facts about moldova

Squashed between Romania and Ukraine in eastern Europe, not too many people around the world know much about Moldova. The country has a terrain of forests, rocky hills, and beautiful vineyards. Moldova shares lots of cultural and linguistic roots with Romania, its neighbour. The quaint country is not just hidden away from the eyes of the public eye but is quite unexplored as well. If you have a soft spot for culture, religion, history, and delicious wine, then Moldova is the place to be. Here are some interesting facts about Moldova which you probably didn’t know.

1. Moldova boasts the largest wine collection in the world with more than 1.5 million bottles in a 34-mile underground cellar at the Milestii Mici winery!

Milestii Mici winery
Source: Travel+Leisure

2. Thanks to its largest wine collection, Moldova’s love wine so much that they even celebrate a National Wine Day. It is actually a two-day festival celebrated on the 3rd and 4th of October. On these days, the winemakers open cellars and wineries to the people. Wine tasting is either free or is very cheap as compared to the normal days.

National Wine Day
Source: SERGHEIBUCICO.COM

3. Its wine is banned in Russia. Traditionally Moldova’s biggest export market was Russia, which consumed up to 90 per cent of its wine. However, a diplomatic dispute in 2006 resulted in a Russian ban on Moldovan and Georgian produce, which has been devastating for its economy. Nevertheless, it remains the 20th largest wine-producing nation on Earth.

4. After Belarusians, Moldavians consume most alcohol in the world. 16.8 litres of alcohol are consumed in Moldova per capita per year.

5. Moldova is known as the poorest country in Europe because it has the least GDP among all the European countries. The nominal per capita GDP of Moldova is less than $3,4000, which is very low compared to its neighbouring European countries.

6. It went nearly three years without a president. In 2012, after nearly three years of political deadlock, Moldova elected the veteran judge, Nicolae Timofti, as president – for the first time in 917 days, the country had a leader.

7. Europe’s Largest Jewish Cemetery is in Chisinau the capital of Moldova. Nearly 60,000 Jews were killed during the Holocaust in Moldova; sadly, more than 23,500 are buried in this cemetery on the outskirts of Chisinau.

8. The world’s largest bottle-shaped building is in Moldova located in the Tirnauca village. The Strong Drinks Museum is shaped like a large bottle, the largest one in the world of its kind.

Strong Drinks Museum
Source: Travel Begins at 401

9. The Cave “Emil Racovita”, in Criva, is the 8thgreatest cave on the planet.

Emil Racovita
Source: casamare

10. Out of 152 countries included in the ranking of Internet access speed, Moldova is on the 3rd place.

How to reach?

Chisinau airport is located 12 kilometres from the centre of the city. There is also a national airline, the Air Moldova, along with other foreign airlines that connects to Europe, Russia and other countries. There are a number of connecting flights from the major cities of India to reach Moldova.

Visa:

http://onhisowntrip.com//visa-moldova/

Author’s Recommendations:

Orheiul Vechi: Just an hour drive from Chisinau is Orheiul, or Old Orhei, Moldova’s most marvellous attraction. It’s an archaeological compound with prosperous cultural and historical importance. This is a place of natural beauty which features ruins, monasteries, fortification, baths and caves which are centuries old. Traces of the Tatar and Mongol invasions can be seen, as can those of the occupation of the Golden Horde during the 14th century. A museum can also be found on site to provide information and give context to this most unique of places.

Orheiul Vechi
Source: ThingLink

Cricova Winery: The second biggest subterranean winery on earth; it is surely something to explore. You’ll go to 100 meters under the ground and have a view at what 1.25 million bottles of wine looks like. The wine industry is flourishing in Moldova, which means that it’s worth taking a bottle or two home.

Cricova Winery
Source: Moldova Travel Agency

Saharna: This small village is a place that most who visit say they’d love to return to. It’s home to the Holy Trinity Monastery, but there’s also breath-taking natural beauty to take in. It is believed that Virgin Mary’s foot imprints are embedded on one of the rocks there and that makes Saharna a pilgrimage for numerous Moldovans.

Saharna
Source: Pinterest

Manastirea Curchi: It is one of the most beautiful monasteries in the country and has eve won an award for it.It consists of five churches, a refectory, numerous abbeys and monk cells. This cave monastery offers panoramic views of a lake as well as the well-kept gardens.

Manastirea Curchi
Source: itinari