At the entrance to Chisinau, between the City Gates and the lake in the Botanica district, stands one of the oldest ecclesiastical monuments in the Republic of Moldova – the wooden Church of the Dormition of the Mother of God.
Built in the 17th century, the oak structure is considered the oldest and tallest medieval wooden church in the country.
A 17th-Century Heritage Site
The church’s history dates back to 1642, when it was founded by peasants from the village of Hiriseni at Harjauca Monastery.
The church was built from centuries-old oak trees from Moldova’s forests and represents an authentic example of medieval religious architecture. Its style is characteristic of northern Moldova and closely resembles the tradition of wooden churches in Bukovina.
In 1821, the church was dismantled and moved to the village of Hiriseni, in what is now Telenesti district. It served the local community for more than a century.
In 1928, after a new stone church was built, the wooden structure was converted into a cemetery chapel and gradually fell into disuse.
Years of Neglect
Time and weather took a heavy toll on the historic building.
In 1998, the church’s more than 300-year-old roof collapsed. The building remained without protection for almost 12 years, exposed to rain, snow and further deterioration.
Its rescue came in 2009, when, at the initiative of the National Museum of Ethnography and Natural History, the church was dismantled and transported to Chisinau.
The restoration took two years, with the aim of preserving the original structure as faithfully as possible.
Approximately 75% of the original structure was preserved, including almost 85% of the original wooden beams, which were treated to extend their lifespan.
Around 70% of the iconostasis was also saved, while several icons dating from the 17th to 19th centuries were restored.
The severely damaged roof was completely rebuilt.
In autumn 2011, the restored church was consecrated at its new location under the patronal dedication of the Dormition of the Mother of God.
Part of Chisinau’s Open-Air Village Museum
Today, the church is part of the Village Museum, an open-air museum complex on the southern outskirts of Chisinau.
The historic monument can be visited free of charge, offering visitors a chance to discover an authentic piece of Moldova’s medieval architectural and cultural heritage.