Every day, thousands of people cross Ștefan cel Mare și Sfânt boulevard – the main artery of the city of Chisinau. Even so, how many of you know that the history of this street began during the Russo-Turkish war of 1787-1792 and that its first name was “Millionnaia”? We tell you about these and many other curiosities in the first edition of the “Tourist Chisinau” project – which will present unknown details about the key locations in the Capital.
Until bearing the name of the most prominent ruler of Moldova, the boulevard Ștefan cel Mare y Sfânt had six names.
“The history of this street began at the end of the 18th century as a road leading to the military camp of Russian soldiers who set up camp in the upper western part of Chisinau. The first name of the street was “Millionnaia” because Chisinau residents said that there were a million soldiers in this camp. Then, in the 19th century, its name was changed to Moscovei Street”, says Guide Andrei Smântână.
After Nicholas II of Russia visited Chisinau in the spring of 1887, the street was renamed Aleksandrovskaia in honor of his father – Emperor Alexander III.
For a while, the street bore the name of Alexandru Cel Bun. In the interwar period, it was called Carol II, in honor of the Romanian monarch, but in the Soviet period, it was called the street, then Lenin Boulevard. Since the 90s of the last century, the boulevard has been named after voivode Stephen the Great and the Holy.
Next, we invite you to watch the full interview, in which you will learn about the tragic fate of the monument of Stephen the Great.
Project financed and implemented by Chisinau City Hall through the Chisinau Civil Budget Program, 2023 edition.