Thanks to the support of the European Union and UNDP Moldova, teams have cataloged and included over 1,800 cultural and historical heritage sites in restoration and valorization projects on both banks of the Dniester River, reports MOLDPRES.
Project coordinator Andrei Chistol said:
“Together with our colleagues from the EU and UNDP Moldova, we have inventoried, restored, and promoted historical and architectural heritage, demonstrating that it can serve as a valuable resource for the future.”
Key achievements include:
- Inventorying 1,818 heritage sites, with 1,058 on the right bank and 810 on the left bank of the Dniester;
- Organizing a national restoration contest with 248 proposals, of which 12 were selected through public voting;
- Implementing iconic projects such as the restoration of Tighina (Bender) Fortress and the Chisinau Circus, funded with 3.6 million euros from the EU budget;
- Increasing visitors to Tighina Fortress from 26,000 in 2022 to over 42,000 in 2024, showing a direct impact on local tourism.
Ongoing projects, each valued up to 72,000 euros, include:
- Tipova Rock Monastery, Rezina – one of the oldest rock-cut monastic ensembles in Eastern Europe;
- Bell Tower in Vadul lui Rascov, Soldanesti – restoration of a medieval historic structure;
- Ruins of the Great Synagogue in Rascov – conservation of the Menorah and Aron Kodesh;
- Facade of the Savings Bank and Treasury in Tighina (Bender) – preservation of an emblematic interwar building.
Chistol added:
“These projects help preserve our shared cultural identity, foster sustainable tourism, and build trust between communities. Cultural heritage is not only a legacy of the past but also a resource for the future.”
These initiatives form part of the Confidence-Building Measures Program, which transforms cultural heritage into a bridge for dialogue and collaboration between communities.
