Day trip to Cricova Winery and Old Orhei Natural Reserve
This day explore an open-air museum complex Orhei Vechi (Old Orhei) that presents the remains of different civilizations established between Nistru and Prut rivers. The complex comprises caves, grottos, churches, Geto-Dacian fortress and hermitages. The open air museum represents a true natural fortress inhabited since ancient times. Walk into Orthodox Cave Monastery and feel the spirit of those times. Learn the way of living of the locals and visit a typical 19th cent. Moldavian house-museum.
We promise you lots of positive emotions and good impressions in the historical complex Orheiul Vechi.
We’ll take you to the countryside villages like Butuceni and Trebujeni. It’s a top tour to important historical and archeological sites which, surely, take one some centuries back. The tour gives a possibility to learn more about the rural life of the Moldovans. You’ll get closer to the villagers, and, of course, to the nature with its amazing landscapes and fresh air.
So, Orheiul Vechi is a museum complex that presents the remnants of different civilizations in the area between Nistru and Prut rivers. It is situated 60 km away from Chisinau in a narrow, rocky, 150-200 m deep bend in the Raut River valley. On the opposite side of the river, we can distinguish the ruins of the “New town” of the Golden Horde “Sheihr-al Gedid” (XIII-XIVc.). As researchers affirm, it was one of the Tatars’ capitals during their expansion into Europe.
Further, we’ll enter in an Orthodox cave monastery “The Assumption of Mary ”. It was expanded and modified inside the cliffs by the monks over the centuries. Surprisingly, it is still functioning and attracts many tourists by its uniquiness.
Finally, Old Orhei is an archeological complex with caves, grottoes, churches, and hermitages, which stretches over 220 ha.
Another interesting place to be visited on the route is the Moldovan village Butuceni where the style and traditions of the Moldavian architecture of the 19th century are preserved and carefully maintained – ornamentally decorated houses, gates, fences, wells with potable water and old cellars.
Tired of exploring Old Orhei area, make a stop for a lunch at a local family guest house and sample traditional dishes and home-made wine.
Later, visit the monastic complex Curchi located in one of the most picturesque areas in the center of Moldova, in Codrii forests.
Curchi Monastery is an architectural gem that includes Moldova’s tallest church spire – 57 meters, or about 190 feet.
Considered one of the country’s most beautiful monasteries, the three-century-old complex exudes an aura of peace and quiet.
The most impressive church is the main house of worship, the Baroque-style Birth of Our Lady Church, inspired by the Church of St. Andrew in Kiev.
Late afternoon, tour the underground tunnels of the wine cellars Cricova and see a large collection of exclusive wine, get acquainted with the process of wine and wine sparkling production. The oldest wine to be stored there is a Jerusalem Wine (1902). Cricova is a unique place housing historic wines among which Goering’s collection, the winery is proud for. Proceed for wine tasting in one of the tasting halls of Cricova wine cellars.
The excellent Moldovan wines are aged in the famous Cricova limestone mines (they are almost 60 km length).
Natural limestone in the cellars helps to maintain the necessary temperature – 12-14ºC and humidity 97-98 % – the optimal conditions for high quality wine aging. Thus, Cricova wines are unusual – quite self-contained, very tasty and elegant.
Today, Cricova is, obviously, an underground town. You will drive along the streets and boulevards with wine names Cabernet, Feteasca, Pinot, Aligote… . In the underground silence of Cricova cellars, up to 30 mln. liters of wine acquire their precious unsurpassable properties.
All Cricova wines can be tasted in luxurious tasting halls, which are a veritable masterpiece of exquisite architecture.
Tour details available by email incoming@solei.md