Old Orhei and Kurki Monastry Tour from Chisinau
Chișinău, Moldova
Trip Type: Day Trips
Duration: 6 hours
Old Orhei and Kurki Monastery - the most important Moldovan tourist destination.
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Old Orhei and Kurki Monastery - the most important Moldovan tourist destination.
Old Orhei is one of the most remarkable monuments of the dim and distant past. On the eastern outskirts of the fully stocked wood, in a valley formed by the rocky banks of the river Reut, at the Cape Pestere ("cave"), is Old Orhei.
The history of Old Orhei brings us back to the far back in the past - fifteenth century: reign of Stefan cel Mare. In the summer of 1470, it was finished the construction of the fortress on the rocky shore of Reut. The city's population was about two thousand inhabitants. In the early 70-ies of the XV century Orhei reached its greatest prosperity as a handicraft and trade center of Moldavian Principality. Artifacts that were found during excavations tell about the development of pottery, leather craft, shoe-making, jewelry, and other crafts. After the attack of the Crimean Tatars in 1499 and in 1510, respectively, Orhei was not able to restore, but attempts to revive the city were taken by Hospodar (Lord) Jeremiah Movila. However, already in 1603, 1633 years Orhei-called "old" or “ramshackle”.
The Curchi Monastery got its name from the founder of the monastery, monk Ioan Curchi. The monastery is associated with probably the highest amount of legends that tell of the Moldavian ruler Stefan cel Mare si Sfint and a local resident of the village of Morozeni, Orhei County, named Dumitras. There are also legends relating to Ioan Curchi himself and to his brother Mihail. The legends of the Curchi monastery can be regarded as a religious epic intertwining fiction and truth.
Technical information: Length of the route both ways - 170 km, duration - 6 hours, sanitary stops at refuelling stations and on the monastery’s premises. Shoes can be chosen at the tourists’ discretion, clothing for men: trousers covering the knees, shirts with at least short sleeves (no T-shirts), clothing for women: skirts, blouses without a deep cleavage, shoulders covered, and a head scarf. It is allowed to have drinking water and some food for a snack. One may bring sunflower oil, wheat flour, wine, and bread for the monastery (optionally).
The history of Old Orhei brings us back to the far back in the past - fifteenth century: reign of Stefan cel Mare. In the summer of 1470, it was finished the construction of the fortress on the rocky shore of Reut. The city's population was about two thousand inhabitants. In the early 70-ies of the XV century Orhei reached its greatest prosperity as a handicraft and trade center of Moldavian Principality. Artifacts that were found during excavations tell about the development of pottery, leather craft, shoe-making, jewelry, and other crafts. After the attack of the Crimean Tatars in 1499 and in 1510, respectively, Orhei was not able to restore, but attempts to revive the city were taken by Hospodar (Lord) Jeremiah Movila. However, already in 1603, 1633 years Orhei-called "old" or “ramshackle”.
The Curchi Monastery got its name from the founder of the monastery, monk Ioan Curchi. The monastery is associated with probably the highest amount of legends that tell of the Moldavian ruler Stefan cel Mare si Sfint and a local resident of the village of Morozeni, Orhei County, named Dumitras. There are also legends relating to Ioan Curchi himself and to his brother Mihail. The legends of the Curchi monastery can be regarded as a religious epic intertwining fiction and truth.
Technical information: Length of the route both ways - 170 km, duration - 6 hours, sanitary stops at refuelling stations and on the monastery’s premises. Shoes can be chosen at the tourists’ discretion, clothing for men: trousers covering the knees, shirts with at least short sleeves (no T-shirts), clothing for women: skirts, blouses without a deep cleavage, shoulders covered, and a head scarf. It is allowed to have drinking water and some food for a snack. One may bring sunflower oil, wheat flour, wine, and bread for the monastery (optionally).
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