The route:

Chisinau – Raciula – Frumoasa – Hirbovat - Hirjauca

Duration – 8 hours
Round-trip distance – 160 km

Description:

Tour is concentrated on Calarasi region where all those four monasteries included in the route: «Raciula», «Frumoasa», «Hirbovat» and «Hirjauca».

The first monastery, which should be visited, is located in Raciula village, 46 km from Chisinau city. The monastic complex is placed right in the center of the village, the monk’s rooms being located compactly from both parties of churches, the main, the summer church with «Birth of God’s Mother» temple and winter, with «Saint Nicolae» temple, creating an uniform and free composition.

Finishing the visit of the first monastery, we pass to the second, namely, to «Frumoasa» monastery, which is situated on an inclined hill to the river Ikel, surrounded by vineyards, gardens and hills.

The architecture of both churches (of the summer and winter) carries a print of national Moldavian feature, with an impurity of classical style and elements from baroque style.

«Hirbovat» monastery is located in the same valley as Ikel river. From the western party the monastery is surrounded with beautiful gardens and vineyards, from the southern party, a picturesque valley protects the monastery. The attention of visitors is involved in the architecture of cellars, stables and barns with massive, thick walls, interesting by the asymmetry of forms.

Last stop of a route a «Hirjauca» monastery, is located on coast of a small river with the same name, at the lap of a hill with century oaks. The architecture of the monastery is very interesting and original, to the gate goes an alley of pyramidal poplars and the monastery is arranged in the form of horseshoe.




The virtual tour worked out by

The National Association of Travel Agencies of Moldova

and

WWW.TUR.MD - touristic WEB site of the Republic of Moldova