chisinau has convenient public transportation - buses, trolleybuses, shuttle buses. There are no railroads here, unlike most major European cities, but there is a local trolleybus network, one of the largest in the region.
Architecture of Kishinev
During World War II, Kishinev was heavily bombed and much of its historic buildings were lost. But in the post-war years it was rebuilt, and today you can find typical European classics, Soviet modernism and modern buildings at the same time.
Among the most famous architects who contributed to the look of the city, we can single out Alexander Bernardazzi. He designed entire streets, built the city's water supply system, participated in the improvement of parks, designed several churches and other buildings. Almost all of them have been taken under state protection and restored.
Of course, the capital has large shopping centers, markets and business quarters, and the service sector is actively developing, including tourism, hotel business and restaurant sector. Chisinau continues to grow, preserving its identity and cultural heritage.
Culture and attractions of Chisinau
Visitors and locals of Kishinev willingly go to theaters. First of all it is the National Opera and Ballet Theater of the Republic of Moldova. Pay attention to the Kishinev National, local Russian Drama and several modern youth theaters.
There is an annual opera and ballet festival in Chisinau. There are music and movie festivals, and concerts at the Organ Hall are popular. Fans of gastronomic tourism will not be bored without events either.
Natural areas of the city deserve special attention. These are botanical gardens, arboretum, park "Valya Morilor" with the lake of the same name and other numerous parks. The obligatory program is to walk along Stefan cel Mare Boulevard - the main city street. The observation deck of the water tower offers a magical view of the city, and the building itself sometimes hosts exhibitions.
The Arc de Triomphe, the Cathedral and the Eternity Memorial are worth a visit. For art go to the National Museum of Fine Arts and the Museum of Romanian Literature, and for history go to the National Museum of Ethnography, the National Museum of Moldovan History or the Museum of Archaeology.
Why visit Chisinau
The main reason to visit Chisinau is its incredible comfort and home-like atmosphere. Here you can enjoy cozy streets, taste great wine and feel at home. No hustle and bustle, but at the same time - all the advantages of a modern European capital.
