Sightseeing in Moldova: Old Orhei - the Upper Town
Chișinău / Moldova.ORG/ -- When speaking of sights in Moldova, Old Orhei (Romanian: Orheiul Vechi) comes to your mind inevitably.
It is one of the most publicized locations in the country, but not by chance. It is indeed one of the most beautiful places in Moldova.
The Orhei museum complex is located on the meander bank of river Raut, a Dniester River tributary, at a distance of 18 km south from Orhei.
It is a unique open air historical and natural museum, where the natural relief blends with the remains of ancient civilizations.
The complex is located on an area of several tens of hectares of the medieval Orhei (XIII-XIV century), later called Old Orhei, as a result of the establishment of another town with the same name - the nowadays Orhei.
Remains of various civilizations that have lived here can be found on the territory of this complex.
The stone caverns show the presence of human settlements several hundred thousand years old. On the 200m high rocky hill, there was an important Geto-Dacian fortification during V-III centuries BC.
The Dacians had their own calendar, as shown by the archaeologists discoveries.
The place of the calendar was also dedicated to bringing offerings and had the role of an altar for religious purposes.
On the opposite side of the hill are found ruins of the "New City" of the Sheihr-al-Gedid Golden Horde (XIII-XIV century), considered one of the capital of the Tatar-Mongol Empire.
After the territory was reconquested by Moldovans, there was bulit a fortress (XV century), named Orhei. Its remains can still be seen today.
Tourists may also visit a cave monastery dated the same period.
Another attractive point is the "The Peasant Court" museum (XIX century), and the "Trebujeni" landscape reserve.
The area is impressive, as well, due to its landscapes and panoramas that open from the high bank of the Raut river.
Tourists who come here can accommodate both at the pensions arranged in the area and the locals of Trebujeni and Butuceni.
Distance from Chisinau: 55 km.
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