Translating from a Hungarian word meaning “guard post”, Orhei is a lively Moldovan city north of Chișinău. It was once an important Ottoman military hub in the historic region of Bessarabia before being surrendered to the Russian Empire in 1812. Orhei was taken by the Romanians following World War I and seized by the USSR in 1940 before becoming part of the Republic of Moldova in 1991.
Things to do in Orhei
A short drive south-east of the city is the archaeological complex of Old Orhei, which overlooks a bend of the Răut River. Its history dates back to the 4th century BC when it was established as a Geto-Dacian fortress, with medieval earthworks and the remains of Ottoman washhouses still visible today. An Orthodox monastery was constructed here in the 14th century and is still inhabited by monks.
Old Orhei forms part of Orhei National Park, which encompasses more than 33,000 hectares of forested valleys and caves filled with historic artefacts and inscriptions. Hiking and cycling trails wind their way through the Trebujeni and Ţiganesti landscape reserves while climbers come to tackle the sheer rock faces. Occupying a quaint peasant’s house in Butuceni is an ethnography museum.
One of Moldova’s oldest family estates is the Manor of the Balioz Family, which was constructed in the mid-19th century by Karabet Artsilovich Balioz. Its period-furnished rooms exhibit folkloric handicrafts, Moldovan paintings and decorative arts. Wander through the surrounding park, which is dotted with old stables and barns.
Getting around Orhei
Orhei is around a one-hour drive from Chișinău and an hour from Chișinău International Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe. Regular buses connect to Orhei and travel throughout the city. Renting a car is the most convenient way of accessing the surrounding attractions.