Over 800 churches classified as historical monuments could return to state ownership and later be transferred under the administration of the Metropolis of Bessarabia, Minister of Culture Cristian Jardan stated after the Government meeting.
The authorities are awaiting the final court decision, but a ruling from the Chisinau Court of Appeal has already annulled the previous contract, meaning these monuments would revert to state ownership.
“These 800-some historical monuments return to state possession. I’ll be honest: we, as a ministry, do not have the capacity to manage 800 monuments. You realize, that’s 800 buildings,” Jardan said.
The minister added that the government will assess the condition of the buildings to determine the resources needed for their maintenance. “We need to do the evaluation and see what condition they are in and how many resources are necessary. There are several solutions, but we are waiting for the final decision,” he specified.
Jardan emphasized the issue is delicate and requires a balanced approach to avoid social tensions: “This is a very complicated issue, which requires a correct and balanced approach to prevent social conflicts. At the same time, our interest is to preserve the integrity of these historical monuments and ensure they are properly maintained.”
The dispute dates back to 2003, when the Ministry of Culture granted the Metropolis of Moldova unlimited-use rights over more than 800 religious buildings free of charge. At the end of 2025, the Chisinau Court of Appeal decided to cancel these rights.