Itinerary:
Historical center – Church “Mazarache” – Bl. Of Renaissance – Bl. Stefan cel Mare – The University of Medicine – The State University of Moldova – „Valea Morilor” – Telecentru – The Memorial of Heroes – Bl. Dacia – The City’s Gates– Bl. Traian – The railway station – The ONU Square – Bl. Stefan cel Mare – „Piata Marii Adunari Nationale”(“The Great National Meeting’ Square”).

30 km. Total time – 3 hours (extra time to visit museums should be allowed).



Description:


It is said, that Albisoara is the oldest street in Chisinau.   Here, on the banks of the Bac river, little houses first appeared at the beginning of XV c. We can see in this area the oldest churches in the City - “Mazarache” and “Constantin si Elena”, the National Circus, and, on the Bd. of the Renaissance, the headquarters of the most important banks in Chisinau.   The route passes a small “florists’ town” - alongside the Cathedral Park; Stefan cel Mare Park, with its beautiful alley of sculptures of Classics of national literature; the “Patria” cinema, where even before the end of the XIX c. films were being shown; and the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet. Then comes the spectacular building of the Parliament of Moldova, and right in the front, conventionalized in the form of a stone flower, the Presidential building. Not far away is situated the “Herta house”, built in a Viennese Baroque style, which today have custody of the collections of the National Museum of the Fine Arts.  
 
The excursion continues to one of the oldest universities in Moldova – The University of Medicine.   Behind it, not far from the Arboretum, are situated the Planetarium and The Pedagogical University “I. Creanga“. After that, we pass by the edifice, its oriental architecture unique in Moldova, of the Museum of Natural History and Ethnography, the Museum of the City Chisinau, and the State University of Moldova – the biggest in Moldova.   Then on to the “Valea Morilor” park – the Mill’s Valley. There is a beautiful leisure area for townspeople.  
 
The tour continues through a residential area with XIX c. urban architecture forming the “old city”, where the residences of a many embassies and international organizations are located.   After that comes “Moldova – Film”, the headquarters of National Television of Moldova and the National Radio, where many illustrious bands have performed. This residential area is on the steepest hill in Chisinau and is called “Telecentru”.   Here too are a many specialised Institutes of the Academy of Science of the Republic of Moldova. After that come the triumphant Memorial of Heroes and the impressive Museum of Armament and Munitions.   The route continues over the big bridge to the residential area of Botanica, where the Botanical Garden, Zoo and the “City’s Gates” are situated on the road to Chisinau International Airport.
 
The Railway Station was designed by the architect Sciusev, who also created Lenin’s Mausoleum in Moscow.   But the Station summarises all the elements of national architecture. The route, passing by the hotels “Cosmos”, “Chisinau” and “National”, returns to Bd. Stefan cel Mare – the main thoroughfare of the capital.   Here are concentrated most of the governmental, administrative, financial and commercial buildings of the country. Tourists can visit the department store “Unic” – the biggest one in Moldova; the Central Agricultural Market; Artisan’s Center next to City Hall; National Theatre “M. Eminescu”; the Organ’ Hall; Triumphal Arch and the Metropolitan’s Cathedral – “Piata Marii Adunari Nationale” - in the Great National Meeting Square, where on 27 August 1991 the Independence of Moldova was declared.


Additional excursions:

• National Museum of the History of Moldova (guide – interpreters, entrance fee)
• National Museum of Natural History and Ethnography (guide – interpreters, etrance fee)
• National Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography (guide, entrance fee)