Moldova preserves historical landmarks through major restorations

Moldova features several significant historical and architectural monuments that have undergone extensive restoration to preserve the nation's heritage.

In Chișinău, the ‘Dormition of the Mother of God’ wooden church stands as one of the country's oldest ecclesiastical monuments. Originally built in 1642 from oak, the structure was moved from Hirișeni to Chișinău in 2009 following years of abandonment and structural damage. The restoration process preserved approximately 75% of the original structure, including most of the original beams and a significant portion of the iconostasis. It is now part of the ‘Museum Village’ complex.

In Hâncești, the Manuc Bey Mansion serves as a prominent historical landmark. The complex, built in a French style between 1858 and 1861 by the descendants of Armenian diplomat Manuc-Emmanuel Mîrzoian, includes a palace designed by architect Alexandru Bernardazzi. The estate features various buildings, including a hunting castle and a watchtower, set within an expansive park. After suffering damage from the 1986 earthquake and periods of Soviet-era repurposing, the site received architectural monument status in 1993 and has undergone restoration efforts since 2014.