Cricova cellars
The underground wine-making city of Cricova, which has become the emblem of Moldovan winemaking, has galleries stretching for 70 km, with symbolic street names: Dionis, Feteasca, Cabernet Sauvignon, etc. depth of 35-80 m. The cellars store 30 million liters of wine at a constant temperature of 12-14˚C and a humidity of 97-98%.
Founded in 1952, the ”Cricova” plant is the largest producer of sparkling wines according to the traditional Moldovan technology, the maturation of which takes place entirely in underground cellars. Cricova houses the ”State Vinoteka”, a wonderful collection of legendary wines, both local and foreign. The vinoteca originates from the collection of Goering’s wines, among which are the famous wines of Mosel, Burgundy, Bordeaux, Porto. The oldest wine in the collection and the only one of its kind in the world is the ”Easter Jerusalem” wine, produced in 1902.
Cellars are declared at the legislative level a national cultural heritage.
Grotto in Duruitoara Veche
In Duruitoara Veche, Riscani district, there are unusual gorges, waterfalls, a huge reservoir Costesti-Stynca, and a wide river, by Moldavian standards. But the most unusual is one of the largest grottoes in Europe. Moreover, the oldest human site discovered in Europe was discovered in the grotto. And the grotto is simply beautiful, and it offers a stunning view of the surroundings.
Ancient ovens Vorniceni
In the village of Vorniceni in the Straseni region, one of the oldest settlements in Moldova, which is mentioned in documents from 1420 and has existed since 1402, huge kilns for firing ceramics were discovered several years ago. Scientists put forward a version that these furnaces are about 600 years old, and the Tatars built such structures for firing pottery. Similar furnaces have not been preserved either in Ukraine, or in Romania, or, in fact, in the “rest” of the Balkans.
Cinderella cave
The famous karst gypsum cave “Cinderella”, which in 1991, by decision of the Government of the Republic, it was decided to rename the cave named after. Emily Rakovita. The descent and, especially, the ascent along the narrow stairs of the well is a rather serious test, especially considering that the cave has its own special microclimate. The cave is in complete darkness. The floor and walls of the cave are in many places covered with a layer of liquid clay, so it will not be possible to leave it clean. It is forbidden to enter the cave alone, it is necessary to be accompanied by an experienced instructor who knows the conditions of the cave and its topography well. It is very easy for a beginner to get lost in it. In addition, special clothing and footwear, lighting fixtures, and a helmet are required.
In total, there are about 20 lakes in the cave, the most notable of them are the Blue Lake and the Green Labyrinth.
In some halls of the cave, speleologists fashioned figurines from local, multi-colored clay. So, in the Hall of Chernivtsi Speleologists there is a famous statue of Cinderella. There are sculptures of Dinosaur, Horse, Mouse. These figures serve as a kind of milestones for inexperienced researchers.
Soldanesh bunker
A 13-story Soviet-era underground bunker located in the forest of the Olishkany village. The Sholdanesti bunker is one of the largest in the territory of the former Soviet Union. There was supposed to be a reserve command post of the General Staff of the Warsaw Pact Armed Forces. In the event of a nuclear strike, the command post was supposed to provide up to 24 owls of complete isolation.
The bunker consists of two cylindrical blocks, each with a diameter of 36 meters and a depth of 60 meters. The height of the ceilings in the rooms is 4-5 meters, the walls are made of steel. In some places, underground water has penetrated into the bunker, and now the walls are covered with moss. The construction of a military base in the Olishkansky forest stopped 20 years ago, simultaneously with the collapse of the Soviet Union. There are two more exactly the same complexes: in Belarus and in Azerbaijan.
Eiffel bridge
For many years the fact that the Ungheni bridge was built by the Eifel was unknown to the public and even to local historians. But this bridge gained wide popularity during the growth of national consciousness and was known as “Podul de flori” (Flower bridge). In the late 80s and early 90s, the Romanians brothers from both banks of the Prut walked with flowers along the bridge instead of trains and fraternized, not suspecting that they were practically walking along the Eiffel Tower.
Lake Beleu
Beleu is a relict lake, that is, it appeared when a part of the water area was separated from the sea as a result of tectonic movements. It happened 5-6 thousand years ago, when most of the Danube Delta was under the waters of the Black Sea. Its shores are abundantly covered with reeds, willows, and grasses typical of water meadows grow around. The area of the lake is 626 hectares, and with the water meadow – all 2000 hectares. It is comfortable for waterfowl here. Being relatively close to the Danube Delta, the lake lies on a large migratory route; in total, 168 species of birds have been recorded on Beleu. Its depth is up to 2 meters, 30 species of fish are found in it. Mammals live – otter, European mink. There are 160 species of plants growing in the district. The view of the lake is impressive. In length it stretches for 5 km, in the widest places it reaches 2 km. Swim in a boat in the middle, you will not see the coast. If it’s foggy, you’ll get lost. It used to be that they searched for the lost for days.
Fountain of youth
Right behind the fence of the Hirzhauka monastery (in the village of Hirzhauka) begins a wonderful section of the old beech forest. They say that a special place was chosen for the construction of the monastery, where anyone could be cured of an illness, be it physical or spiritual. And today there is a famous “fountain of youth” here. According to legend, the water in it has healing properties.
Old mill in the village of Beshalma
In the Gagauz village of Beshalma, Comrat region, there is the only wooden windmill from the middle of the 19th century that has survived almost in its original form. Makes an impression. It has been standing here for about a century and a half. The mill is still in working condition and is sometimes run. The foundation of the mill is made of stone, and the base and the blades are made entirely of wood, which has already turned black from time to time. Inside the mill were mechanisms that set the millstones in motion. Equipped with a wheel that increases its stability. Usually the measurement of corn and flour was made using a wooden tub with a capacity of 21 kg. Payment for grinding grain was carried out as a smelter in the form of an exchange, the owner of the mill took one boat from a large tub, which contained 1 kg of products. Today it does not work like a real mill.
Edinet toltry
Toltry – picturesque limestone hills and ridges, they are much older than the Carpathian Mountains. These are the barrier reefs of the ancient sea, which appeared 15-20 million years ago, when the Torton and Sarmatian seas disappeared. The microclimate, formed by toltras and canyons of rivers, creates favorable conditions for the preservation of rare and relic plants, including a large number of medicinal ones.
Budzhaksky reserve of medicinal herbs
In Comrat, a unique reserve of the untouched virgin Budzhak steppe has been functioning since Soviet times. The protected area is also a reserve of medicinal herbs. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that the grass has never been mowed on the territory of the reserve, and it has also not been used as a pasture. This territory is registered with the United Nations (UN). Once every five years, the seed culture of the reserve is mowed and exported abroad. In total, there are about 80 types of medicinal herbs on the territory of the reserve. The territory is protected by the Environmental Agency of Gagauzia.
Naslavcha and Karpov Yar
The village of Naslavcha is located on high picturesque hills, impresses
real mountain village. On the left bank of the Kisareu stream, a kilometer from the mouth, there is Karpov Yar, a paleontological monument (black shales with phosphorites protrude in the section of the ravine, thin-layered shale clays with imprints of Sarmatian fish and plants). On this site, the main attraction is the picturesque natural landscapes.
Karpov Yar is another amazing natural monument that you can visit in Naslavcha. It is located about two kilometers from the mouth of the Kisărău River. They took it under the protection of the state back in 1962, since traces of flora and fauna of the ancient era were found in it: here you can see many prints of ancient plants and fish. Thanks to the Karpov Yar, about 60 species of plants and 10 species of fish were studied. Nearby are the Nagoryansky caves. In the past, these caves served as a shelter for local residents from the invasion of the Tatars. In Soviet times, a portrait of Taras Shevchenko was carved on the stone of one of them by an unknown artist.